Deciding where to eat in Disney World is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face when planning your vacation.

Crystal Palace

“Challenge?” you may ask. “That sounds like fun!” But here’s the thing — there are DOZENS of places to eat all over the parks and resorts, with pretty much every type of cuisine imaginable. How do you choose with that many options? If you’re struggling, today we’re here to possibly help you narrow down your options. Let’s talk about those prix fixe meals!

Prix fixe meals are fairly common in Disney World, considering you’ll find the option at several restaurants around the property. And it may seem like a good idea to visit a prix fixe meal so that you can try more food and branch out of your comfort zone, but we’re here to warn you about four times that prix fixe meals are NOT worth the cost.

If You Have Dietary Restrictions

Let’s start out by addressing our vegan and vegetarian friends! If you eat a plant-based diet, you’re often ordering some of the cheapest items on the menu, simply because meat tends to be more expensive than veggies. If you go to a prix fixe meal, everyone is paying the same price, but those who are ordering plant-based are likely paying the same price for meals that would cost much less if ordered a la carte. 

California Grill

Just take a look at any regular restaurant menu and you’ll see what we mean! On top of the price, there are typically far fewer plant-based menu options overall, so you may only have one choice on a prix fixe menu…two if you’re lucky. That’s why plant-based eaters may want to think twice — or at least check out the menu and options fully — before going to a prix fixe meal.

Menu at Monsieur Paul

This also may apply to those with other dietary restrictions. If you’re gluten-free or if you can’t have dairy, your options may be limited on the menu as well. Typically, chefs will work with you at Disney World restaurants to offer modified options, so you may want to check ahead to see what’s available based on your needs.

The Prix Fixe at Chefs de France

And another thing you might not be thinking about? Those who don’t drink alcohol! Often, prix fixe meals come with a drink included, and usually, there’s some kind of wine or other alcoholic beverage as an option. The cost of an adult beverage is going to get you closer to hitting the “worth it” cost line than a soda, coffee, or tea will.

Diet Coke and Water

Now, you can still break even without getting alcohol sometimes, but you’ll have to be more intentional about which food items you order.

You’re a Picky Eater

Okay, so maybe you DO eat meat, but your palette is a little less rounded than others. A prix fixe meal may not be for you either! Prix Fixe meals tend to have more “creative” menus than regular restaurants do, so it might be harder for you to find something that you want to eat — especially if you’re a chicken fingers and mac and cheese kind of person.

Escargots at Chefs de France

If you don’t like at least one of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts on the list, then it’s probably not worth visiting because you’re not getting the full value out of the restaurant. Unless, of course, you’re just there for the atmosphere…then of course we can’t blame you!

You Have a Small Appetite

Prix fixe meals are essentially a heavy eater’s dream! You get appetizers, entrees, and desserts all for ONE price?! Sign us up! But if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t even finish their entree or who likes to order an appetizer as your full meal, this is another case of “you may not get your money’s worth.”

Be Our Guest Restaurant

This also applies to people who like to eat lots of snacks during their visit to Disney World. If you’re filling up on snacks outside in the parks, then you may have difficulty digesting a massive prix fixe meal at a sit-down restaurant. Ultimately, it’s a matter of your own discretion — you know your body and your limits best.

When There’s a Better Alternative For You

And finally, let’s talk about your other options! Sometimes, prix fixe meals aren’t the only choice available at a restaurant. At both Chefs de France and La Crêperie de Paris, you can order prix fixe as an option, but they also have a la carte choices. Sometimes, it’s better to just buy what you need.

Banane Galette

If you’re not in the mood to eat as much food as a prix fixe meal offers or all of the options don’t appeal to you, it’s okay to skip it! That’ll be money that you can save to spend on snacks out in the parks. And if you know us, then you know we have a LOT of recommendations for how to spend your money on food!

Wagyu Strip Loin at California Grill

So there you go — those are the times that you might want to skip a prix fixe meal in Disney World. We’ll make sure to keep you updated with more restaurant news and updates, as well as all the recommendations we have for where to dine during your vacation.

23 Disney World Restaurants to Try in 2023 — Click HERE!

Do you prefer prix fixe or a la carte meals? Tell us in the comments!