Dining at Walt Disney World can be experiences unlike you’ve ever seen before. From world famous character dining and luxurious fine dining to eating on the go, you can be sure you will find what you’re looking for. Find the information you need here to make the right choice for you when it comes to your Disney Dining experience.
We welcome you to check out what each park has to offer. Each location will also include detailed information about what kind of food is being served and pricing, also if a location is more suitable for parents and children or just couples. If this is your first trip or your seventh you will still learn something new about Dining in Disney.
Restaurants of Walt Disney World
Overview of the Disney Dining Plans:
When you buy your Magic Your Way Vacation Package, you have the option of customizing your tickets by purchasing the Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining or Plus Deluxe Dining. By doing so, you will save up to 30% per person on all dining from snacks and quick meals, to Character Dining and Disney Signature restaurants. Periodically the Plus Dining plan is offered as a ‘free’ upgrade to your theme park ticket during off peak times of the year, usually January and September through December.
There are over 100 select restaurants throughout the Disney World Resort area to satisfy your hunger during your vacation. Best of all, it is very convenient to have all your meals paid for in advanced. Please do note that a gratuity is no longer included unless otherwise indicated. An 18% gratuity is added automatically for parties of six or more. A gratuity may also be added for items that are not included in the Dining Plan such as alcoholic beverages.
The Disney Dining Plan must be redeemed at the time that you purchase a meal or a snack. Present your Key to the World card to the server or cashier prior to ordering. Make sure you specify the number of meals or snacks being redeemed at this time and let them know to charge them to your Dining Plan. The meals are then tracked electronically and the cashier or server will provide you with a receipt to show you the remaining balance of your Disney Dining Plan.
As a benefit with the Dining Plan you can exchange 1 table service meal for 1 Character Dining experience for each person participating. Two Table Service meals can be exchanged for each person dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Two Table Service Meals can be exchanged for either One Signature Dining experience at one of the finest restaurants on Disney Property, or One Disney Dinner Show. Dinner shows include Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ and Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Show at the Polynesian Resort. The plan can also be used for In-Room Private Dining which will count at Two Table Service credits. It can also be redeemed for Pizza Delivery which will deduct Two adult table service meals from your plan balance.
There is also an Optional Wine and Dine Plan at participating restaurants. By adding this plan to the package, you will receive one bottle of wine per room from a select wine list for each night of your stay. Gratuity is not included. Two wine entitlements will be exchanged for one bottle of wine from private in-room dining menus or one bottle of wine at a signature restaurant.
Disney Dining & Deluxe Dining Plans
Disney Dining 101 - Things to know
Sample Dining Menus
The Magic Your Way Dining Package will include two full meals:
One Table Service Meal - For Adults this includes 1 juice (breakfast only), 1 entrée, 1 dessert (lunch and dinner only), 1 non-alcoholic beverage or 1 full buffet. For a child this includes 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 dessert (lunch and dinner only), 1 non-alcoholic beverage or 1 full buffet. Children ages 3 to 9 are limited to the Children’s menu where available.
One Quick-Service Meal – this includes 1 entrée or 1 complete combo meal, 1 dessert (lunch or dinner only), 1 juice (breakfast only), and 1 non-alcoholic beverage. Children ages 3 to 9 are limited to the Children’s menu where available.
One Snack – this includes a choice of ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoops (single serving), chips (single serving), a piece of whole fruit, 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice and 12 oz. coffee, hot chocolate or tea.
The Magic Your Way Package Deluxe Dining will include table service and quick-service restaurants for all three meals:
Table Service Meals - For Adults this includes 1 juice (breakfast only), 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 dessert (lunch and dinner only), 1 non-alcoholic beverage or 1 full buffet. For a child this includes 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 dessert (lunch and dinner only), 1 non-alcoholic beverage or 1 full buffet. Children ages 3 to 9 are limited to the Children’s menu where available.
Quick-Service Meals – this includes 1 entrée or 1 complete combo meal, 1 dessert (lunch or dinner only), 1 juice (breakfast only), and 1 non-alcoholic beverage. Children ages 3 to 9 are limited to the Children’s menu where available.
Two Snacks per day – this includes a choice of ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoops (single serving), chips (single serving), a piece of whole fruit, 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice and 12 oz. coffee, hot chocolate or tea.
One Resort Refillable Mug will be included for each guest. Bring the Resort mug to any quick-service restaurant at your hotel and refill it as often as you like.
The following is not included in the Disney Dining Plan: Alcoholic beverages, some bottled drinks, in-room mini bars, souvenir or refillable mugs, snacks and beverages from recreation rental counters, Glow Cubes, Merchandise and Photo Imaging.
Restaurant Experiences:
Vendor Food
Vendor carts are plentiful within all theme parks, Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk. Here you will be able to purchase popcorn, ice cream bars, churros, pop, water and fresh fruit.
Quick Service
Quick Service is the place to get fast food while you are on the go at all the theme parks and Downtown Disney. Here you will find such things as burgers, fries, sandwiches and salads. It is a bit more expensive than your usual fast food place, but the portions are larger. Some quick service restaurants include Casey’s Corner, Pecos Bill Café and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop.
