Disney Dining Plan and Other Disney Dining Options

Dining at Walt Disney World is expensive! This post covers the basics and includes links to websites (both Disney-affiliated and third party sites) to go deeper. Use the section headers to find the information you need to plan your dream vacation!

Disney Restaurants by service option (sit-down, quick serve, etc)

Walt Disney World, in true Disney excellence, offers a variety of dining options to theme park guests: character dining, buffets (some with characters or other entertainment), sit-down restaurants and quick queue food stands. Here’s a brief explanation of the types of dining available:

• Character Dining: Particularly popular with younger families, restaurants throughout Disney offer the opportunity to interact with characters making mealtime as special as the parks themselves. Some of our favorites are: 
  • Princess dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in “Norway” at Epcot’s World Showcase. We like it because of the buffet style service — teen boys can get their fill. Also, it’s a bit less hectic place to meet princesses than Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom.
  • Winnie the Pooh and friends join guests at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. Offering breakfast and lunch buffets, the restaurant is centrally located and provides a quiet break from the crowds. When our kids were younger (8 and under), we enjoyed the great buffet offered here. TIP: Schedule a late lunch and make this buffet your main meal out of the midday heat.
  • Our favorite, The Garden Grill Restaurant, located in the Land Pavilion at Epcot, offers a friendly meet and greet with Chip, Dale and friends. The restaurant rotates as guests dine, offering ever changing views to entertain the kids. They provide all-you-can-eat family style service including kid favorites: macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers and pudding. 
• Dinner Shows and Experiences, such as the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ offer entertainment, Disney style (fun and family friendly) while providing unique dining menus. Dinner shows that coincide with fireworks displays are available, offering guests the best views while dining.
• For the sophisticated palate, Signature Dining options like the California Grill offer upscale menus in unique settings. These restaurants provide excellent service to adults, though kids are always welcome.
• Casual Dining Options offer sit-down meals with a smaller price tag. Our absolute favorite — we go every trip — is The Plaza Restaurant, located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Offering turn-of-the-20th-century ambience, the restaurant serves humongous sandwiches and salads and the best ice cream sundaes in the parks. This restaurant is also the “Mayor’s” favorite. You never know when he might show up! At Hollywood Studios (listed on the Disney site as Special and Unique Dining), enjoy the 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Servers here make sure kids mind their manners, so mom gets a break!
• Quick Service Dining is available at all the parks and hotels. Food here includes everything from ice cream sandwiches to hot dogs, burgers, chicken and salads. Most offer healthy options like fresh fruit as well. Our favorite is Aloha Isle in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom, offering the Dole Whip, a soft serve ice cream float with pineapple and/or orange. My mouth waters just writing about this sweet concoction, the perfect snack on a sunny afternoon.

Guests are allowed to bring food items–such as snacks or foods that do not require heating–into any Walt Disney World Resort hotel. If you have food items that need to be refrigerated, please ask the front desk at your hotel to have a refrigerator placed in your room. Refrigerator may require an additional charge. Guests are allowed to bring food items–such as snacks or foods that do not require heating–into any Walt Disney World Theme Park. Inform a Security Cast Member of any food items when you enter the Theme Park.

Consider these questions as you decide

With all these options it might seem impossible to decide which option works best. Consider these suggestions while making plans:

• Are the kids picky eaters? Pack your own lunch bag and supplement with one or two food stops throughout the day. No dining plan needed.
• Do you love “amusement park food”? The quick dining plan will give you your fill and save you a few dollars.
• Are you an amusement park ride junkie? Choose the quick dining plan. Most sit down restaurants and buffets take an hour or more.
• Do you prefer to relax throughout the day? Either go to your room to eat during the park’s most crowded afternoon hours or choose the Deluxe Dining Plan which provides an opportunity to sit and relax in air conditioned comfort away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
• Want to meet all (or most) the Disney characters? Choose the Deluxe Dining Plan. Book a character meal every day or every other day (depending on length of stay) and enjoy the personal interaction not available in park queues for characters. Make sure you know which characters appear at each meal scheduled. Some appear at more than one place!
• Planning to spend time at the resort pools and recreation areas? The Quick Dining and Deluxe Dining options offer options throughout Disney World. Select the best plan for you.