UPDATED May 23, 2024
Everyday we receive lots of messages from you, our awesome DFB readers, asking for restaurant suggestions and recommendations. And while we certainly have our favorites, we know that you do, too!
So when a Disney first-time visitor asked what restaurants we would recommend for their upcoming trip, we couldn’t think of a better panel of experts to ask than YOU!
When I originally put the question out on the Disney Food Blog Facebook page, I was overwhelmed by the huge and immediate response that I got! (P.S. And we update this post regularly to make sure we’re still giving you the BEST and most up-to-date recommendations!)
Let’s take a look at your recommendations for the restaurants first timers must experience on that inaugural Walt Disney World trip!
If you have other thoughts or ideas — or, better yet, stories of your favorite restaurants during a first-time visit — please share them with all of us in the comments section! More suggestions are always better!
Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
When it comes to first-time Disney dining, the winning restaurant recommendation is, hands down, Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Many of you agree that anyone visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth for the very first time MUST experience a buffet that includes lots of character interaction.
Mickey Mouse!
But the suggestion is practical, too. Readers pointed out that a character dining experience offers good value for your Disney dollar (or Table Service credit on the Disney Dining Plan), with an all-you-care-to-eat buffet.
You can make your own charcuterie!
And with the addition of characters, you have a less rushed (and air-conditioned!) meet and greet opportunity that guarantees you’ll see lots of characters without waiting in long lines in the parks. And we have to make sure you know that those characters are… THE FAB FIVE!
You’ll meet them ALL!
Yep! Chef Mickey’s is the ONLY Character Meal where you’ll meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto! Also, don’t forget that Chef Mickey’s is walking distance from the Magic Kingdom. This is a great place to start or end your Magic Kingdom day!
Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland
Judging from the reader response, we’d say that Disney definitely hit the mark with Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland.
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Set in Beast’s Castle (from Disney’s animated classic, Beauty and the Beast), you can stop here for lunch or dinner. It’s worth mentioning that this restaurant used to be a counter service location for lunch and table service location for dinner; however, this changed when the parks reopened in 2020.
Now, guests need an advanced dining reservation or can try their chances at scoring a spot on the walk-up waitlist to dine here. And, alas, the counter service lunch option is gone (as is breakfast), so our caveat here is that it will absolutely cost you a very pretty penny (or TWO credits on the Disney Dining Plan) to dine here these days, and the meal is prix-fixe, featuring an appetizer and entree of the guests’ choice and a dessert platter).
Short Rib Beef Bourguignon
But if you do indeed partake, you’ll be dining in a setting like no other…
The Grand Ballroom in Be Our Guest Restaurant
The menu has a French flair and boasts dishes such as Filet Mignon, Trout Amandine, and Short Rib Beef Bourguignon.
Center-cut Filet Mignon — part of the Prix Fixe menu at Be Our Guest
But it’s the STUNNING setting that make Be Our Guest Restaurant a must-do for many guests! You’re dining in the Beast’s Castle, after all. In the Grand Ballroom replete with twinkling chandeliers, shades of gold and royal blues, and stunning windows showcasing gently falling snow, you can practically see Belle dancing with The Beast when you walk in and inevitably need a moment to take it all in. In fact, the Beast himself may stroll by your table!
The master comes out to say, “hello!”
You may also be seated in the Rose Gallery or the foreboding West Wing, where you can gaze upon the Enchanted Rose and watch the petals fall…
Enchanted Rose at Be Our Guest Restaurant
(Here’s a TIP: if at all possible, snag a table in the West Wing and keep an eye on the Prince’s portrait!)
Oh, and one more thing… did we mention that the dessert platter includes the famous GREY STUFF?!
Chocolate Tart filled with The Grey Stuff
“It’s delicious!”
Without a doubt, Be Our Guest provides an incredibly immersive and memorable dining experience, and you can read more about it here.
Click HERE for the TRUTH about dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant!
‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
The fan base for ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Resort came out loud and clear in support of their favorite restaurant, and we can’t help but agree!
‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
We heard from lots of you that a Disney World vacation isn’t complete without at least one meal here, with dinner enjoying the highest number of votes. You see, breakfast and dinner offer two distinct experiences. While both offer All-You-Care-to-Enjoy meals served family-style, Dinner presents a truly unique and tasty Polynesian-inspired feast featuring showstoppers like ‘Ohana Noodles (which sound unremarkable… UNTIL YOU TASTE THEM), Chicken Wings, Teriyaki Beef, and Spicy Peel-n-Eat Shrimp.
‘Ohana Skillet
Want more? Just ask your “cousin” (or server)! After all, ‘Ohana means FAMILY! First-time visitors will walk away with an experience that is both unique and delicious. And, don’t forget to save room for one of the best desserts at Disney — ‘Ohana Bread Pudding!
‘Ohana Bread Pudding!
But another huge reason for the ‘Ohana love is the fantastic view of Magic Kingdom fireworks that you’ll have if you happen to time your dinner reservations just right. Between that and the bread pudding, you’ll be a Disney fan for life!
But we also can’t forget the ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast! Mornings at ‘Ohana deliver a Character Meal featuring Lilo and Stitch, as well as Mickey and Pluto.
Mickey at ‘Ohana breakfast
Pair this with an All-You-Care-to-Enjoy breakfast feast…
Breakfast Skillets
… and you’ve got one memorable way to start your day in Disney World!
Click HERE for more about dining at ‘Ohana… day or night!
50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
You had better eat those veggies and keep your elbows off the table! While DFB readers love good eats, fantastic theming and engaging (sometimes downright cheeky) service also win big points. Many of our readers said that anyone venturing to Disney World for the first time must be sure to book a table at 50’s Prime Time Cafe.
50s Prime Time Cafe
Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this table service spot serves comfort food with a hearty helping of nostalgia. Don’t forget to ask for a “TV Table” when you check in!
As for a TV table!
You see, tiny black and white TVs roll clips from old sitcoms as you feast on Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes or Fried Chicken.
Our Spread from 50s Prime Time Cafe
And ordering a drink from Dad’s Liquor Cabinet is a way fun bonus!
Dad’s Electric Lemonade From The Tune-In Lounge
If you book a table, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to explore all the fun decor here. It’s truly an amazing throwback to the mid-20th century. And, here’s a TIP: if you go to the restroom, be sure to note the color of the soap. After all, your “Cousin” (that’s your server) may ask to make sure you washed your hands! (If you’re a 50s Primetime newbie, be sure to read some of our favorite readers’ experiences here!)
We ate EVERYTHING at 50’s Prime Time Cafe! See it all HERE
Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.
(Why should you use a travel agent when you go to Disney? See what we think here! Or click here for a no obligation price quote today!)
Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square
While some of you can’t wait to book a table with Mickey and Minnie, still others feel that the quintessential Disney dining experience is tied more to history and reliably good food. Those were the top reasons why you cited Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom as a must-do for your first-timers dining list.
Liberty Tree Tavern
Liberty Tree offers all-you-care-to-enjoy, family-style meals for lunch and dinner. Better yet… that meal is basically THANKSGIVING ALL YEAR LONG!
A full Thanksgiving spread at Liberty Tree Tavern
The Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is to die for…
Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake
See what I mean? And if you’re feeling like adding on something unique to drink (for an extra cost, that is) you can try a DOLE WHIP SLUSH (also known as the Tavern Punch on the menu)!
There are SO MANY reasons to love Liberty Tree Tavern, and you can see them all HERE.
Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy
Throughout all of the many comments we received, there was another resounding suggestion: first-timers must eat somewhere in EPCOT’s World Showcase. One of your very favorite globally-inspired spots is Via Napoli in the Italy Pavilion. The scene is set with three enormous wood-burning ovens named after Italian volcanoes.
