Walt Disney World Dining
Walt Disney World Dining: A Guide to Best Plan Your Next Disney Vacation
Walt Disney World dining can feel a bit frustrating at times. Some families like to plan ahead; while others like to be flexible and go with the flow. Some families are trying to keep their budgets down to the penny; while others like to splurge a little. It's hard to say whether the Disney Dining Plan will be the right fit for your travel party, or it you can save a little by planning to pay meal by meal; However, one thing is true for every Disney traveler.... after all that energy you've burned riding the rides and strolling around the parks, everyone needs to make sure to stop for a proper meal!In this installment of "Planning Your Next Disney Vacation", I will review the different types of dining options and reveal some of my personal favorites! Here's what you should know about Disney dining before your next Florida Disney adventure!
First, Dear Reader, please remember to check out your " My Disney Experience " account for all your dining options! This wonderful tool will allow you to view all the dining menus around the Walt Disney World parks, resorts, and Disney Springs within the comfort of your home, or while traveling around the Walt Disney World property. This application can be accessed on your computer by clicking the link above, or by downloading the app to your Android or iOS device. This mobile application will also come in handy when planning a quick meal with the NEW Mobile Order option! Simply find the restaurant of your choice, select your meal, check out, and skip the wait as you pickup from a designated counter at participating Quick Service locations!
Quick Service Dining
For Families working to keep to a budget, or who have the Disney Dining Plan there are nearly 200 Quick Service options to enjoy at Walt Disney World parks, resorts, and Disney Springs! These counter service options are great for a lunch stop! Staying at the resorts? Be sure to grab some breakfast favorites or a midnight snack before or after your day in the parks! It's an American classic at many of your stops which can be perfect for your little ones! And don't forget all the specialty drinks and sweet stands!
Resorts:
If you're staying on the Walt Disney World property there are a few resorts to keep in mind with some food court services! These special Disney Food Courts offer meals from 6:30 am - Midnight daily and can be the perfect way to start or end your day at the parks. Featuring breakfast staples such as the Mickey waffle, popular per-serving cereal, and pastries to late night snack options such as ice cream, cake, and cheesecake; Disney Food Courts are perfect for a quick American meal any time of the day! These food courts also feature hot coffee, tea, and soda fountains. Be sure to purchase yourself one of the refillable mugs to enjoy endless beverages during your stay!
Walt Disney World Resorts featuring a Food Court:
- All Star Resorts
- Caribbean Beach
- Coronado Springs
- Port Orleans
Why I love Disney Food Courts:
I'm a night owl by nature and will gladly stay in the parks everyday until the "Kiss Goodnight". It's wonderful to be welcomed "Home" by the Disney Cast and grab myself a little extra midnight snack, or breakfast for in my room the following morning. Often I find that after all my excitement earlier in the day, I'm usually starving by the end of my eight mile walk around the parks. Resort food courts offer me a helping hand at the end of my day!
There's always an extra touch of magic! During my stays at the Disney All Star Resorts I would often find caricature artists ready to turn me into my favorite Disney Characters! During a short stay in September I sat with one of the artists who transformed me into one of my favorite Disney Villains, Maleficent; complete with green skin and yellow eyes!
Food Courts are conveniently located in the main building by the largest pool on the resort property. For guests staying at a preferred room that means you're only two minutes away from your morning coffee! Heading to the buses? You can stop to grab a fruit cup or a light snack before heading into the parks! For adults there is also a pool bar located right outside!
Parks:
There are plenty of Counter Service Restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World property! Many of these locations will feature American favorites such as hamburguers, hotdogs, and chicken tenders. Many kids meal options will feature Smucker's PB&J combinations as well. Although kids meals will come with the option for a small serving bottled drink or small soda, many adults may want to try out the multitude of specialty beverages from slushies to cocktails!These Quick Service options will also feature themed seat yourself dining spaces both indoors and outdoors. They are perfect for keeping to a budget, and keeping to your FastPass+ schedule!