Cafeterias & Food Courts
Cafeterias are a mix between full-service and quick service dining throughout the major theme parks. Food courts offer a selection quick service restaurants under one roof. Food courts can be found at the theme parks, moderate resorts and value resorts. Both experiences offer a variety of food to please any member in your group. A couple food courts include Everything Pop Shopping and Dining and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café.
Casual Dining
Casual Dining is a cut above quick service meals. This category fits somewhere between hamburgers and formal dining. Entrees are more expensive than the traditional quick service meals, but the variety and quality is well worth the extra money. Examples of Casual Dining include Liberty Tree Tavern, Biergarten Restaurant and Olivia's Café.
Buffets & Family-Style Restaurants
Many of the Buffets and Family-Style Restaurants have Disney characters in attendance. Most of the Buffets have a separate children's menu to order from so everyone in the family can enjoy the all-you-can-eat while children aren't pressured to eat very large meals. Family-Style Restaurants are all-you-can-eat without having to wait in a line. Servers will bring platters of food to your table in courses. You can sample everything on the menu and eat as much as you like while enjoying the comforts of a sit down restaurant for a fixed price. Most of these experiences recommend Advance Reservations. Some of these experiences include Disney's Spirit of Aloha Show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Maya Grill.
Character & Themed Dining
Ever want to have a close encounter with a Disney Character? Than this is the dining experience for you. A number of restaurants in the theme parks and resorts are buffet or family-style meals and offer character dining. During the meal, Disney characters will circulate throughout the restaurant signing autographs, hugging guests and posing for photos. Character Dining is something to be experienced by all and there are plenty of choices of where to have your best character encounter. Themed dining is just that. If you want a meal with a little more personality, try one of the themed dining experiences. At the 50' Prime Time Cafe you will be transported back to the 1950s to your mom's kitchen table. You may here things like, "Did you wash your hands before eating"? "Eat your vegetables, they are good for you", or the classic, "Get your elbows off the table". Or at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre, park in a vintage convertible and watch an old sci-fi movie on the big screen, all while enjoying your dining experience. Some other examples include Rainforest Café - Animal Kingdom, Liberty Tree Tavern Character Dining and Hollywood & Vine.
Signature & Special and Unique Dining
Enjoy the choice of find dining or internationally acclaimed celebrity restaurants. Exceptional service, exquisite wine collections and countless themed restaurants are perfect for any event. If you are enjoying a special occasion, looking for a unique place to eat or a restaurant different than your normal dining experiences at Disney World, then there are plenty to choose from throughout the theme parks and resorts. Some examples of these experiences include Narcoossee's, 'Ohana and Bistro de Paris
Fantasmic Dinner Package
This package gives you the choice to dine at one of three Hollywood Studios restaurants, and then given priority seating at the evening performace of Fantasmic. This is a great option to view one of the most amazing water and light shows and have a fun dining experience as well. Priority seating means no waiting in line for 60 to 90 minutes outside the theatre that houses Fantasmic. You can just walk up to the theatre 30 minutes before the show and have a great seat for viewing. The three restaurants to choose from for the package are the Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose and Hollywood & Vine. You can use your Dining Plan credits towards this dining experience. Hollywood & Vine and Mama Melrose's counts as one table service meal, while the Brown Derby counts as two. It is recommended that you make advance reservations for this package to avoid disappointment.
Advance Reservations
With any Disney World full-service restaurants, buffets, character meals, or dinner shows, it is recommended that you make advance reservations. For most restaurants, reservations can be made at least 180 days ahead of time. You can make reservations through your travel agent or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. If you are undecided before you leave for your trip, your chances of getting a table at the restaurant of your choice is still good, but not always the case. More popular character meals such as Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Cinderella's Royal Table Character Dining will most certainly be sold out. So to avoid disappointment it is best to research the restaurants that recommend advance reservations on our Dining Menu or feel free to post on our Community Forums to get the advice of DisneyMagic members who would love to share their experiences with you. Please note that there are penalties for not showing up for a reservation and you will be charged a cancellation fee. You must also pay in full at the time you are booking for all meals so if you are a no-show, you will loose the entire amount. It is a good idea to call 407-WDW-DINE before your vacation to make sure everything is in order and to avoid disappointment.
Dress Code
Attire is informal at all theme park restaurants; however in 2005 Disney decided that some of its resort restaurants will have a business casual dress code. Business dress code includes dress slacks and collard shirts for men and skirts, dress pants and blouses or sweaters for women. Restaurants with this dress code are Jiko-The Cooking Place at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge, Yachtman Steakhouse and the Yacht and Beach Club, The Flying Fish Cafe at Boardwalk, the California Grill at Contemporary and Citricos at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Food Allergies & Special Requests
If you or a member in your party have food allergies or have a specific diet, please mention it when you are making advance reservations. Restaurants will be more than happy to accommodate you in any way possible.
For Details of Sample menus please visit our Dising Dining and Planning forum here