Wood-burning “Volcano” Ovens: Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Etna
But it’s what comes out of those ovens that makes a visit here truly remarkable. Via Napoli serves up some of the best pizza that we’ve had anywhere, ever (and especially at Disney!). Pizzas are thin-crust and made with imported water to better reach the dough consistency you’d experience if you were dining right in Naples, Italy.
“MEZZO SIZE, please!”
Try the Piccante Pizza, our favorite Quattro Formaggi, or one of the many other pizza options on the menu! And don’t forget to sample some of the amazing beers that they feature here!
Of course, pasta or an a ala carte entree like the scrumptious Chicken Parmesan might also be your choice.
Chicken Parm at Via Napoli
But no matter what you order…
MICKEY made of Parmesan and red pepper flakes
… it’s always served up with a lil’ bit of Disney MAGIC!
Garden Grill at EPCOT
There’s a reason you’re reading about so many Character Meals such as Garden Grill on this list of great picks for First Timers: because there isn’t much that’s more magical than a meal with friends, and that seems especially true when those friends are your hosts Chip and Dale, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto!
Garden Grill Character Signing Card
They’re also terrific choices because if you’re stressed about finding time to meet oodles of characters during your trip, you can meet several in one location!
Mickey Mouse at Garden Grill
In many cases, as it is at Garden Grill, the meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) are all-you-care-to-enjoy. And the food here tends to be consistently good (a rare find, in many instances).
Farmer’s Skillet at Garden Grill
And the reason why Garden Grill specifically finds its place on our list is because it’s housed in EPCOT, and overlooks one of the park’s classic attractions (Living with the Land), as the restaurant ROTATES above the ride!
See? The background is different not because YOU have moved, but because the RESTAURANT has!
All this IN ADDITION TO MICKEY! We love it, and find Garden Grill to be utterly charming year after year, and we hope you do, too.
Want to know about WHICH CHARACTERS you can meet at EVERY CHARACTER MEAL? Click HERE.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness Resort
We were super excited to see that many of our readers loved and suggested the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Dinner Show at Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground as a favorite for first-timers! This beloved Dinner Show made its debut on June 30, 1974 and has been delivering wonderful vacation memories to Walt Disney World guests ever since.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
It’s a classic “hootenanny” that combines singing, dancing, and wacky comedy for 2 hours of family fun that will keep you rolling.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
While you enjoy the entertainment, you’ll also be eating ALL YOU WANT from fried chicken (find the recipe here!), ribs, mashed potatoes, and MUCH more.
We love that fried chicken!
Grownups can also enjoy unlimited beer, wine, and sangria, and soft drinks are available, too. And be sure to save room for the awesome and delicious Strawberry Shortcake!
Strawberry Shortcake
Here’s something more that what we want you to know: There are three seating categories that guests may choose from when making their reservation. Categories 1 and 2 offer wheelchair-accessible seating. Every seat in the house offers a great view, but note that Category 3 tables have turn stools where you must swivel to view the show facing a different direction from your table.
Step inside Pioneer Hall!
The show takes several intermissions, though, for food service… and more eatin’! 😉 That said, we recommend seating in Category 1 or 2 to best enjoy the show, especially if you’ve never seen it before.
Learn all the ins and outs of this beloved Disney World tradition HERE!
Boma at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and/or Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Sometimes at Disney, you need a little something different, and many DFB readers passionately avowed their love for the restaurants on property specializing in African flavors! But of all of them, Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are your favorites.
Boma is a HUGE fan-favorite!
With similar menus, you can’t go wrong by choosing one or the other of these buffet-style feasts.
Featuring African specialties like Cape Malay Green Curry Shrimp, Berbere-marinated Pork, and beautiful pastries, breads, chutneys, and spreads, you’ll find a lot to tempt your taste buds. Check out our Tusker House Review for dozens of food photos!
We could eat this mac and cheese FOR DAYS.
One point of distinction: if you’re looking for a character experience, choose Tusker House for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Characters do not make an appearance at Boma.