Some Quick Service Favorites:
- Satu'li Canteen
- Located inAnimal Kingdom's Pandora World
- Favorite Item: Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse (pictured above)
- Pandora World is a truly unique experience, and their food is no exception! The large wood grill will wake up your taste buds, as you enjoy chicken, beef, shrimp, and tofu options! Combine these options with your choice of grain base (rice or noodles) and sauce. Kid meals also have a unique twist on some classics such as the "Cheeseburger Steamed Pod" and "All-Beef Hot Dog Wrapped in Dough". Don't forget to leave some room for out of this world dessert options! My personal favorite is theBlueberry Cream Cheese Mousse. Feel free to stay seated indoors on a hot day, or immerse yourself in the experience outdoors with a perfect view of the floating mountains!
- Columbia Harbour House
- Located in Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square
- Favorite Item: Grilled Salmon
- Easily missed as one of the many Disney attractions, Columbia Harbour House is located straight across from the Haunted Mansion and the Memento Mori gift shop! This "hidden in plain sight" restaurant has some picturesque views of the the Liberty Square streets! Get there a little early and you may even land a view of the "Festival of Fantasy" parade! However, the facility does not play in the parade music, so it is advised, if you want a more engaging experience of the parade, to plan your meal for before or after the show.
- Backlot Express
- Located inHollywood Studios' across from Star Tours
- Favorite Item:Chicken Tenders
- Some seating around this restaurant can view the Jedi Training hosted on a stage in front of the Star Tours attraction.
- Katsura Grill
- Located inEPCOT's World Showcase- Japan Pavilion
- Favorite Item:Chicken Cutlet Curry
- The outdoor seating around Katsura Grill offers a beautiful Japanese garden complete with waterfall! This is my #1 favorite place on Walt Disney World property! I love to relax with a cup of hot tea, bowl of miso and edamame, and my chicken cutlet curry as I enjoy the little garden hideaway. It is also one of my favorite places to watch the night time fireworks on a chilly February evening.
- Located inEPCOT's World Showcase- Japan Pavilion
Order ahead with NEW Mobile Ordering!
Have the "My Disney Experience" application downloaded on your Android or iOS device? Check out the restaurant menus, get directions, and order before you go! Save your wait at the counter by simply booking your meal on your mobile device! Once in the application click the plus sign (+) in the middle of your navigation bar located at the bottom of your mobile screen, select the "Order Food" button, then choose your Quick Service restaurant, review the menu and pick your favorites, and complete the checkout all on your phone! After that, simply wait for a text message when your order is ready for pickup at the Mobile Orders counter!
Beat the Heat and Stay Hydrated!!
Walt Disney World is all about their customers' safety! That includes making sure all their guests can stay hydrated in the hot, muggy Florida heat. Feel free to enter any Quick Service and go straight to the counter to ask an available Cast Member for a cup of water. Likely they already have some cool cups waiting for guests, or will offer you a kid size cup to fill at the soda fountain. During the summer it is not uncommon to see ice water canisters and cups waiting for guests by the entrance. Ice water is always FREE to guests!!
Too often when I travel in the parks I like to keep as little on me as possible. Not having to carry around a water bottle all day, and constantly be on the lookout for a refillabout fountain, is a true blessing. Once I'm done with my paper cup from the Quick Service I can feel at easy to toss it, and keep my hands free of the extra weight. One thing to keep in mind: Animal Kingdom
is a conservation and will avoid lids and straws
at the majority of their eateries. You may want to keep this in mind when touring this park with small children.
Full Service Dining
Although there is plenty to keep you satisfied with Disney's Quick Service dining options, it's a real royal treat to experience some of the award winning Full Service dining options around Walt Disney World! These sit down restaurants feature an array of specialties from world cuisine to American Classics! Treat yourself to some excellent meals that the whole family will enjoy!
Walt Disney Word is home to over 100 sit down dining options! And there is something for everyone. In this segment I will walk you through a few of my personal favorites around the Disney parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Disney's Full Service restaurants are frequented by many guests throughout the year; for this reason it would be wise to secure your reservations before your travel date.
