Every day we’re getting closer and closer to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration!

We’re ready to check out the new fireworks shows, the over-the-top decorations, and all the new offerings all around the resort. But here at DFB, one of the things we’re most excited about is FOOD. So what’s the food going to be like for the 50th? Let’s break it down!

Special Experiences

At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, two restaurants are getting some big updates and changes specifically for the 50th Anniversary. California Grill is planning an extra special unique dining experience for the anniversary. Reservations just opened up on September 23rd and started booking up FAST. The limited-time menu will debut October 3rd.

The prix fixe menu, which includes 3 courses for $89 per adult and $39 per child under 10, features some old favorites like the The California Grill Sushi Classics Trio – Blue Crab California Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll, Spicy Kazan Roll. The Spicy Kazan Roll has been popular on the Cali Grill menu for years!

Other favorites like the Oak Fired Filet of Beef gets gussied up with Black Truffle-Brown Butter Château Potatoes, Golden Raisins Vinaigrette, Cauliflower, and Black Garlic Butter.

 

Downstairs at the resort, The Wave is currently closed as it gets reimagined before the 50th. The Wave is no more! While Disneyland has reportedly closed their Steakhouse 55 (named for the year Disneyland opened), Disney WORLD is welcoming Steakhouse 71 (for Disney World’s opening year!). This high-end steakhouse will open on October 1st!

 

The menu will feature (obviously) steak along with seafood, plant-based options, and more.

The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, AND will also have its own lounge with its own unique menu.

The Wave’s Breakfast Has Temporarily Moved to California Grill — Get the Full Review HERE!

Celebratory Snacks

So far, no special snacks have been announced for the celebrations, but we’re hopeful that there will be a wide variety of options! Disney does dozens of treats for the holidays alone, so they’ll likely take advantage of the 50th Anniversary as well.

Even though Disney hasn’t made any official announcements, we did get a sneak peek at a 50th Anniversary cupcake on the special recipe book made for the occasion. We’ve also spotted new popcorn boxes, new popcorn buckets, and more appearing in the parks! Not to mention like a zillion pieces of 50th Anniversary merchandise (with MORE to come!). And as soon as we get more treats revealed, we’ll make sure to let you know!

Click Here to Learn How to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary From Home!

New Restaurants

Over the course of the 18-month long 50th Anniversary celebration, we’re expecting several restaurant openings! One that we’re hoping to see soon is Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land, although Disney hasn’t shared an opening timeline. (TBH Disney hasn’t shared much at ALL about the progress on this spot!)

Also, we’re excited we FINALLY got to eat at Space 220 in EPCOT!  It felt like we waited a billion years for it to open (J/K, it was really just 4 but still!).

The restaurant opened on September 20th and we were there eating EV-ER-Y-THING on the 2-course prix fixe lunch menu, 3-course prix fixe dinner menu, and lounge menu. It was (wait for it)…out of this world. (Sorry. We had to.)

ANOTHER restaurant officially opening on October 1st is La Creperie de Paris in EPCOT’s France Pavilion! The new part quick service, part table service spot is opening with the rest of the pavilion expansion and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure on October 1st, 2021, but we’ve already been inside (and out!) and tried it all!

We ate inside and tried all the yummy savory galettes and sweet crepes on offer. We also got a lot more crepes from the walk-up window outside, Crepes a Emporter at la Creperie de Paris.

 

There will be several new options at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel as well, along with the addition of Salt & Straw to Disney Springs. There’s just so much to look forward to over the Anniversary Celebration!

Get More Details on Restaurant Openings in 2021 Here!

Things to Know

And finally, there are a few things you need to know if you plan on dining at Disney World ON the 50th Anniversary. If you want to eat at a sit-down restaurant, your best bet is to reserve a table in advance. However, dining reservations have already opened for October 1st and they are SCARCE, especially in the parks.

There is the option to join the Walk-Up Waitlist day of, but this is a highly risky option with the crowd levels we’re expecting that day particularly in Magic Kingdom. You can scan the QR code outside of the restaurant to check for availability throughout the day. Another option is to check the Walk-Up Waitlist, in the My Disney Experience app. This is not guaranteed the way that a dining reservation is, but worth a shot.

If you prefer to get your food on the go instead, then you’ll want to dine at a quick-service spot. Somewhere with Mobile Order would be ideal, but you’ll want to place your order early in the day (you can order early in the day and choose a later pickup time) before all the best pickup windows are taken. Even if you secure one when you want to eat, expect to wait a while for your food — like we said, it’s going to be very, very busy.

And finally, don’t forget that you don’t have to eat IN the park! With your Disney Park Pass reservation to a theme park, you are guaranteed return entry if you leave, so you’re welcome to exit and dine at a resort hotel or Disney Springs instead. (You could even leave the property and come back later!) There are several great options at the Disney World hotels where you could Mobile Order or pick a dining reservation and they likely won’t be as busy as the parks are during the daytime.

Well, that’s a wrap on the things you need to know about food for the 50th Anniversary! As we get more details on exclusive dining offerings and new snacks, much of which we expect to be revealed in the days leading up to the celebration kicking off, we’ll make sure to pass that information along, so stay tuned to DFB…Disney food is what we do!

Click Here to Learn More About the 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Will you be visiting Disney World for the 50th Anniversary?