He’s #1! Donald at Donald’s Dining Safari
Donald’s Dining Safari features tableside visits from Donald (of course!), Mickey, Daisy, and Goofy, all in their SAFARI BEST!
THIS is what it’s like dining at Tusker House!
Le Cellier Steakhouse in EPCOT’s Canada
Many readers agreed that a first visit to Disney World should include a stop at one of the resort’s Signature restaurants. While a few different spots were mentioned, Le Cellier Steakhouse in EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion garnered the most buzz.
Le Cellier Steakhouse in EPCOT
The steaks are terrific, the appetizers (we especially love the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup) are innovative and hearty, and I’m always up for the Signature Poutine and the unique varieties of the dish served here.
Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier
All of this is served up in a charmingly cozy setting, and the service is often very good here as well.
Le Cellier
One of my favorite items here is the Le Cellier Filet Mignon. But there are plenty of options to sample. Just remember, this restaurant is a signature meal — which means a hefty price tag — for both lunch and dinner.
Who’s ready for some steak?
P.S. If dessert is on your radar…
Maple Crème Brûlée
…we are big fans of the Maple Crème Brûlée!
Les Halles Bakery in EPCOT’s France
DFB loyal readers want to make sure First Timers don’t miss out on one of EPCOT’s staple Quick Service spots, Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie.
Les Halles
Tucked into the back of EPCOT’s France pavilion is this charming bakery that is packed with truly tasty treats, both sweet and savory.
Viennoiserie Pomme
Stepping inside, you’ll often encounter a line.
Les Halles
But once you lay eyes on that beautiful bakery case, you’ll understand why!
Fraises — Strawberry Tart
It’s also a terrific stop for those who would like a gourmet coffee or glass of French wine. Check out an extensive EPCOT Les Halles Review — featuring 21 items! — here!
Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom
We simply can’t wrap up our list without a nod to Cinderella’s Royal Table. You simply can’t get any more iconic than Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle. And , YES, there’s a restaurant in there, too!
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Personally, I think that a meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table has to be on the bucket list of every self-respecting Disney fan. How can you possibly go through your charmed Disney life without seeing inside those walls?
Inside Cinderella’s Royal Table
Cinderella’s Royal Table also just so happens to be a Character Meal — a BIG plus for us. While you enjoy your meal, Cinderella’s princess friends meet and greet and take pictures and offer autographs.
Aurora at Cinderella’s Royal Table
And who are these friends, you ask? Well, the present Royalty may vary, but we’re talking about the likes of Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, and Snow White!
Snow White at Cinderella’s Royal Table
(Cinderella herself doesn’t actually mingle, but you have a chance to meet and have your photo taken with her before you’re seated.)
Cinderella at Cinderella’s Royal Table
In the past, the food here was considered largely overpriced and forgettable. But in the last few years, that has changed a little. We’re seeing more updates to the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus as chefs are steered by seasonal ingredients and hot food trends.
Parisian Gnocchi at Cinderella’s Royal Table
And breakfast has been the sweet spot here for a long time — especially the Pastries and the Stuffed French Toast, which changes up now and then.
Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table
The characters and ambiance are still the big draw. But chances are nowadays, you’ll enjoy your meal here as well.
It truly is a royal experience, and we’ve got several TIPS for your Cinderella’s Royal Table experience here! We also have tips to landing a reservation this incredibly popular restaurant HERE.
Looking for the best 2024 restaurants for first time visitors? We have a list for you here!
And, Now It’s YOUR Turn to Share Your Suggestions!
So there you have it! Our DFB Readers’ suggestions for the Disney restaurants that you simply must try on your first visit to Walt Disney World! It’s a big list to be sure, so we recommend taking a few of these picks and incorporating them into your plans. Or, if you’re anything like us, just try them all!
We’d like to thank you for stopping by and making all sorts of fantastic recommendations. And while we couldn’t list them all, we really appreciate all of your input!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
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Via Napoli and the French restaurants are definitely a do not miss. Chef Mickey’s was great, particularly for the character interaction. Sci-Fi Cafe at Hollywood Studios has great food and fun ambiance.