Reservations:
Many Disney sit down restaurants have limited seating, and experience heavy patronage. It is highly recommended for that reason, to make reservations as soon as your 180 day window opens! That is, as soon as you are 180 days away from your first day at your Walt Disney World resort. Many reservations will require a deposit and features a cancelation penalty if you miss your reservations, or cancel with less than 48 hours notice. I would suggest reviewing these coveted locations before your window opens to ensure that these dining options are right for you and your travel party.
Some Things to Keep in Mind About Reservations:
- You will want to check in at your dinning location 10-15 minutes before your scheduled seating.
- You will need to have your full party present to check in at your reservations.
- Plan an early dinner if you want to see the night time shows (such as the "Happily Ever After" fireworks in the Magic Kingdom).
- Breakfast reservations in the parks will allow you to enter before the parks open. Give yourself a little extra time before check in for some amazing photo oppertunities!
- If you have dining reservations in the parks, you will also need to have a ticket for park admission.
- Character Dining options fill faster than other Full Service options.
Planning Your Transportation:
Some of the most engaging Full Service dining options happen at the Walt Disney World Resorts! The big shows usually happen at the resorts on the Magic Kingdom property. If you are staying further away, you will want to make plans for your transportation to your reservations. For those without a car, Uber and Lyft drivers are always in the area for an extra charge. If you're staying at one of the Disney resorts, you could bus from your resort to the nearest park or Disney Springs and change buses to the resort location of your dining reservations. Additionally you may be able to take the monorail or a water taxi if you are visiting or staying near the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT parks. Although all Disney transportation for resort guests are complimentary, traveling this way may take some extra time; you will want to be sure to plan accordingly.
Walt Disney World's NEW "Minnie Van" Transportation Service!
Walt Disney World launched their Minnie Van services early in 2017 and have expanded their fleet around the Disney property within the past couple of years. This service can be accessed on your mobile device by downloading the Lyft application before your next trip! The bonus of using a Minnie Van versus the other capable Uber and Lyft service drivers, is that you will be with one of Disney's trained Cast Members! They also offer car seat options for families with young children at no additional cost; each Minnie Van is usually equipped with 2 front or rear facing car seats. You'll also have an extra touch of the Disney Magic when using the Minnie Van service with special drop off and pick up areas closer to the theme park entrances, and cast members ability to invoke special Disney accommodations. For a extra great read about the Minnie Van experience check out Summer Hull's blog titled "6 Things to Know About Disney World's Minnie Vans" !
Something for the Adults:
Check out Trader Sam's at the Polynesian for a special treat! The Tiki Terrace features outdoor seating for a relaxing view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, or step inside the Grog Grotto for some extra Disney magic! This island hideaway brings to life a fun and engaging atmosphere with some old Disney attractions!
Remember the Nautilus from "50,000 Leagues Under the Sea"? I sure do!It was a favorite of mine when I used to visit Disneyland in California with my family as a child. This classic Disney attraction was featured first at Disneyland and recreated at Walt Disney World before the parks bagan making some changes in the early 2000's. Guests would board this submarine and adventure under the sea! The attraction has since made way for other exciting experiences at the Magic Kingdom such as the new Fantasyland; which features Ariel's Grotto, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Snow White's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; But enter Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and you can recapture this experience when ordering the "Nautilus"! There's always a touch of magic when you order at Trader Sam's! Just be careful you're not their next sacrifice to appease the gods!
Full Service in the Parks:
There sure isn't a lack of choices at the Walt Disney World parks to keep your tummy happy! One of my favorite places in the parks is EPCOT's World Showcase! Each pavilion features at least one Quick Service, one Full Service, and one outdoor kiosk option for delectables. Some Full Service options are more popular than others, so it's always advised to make reservations ahead of time. However, plenty of sit downs will have walk in seating available. Be sure to check in with the Disney Guest Service team, or the dining cast, when you arrive at the parks to ensure the best options for your day. If you have your mobile device with you, you may even be able to make some reservations while strolling around the parks when you use your "My Disney Experience" app!
