Dining at Disney: the Best Things to Eat and Drink at Disney’s Parks and Resorts

Planning a Disney vacation takes more time and energy than almost any other family vacation. Why? There are just so many moving parts.

When to visit Disney? Where to stay at Disney? What are the best rides at Disney? Is character dining worth it? How do Lightning Passes work? How often do the buses run - and what the heck is a Skyliner and where does it go?

We completely understand.

With all of these elements to consider - and with magic being everyone’s main focus - there’s one crucial piece that is nearly always overlooked.

Dining.

Sure, you’ve probably evaluated whether a Disney dining plan is worth it, or whether you can bring your own snacks and water into the park.

But beyond budgeting and convenience, most people spend very little time considering where to eat at Disney - or trying to have a great dining experience.

We know, we know; once upon a time (see what we did there?) Disney didn’t have a great reputation for offering delicious food. But times have changed. From foodies and food allergy sufferers to picky eaters and pescatarians, today Disney dining not only offers something for everyone - it’s better than ever.

Here’s why.

Disney’s Allergen-free menu. Trying to navigate dining away from home while dealing with Celiac Disease or wheat allergies (some of our team members have both) is not just complicated; it can feel so defeating. Disney’s allergen menu makes it possible to find allergen-safe menu options everywhere you go - and what’s more, they include more than just prepackaged salads and bun-free burgers. We were absolutely thrilled to discover gluten-free breaded chicken strips and fries right inside one of the Magic Kingdom’s many quick-service restaurants, a treat we rarely find anywhere. Gourmet? No. Delicious? Absolutely.
Diverse dishes from around the globe. And no, we aren’t just talking about Epcot’s World Showcase or about five-star dining. Disney has long abandoned a burgers-only approach in favor of menus - quick-service included - that include roasted BBQ chicken, pulled pork, fresh sushi, poke bowls, poutine, Mediterranean salads, shrimp tacos, mac and cheese, and even scratch-made Pop Tarts.

Five-star dining. Yes, fine dining too. In fact, there are more fine dining options than ever at Disney, making it consistent with other resorts and vacation destinations. After all, don’t we all want a great meal on vacation? How find is the dining at Disney these days? Even Wolfgang Puck has gotten in on the action. Cinderella’s Royal Table is a classic (and magical experience). Both the flavors and the presentation make Jaleo by Jose Andres a memorable experience, while both Citricos and Monsieur Paul are excellent destinations for honeymooners and romantics at heart. You can even see Disney’s fireworks from Monsieur Paul.

They’re back, and they’re better than ever.

Disney dining plans can seem complex at first, but they’re really much simpler than they appear. Here we’ll break down the differences between table service dining and quick service, and just what exactly constitutes a snack (personally, in the Florida heat, we consider ice cream a breakfast dish).

For our money, dining at Walt Disney World is one of the most important parts of a Disney vacation (see “ice cream for breakfast”).

Read on to see what defines each category and see our top picks, or jump ahead to see our table of Disney Dining Credits and how to apply them.

Disney World Table Service Dining

As you probably guessed, Table Service at Walt Disney World means you’ll be seated by a hostess and served by waitstaff. Disney offers table services dining at all of its parks, several resorts, and in Disney Springs and Disney’s Boardwalk.

Click here to download our full list of Table Service Dining at Disney. But first, check out our top 5 favorites.

These are my family's favorite suggestions and “Go-to” choices that everyone loves:

1. Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skippers Canteen – Magic Kingdom

2. Whispering Canyon Café – The Wilderness Lodge

3. Ohana (dinner) - Polynesian Resort (don't miss the noodles!)

4. Boma - Animal Kingdom Resort (buffet)

5. Via Napoli - Epcot

Disney World Quick Service Dining

Quick Service Dining is also referred to as Counter Service Dining. It’s Walt Disney World’s 'fast' food, where diners have the option of ordering at the counter or using the mobile app. No servers, just service with a smile.

But these days Quick Service Dining at Disney is more than just burgers and fries. Choose venues offering smoked meats, fresh salads, inventive sandwiches, hearty-plated dishes, and foods from around the world.

Quick Service options are everywhere, and the menu options are plentiful with something for everyone, including allergen-free diners.

Click here to download our full list of Quick Service Dining at Disney. But first, check out our top 5 favorites.

1.Flame Tree BBQ - Animal Kingdom

2.Woody’s Lunchbox - Magic Kingdom

3.The Polite Pig - Disney Springs

4.Katsura Grill - Epcot

5.Primo Piatto - Riviera Resort

Disney World Snacks

Ahhh, our favorite category.

