Be Prepared for Big Restaurant Surprises on Your Next Disney World Trip

By Kelly Oliveros Leave a Comment

If you are expecting the dining scene at Disney World to be the same as it was during your last trip, you’ll be in for some big surprises.

Brown Derby Lounge Spread

Not only have tons of Disney World restaurants been hit with price increases and menu changes, but special limited-time dining events have been announced, new restaurants may have opened since your last trip, and you might not realize that some spots are still CLOSED. So today we’re going through some restaurant news and updates to make sure you aren’t caught by surprise during your next vacation.

New Restaurants Have Opened

First, let’s tackle some of the newer restaurants that have opened over the past several months.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the long-awaited Roundup Rodeo BBQ is now OPEN. This spot is a Table Service restaurant serving all-you-care-to-enjoy eats family-style with a Toy Story theme. The entire place is a feast for the eyes first and foremost since there are details EVERYWHERE to look for. Plus, you just might catch a special “Andy’s Coming” moment while there.

A Peek Inside Roundup Rodeo

In terms of the food, it is served family-style and includes some classic BBQ fare like smoked meats, side items (like mac and cheese), and mini desserts. You can check out our thoughts about EVERY SINGLE THING on the menu here.

The full spread

Reservations are recommended, so get those soon. Overall, Disney nailed the theme of a backyard barbecue here, in terms of atmosphere and food. We loved the family-style service (and the fact that you can order multiple sides and desserts). The atmosphere is fun and it can be a good value if you’re looking to get a hearty meal.

Watch our video below to see if this spot is right for you.

Energy Bytes

At Magic Kingdom, there’s a new snack stand near the TRON Lightcycle / Run ride called Energy Bytes.

Energy Bytes stand

This is a snack kiosk that serves up doughnuts, sweets, cold brew coffee, and some other drinks.

The chocolate cake doughnut holes!

It originally featured some dumplings too but those have since been removed from the menu, so it’s possible that more menu changes will hit this spot in the future. Overall, we’ve enjoyed the chocolate doughnuts (moist with a fun texture difference from the popping candies included), Strawberry IceOform (a great blend of cheesecake and ice cream), Watermelon Refresher (reminded us of sweet candy but was a pleasant drink), and Pina Colada Slushy (just be sure to mix it!).

There’s a lot happening here

You’ll want to check that menu when you visit to see what’s available and then fill up on the snacks and drinks you desire after racing around the Grid.

See ALL of our reviews of the snacks at Energy Bytes to see what YOU want to try

Rosa Mexicano

For this next restaurant, you’ll need to travel to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts. That’s where you’ll find a new Mexican eatery called Rosa Mexicano. The restaurant offers an “elevated fiesta dining experience” with signature menu items, award-winning margaritas, and a contemporary take on Mexican cuisine.

A Look at the Seating

For breakfast, there’s a buffet in addition to an a la carte menu. Lunch and dinner are traditional Table Service offerings.

Rosa Mexicano Spread

Overall, we enjoyed our dinner experience at Rosa Mexicano. The setting was great, with beautiful windows, unique artwork, and upbeat music. Plus the food was tasty, and the Roasted Chicken Suizas were a real highlight.

Check out our full dinner review here to see what we thought of each item we tried!

BoardWalk Deli and Carousel Coffee

Finally, two spots opened at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2022 — BoardWalk Deli (the replacement for the BoardWalk Bakery) and Carousel Coffee. At BoardWalk Deli, the menu is meant to capture the flavors of spots like New York, the Jersey Shore, and places in between. You can grab a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner here.

At breakfast, look for savory and sweet options. Some of our favorites include the Everything Bagel Sandwich and Cinnamon Yummy (this is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING).

Breakfast from BoardWalk Deli

For lunch/dinner, you’ll find lots of sandwiches, a few salads, and some other options. Some of our favorites include the Tomato-Basil Soup (perfect for dipping their Grilled Cheese) and the Roasted Chicken Sandwich.

BoardWalk Deli spread

Whether you need a full meal, a quick snack, or a sweet treat, BoardWalk Deli is a good spot to stop by along the BoardWalk.

See more about BoardWalk Deli here

Carousel Coffee is located within the BoardWalk Inn (just off the lobby) and is mainly a coffee spot (as you might have guessed) with a few snacks.

Carousel Coffee

Here, you’ll find coffee (Joffrey’s Coffee generally), with some specialty options like a Frozen Blended Coffee.

Cinnamon Bun Frozen Blended Coffee

There’s also tea, on-the-go snacks, and some pastries (like a NJ Crumb Cake, Mickey cookie, and more).