My list: Kona Cafe, Liberty Tree, Biergarten, Flying Fish, Narcoossee’s (at night for the fireworks), 50’s Prime Time, and Mama Melrose’s.
One of our favorites is Whispering Canyon Cafe at Fort Wildernesss Lodge. It’s some of the best food we’ve had at Disney so far, in my opinion! And you have to yell for the ketchup which the kids always love, and they also have a cute little wooden horse “run” around the restaurant for the kids. We love this cozy little eating place!
San Angel Inn and La Cantina de San Angel in the World Showcase are must-eats for my family every time we visit.
Also, no trip is complete without a meal at Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom. Great food, amazing decor – it’s truly immersive. If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for a sit-down meal, the accompanying quick-service cafe has many of the same meal options to take on the go. We visited Yak & Yeti on a whim a couple of trips ago, and it immediately became a family favorite.
Ohana for breakfast is awesome. My family is not big on breakfast but we will not miss a trip to disney without an ahana breakfast!
When you have kids, chef Mickey is a definite. 50’s prime time cafe is a riot ( and food is delicious). Twice we have eaten here, 2 years apart, and by luck we’ve had the same waitress. She defiantly made it a memorable experience!
Sci fi! Good list but good luck getting a reservation at any of these places.
I would caution on Le Cellier. Our first 4 visits were unparalleled, but the 5th was iffy, and the 6th truly made us decide we would NEVER go back. With 4 small kids and a later-than-we-wanted reservation, our meal took over two hours. The waitress even said, “You look like you might lose it!,” but did nothing to step it up at all. I did lose it. I literally was crying because they were so slow and my toddler was inconsolable yet they STILL took 30 minutes to bring out dessert (and it was NOT crowded) and then an additional 15 to bring boxes to stick the dessert in. We had such a horrible experience, the concierge staff comped our $250 meal and that included the wine which was not suppose to be comped at all.
I fully endorse O’Hana breakfast. It’s a must. We also love the German Biergarten as it’s so much fun to entertain the kids.
Holly — Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! Biergarten is a GREAT idea for the kiddos!!
Can’t wait to do some of these for the first time! I recommend 50’s Prime Time, Biergarten, Raglan Road, Be Our Guest andTusker House!
So glad to see the Hoop Dee Doo Revue made the list–this has been a family favorite and must do for many years! Other favorite spots include 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian for breakfast with Mary Poppins, SiFi Dine In at Hollywood Studios for burgers and milkshakes, dinner at Narcoosees at the Grand Floridan and California Grill at the Contemporary Resort both great spots to watch fireworks at Magic Kingdom and a water parade in Seven Seas Lagoon!
50s prime time and Ohana for dinner or breakfast are must-do meals… I like the breakfast at Crystal Palace, mostly because Winnie the Pooh is hands down my favorite character ever. The Cape May Buffet is also awesome and the food is great!! I also recommend the Yachtsmen Steakhouse at the Yacht Club… If the service at Le Cellier is lacking, try the Yachtsmen next time – steaks were phenomenal!
I agree with all of these. Great stuff. I would add California Grill for Dinner (If they really enjoy it like we do, I’d highly suggest also going for brunch. It was fantastic!), Kona Cafe for Breakfast, La Hacidenda De San Angel or Teppan Edo (Depending on which cuisine they like better), Cinderella’s Royal Table, Tusker House, The Brown Derby, and Raglan Road. I think these first timers would get some cool experiences out of these restaurants.
Coral Reef restaurant at Epcot, beautiful view, delicious food great service. Request a booth on the upper level to view all four aquarium Windows rather that in the lower level where you view only one window.
We love O’hana for dinner and Kona Cafe for breakfast. Both are must do. Best counter service is at the Morroco pavilion at Epcot.
