One of the most important aspects of your trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is the dining. After all, you’re going to need to keep your energy up for all the fun you’re going to have!
We’ve put together this article to let you know more about the type of food available at Walt Disney World along with some suggestions as to where to eat based on what type of traveller you are.
Feast your eyes on the info below and find out where you can satisfy your appetite during your holiday at Walt Disney World Resort.
Types of restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort
There are several different types of dining locations at Walt Disney World Resort located across the Theme Parks, Water Parks, Disney Resort hotels, and Disney Springs. From somewhere to grab a quick snack to a fine dining meal, the restaurants are arranged into categories to help you choose where to eat.
These categories are:
Type of restaurant | Description | Best for |
Quick-Service | You’ll order at the counter and then wait for your food and find a table. | Families with children, casual bites to eat, smaller budgets |
Table-Service | When you arrive, you’ll be seated at a table and waited on by servers. Your food will be brought to your table. | Couples, groups of friends, or a relaxed meal after a busy day exploring |
Character Dining | Meet the Disney Characters while you enjoy buffet-style dining or table service meals. | Young children and Disney fans |
Fine Dining | The highest quality restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. | Date night for couples or a celebration meal |
Snacks | Large and small snacks are available to pick up from various kiosks throughout Walt Disney World Resort. They are taken away and can be eaten on the go. | Grabbing something when you’re feeling peckish in between attractions |
Best places to eat at Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is home to some of the best restaurants in Orlando. There are way too many places to eat for us to list them all – there are over 200 places to eat at Walt Disney World Resort – so we’ve pulled together a list of 10 restaurants that we love!
Restaurant | Location | Food | Top pick |
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen | Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park | Casual dining with African, Asian, and Latin cuisine | Nile Nellie’s Noodle Bowl |
Space 220 Restaurant | World Discovery at EPCOT | Casual prix-fixe dining with American classics | Vegan carrot cake dessert |
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant | Commissary Lane at Disney’s Hollywood Studios | 1950s drive-in movie-themed diner serving American classics | Oreo cookie ice cream milkshake |
Tiffins Restaurant | Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park | Fine dining with dishes from around the world | Korean barbecue mushroom bao buns |
The BOATHOUSE | Disney Springs | Upscale restaurant with seafood and steaks | Mahi Mahi tacos |
California Grill | Disney’s Contemporary Resort | Fine dining contemporary cuisine | Sonoma goat cheese ravioli |
Citricos | Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | Fine dining American and Mediterranean flavours, inspired by Mary Poppins Returns | Guava-barbecued short ribs |
Whispering Canyon Café | Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | All-you-care-to-enjoy skillets | Braised pork belly skillet |
Cinderella’s Royal Table | Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park | Character Dining with Disney Princesses. A regal banquet in stunning surroundings | Banana-stuffed French toast |
Via Napoli | World Showcase at EPCOT | Authentic Italian food including pasta, salads, and pizzas | Traditional Neapolitan pizza |
Dietary requirements at Walt Disney World Resort
The restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort can provide meals for anyone with food allergies or who has dietary requirements, including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free.
If you are making a reservation in advance at a table service or fine dining restaurant, you can make the restaurant aware of your needs during the booking process. If you’re eating at a quick service restaurant, ask to speak to a Cast Member, and they will be able to advise you.
Most of the restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort offer vegetarian and vegan options. Look for the green leaf symbol on the menu, which indicates that a dish is plant-based.
Healthy food at Walt Disney World Resort
Eating well at Walt Disney World Resort is easier than you might think! Alongside all the classic Theme Park treats, you’ll find plenty of fresh, wholesome options to help you keep a balanced diet throughout your stay in Orlando.
Look out for the Disney Check symbol on the menus. Dishes marked with this symbol have been specially created as a healthy yet delicious option for kids. Meals featuring the Disney Check must include at least three of the following:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Low-fat dairy
- Whole grains or lean protein
- Beans
- Eggs
- Nuts
Food delivery at Walt Disney World Resort hotels
If you want to enjoy some food from the comfort of your hotel room, you can do just that by ordering a food delivery.
You can arrange to have groceries delivered if you’re staying in accommodation with self-catering facilities by companies like Garden Grocer, Instacart, or Amazon Prime. These are delivered to Bell Services at your hotel, and they’ll keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to pick them up. They can also deliver the food directly to your room for an additional charge.
You can also order meals from local restaurants via food delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. These will be delivered to the main lobby of your hotel.