At home or at Disney, snack time is our favorite time (well…maybe the parade…or the fireworks…or a snack at the parade and then another snack at the fireworks…) Snacks at Walt Disney World are more than a little nibble to keep you going from attraction to attraction. Some of Disney’s most notable menu items fall in the snack category - like the iconic Dole Whip or Mickey ice cream bars. And, ever a park after our own heart, you can even snack on items like Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese or Peanut Butter Cookie Pie, making certain Walt Disney World snacks substantial and satisfying enough to be considered a meal.

From baked goods to lollipops, Mickey Pretzels to Empanadas, we could easily snack our way through a day (and perhaps…have).

Here are our favorite Disney Snacks to enjoy while at Disney - or click here to download our full list.

1. Fruit and Hazelnut Waffle at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom

2. Totchos at Woody’s Lunchbox in Hollywood Studios

3. Grilled Corn on the Cob at Harambe Fruit Market in Animal Kingdom

4. Cheeseburger or Pastrami Spring Rolls from the Magic Kingdom Spring Roll Snack Cart

5. Carmel Popcorn Karamell Kitchen in Epcot

Disney World Signature Dining

Signature Dining is, simply put, Table Service Dining with its fancy clothes on. Signature Dining restaurants provide the highest level of service with the most innovative, high-quality dishes. While Signature Dining restaurants are kid-friendly, often these make wonderful places for a grownups’ night out. Signature Dining restaurants can be found in the parks (Cinderella’s Royal Table, for example) and also at Disney’s resorts.

Disney World Character Dining

Well, if Mickey cooked it, it must be good. And really, if you’re dining beside Snow White, will you even remember what you were eating, anyway? You will if it’s delicious fresh fruit and fluffy Mickey Waffles (but just to be safe, if an old lady in a cloak is handing out the apples, say no and get a banana instead).

Character Dining is a great way to interact with Disney characters. They are often offered all-you-care-to-enjoy family style (like the offerings at EPCOT’s Garden Grill), but can also include plated meals like those at Story Book Dining at Artist Point. Some locations offer a combination of both). Characters range from Disney princesses to Winnie-the-Pooh (and his 100 Acre crew) to the Fab Five and beyond, all depending on which experience you choose (but seriously, get the waffles).

You may be surprised to learn that several character meal options are offered outside the parks, so you don’t even have to buy a ticket to get in on the food and fun.

Here’s what we love about buffet dining at Disney:

It’s great for picky eaters (all buffet dining includes theme park favorites like chicken nuggets and mac and cheese) but -
The more adventurous in your crowd can still indulge their palettes (we have both a foodie and a picky eater in our travel bunch and buffet makes everyone happy - for a change)
Many of Disney’s buffet dining experiences offer flavors from around the world (although we still love the waffles best)

Here are our top 5 Character Dining Experiences - or click here to download our full list.

1.Topolinos Breakfast at The Riviera Resort

2. Akershus at Epcot

3. Storybook Dining at Artists Point

4. Cinderellas Royal Table - Magic Kingdom

5. Tusker House - Animal Kingdom

How to Use the Walt Disney World Disney Dining Plan

Back by popular demand, the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) has returned as an option for guests staying at Walt Disney World Resorts starting January 9, 2024. DDP is a great way to add convenience to your Disney vacation. Choose the plan that’s right for your family - snacks and quick service or a more signature experience. Your plan will include a pre-set number of credits for each night of your resort stay. This helps visitors anticipate dining expenses - and for us nonstop park hoppers, it reminds us to stop and recharge, or to take a necessary break for a relaxing family meal.

To get the most up-to-date plans and their pricing, reach out to our partners at Willow + Wand. They can book your resort stay and help you decide which dining plan is right for your travel party. Tell them we sent you! :)

Our Favorite Walt Disney World Dining Tips & Guides

Whether you’re a Disney annual pass holder or this is your first experience inside the magic, there’s always something new to eat, sip, or snack on at Disney. Our tip sheets can help you navigate between the hundreds of choices to make your vacation as delicious as it is magical.

Disney Dining FAQs

Q. Can I bring my own food into the Disney Parks?

Yes! You can bring your own food into the Disney parks. We like to pack an emergency granola bar or protein bar to prevent meltdowns in line (“This kid needs ice cream! Stat!”) but we’ve seen families bring coolers full of sandwiches (personally, it’s not for us - we need to stay light on our feet and ready for fun at all times). While it’s a great idea to bring a light snack or two, the snacks are some of our favorite parts of the Disney experience, so give yourself some leeway to stop for a Mickey pretzel or ice cream bar. Or a spring roll. Or a turkey leg. Or…you get the point.

