Walt Disney World Dining Overview
Dining at Walt Disney World can be quite overwhelming, especially if it's your first visit. The wide range of dining options, reservation systems, and unique experiences can definitely be a lot to handle. But don't worry! Here's a guide to help you understand how to eat at Walt Disney World and make the most of your dining experience at Walt Disney World.
Understanding the Types of Dining Options at Walt Disney World
The Fry Basket EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Snacks and Treats: Disney is known for its iconic snacks, which you can find at carts, stands, and stations throughout the parks, as well as at Disney Resorts. One of the most famous treats is the Dole Whip, which was invented for the parks. Some of my favorite snacks are hidden treasures, like the giant pretzel at Baseline Tap House.
Quick-Service Locations: Fast-casual eateries allow you to place your order at the counter and seat yourself. They are ideal for a quick meal on the move, offering a wide range of choices from burgers to salads and more. These locations are situated in the Disney Resort Collection Hotels and all over the amusement parks. You typically wait in line and place your order for quick-service meals, but you can also place a mobile order ahead of time for pick-up at specific service locations. These eateries are located at every resort and in the main four theme parks.
Mobile Ordering: This is when you order directly from your phone and then go to the quick service location to pick up your food. The great thing about this is you only arrive in line if you plan on eating in the dining hall. You can mobile order at all Disney resorts and parks.
Table-Service Restaurants: When you visit Disney, you'll find full-service restaurants where you can sit down, order from a menu, and be served by a waiter. These restaurants offer a range of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual family meals. It's a good idea to make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) in advance, as these popular spots can fill up quickly. Most table service restaurants at Disney require an advanced dining reservation. You'll find table service options at moderate and deluxe resorts, all four major theme parks, and Disney Springs.
Character Dining: For a magical experience, consider a character dining meal. These are table-service meals where Disney characters visit your table as you eat. These meals are incredibly popular, so book as early as possible. All require an advance dining reservation which can be made 60 days prior to your Disney vacation. If you are staying on property you can book for up to 10 days of your vacation. For off property guest you will need to book one day at a time 60 days before your vacation. These dining experiences are located at the Disney Parks and some deluxe resorts.
Fine/Signature Dining: These are the fancy restaurants at Walt Disney World that offer top-notch experiences in food, service, and atmosphere. They are located all over Walt Disney World Resort and require an advance dining reservation. If you're looking for a dining experience with delicious food, these are the restaurants you would want to target.
During your first Walt Disney World trip, you might find it difficult to fit in one of the signature dining experiences because your priority is to be at the parks. Unlike character dining, these experiences are typically more expensive, and you can share meals.
Making Dining Reservations
Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs): Dining reservations open 60 days in advance at 6 am Disney World Time (Eastern).
Mobile Ordering: For quick-service meals, you can use the My Disney Experience app to place a mobile order. This allows you to skip the line and pick up your food at your convenience.
Disney Dining Plans and Budgeting
Disney Dining Plans: The Disney Dining Plans have been incredibly popular. They offer a great option to pre-pay for meals and snacks, giving your trip an all-inclusive feel. If you have kids under nine years old, it's definitely worth considering. Whenever we plan a trip that includes a lot of character meals, we always opt for a dining plan.
Budgeting for Meals: Dining at Walt Disney World can get expensive, so it's wise to budget accordingly. Research menus ahead of time to get a sense of prices and plan out where you might want to splurge on a special meal.
Disney Gift Cards: Disney Gift Cards are useful for budgeting your Disney trip. By buying them ahead of time, you can allocate funds for different parts of your vacation, such as dining or souvenirs. If you get Disney Gift Cards from specific retailers like Target, you can save money by using a store discount card (such as the Target RedCard), which gives you a percentage off the purchase price.
Special Dietary Needs at Disney
Walt Disney World is well-known for accommodating special dietary needs, including allergies and preferences such as vegetarian or vegan diets. When ordering at quick service locations, simply verify with the Cast Member your dietary restrictions, and they will provide you with options that fit your needs. It's important to ensure that what you ordered has accommodated your allergy.
At table service restaurants, make sure to inform the Cast Member to check in, and then inform the serving Cast Member as well. Sometimes, the chef will come out and speak to you directly to ensure they accommodate your needs properly, especially if the allergy is severe. Most restaurants also offer gluten- and dairy-free options.
Unique Dining Experiences
Dinner Shows: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is one of the best experiences on Disney Resort property. The show is hilarious, the food is delicious, and we love spending time at Fort Wilderness Resort.
Themed Dining: Experience immersive and themed dining at Disney's Hollywood Studios, such as the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, where you can ride in a vintage 1950s convertible and watch movie shorts on the screen, or the 50s Prime Time Café, where everyone is family, and you are in for a very interactive treat.
EPCOT Festivals: If you're visiting during one of EPCOT's festivals you'll find a vast array of food booths offering small plates from around the world.