Do we tip if we are eating on the meal plan? The only one I have noticed is no at Hoop Dee Doo Revue.
Nancy — Gratuities are not included with the Disney Dining Plan, so you’ll need to plan ahead and budget for tips separately.
Our tip was already included in our dining plan but our plan had us eating at 5 star places.
My family always heads for the Crystal Palace on our first day in the World. We have some picky eaters and this is the only buffet where we all fill up our plates and come back for more! Loved the Grand Floridan Cafe when we there for the first time last year – steak better than at Le Cellier! As the only female in the group I haven’t managed to get to Cinderella’s Table yet, but would love to give it a try! We also hope to try the Yachtsman on our next visit as I’ve heard good things, and the new Skipper’s Canteen, but think it may be too ‘exotic’ for my team.
What about breakfast at Be Our Guest restaurant? No mention of it?? Is it worth it?? Does it have the same character interactions as it does with lunch and dinner?
Ali — Breakfast at Be Our Guest is decent, but we’re not sure that it provides the best value for your money, as it is prix fixe and priced per person. There are no character interactions at breakfast. The only character interaction at Be Our Guest is during dinner, when Beast sometimes walks through the dining rooms, but is mostly available for photos in the library after dinner.
im planning a trip and was wondering if anyone has any tips to get reservations for the be our guest restraunt
Karol — Our biggest tip is to call just as soon as that reservation window opens, and keep trying! Good luck!
Garden Grill was hands down our favorite character meal. The food is great and the characters came by each table multiple times and actually spent time with the kids. We were disappointed with Tusker House and Ohana. The food at Tusker House was great, but if you’re doing it for the character interaction, you are likely to be disappointed. They were very rushed and spent less than 30 seconds at each table. They came to our table while our toddler was in the bathroom with my husband because he needed a diaper change. I was the only person at our table, so as soon as they approached, I explained that my son was in the bathroom and asked if they could skip us and come back to us when my son returned any minute. They said no. Luckily he and my husband came up to the table as they were walking away and I was able to get them to snap a picture. I was glad my son got to see them, but if we had paid over $100 for that meal and then my son didn’t get to see the characters I would have been very upset. Everyone who pays for a character meal should get a chance to interact with the characters. Our friends had a similar experience at Tusker House and also left very disappointed and with no desire to return. As a restaurant, it’s good, but as a character meal, it was a huge disappointment.
Is breakfast at Be Our Guest still a prix-fixe meal? I’ve made a reservation there for December and the menu at the WDW website doesn’t mention it. Thanks a lot for all these great tips!
My grandson and family (2 adults, 4 kids 15, 13, 10 & 7) are headed to WDW for a Make-a-Wish trip in 2 weeks and I wanted to make reservations for them for a dinner while they are there…but there are NO reservations anywhere that I can find for 6 people. Any ideas?
Mimi — First of all — we hope that you and your family have an amazing time! Are you trying to book online or are you speaking to a Cast Member? If you haven’t called, that’s what I would suggest. I’ve found that somehow (magically!), I can sometimes find reservations talking to people that I couldn’t find searching myself. They can also make suggestions, like eating earlier or later, or possibly splitting your group into multiple tables at the same time.
Has anyone eat at mickey’s back yard barbecue
Brooke, who do you call, just the restaurant itself, or is there some special, magic number? LOL
Mimi — You can call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463.) 🙂
Kay — You can see a guest review of Mickey’s Backyard BBQ here.
Every trip to WDW starts with ADRs to Tusker House, Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, and Boma for Breakfast. Biergarten and Be Our Guest for lunch. Teppan Edo, Liberty Tree Tavern, Citricos, and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ for dinner. A must do every trip is also Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea which I make a late lunch after one of the breakfast buffets.
