We Go to Disneyland Every Week. These Are the Cheap Foods We Eat to Save Money.

Let’s be honest: Disneyland is not known for being a frugal or cheap experience. And over the last few years, all of the Disney parks have definitely raised the bar and upped their game when it comes to food. Between seasonal food offerings and social media-hyped treats, it might feel like you're spending an entire paycheck on food in the blink of an eye if you’re not careful.

But guests or families still looking for a magical experience with a wallet that doesn’t feel so empty at the end of their vacation can still find great dining options if they just know where to look. I or a member of the MickeyVisit.com team visit Disneyland every week. These are some of our favorite, cheap eats at Disneyland—one from each land—all of which are under $12.

You can our ratings of the best Disneyland restaurants and the best Disneyland foods to eat here.

Soup or Gumbo in a Sourdough Bread Bowl at the Royal Street Veranda (New Orleans Square)

Confession: Growing up, the soup and sourdough bread bowl at the Royal Street Veranda was my family’s tried-and-true option for a very filling lunch at Disneyland, so we are thrilled that this is still available today and is still one of the cheaper meals you can find in the park. Both the soup and the vegetarian gumbo options are warm and hearty, and the bread bowl is dense enough that most of the time we couldn’t finish it! Definitely worth a stop if you have no further plans for treats or snacks throughout your day, because you will be full! 

Sides at Rancho del Zocalo (Frontierland)

Most visitors don’t know that Disneyland’s primary Mexican restaurant Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland offers side orders of chips and salsa, beans, guacamole, rice, and corn tortillas. Each side order ranges in price from $1.19 to $5.99 but comes with a surprisingly substantial amount of food for what you pay. It makes for an easy way to pick-and-choose your favorite Mexican sides and build a pretty filling custom meal.

Burgers at the Hungry Bear Restaurant (Critter Country)

In our opinion, the biggest sleeper restaurant in all of Disneyland is the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country. It’s tucked away in an odd spot and often gets overlooked when park visitors get hungry, but the burgers there are great for a quick lunch! Both the Classic Cheeseburger and the Impossible (plant-based) Classic Cheeseburger are large, loaded, and come with a side of fruit or fries.

Jolly Holiday Combo at Jolly Holiday Café (Main Street)

The Jolly Holiday Café on Main Street U.S.A. has become a beloved staple for many frequent Disneyland visitors for its baked goods and desserts (we’re looking at you, Raspberry Rose Macaron). But on a chilly Anaheim day, we’ve found there’s nothing more delicious than a warm grilled cheese sandwich and bowl of tomato soup from Jolly Holiday Café. And if anyone in your group argues that “this is something we could make at home for a fraction of the cost,” tell them not to knock it until they try it. This is truly a next-level soup and sandwich offering.

Pizza Slice at Alien Pizza Planet (Tomorrowland)

All three pizza slice options—cheese, pepperoni, and BBQ chicken—at Alien Pizza Planet in Tomorrowland are HUGE and very filling. Alien Pizza Planet is one of our favorite stops for lunch in the park and makes for a super kid-friendly option, too. The theming of the restaurant is very fun for space lovers and Toy Story fans alike. And even if you can’t find a table inside, the terrace just outside is still shaded, cool, and a great place to get out of the heat if you’re visiting on a sunny day. 

A huge slice of New York-style cheese pizza at Alien Pizza Planet costs $7.99, a pepperoni pizza slice is $8.49, and a slice of the BBQ chicken pizza costs $8.99—just cheap enough for you to get an out-of-this-world Lemon and Blackberry Alien Macaroon for dessert (my favorite treat in the entire park).

Five-blossom Bread at Oga’s Cantina (Galaxy’s Edge)

Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge is typically known for its fun drink offerings, and it's a favorite watering hole for park visitors looking for booze. But the bar also has some very solid snack options too that could make for a filling and cheap lunch. Our vote goes to the Five-blossom Bread, which is basically a huge salted pretzel knot served with a side of warm cheese sauce. Be sure to read our review of Oga's Cantina Star Wars Bar at Galaxy's Edge that includes details on this fun bar and tips for how to get a reservation. 

Chef’s Chicken Chopped Salad at Red Rose Taverne (Fantasyland)

The Red Rose Taverne in Fantasyland has a variety of inexpensive options for lunch, like chicken tenders and flatbreads, but our favorite option is the Chef’s Chicken Chopped Salad. It comes with a large portion of mixed greens topped with roasted chicken, bacon, cucumber, egg, tomato, and sherry vinaigrette. It’s also one of the largest, cheapest, and healthiest food options you’ll find at Disneyland, and Red Rose Taverne boasts some of our favorite vegan food options as well.

DIY Charcuterie Board at Good Boy! Grocers (Toontown)

The newly reimagined Toontown doesn’t have a whole lot of substantial food options (yet), but one stop we’ve loved for a fun customized lunch is the variety of snacks offered at the Pluto-themed quick dining spot, Good Boy! Grocers. We recommend starting with the Mini Babybel Snack Cheese Pack ($3.49) and adding to your order with items like bananas, pickles, apples, or a fruit bar, all of which are under $4 a piece.

Beef Skewers at Bengal Barbecue (Adventureland)

Both the Banyan (spicy) and the Bengal (sweet) Beef Skewers at Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland are an incredibly filling and delicious protein option that will only set you back $6.99 a piece. Whenever we’ve ordered this, the meat has always been tender, moist, and unexpectedly flavorful. It’s also a pretty unique theme park meal (a.k.a—not a burger, a pretzel, pizza, or chicken tenders), but the flavors are tame enough that any hungry little one would appreciate it, too. Plus, grabbing this for lunch is more likely to keep you full for longer than what you’ll find at the cotton candy carts!

Bonus: Corndog a la carte at the Stage Door Café (Main Street U.S.A.)

The corndog from the Little Red Wagon is basically legendary at this point, but ordering it as a combo with fruit or chips definitely bumps up the price. To save some cash, try ordering it à la carte (without your side) from the Stage Door Café instead! You can also read our guide to classic Disneyland food and tips for ordering these. 

Buying food at Disneyland need not break the bank, and the park offers a variety of delicious options to choose from. No matter where you are at Disneyland, there is a satisfying, affordable food option for you to try! To save the most money during your Disney vacation, be sure to check out our list of more great ways to save money on your next Disneyland trip.

Full Guide to Cheap Food at Disneyland Resort

These are just a selection of the best cheap foods at Disneyland. You should read our full guide to finding the best deals on food at Disneyland at over 40+ locations in our bigger guide to cheap foods linked here. We break down each location and share tips.

Can I Bring Food Into Disneyland?

Bringing your own snacks to Disneyland is a great, budget-friendly option. If you'd like to bring a snack to Disneyland, there are a few rules you need to know, which you can read about in our guide to bringing food into Disneyland. Plus, read about Disneyland's hidden picnic area!

Avoid the Crowds! These are the BEST Times to Visit Disneyland!

The first step to planning your ideal Disney trip is knowing when the parks are the least crowded. Check out our guide to the best times to visit Disneyland, detailing the busiest and quietest times at the park. We have a crowd calendar that tracks what is happening month-by-month to make your planning as easy as possible.

Disneyland Reviews and Tips for the Best Dining Experiences

Check out our guide that will help you plan your dining experience at Disneyland, including pricing, tips, character dining, reviews, and more. Our recommendations will ensure that you save money and have the best experience!