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Where to Eat at Walt Disney World

Updated on September 30, 2014

The Best Places to Eat at Disney World

I admit it. I'm a major Disney fan and I do believe Disney World is "The Happiest Place on Earth". Living in New England it's not that easy to just get up and go, but I have managed to get there 20 times in my 38 years so far. 7 of those trips were in the past 5 years.

I really feel at home there and think I know the place pretty darn well. And that includes Disney restaurants. :)

I love being able to help folks taking their first Walt Disney World vacation. I remember getting ready for my first trip to Disneyland and feeling lost at the thought of processing it all. So I can relate...and I know how nice it is to learn from others' personal experiences.

Below you'll find my favorite places to eat, how to get there, the type of food, price range, and links to each restaurants' menu.* I've also added pictures, maps and info on the Disney Dining Plan.

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* Update: I'm sad to say that with the move from Squidoo to HubPages I can no longer link you directly to each menu. Instead, here is the site where you will be able to find them all with a search. wdwinfo.com (right click to open in a new window). Also, the thumbnail images are no longer clickable. I wish these could be fixed for you but I have salvaged what I could.

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Magic Kingdom Restaurants - My Top 3 Picks


Cinderella's Royal Table

When I was little I always wanted to eat in the Castle. I finally got the chance as an adult with my own child and I think I was just as excited as her! We had dinner here 3 years in a row. Before dinner you meet Cinderella downstairs and can have a photo taken (it's included in the cost of the meal here). Then you are seated upstairs in the dining room. While you eat Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and two mice (Perla & Suzy) put on a show right there among the tables. Kids get a keepsake of a magic wand or a sword.

Breakfasts here are different. Instead of a show it's a Princess Breakfast with different Disney Princesses walking from table to table.

To get there just walk through the castle (if you are coming from the front of the park) and you will see concierge off to the right just at the entrance/exit on the other side.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $36-$59.99 per person


Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café

This is a cafeteria style restaurant with 3 different sections offering different types of food. I think it's the best Counter Service option in the Magic Kingdom. There's plenty to choose from for picky eaters and they have quite a bit of room so you can usually find a table right away.

Cosmic Ray's in is Tomorrowland.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $14.99 and under per person


The Crystal Palace

If your kids like Winnie the Pooh Characters this is a cute place to go for lunch or dinner. The meals are buffet style and while I was not impressed with the selection for breakfast the dinner choices are better.

The Crystal Palace is at the end on Main Street set way back on the left hand side as you are walking towards the castle.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $15-$35.99 per person


New Pick! Be Our Guest Restaurant

We were at Magic Kingdom on February 25, 2013 and got to have dinner at this new restaurant at the Beast's enchanted castle in Fantasyland for the first time. I think it's even nicer than Cinderella's Castle!

Cuisine: French

Price Range: $15 to $30 per person

curated content from Flickr

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Epcot Restaurants - My Top 3 Picks


Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

This restaurant is the perfect setting for a Princess Breakfast! We ate here when my daughter was 4 1/2 and it was wonderful. Belle sits for photos as you enter the building and then Princess after Princess comes over to your table for photos and autograph signing.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is in the Norway section of World Showcase. As you enter WS walk to the left of the lagoon (clockwise).

Cuisine: Norwegian

Price Range: $36 to $59.99 per person


Le Cellier Steakhouse

This is the place we have to eat every trip. The food is excellent and the wait staff has always been wonderful here.

Le Cellier Steakhouse is in the Canada section of World Showcase. As you enter WS walk to the right of the lagoon (counterclockwise).

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Price Range: $36-$59.99 per person


Sunshine Season Food Fair

I think this might be the best counter service location out of ALL of the parks and hotels. It's set up like a small food court with great options and the best desserts available outside of table service restaurants. I recommend eating here for lunch or dinner.

Sunshine Seasons is in the lower level of The Land Pavilion in the Future World. While you are there get a Fast Pass to ride Soarin'.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $14.99 and under per person


Bonus Pick! Via Napoli Ristorante E Pizzeria

We were at Epcot on March 1, 2011 and this was a new restaurant in Italy. We LOVED it. The interior was gorgeous, the staff was so friendly, and the food was great.

Cuisine: Italian

Price Range: $15 to $35.99 per person

curated content from Flickr

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Hollywood Studios Restaurants - My Top 3 Picks


Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

This is one of the coolest restaurants ever. It's indoors, but it's set up like a 1950s drive-in theater. Tables are set up like cars and clips from old sci-fi movies are playing on a huge movie screen in front of you. This is a great place for lunch or dinner.

The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is on Commissary Lane.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $15-$35.99 per person


50′s Prime Time Café

Another fun themed restaurant. When you walk into the Prime Time Café you are taken back to the 1950s. It's set up like a house, with a Living Room for the waiting area and eat in Kitchens with tables. The food is just like mom used to make home cookin'.

