Orlando: Dining on a Dime

Scenario: Family of four on a limited dining budget for 6 days. We have condensed it down for you, 3 spots to hit and 3 to maybe miss!

Dining Hits

Souplantation | Average pricing: $9-$11 p/person
While I feel Souplantation gets a bad wrap often (and I am not sure why), I hope this sheds some light on why I loved it while we were traveling. Healthy options, healthy options, and healthy options. I think you can understand by day three we were definitely craving greens, hearty soups and breads. Where else can you find a reliably fresh salad bar like theirs? What was even better, we mixed it up. The variety they offer, helped keep it from feeling redundant. And that is completely important on the road.

Bob Evans | Average pricing: $7 and up p/person
We dined here almost four times! What we liked most about the restaurant was their consistent freshness, prompt service and great tasting menu. Their menu consists of very yummy biscuits and gravy fair to the lighter menu items. We tried everything from the biscuit bowl to the spinach salad to the fish platter. We were pleased to find their restaurant so close to our hotel. Most of the food was as close to home cooked as you can get.

Cici’s Pizza | Average pricing: $6 p/person
Pizza, pasta and salad. Literally. Have you been to Chuck E. Cheese or a similar pizza buffet? Then you get the idea. What we liked about this place was the price. The food was similar to other buffets, not spectacular but for the price per person for lunch, it is definitely a hit for the budget minded. Just a side note, check around for discount coupons. I found BOGO coupons at local stores.

Dining Misses

Ponderosa Buffet
Do not follow the crowd on this one. Their buffet might be one of the least expensive in the area. I tried several items with much hesitation. Even the oatmeal made me regret stopping. Next time… well there will not be one. Lets just say that.

Magic Kingdom Restaurants
Disneyland has us spoiled. Most of my experiences dining at the park have been pretty good. Not the case in the Magic Kingdom. Over priced and an unfriendly employee left a bad taste in my mouth. Skip the long lines, pack a lunch in your backpack (we brought snacks, drinks and sandwiches). I am not sure their policy on taking in food but our bags were searched and they did not say anything.

Marriott, Pizza Hut
This is no dis on Marriott but Pizza Hut has to be one of the worst in general. Not only do we dislike our local PH but the one in the hotel very unappetizing. Overpriced for less than mediocre pizza. I will pass next time and skip the convenience of room service. This experience made us sorry we broke our pact (I have a blog post about that somewhere).

As a side note, I was not sponsored to write reviews for the above restaurants.