Taking your own food into the Theme Parks
Did you know that you can take your own food into the Theme Parks and Water Parks at Walt Disney World Resort? Pack up your sandwiches and snacks and pop them in your backpack for when you’re feeling peckish.
This is a fantastic option if you’re travelling on a budget, as it can save you from spending too much on food in the parks. It’s also good if you have small children who need snacks or specific food throughout the day, or if you’re travelling with a fussy eater.
There are a couple of restrictions to be aware of:
- No glass containers
- Food must not require heating, reheating, or refrigeration
- Food or drink must not have pungent odours
Iconic snacks at Walt Disney World Resort
If you’ve been researching your Walt Disney World Resort trip for some time, you’ll probably have seen some of the iconic snacks on offer on Instagram or TikTok. These are the ones that we think should be on your must-try list.
Snack | Description | Where to get it |
Dole whip | Creamy pineapple-flavoured soft-serve dessert | Aloha Isle at Magic Kingdom Park |
Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar | Vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate shaped as Mickey’s silhouette | Various snack kiosks throughout the Theme Parks, Water Parks, and Disney Resort hotels |
Turkey leg | Large handheld turkey leg | Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT |
Jumbo pretzel | Warm, savoury pretzel | Germany Pavilion at EPCOT |
Mickey Beignets | Fluffy New Orleans-style doughnuts | Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter |
Character Dining
When it comes to dining at Walt Disney World Resort, there’s nothing more special than enjoying a delicious meal with Disney Characters. Children and grown-ups alike will love having breakfast with Mickey or meeting the Disney Princesses over lunch.
It’s one of the easiest and most relaxed ways to meet Disney Characters, and it’s a great way to create some truly unforgettable memories.
Here’s where you can eat with the Disney Characters:
Restaurant | Location | Meal | Characters |
1900 Park Fare | Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | Breakfast and dinner | Disney Characters including Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Princess Tiana |
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall | EPCOT | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner | Disney Princesses |
Cape May Cafe | Disney’s Beach Club Resort | Breakfast | Minnie Mouse and friends |
Chef Mickey’s | Disney’s Contemporary Resort | Breakfast | Mickey and friends |
Cinderella’s Royal Table | Magic Kingdom Park | Dinner | Disney Princesses |
The Crystal Palace | Magic Kingdom Park | Breakfast and dinner | Winnie the Pooh Disney Characters |
Garden Grill Restaurant | EPCOT | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner | Chip ‘n’ Dale, Mickey Mouse |
Hollywood & Vine | Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner | Disney Junior Characters, Mickey and friends |
‘Ohana | Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort | Breakfast | Lilo & Stitch |
Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White | Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | Dinner | Disney Characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs |
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera | Disney’s Riviera Resort | Breakfast | Mickey and friends |
Tusker House Restaurant | Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner | Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and friends |
Dining Plans
Dining Plans are the most budget-friendly way to enjoy incredible food and drink during your holiday. Dining Plans are available to guests staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel
There are two dining plans available for guests aged 3 and over:
- Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
- Disney Dining Plan
Both dining plans include two meals per night of your holiday, one snack per night, and a Resort-Refillable Drinks mug per stay. Each meal also comes with one drink, which can be non-alcoholic or alcoholic*. The difference between the two plans is that the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan includes two meals at quick-service restaurants per night, whereas the Disney Dining Plan includes one meal at a quick-service restaurant and one meal at a table-service restaurant per night.
*Alcoholic drinks are for guests aged 21 and over and require valid ID.
FAQs
Should I make dinner reservations in advance at Walt Disney World Resort?
You can make reservations for the table service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. Although you don’t have to, and walk-in tables may be available, we recommend making reservations in advance to avoid disappointment.
You can book tables at Walt Disney World Resort restaurants up to 60 days in advance. If you’re staying at one of the Disney Resort hotels, you can make reservations up to 60 days in advance of your arrival for the length of your stay (up to 10 nights).
If Character Dining is on your Walt Disney World Resort bucket list, we recommend booking as early as possible. Demand is high, and reservations book up quickly.
Which Walt Disney World Resort restaurants take reservations?
Table-service and fine dining restaurants take reservations in advance. Quick-service restaurants don’t take reservations and accept walk-ins.
Do you have to pay in full for Disney dining reservations?
Some restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort may require advance payment. For most restaurants, you just need a credit card to make a dining reservation. This won’t be charged before your booking unless you don’t show up for your reservation.
Now that you know everything there is to know about eating at Walt Disney World Resort, it’s time to get planning the trip of a lifetime. Check out our Walt Disney World Resort tickets to get started.