The 50's Prime Time Café is in the Echo Lake section of the park.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $15-$35.99 per person


Backlot Express

This quick-service, cafeteria style restaurant looks like a movie-studio prop shop. They have options that are a bit healthier than some of the other places in the park.

The Backlot Express is in the Echo Lake section of the park.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $14.99 and under per person

curated content from Flickr

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Animal Kingdom Restaurants - My 1 and only pick


Restaurantosaurus

Honestly it's just a really cute McDonalds. It's set up to look like the camp at an archeological dig site. They have food you know your kids will eat and there is plenty of indoor seating to get out of the heat. (Update: It's no longer a McDonalds, but still mostly the same food.)

Restaurantosaurus is in Dinoland U.S.A.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $14.99 and under per person

This is the one park that I'm not excited to eat in. They have some nice restaurants, but I haven't eaten in them yet as the menus don't look like there are options for picky eaters. My family isn't that adventurous when it comes to food.

If you have a favorite restaurant in Animal Kingdom post it in the guestbook at the bottom of the page.


New Pick! Yak & Yeti Restaurant

We finally gave it a try February 26, 2012. It's in Asia. At the Tree of Life walk to the right and pass Dinoland U.S.A. The restaurant is beautiful and we all gave our meals a thumbs up. :)

Cuisine: Pan-Asian

Price Range: $15 to $35.99 per person

curated content from Flickr

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Restaurants at Disney Hotels - My Top 3 Picks


Boma - Flavors of Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

This restaurant makes up for the fact that we don't care for restaurants inside Animal Kingdom. It's a short shuttle ride from the park and is a great place for dinner. The all you can eat buffet includes fire-grilled meats, seafood, soups, salads, and desserts prepared with African flair.

Cuisine: African

Price Range: $15-$35.99 per person


1900 Park Fare in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

This is my favorite place to eat breakfast. We usually plan to eat here on a Magic Kingdom day as this hotel is right on the Monorail line. The "Supercalifragilistic Breakfast" buffet is excellent and is accompanied by visits with Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and other Wonderland friends.

1900 Park Fare also hosts a "Wonderland Tea Party" in the afternoon and 'Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner" in the evening. Both of these are character meals as well.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $36 to $59.99 per person


Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney's Polynesian Resort

The Polynesian is also on the monorail line making it another location that's easily accessible. This dinner show is held Tuesday through Saturday twice a night in an open-air covered theater by the Seven Seas Lagoon. The show is something you won't want to miss!

Cuisine: Polynesian

Price Range: Over $60 per person

curated content from Flickr

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Restaurants at Downtown Disney


Cap'n Jack's Restaurant

Cap'n Jack's is a casual seafood restaurant right out over the Buena Vista Lagoon in Downtown DisneyMarketplace. They're open for lunch and dinner.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: $15 to $35.99


Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

Not so much a restaurant but a really great place for a mid-day snack or dessert. The serve sundaes, ice cream cones, floats, shakes, and an amazing selection of chocolate.

Cuisine: American

Price Range: Varies

We don't spend much time at Downtown Disney so I'm afraid I can't share my opinion on other restaurants found here. If you have a favorite restaurant post it in the guestbook at the bottom of the page. :)

curated content from Flickr

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Disney Dining Plan Tips

I talk about the Disney Dining Plan on my lens Walt Disney World on a Budget, so I don't want to repeat myself, I'll just say that I do think it's worth it to get one of the 3 Dining Plans that are offered. Character Dining, Signature Dining, and Dinner Shows are included, so you don't have to think about their price tag when planning your meals. You also know how much you'll be paying ahead of time, so it helps you figure out how much your vacation will cost.

Once you select your Dining plan, and know how many table service meals you will have I recommend making reservations as soon as you can. Most restaurants let you make reservations up to 90 days prior to your visit, and I believe for some it's even earlier. You are free to cancel reservations 48 hours before you are scheduled to be there. Many restaurants fill up completely and do not offer walk-ins.

Call (407) WDW-DINE to make dining reservations.

Dining at Cinderella's Royal Table on the meal plan requires 2 Table Service Meals for each person. Gratuities are included.

For all other Character Dining experiences 1 Table Service meal will be used for each person. Gratuities are not included.

Signature Restaurants & Dinner Shows require 2 Table Service Meals per person.

Check out Princess and Pirate Family Vacations for more first hand info on Character Dining opportunities around Walt Disney World Resort.

For more information on the Disney Dining Plan take a look at their 2014 Brochures. You'll find each of their links under the heading "Related Resources".

Even More WDW Trip Planning Help

Gluten Free Disney Dining

If you have an intolerance to gluten you know how hard it can be to find gluten-free options when eating out. You'll be happy to know you won't have to resort to...


Disney's Pop Century Resort

Pop Century Resort is one of Walt Disney World's "Value" hotels. It's theme is 20th century pop culture from the 1950s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. Pop Century...

Want to Bring Disney to Your Own Table?

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