Snacking on a Budget at Universal Orlando
Visiting Universal Orlando can be an exciting adventure, but the cost of food inside the park can quickly add up. Fortunately, you don't need to sacrifice flavor or go hungry while enjoying your day. With a few smart strategies, you can snack on a budget and still get the most out of your experience.
We set out on an experiment to try to snack around the parks for under $25. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips, affordable snack options, and hidden gems to help you snack without overspending at Universal Orlando.
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through our links.
Top Budget-Friendly Snacks Inside Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando is known for its thrilling rides, immersive experiences, and of course, its theme park food. However, full meals can often be expensive, especially for families or visitors spending multiple days in the park. Instead of having bigger (and more expensive) meals, snacking is a great way to stay fueled throughout the day—without blowing your budget.
By choosing budget-friendly snacks and planning ahead, you can make the most of your time and money. If you’re looking for budget-friendly snack options around Universal Orlando, you’re in the right place! Here are some of our favorites.
Pretzels and Churros
You’ll find pretzels and churros at various snack stands throughout the parks. These are classic theme park treats that won’t cost an arm and a leg. A large pretzel or churro is perfect for sharing, and prices typically range from $4 to $6—making them an affordable option for quick bites between attractions.
Butterbeer
While Butterbeer isn’t the cheapest option (around $9), it’s a must-try for Harry Potter fans and can be considered a splurge-worthy snack. You can share it with a friend, and the experience is often worth the price for those visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the first time. You can also find Butterbeer ice cream, which is a delicious twist if you want something sweet.
On the topic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it’s important to note that most snacks and drinks in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will be more expensive. If you are looking to eat at the Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron, keep this in mind.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a great budget snack at Universal Orlando. It’s relatively inexpensive (about $6 for a bucket), and you can often find souvenir popcorn buckets (around $40) with discounted (around $2) refills, making it a smart option for families. Plus, it’s a portable snack you can munch on while waiting in line or walking through the park.
Fruit Cups and Fresh Snacks
If you’re looking for healthier options, Universal Orlando offers fruit cups, veggie sticks, and other fresh snacks at various carts and quick-service locations. These typically range from $3 to $5, making them an affordable and refreshing choice on hot Florida days.
Pizza Tots at Green Eggs and Ham
Located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Green Eggs and Ham Café offers a unique and affordable snack option—Pizza Tots. For $11.49, you get a hearty portion of tater tots covered in pizza toppings like marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni. While slightly more expensive, the portion size makes this snack sharable, giving you great value for your money.
Minion Cafe
The Minion Cafe is one of my personal favorite quick-service restaurants in Universal Orlando. Here, you can find some high-quality dishes for a reasonable price. I specifically wanted to include it on this list because they offer kids meals here which are a decent portion size for $9.42, making it a good option for families.
I love the “Mr. Gru’s PB & Jelly” kid’s meal. Plus, all kid’s meals include minion tots which are an absolute must! This makes for a filling meal for kids, and even some adults.
Louie’s Italian Restaurant also is a great value for families as a whole cheese pizza costs $38.99 compared to getting individual slices at $10.99 each. I will say, the individual slices are fairly large and can absolutely be split into 2.
Related Post: How to Mobile Order at Universal Orlando
Snacking for $25 and Under
In one of my YouTube videos, we visit Universal Studios Florida and try to get snacks for under $25. I always suggest getting breakfast at your hotel to save money. Below is a list of all the items we ate for under $25. Note that prices are subject to change and we used our preferred annual passholder discount of 10% off.
San Fransisco Pastry Co. Croissant - $3.29
Sugarplums chocolate pretzel wand - $4.50
Popcorn - $4.97
Spongebob Storepants Krabby Patties - $2.82
Pretzel - $7.00
Universal Studios Store Brookie - $3.15
In the end of our eating on a budget journey, we spent a total of $25.54 and saved $1.60 with our preferred annual passholder discount.
Related Video: Watch the experience here
Money-Saving Tips for Snacking at Universal Orlando
Bring Your Own Snacks
Universal Orlando allows guests to bring small snacks into the park. This is a great way to save money, especially if you have dietary restrictions or picky eaters in your group. Pack non-perishable items like granola bars, nuts, or crackers to munch on throughout the day.
Purchase a Refillable Cup
For drinks, consider buying a refillable cup. Universal offers Coca-Cola Freestyle cups that allow unlimited refills at various stations across the parks for the day. While the initial cost is about $17, the unlimited refills can quickly save you money, especially during hot summer months when staying hydrated is essential.
PRO TIP: If you will be sticking to water throughout the day, I highly recommend using a collapsable cup. These cups from Amazon collapse so it can fit in your backpack or fanny pack throughout the day. Use them at any Coke Freestyle Machines for water or water fountains. This can save you a lot of money on bottled water. It’s so important to stay hydrated in the Florida heat.
Share Snacks
Many of the snacks at Universal Orlando come in large portions, making them ideal for sharing. Whether it’s a giant pretzel, a bucket of popcorn, or an order of pizza tots, splitting snacks with your group helps stretch your budget while allowing everyone to try a little bit of everything.
One of my favorite items to share is the jacket potato at the London Taxi Hut ($11.49) . Realistically, I’ll eat the whole thing myself BUT in theory this could be the perfect snack to split since it is so big.
Another great item to share is the Big Pink Donut you can find in Simpsons Land. For $10.99 you can split a huge donut with your whole family. These donuts are delicious too (trust me). I recommend getting it directly from the Lard Lad Donuts stand.
Eat Outside the Park
If you’re planning a full day at Universal but don’t want to spend too much on food, consider snacking lightly inside the park and then grabbing a more substantial meal outside in Universal CityWalk. Many restaurants at CityWalk offer affordable dining options.
Don’t forget about Burger King, Moes and Panda Express for quick options in Universal CityWalk.
Related Post: What is the Universal Garage Sale?
Affordable Snacking Options at Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is home to several budget-friendly dining spots that make great stops for snacking or light meals before or after your park visit.
Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut is a popular spot at CityWalk, offering a variety of unique and fun doughnut flavors. Prices are reasonable, with most doughnuts priced between $3 and $6. You can grab one as a snack or bring a box back to your hotel for later.
Hot Dog Hall of Fame
For a quick bite, head to Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk. You can get a variety of regional-style hot dogs for around $8 to $10. This price is for the combo meal which includes chips or fries!
Red Oven Pizza Bakery
If you’re craving pizza, Red Oven Pizza Bakery offers wood-fired pizzas that are great for sharing. A whole pizza costs around $15 to $18, but the generous portion size makes it a budget-friendly. We eat at Red Oven Pizza in this video.
Margaritaville
One of the reasonably priced CityWalk restaurants is Margaritaville Orlando. For example, the volcano nachos offers a huge portion (I split this with 2 other adults) for a great price $25.95.
Starbucks
Good news for Starbucks lovers! Across Universal Orlando Resort, annual passholders can use their passholder discount on Starbucks. A really nice benefit to drinking Starbucks in the parks, CityWalk or at Universal Orlando Hotels.
Snacking on a budget at Universal Orlando is entirely possible with a little planning and some savvy choices. From sharing snacks to taking advantage of combo deals and refillable drinks, there are plenty of ways to enjoy tasty treats without overspending. Whether you stick to the parks or explore CityWalk, these tips will help you keep your energy up while saving your dollars for the next big adventure.