Q. Can I make reservations for Disney dining?

Yes, you can make reservations. The key is to book well in advance. While there are restaurants that can accommodate last-minute diners - particularly small parties - Character Dining, Signature Dining restaurants, and many of the most popular Table Service spots book up months in advance. Our best advice? This is where travel agents are especially valuable. They know which restaurants need to be booked months ahead, and we can tell you from experience that our friends at The Willow and Wand are up at 5 a.m. to be first in line to book client reservations. Our advice? When it comes to Disney dining, it takes a (Kidani) village.

Q. How do I do Disney dining on a budget?

We’ll be the first to admit that dining at Disney can be pricy. That’s to be expected at any resort - or just about on any vacation. To keep costs down, we keep items like fruit, protein, and cereal bars on hand at the resort, and bring some snacks into the parks with us, so we can allocate our dollars on those snacks and treats we love best, instead of being driven by hunger. Our second tip is to know your audience. Got four small kids who are all picky eaters? Maybe Quick Service is your best bet over Table Service - especially after a long day at the parks (when our kids were little, we liked to feed them a light dinner at the Resort, then treat them to dessert while the grownups ate dinner). When it comes to managing your budget, a Dining Plan can ensure you know all of your costs upfront (taxes and gratuity excluded) - and plan for meals at a cadence (and meal size and preference) that suits your routine.

Q. Are there gluten-free dining options at Disney?

We are pleased to say there are more gluten-free options than ever at Disney Resorts and Parks! In fact, you can find gluten-free and dairy-free options just about everywhere you go. As allergy sufferers and allergy moms, we love this. When we received our own separate gluten-free bread basket while dining at Trattoria Al Forno on Disney’s Boardwalk, we nearly cried with joy.

Q. Is Disney dining safe for allergy sufferers?

With advances in our understanding of food allergies and greater appreciation for the significance of these concerns, allergy-free dining at Disney is now safer than ever before thanks to dedicated food preparation areas, separate trays and service, and flags that indicate an allergen-free food to ensure contactless service - and your safety.

Q. Where can I have dinner or dessert and see the Disney Fireworks?

The best bet is The California Grill at The Contemporary for Magic Kingdom fireworks. Even if you are seated before the show time, you’ll get a ticket to come back to the viewing deck at the resort that night. Another great option, Kona Café at the Polynesian where you can watch the fireworks from the beach - the music is piped in so you don’t miss any of the fun!

Q. Is alcohol served in the Disney Parks?

Alcohol is only served at table service locations in the Magic Kingdom (unless you are one of the Pirates of the Caribbean - they make their own rules) but alcohol is served at many locations throughout the other Disney Parks, including EPCOT where you’ll find fine wines and signature cocktails from around the world. Because really, what’s a taco without a margarita? We’ve also had our fair share of sake slushies, complex Cabernets, robust German Hefeweizens - among other treats.

Q. Where should I celebrate my birthday/honeymoon/anniversary at Disney?

Anywhere! But many locations will allow you to add a special Mickey Mouse dome celebration cake to your meal (note the extra cost of $39). Willow + Wand reports that their most requested places for a celebration include California Grill, Narcoossee’s, and the Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Q. Can I book reservations for a large party at Disney?

You can! Most Disney locations will limit each reservation to 8 people. Some locations can book 8 or more on one reservation. We suggest Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Diamond Horseshoe in MK, Rix’s Sports Bar at Coronado Springs, Mama Melrose in Hollywood Studios. Other options are to split your group into two parties or more for reservations at the same time. This can be tricky to do, so you need to know how to book and manage multiple reservations at the same time - another great reason to utilize Disney Travel Planning Services.

Q. Which character dining is best?

The one with waffles. Just kidding. Choosing character dining should start with the experience. Do your little ones (or big ones - we aren’t judging) have a beloved character they’d most want to meet? Or is being part of the magic enough? From there, choose the time of day when your kids are at their best - most energetic and ready to engage.

Whatever your palette, whatever your budget, you can have a wonderful dining experience at Disney with just a little planning (and a big appetite).

Questions? Need help choosing a dining plan or making reservations? Our partners at Willow + Wand can help.

Have a tip or question we didn’t cover? Reach out and let us know!