Disney World is more than just a place for thrilling rides and magical moments–Disney dining is a foodie paradise! If you are a food lover (like me), dining is a must-have part of your Disney vacation. From quick service to table service to amazing snack options, there is something for everyone. This insider guide will help you navigate the world of dining, covering top restaurants, how to snag reservations, hidden gems, and tips for an unforgettable culinary journey.
Understanding Disney Dining Options
There are three main dining options: table service, quick service, and snack options. Table service restaurants can also be further broken up into regular table service, signature dining, or character dining. Table service restaurants are sit-down meals with full menus, perfect for a relaxing break from the parks. At Quick Service restaurants, you order at the counter and then find a seat, which is great if you are on-the-go! Snack options are typically found at snack stands and carts scattered around the park. You can get some iconic Disney treats such as churros, turkey legs, and Mickey shaped everything!
Signature Dining vs Character Dining
Signature Dining restaurants feature gourmet cuisine and unique dining experiences. You can experience these at places like Victoria & Albert’s or California Grill. Character dining, on the other hand, is a great way to meet characters! You can experience this at places like Crystal Palace or 1900 Park Fare.
Disney Dining Plans
Disney Dining plans can be a very convenient way to plan for meals. By booking a dining plan, you receive a certain number of credits per night of your stay. However, dining plans are only able to be booked as part of a Disney Vacation Package. You may be asking yourself, “Is a dining plan worth the money?” The answer is it depends. I have another guide on how to decide that for yourself here.
How to Get Dining Reservations (And Why You Need Them!)
Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs)
Dining reservations are a MUST if you are interested in Table Service restaurants at Disney! You can make your ADRs 60 days in advance of your stay at 6 am ET. For on-site resort guests, you can book for your entire stay 60 days before your arrival date. For all other guests, you can only book one day at a time. To book, you can use the My Disney Experience app or the Disney website. Make sure to be logged into your My Disney Experience account before trying to book!
Best Strategies for Hard-to-Get Reservations
Lots of restaurants book up extremely quickly! Things like Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, or Space 220 are great examples of this. To try and snag these, you can use reservation checking services, check for cancellations closer to your trip, or using the Walk Up List option when available. The best time to check for last minute cancellations is about 24 hours before the reservation you want because that is when the cancellation window (with no fee) closes.
Special Dining Experiences
There are a few special events and recommendations that I have for food options. First, be sure to check out EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival where you can try food from all around the world. Also, EPCOT has the Flower & Garden Festival which features unique floral-inspired treats. Some other must try options are the Night Blossom Slush which can be found in Pandora at Animal Kingdom and the Cheshire Cat Tail Pastry at Magic Kingdom.
Final Thoughts on Disney Dining
Whether you’re indulging in gourmet meals, snacking on iconic Disney treats, or grabbing a quick bite in between rides, dining at Disney is an experience in itself. Be sure to plan ahead, make reservations and try to be adventurous with your food choices!
Do you have a favorite Disney World restaurant or snack? Share your must-try Disney eats in the comments!
A couple of my favorite meals and snacks from Disney!
Pictured left: Pastries from Disney’s Ale and Compass, Pictured middle: Steak and Egg from Disney’s Ale and Compass, Pictured right: Unbirthday Cupcake from the Cheshire Cafe is Disney’s Magic Kingdom
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