Favorite Full Service in the Parks:
- Sci Fi and Dine
- Located in Hollywood Studios
- Serves retro all American drive in classics
- Disney's Hollywood Studios is all about the movie magic! Step back in time with Sci Fi and Dine as you enter a retro drive in movie theater! Car hops will come around to take your order as you enjoy some short cartoons on the big screen! This is a perfect stop for a larger lunch! And a great way to beat the heat in the summer!
- Tony's Town Square Restaurant
- Located in the Magic Kingdom on Main Street
- Italian Classics
- Step into Disney's "Lady and the Tramp" and enjoy a romantic spaghetti meal!
- Teppan Edo
- Located in EPCOT's World Showcase - Japan
- Hibachi Grill
- If you haven't been to a hibachi grill before, EPCOT is the perfect place to start! Hibachi seating averages around eight people around the chef's grill. If you have a smaller group than eight people expect to be dining with some new friends! The food is prepared to your liking right before your eyes! Enjoy some extra special tricks as the chef creates your meal!
- Yak and Yeti
- Located in Animal Kingdom - Asia
- pan-Asian cuisine
- Favorite Item: Mango Pie (I will say it again for those of you not paying attention: MANGO PIE!!)
- The Yak and Yeti is a sit down restaurant in the Animal Kingdom across from the Discovery River, and a short walk from Kali River Rapids! The wait time averages about 30 minutes to be seated; however for older guests you may be able to grab a spot at their bar! Bar seating does allow for you to order off of the main menu; seats are limited so be sure to place your name in at the desk first. Yak and Yeti also features a quick service of some of their menu favorites just to the side of the main entrance if you're in a hurry. Quick service seating can be difficult to find, so you may want to send one of your travel party to secure your spot while you wait in line to order. Both full service and quick service options have mango pie. The full service will present you will a reasonably cut slice with some extra flare! Quick service will have mini pre packaged pies without the toppings.
Full Service at Disney Springs:
Disney Springs is a perfect place to relax and enjoy your day! Many Disney fans will enjoy the specialty shops and eateries that can only be found at this boardwalk styled shopping district! While the parks may close a little earlier in the winter, Disney Springs has some great late night options for Disney's older guests. Enjoy family style quick service and full service eateries as well as adults only hidden speakeasies or Irish pubs! In true Disney fashion all restaurants and bars are specially themed from their exterior to their menu! Be sure to stop by on one of your "down days" and lighten up your taste buds!
- T-Rex
- American Classic
- Dinosaur Themed
- Step back in time at this jurassic themed restaurant! Boasting a 15- foot tall T-Rex at the front entrance, this restaurant is perfect for a family with children! You will be seated among some awe inspiring creatures as you dine on some American classics at T-Rex! This blast from the past also features ice age and aquatic settings and creatures! Be sure to survive the meteor shower, and enjoy some delectable desserts!
- Rainforest Cafe
- American Classic
- Jungle Themed Rainforest
- Although the Rainforest Cafe restaurant is available for many guests across the country and has been around since 1994, it's made today's list as a special dining experience! Many of the establishments across the country are located in larger shopping malls. The one at Disney Springs has an extra touch of excitement as the outdoor volcano above the dining room has special eruptions throughout the day! It also made the list due to it's family friendly and enchanting atmosphere. Additionally you will find Rainforest Cafe just outside the entrance of Animal Kingdom to add a special indoor experience for your day!
- Planet Hollywood
- American Classic
- Hollywood Red Carpet Theme
- Planet Hollywood is great for all ages with it's digital amphitheater playing music videos that everyone is sure to enjoy! You can also find some classic Hollywood memorabilia from cinema favorites such as "The Wizard of Oz", "Hunger Games", and "Spiderman" upon your entrance! Be sure to take a tour around the dinning room for other Hollywood star costumes, records, and props! This restaurant is home to some AMAZING desserts! Be sure to save room, or stop on in for a quick sweet!