Kids Meals at Disney World
Connection Cafe Kids Meals
Disney offers kids' menus at most dining locations, with smaller portions and kid-friendly options. Many restaurants also provide activities like coloring pages to keep little ones entertained while waiting for their food. Remember that at quick service and table service meals, you can share kids' meals. There are some places, like Connections Cafe in EPCOT, where I order the kids' meal because it's such a good value. However, you cannot order a kids' meal as an adult at Signature, Fine, or character meal dining. Additionally, if you have a picky eater, I have a blog that can help you plan in advance for them and save money.
How to Plan Your Disney Dining Around Park Days and Rest Days
Planning your Disney dining around park days and rest days is an excellent strategy to ensure a balanced and enjoyable trip. Here are my tips that I use when I am planning meals. Just keep in mind for Table Service plan at least 60 minutes, for character meals plan 90 minutes, and always factor in travel time to the location.
Plan Ahead and Make Reservations Early
Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs): Start by booking your table-service meals in advance, ideally as soon as the 60-day booking window opens. This is crucial for popular restaurants that fill up quickly, especially character dining experiences and signature restaurants. You can always modify later, but knowing you booked it will help you relax.
Prioritize Must-Do Restaurants: Identify the restaurants you absolutely want to visit and plan your park days around those dining reservations.
Align Dining with Park Days
Breakfast in the Parks: On days when you're visiting the park, it's a good idea to start your day with a breakfast reservation inside or near the park. This way, you can enjoy a good meal before heading to the rides and attractions. For example, if you're going to Magic Kingdom Park, consider having breakfast at Disney's Grand Floridian and then taking the monorail over. Keep in mind that there have been recent changes to the time restrictions for parking. They are now giving out papers that limit how long you can park at the resorts for dining. So, if you're trying to use this as a way to get free parking, you may not be so lucky.
Lunch to Recharge: Remember to schedule a table-service lunch to take a break and cool down during the hottest part of the day. Alternatively, plan to have a quick-service meal with indoor dining. All parks across the Walt Disney World Resort have large interior seating areas. Even if you don't want to have a table-service meal, be sure to plan for a quick-service meal indoors at some point to rest and recharge.
Dinner to Wind Down: End your day with a dinner reservation, either inside the park you’re visiting or at a nearby resort. Dining in the parks or resorts at night can be a magical way to end a busy day.
Use Dining to Maximize Rest Days
Character Meals on Rest Days: Character dining is a great option for rest days. This allows you to enjoy interactions with characters without the rush of park touring. Restaurants like Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort or 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort offer fun, themed dining experiences.
Explore Resort Dining: Take advantage of your rest days to explore dining options at Disney Resorts. Many resorts have unique restaurants worth visiting, such as California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort or Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Disney Springs for Variety: Spend part of your rest day at Disney Springs, where you'll find a variety of dining options, from quick service to signature dining. It's also a great spot for shopping and entertainment.
Consider Dining Locations and Transportation
Proximity Matters: Plan your dining locations based on where you'll be spending your day. For example, if you're visiting Magic Kingdom, dining at a nearby resort like the Grand Floridian or Contemporary can be convenient and quick.
Transportation Time: Factor in travel time between parks and resorts. If you have dining reservations at a resort far from your park, leave ample time to get there, especially if using Disney transportation.
I personally recommend dining where you will be spending most of your time. For example, if you are at a park and you are new to Walt Disney World and want to have a sit-down dining experience, you should dine at the specific park. If you are a more advanced Disney visitor, then it's fine to dine wherever you want, but still try to keep it close to where you plan to be that day.
Incorporate Flexible Dining Options
Mobile Ordering: For a more flexible approach, use Disney's Mobile Order service for quick-service meals. This allows you to order food via the My Disney Experience app and pick it up at your convenience, perfect for those days when plans may change.
Walk-Up List: Some restaurants offer a walk-up list for last-minute dining. This can be a good option if you want to keep your schedule open and see where the day takes you.
Stay Hydrated and Snack Smart
Snack Around the World: Especially in EPCOT, sampling snacks from different countries in World Showcase can be a fun and filling way to enjoy your day.
Plan for Breaks: Use snack times to rest and hydrate. Disney parks offer numerous snack options that can serve as mini meals, like turkey legs, churros, or Mickey pretzels.
Pack Your Own food: You can also pack your own snacks, which I highly recommend to save cost and time. If you need help figuring out how to deliver groceries to your Walt Disney World resort, read my blog on how to order groceries.
Be Flexible and Ready to Adapt
Plans Can Change: Sometimes, your dining plans might need to adapt based on weather, tiredness, or unexpected changes in park hours. Keep a few backup dining options in mind, or be prepared to pivot to quick-service options if needed. I have had kids fall asleep all the way through Cinderella's Royal Table - they were gracious and gave us a refund for her, but we were not going to wake her up. She was done.
Use Your Rest Days Wisely: If you find the parks too intense, use your rest days to unwind at a leisurely meal, and just hang out at your resort. This will ensure your vacation is enjoyable and not just a rush from one place to another.
I hope this blog helps to outline the dining experiences at Walt Disney World and assists you in planning your journey. By thoughtfully planning your dining experiences around your park days and rest days, you'll be able to enjoy the best of Disney dining without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
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