Full spread

Everything we’ve tried there has been pretty sweet, but we enjoyed most of it (except that the sugar cookie, while adorable, wasn’t our favorite). If you’re staying at the BoardWalk or another nearby resort, or if you find yourself walking on Disney’s BoardWalk, it’s a nice place to stop by for a quick bite and drink.

See our review of Carousel Coffee here!

Some New Spots Are Opening SOON!

Now, let’s take a look into the future and what spots will be opening soon throughout Disney World.

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya

In the summer of 2023, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is set to open in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT.

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya Sign

This new Table Service restaurant will feature sushi, teppan items, dishes from the grill, and Japanese Izakaya — a type of casual restaurant style that focuses on drinks, small dishes, and conversations with friends.

©Disney

PLUS the restaurant will have celebrations that change each month to represent Japan’s seasonal festivals.

©Disney

That might come in the form of seasonal dishes or decor, so there will be reasons to return over and over again!

Learn more about this new restaurant here!

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

Over at Disney’s BoardWalk, fans will be getting a NEW corn dog kiosk from the folks at Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs (they already operate a kiosk at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney).

©Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs is known for their UNIQUE corn dog creations, including a Mexican Street Corn Dog, a Christmas Corn Dog, a Golden Dragon Corn Dog, and even a PICKLE corn dog!

Blue Ribbon’s Pickle Dog

This spot is set to open later in 2023, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates about its menu and opening date.

See more about Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

The Cake Bake Shop

Also at the BoardWalk, 2023 will mark the opening of The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers. This spot will truly have it all. There will be a Table Service side with brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring both sweet and savory menus. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy an afternoon tea service. Prefer a quick snack? You’ll be able to visit the to-go section for a snack from the bakery case.

Concept art for The Cake Bake Shop

Though the exact menu has not yet been shared for the BoardWalk location, other Cake Bake Shop restaurants feature savory items like Truffle Pommes Frites, Quiche, Sandwiches, and more…

Croque Monsieur

…as well as cakes, pies, and other sweet treats like French pastries and cheesecake.

Cakes at the Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis

We can’t wait to see all of the special goodies the Disney World location will serve up!

Click HERE to read our EXCLUSIVE interview with Gwendolyn Rogers of The Cake Bake Shop!

Summer House on the Lake and The Cookie Jar

For this last spot, you’ll need to head to Disney Springs. In late 2023, a NEW restaurant is set to open in Disney Springs called Summer House on the Lake.

©Summer House Concept Art

This restaurant already has other locations in Chicago and Maryland. Those spots feature pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wood-grilled dishes, and more, but we’ll have to wait and see exactly what the Disney Springs restaurant serves up.

Pizza!

This location will have indoor seating, outdoor patios, a large selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks, and even a dessert-focused market inside called The Cookie Jar which will feature freshly baked cookies and other pastries.

©Disney

Click here to get a preview of what this new location could be like!

EET by Maneet Chauhan

Sticking with Disney Springs, Disney has also announced ANOTHER new restaurant will be coming to this area called EET by Maneet Chauhan. The restaurant comes from ames Beard Award-winning chef and Food Network star Maneet Chauhan together with hospitality entrepreneur Vivek Deora.

©Disney via Instagram

It will serve Indian cuisine and will be a “modern, fun Indian-inspired concept.” It is set to open in Disney Springs later this year. Click here to learn more about it!

Breakfast Is BACK at Some Spots

But wait…there are MORE dining changes to know about.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

First, in EPCOT, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall reopened in late 2022 (initially without a breakfast service). Later, breakfast returned to this spot, so you can now have breakfast, lunch, or dinner here with the princesses (this is a character dining location featuring princesses like Belle, Aurora, Ariel, and more)! It is located in the Norway pavilion at EPCOT.

Hi, Ariel!

Meals here are served family-style now (no cold buffet section like before) and are all-you-care-to-enjoy. The main draw here is that the restaurant is a sort of hidden gem. While many flock to Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom to eat with royalty, you can often get a reservation much easier here and meals are quite a bit cheaper.

Our table setting

At breakfast, we enjoyed the chocolate pastry, salmon dip, Norwegian waffles, and potato casserole.

Breakfast at Akershus

At lunch/dinner, we really liked the Lefse, Field Greens Salad, and kjøttkake or Norwegian meatballs.

Some of the Eats

If you’re looking for a solid meal option that’s less expensive and less stressful to secure, don’t miss this spot on your next trip!