- Morimoto Asia
- Pan-Asian Cuisine
- Contemporary Japan Theme
- Morimoto Asia is home to one of the top awarded Japanese master chefs in the world! If you enjoy Japanese cuisine from sushi and ramen toPeking duck and dim sum! This is a more formal, sit down restaurant; I would advise those with young children to review their menu before making reservations. For those looking for a quick step in, ask the maitre'd if they have any availability in their upstairs lounge.
Dining with the Characters
What could be more memorable than dining with your favorite Disney Characters?! Experience the magic as you enter castles, participate in shows, and see your little one's eyes light up as their favorite characters join them at your table! This is a true Kodak moment for the scrapbooks! (.... or, you know, your family's favorite social media platform!) Hands down, Character Meals have been some of the most magical moments of all my Disney trips!
Reservations:
You will absolutely NEED reservations for the coveted seats of a character meal! Double that warning if you are planning to book your next trip during the summer or holidays! I suggest researching your top choices, and make your plans as soon as your 180 day window opens. Each character meal is different. There will be family style, all you care to enjoy buffets, and more formal sit down dining. There are differences of what characters will be joining you and your travel party at these meals. Some meals will feature Disney Princesses, while others will be special visits from Mickey and Pals! Some dining options will be limited to the time of day. For example: you will only have the opportunity to meet Prince Eric, Princess Ariel, Princess Rapunzel, and Eugene for breakfast at "Trattoria al Forno"; all other meals at this restaurant will sparkle a little less. Below you will find a short guide for examples for when to plan your character meals.
11 Restaurants to Keep in Mind:
- Trattoria al Forno : Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast
- Breakfast Only Character Meal
- Disney Princesses and Princes
- Storybook Dining at Artist Point
- Dinner Only Character Meal
- Snow White, Dwarf friends, and the Evil Queen
- For a limited time Disney has a special PhotoPass opportunity with the Evil Queen at this dining experience!
- This is an EXTREMELY popular dining experience. Most dates for 2019 are already booked!
- 1900 Park Fare
- Breakfast, Tea, and Dinner
- Characters vary by meal (Characters are subject to change)
- Breakfast: Alice, the Mad Hatter, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, and Marry Poppins
- Tea: Alice and the Mad Hatter
- Dinner: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and Step Sisters
- 'Ohana
- Breakfast Only Charcater Meal
- Lilo and Stitch
- Chef Mickey's
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Mickey and Pals
- Hollywood and Vine
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Mickey and Pals
- Tusker House Restaurant
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Donald Duck and Friends
- Akershus
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Disney Princesses
- Norwegian Castle themed and a short walk across from the Frozen Sisters' Sommerhus meet and greet location in EPCOT!
- Perfect for getting your autograph books signed!
- Crystal Palace
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Winnie the Pooh and Friends
- Cinderella's Royal Table
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Disney Princesses
- The restaurant is inside Cinderella's Castle!
- The dining space is small and seats fill up FAST ! You will want to be sure to book as soon as possible.
- Be Our Guest
- Dinner Only Character Appearance
- The Beast (from "Beauty and the Beast"
)
- In the past this was labeled by Disney as a Character Meal for breakfast and dinner only. The Beast would roam his castle before the guests as a special appearance, and would be available after your meal for a special photo opportunity. As things are ever changing at Disney, it is unclear if the Beast is still available for these photo oppertunities during the dinner reservations.
- The restaurant is located right next to "Enchanted Tales with Belle"! Be sure to go back in time with Belle as you help her to relive the day she fell in love with the Beast! Although she does not sign autograph books at this experience, Belle will take pictures with all the guests at the end of her performance. It is a truly magical experience!
The Food:
There are many different types of cuisine to choose from; There are French and Italian inspired options, Polynesian family meals, world delights, and American classics. Some character dining options even feature an all your care to enjoy buffet setup. Disney plans for families and always plans for your picky eaters with some American classics among the menu options. You can check out all the dining menus online or on the My Disney Experience app for your Android or iOS device.