Kay–
Yes, we’ve done the barbecue many times and it’s a favorite. I have twin 10 year old boys who look forward to it every trip. My only complaint is the music is pretty loud, it is a live band. At least it is an outdoor event, so I have no problems with hearing the next morning. lol
The food is nothing fancy, but it is filling and there is a variety. The character interaction can’t be beat IMHO. They don’t just stop by for a picture and an autograph. They spend the whole evening there. They were dancing with the kids between photo ops and roaming.
Via Napoli was, without a doubt, THE worst restaurant we have ever had the misfortune to visit, Disney or anywhere. It’s the #1 place on our NEVER AGAIN list.
I can’t say if the food is any good or not because we never got that far. The noise level was off the charts. We couldn’t even hear the woman who sat us at our table when she spoke to us while seating us. My child (10 yo) was covering her ears and fussing that it was so loud, it was hurting her ears.
I was going to ask our server if we could move to a table outside, hoping it wouldn’t be as loud, but he/she never even came to take our drink order. So we left.
I’m not sure why this place is rated so highly. It’s the worst service I’ve ever had at a restaurant, and certainly the loudest! I’ve read comments on other blogs reviewing this restaurant and was at least comforted to see that the majority of people had the same nasty experience. It wasn’t just us.
NEVER AGAIN!
I have yet to have an eatable steak from Le Cellie. Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Table are over rated and not easy to get into. Les Halles has some really good quick service food, and I LOVE Via Napoli. Boma is best for breakfast if you need to get that character interaction without a long wait.
Although I loved the experience of eating at Cinderella Castle, My family was greatly disappointed by the food. As for chef Mickeys the character interaction was really great and personal but the food was really lacking and the overall buffet was over priced for okay food. I do suggest dining at whispering canyon, and yak and yeti for amazing food and atmosphere!
Via Napoli was terrific. The sleeper could well be Coral Reef where my family has enjoyed several times. Mama Melrose was also very enjoyable. Sanaa is on the list this and I look forward to that.
I have to say that Yak & Yeti is by far one of my family’s favorite sit downs, in the middle of Animal Kingdom, it is nice and cool and the service was the best at Disney World for our whole week, the hot tea is delicious and my son loves their noodles. We greatly enjoyed 1900 Park Fare for the character interactions, you got plenty of time with each character and we saw all of them twice which was really great for the money, food was good. Were excited to try Ohana for the character breakfast this next time and for us, Epcot is more of an eat as you go thing for us but we will be trying the Chinese restaurant “Nine Dragons” I think it’s called so very excited for some new foods!
Roslyn, enjoy trying some new things!
We just returned from Disney bas first timers. Chef Art’s Homecoming in Disney Springs was awesome, one of our favorites not just for portion but taste.
Boma was good but my boys weren’t too adventurous. Yak and yeti cafe has a delicious chicken wrap. Ohana for dinner was excellent especially since our table had a great view of the fireworks. We had an 840 PM reservation. Teppan Edo was very good but can get loud but my family was good with it. Chef Mickeys and Hollywood and Vine for dinner had our best character interactions and the food was good and had a great selection for a buffet. All our quick service stops were great and when weren’t sure we always found someone to help. We did the Disney Dining plan and was not left wanting!!
Rhonda, thanks for sharing your experiences! Sounds like you had a delicious trip! 🙂
I agree that Be Our Guest is a must-do, and not just for first timers.
I don’t agree with Chef Mickey’s and Cinderella’s Royal Table, though. The food at Chef Mickey’s is bad. REALLY bad. We’ve eaten there for breakfast and dinner, and it wasn’t good either meal. My grandson didn’t even want seconds. The last time we visited, we waited 30 mins past our reservation time & didn’t even see all the characters with being there an hour after being seated. If you want to see characters and have a buffet, go to Tusker House. The food there is fantastic! My grandson ate 4 helpings of pancakes there because, “They’re so good here!” Don’t fret about African food. There’s American choices for the less adventurous.