See our full review of Akershus’ breakfast here

Garden Grill Restaurant

Speaking of character meals, Garden Grill Restaurant has been open for lunch and dinner for quite some time, serving up family-style eats with appearances by Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. But, in 2023, the spot finally made its breakfast offering available again!

BREAKFAST at Garden Grill!

Breakfast is also all-you-care-to-enjoy, served family-style, features appearances by those same characters, and is served in the rotating restaurant — what more could you ask for?!

Farmer Mickey!

Overall, we really enjoyed the Cinnamon Loaf, though the rest of the food felt a little more like a traditional American breakfast (nothing wrong with that, just not tremendously unique).

Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf

If you’re looking for a solid breakfast option that’ll fill you up, get you some great views of Living with the Land, and give you an awesome time with a few great characters, this is a good option.

See our review of Garden Grill breakfast here

Characters Have Returned to Some Dining Locations

Cinderella’s Royal Table

When it comes to character meals, there’s been another huge update, this time in Magic Kingdom. Since it reopened post-pandemic-closures, Cinderella’s Royal Table had been offering a modified character experience with a limited appearance and later meet-and-greet with Cinderella. In 2023, however, the more traditional character meal experience returned here.

Jasmine

Nowadays, you’ll experience a photo-op with Cinderella before your meal, and then get to take photos and see more princesses inside the restaurant during your meal (these can include Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine, or others).

Meet Cinderella Before Your Meal!

Just keep in mind that this meal WON’T come cheap. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prix fixe meals. Breakfast is $65 per adult ($39 per child) and dinner is $79 per adult ($47 per child).

Parisian Gnocchi at Cinderella’s Royal Table

While the food is typically alright, you’re really paying the big bucks to eat INSIDE the castle and with the characters, so you have to determine whether that’s what’s most important to you.

Click here to see our review and whether the cost is worth it.

Some Restaurants Are Still CLOSED

While new restaurants are on their way and others have recently opened, some that closed due to the pandemic-related closures remain closed to this day.

Restaurant Marrakesh

At EPCOT’s Morocco pavilion, Restaurant Marrakesh has not properly reopened. In the past, the space has been used as a space for guests to sit in and relax, or even as a specialty lounge during certain EPCOT festivals.

Florida Blue Medicare Lounge

But the spot’s traditional meal, complete with a belly dancing show, is NOT back.

Tangierine Cafe

Tangierine Cafe (also in EPCOT’s Morocco pavilion) is in a bit of a weird position. The traditional restaurant many knew and loved has not reopened, but the spot is utilized often for EPCOT’s many festivals. Essentially, it serves as another festival booth, serving whatever that festival’s dedicated eats are for the space.

Flower and Garden Festival Food 2023

It will continue to serve in that function for the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival.

1900 Park Fare

At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 1900 Park Fare — formerly a buffet restaurant with appearances by friends like Mary Poppins, Cinderella, and more — has not reopened.

1900 Park Fare

Click here to see what we know about when this spot might become available again.

The Garden View Tea Room

Also at the Grand Floridian, The Garden View Tea Room — which offered tea services and even special tea experiences for little ones — has not reopened either.

Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea

We’re on the lookout for more details about that!

And More!

In terms of other updates, there are a few things you should know about.

Trail’s End Restaurant Table Service Has Ended

At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Trail’s End Restaurant — which used to be a hidden buffet gem — has CLOSED and is undergoing a major change.

Trail’s End Construction

It is set to reopen in the summer of 2023 but will NOT offer a Table Service option when it does. Instead, it’ll return as “a marketplace concept with expanded quick service options.”

Narcoossee’s Changes

Also, Narcoossee’s reopened in 2023 after undergoing a lengthy refurbishment of its own. The decor within the restaurant has received a refresh.

Narcoossee’s

Plus, the menu has been updated to feature some old classics along with NEW items like the Ocean-Inspired Charcuterie Board.

Ocean-inspired Charcuterie Board

Check out our FULL review of the updated menu here.

California Grill Prix Fixe Sticks Around

During the 50th Anniversary of Disney World, California Grill (at Disney’s Contemporary Resort) was serving up a pricey prix fixe celebratory meal. That meal style has now stuck around, so there’s no a la carte menu option at this restaurant anymore.

Check out our thoughts on the updated (non-50th Anniversary) prix fixe menu here!

Those are just some of the big restaurant updates you want to be prepared for ahead of your next trip. Which one surprised you the most? Tell us in the comments! We’re continuing to keep an eye out for updates, so be sure to check back with us for all the latest.

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