The Experience:
Every character dining restaurant has a little extra magic. There are three castles your little prince or princess will enjoy: Cinderella's Royal Table inside of the iconic Cinderella Castle, Be Our Guest which features special themed rooms from around the enchanted castle, and Akershus featured after the historical Norwegian fortress! An all NEW experience will allow you to dine in an enchanted forest where you will have a surprise visit from a classic Disney Princess! The "Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White" experience opened in the fall of 2018, and is one of the most popular character dining options to date! This new dining experience also offers the opportunity to meet the Evil Queen and pose for a special image taken by the Disney PhotoPass Team!
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, darring, and adventurous Dessert Parties that will be sure to be fun for the whole family!
Favorite Character Meals:
- 1900 Park Fare
- Located in the Grand Floridian Resort
- American Classic- all you care to enjoy buffet
- Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner
- I LOVE meeting with Cinderella's Step Family! They are some of the most entertaining cast of characters Disney offers their guests to engage with! This coupled with the AMAZING mongolian beef has had my heart captured since my first dinner reservations. For those of you who may not know, I have a very capable sweet tooth; however, at this meal I found myself going back for 3rds when it came to the mongolian beef! A special touch of magic for young guests is that they may be invited to dance with Cinderella and Prince Charming during their reservations! For older guests be sure to ask the step family for all of the latest kingdom gossip! You won't be disappointed!
- Akershus
- Located in EPCOT's World Showcase - Norway
- Norwegian Cuisine
- My personal favorite is their Norwegian Meatballs drizzled with sweet lingonberry sauce with green beans and mashed potatoes with a savory gravy! I become a member of the clean plate club during this meal! Dinner is also served with a family dessert tray of 3 Norwegian classic sweets. Disney Princesses will engage young guests in a princess parade around the restaurant, and greet table side. Princess Belle will welcome all guests with a special photo opportunity by the Disney PhotoPass Team in her classic yellow gown. Autograph books are welcomed and encouraged at this dining experience!
- Trattoria al Forno
- Located at the Boardwalk Resort
- Breakfast Dining Only
- The tower of pancakes at the "Bon Voyage Breakfast" is a perfect way to start your day! The most magical part of this experience for me was the opportunity to meet and take table side pictures with Prince Eric and Eugene (Flynn Rider)! I always love seeing Rapunzel and Ariel, however I have plenty of oppertunities to meet them in Magic Kingdom with their special character meet and greets. This adventurous breakfast also featured a special map to record all your magical memories, and a special card with all the characters' signatures! The breakfast was a wonderful way to enjoy some of my personal favorite characters and their new dreams!
- Hollywood and Dine
- Located in Hollywood Studios
- American Classic all your care to enjoy Buffet
- One of my favorite Disney memories happened at the Hollywood and Dine character dinner with Mickey and Pals. It was a special birthday trip a couple of years ago, and my travel party had been one of the last guests to be seated for the day. We were able to meet with Mickey and pose for a special Disney PhotoPass opportunity before we were seated. My friend and I were Disney Bounding our "Minnie" and "Goofy" looks for the evening and the characters were so happy to see our Disney Side! Before the characters had to go to bed for the evening, Goofy pulled away my friend to take his place in another family's photo! Everyone was really good sports about the "stand-in Goofy", and our table was then invited to take images with Mickey and all his friends who had joined us for dinner! Daisy was definitely the star of the image as she strutted down the red carpet! This is one of those special Disney stories that really highlight how the characters and Disney cast members try to go above an beyond to ensure their guests enjoyment! Although you may not have the same late night photo with the characters, you are sure to enjoy their infectious, playful spirits at these one of a kind meals!
Walt Disney World Dining has something for everyone! From resort food courts and quick service meals, to full service dining and special character experiences, you now know about all the Disney dining basics and are ready for your next Florida Disney adventure! Please feel free to use this as a guide to all the Disney Dining options both in and out of the parks on your next magical vacation! Have questions about what you've read today, or other Disney park experiences? Please feel free to send me a message! I'd love to help you plan your next storybook vacation! Look for the link below to send me a private email!
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