Cinderella’s Royal Table is highly over-rated and over-priced. If I’m paying $50 for breakfast, it better be more than just scrambled eggs & bacon. But it’s not here. And dinner’s even more expensive. I didn’t like the food here at all. We left hungry. Better choice is Akershus at Epcot. All the princesses are there and you’re still eating in a castle, just not Cinderella’s. And really, once you’re in the dining area, you can’t tell it’s the iconic castle. You’d have to get a window seat to have that feeling. Good luck.
Next visit, I hope to try Liberty House. Was going to try that last month, but made the mistake of doing Garden Grill instead (almost same offerings), mostly because the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party shut the MK down too many nights to schedule a dinner there. Garden Grill is another never-do-again choice.
As a first time visitor last year (first time in 21 years anyway) I’ve only been to Tusker House and Be Our Guest on that list. The others don’t appeal to me. My favourite is Jungle Skipper Canteen at MK closely followed by Yak and Yeti at AK.
So far the restaurants that have been enjoyed by EVERY member of our family, ages ranging from 3 to almost 80, are Rose & Crown and Ohana. There’s little we all agree on, so that’s saying something.
I was really surprised to see Chef Mickey’s at the #1 spot on this list. The food there is bad. Even the breakfast is bad, and it’s pretty hard to screw up breakfast. Tusker House is, hands down, the better deal for a good meal & character interaction. You still get the Fab 4, but you get much better food and better service. Last time we went to Chef Mickey’s, we waited 30 mins past our ADR time to get seated, saw our server twice, and didn’t get to see Mickey, even though we were there for over an hour. And the kids didn’t want to go back for seconds. They filled their plates 4 times at Tusker House and we saw all the characters more than once.
Cinderella’s Royal Table is another that’s questionable. The kids can eat in her castle, but you don’t really feel it when you dine there unless you’re lucky enough to get a window table. It’s just not worth the hefty $50 price tag for eggs & bacon when you can dine in a castle, have a buffet breakfast, and meet the same princesses at Akershus for way less.
I want to say I was surprised by this list in a good way. My wife and I are “mature” annual pass-holders for the first time and we have been exploring the parks as adults. Some of what we discovered made it to this list. Les Halles bakery we just discovered and it was quite a pleasant surprise. Tusker House in Animal Kingdom was a very pleasant meal. The author is right about the Castle, if you don’t eat there you will always feel you missed something. I loved the entire experience and my meal was wonderful. My wife didn’t like hers and since we went once, she isn’t big on returning. Not that it wasn’t fun but after doing it, it was not enough for a return. Be Our Guest is on the list for next visit.
Places that did not make the list we enjoyed include; Storybook Dinning at Artist Point (a fun meal with a great “meet the Queen” experience); Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian (inexpensive and relaxing but now hard to get into); Victoria’s and Albert’s at Grand Floridian (the highest rated restaurant in Florida and worth it in our opinion) and The Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom (just a wonderful change of pace on a hot day).
Thanks for sharing, Terry!
Loved Crystal Palace for lunch. The character interaction there was fantastic and we definitely were not rushed!!
Hi can you get Churros at Walt Disney world without cinnamon
Hi, thanks a lot for your blog and videos, I’m learning so much !
I still have one question : my husband is a very very picky eater. If we go to a Table Service restaurant and he doesn’t like the side with his entrée, can he ask for something else instead ? Such as plain pasta, plain rice or French fries ?
Same question for some Quick Restaurants (I’m thinking of Satuli Canteen).
Thanks a million !
We just got back from Disney World a week ago. Ohana was our LEAST favorite restaurant. The meat was basically inedible (tough and charred), the appetizers were mediocore, and our server was terrible. However, the decor and live music was fun. We saw a lot of tables having a great time so I think it really depends on your server.
We LOVED Be our Guest. The Pre Fixe dinner menu is 100% worth the price. The food was amazing and the portions were perfect. We sat in the rose room which was beautiful and not as loud as the main hall.
Via Napoli was also one of our favorites. Amazing service, amazing food, and they were able to give us a same day reservation.
Sci Fi Drive-In definitely needs to be added to this list. It is so unique and the food is great.