Hi, I’m Lydia. I eat a LOT of Disney World food. Like, more Disney food in a couple months than most people will eat in a lifetime. Why? Because I’m a DFB reporter!
Cinderella Castle
It’s part of my job to try new Disney World snacks and do full-scale reviews of Disney World restaurants. But besides all of that, I’m also in the parks several days a week, and a girl’s gotta eat lunch! To add variety and to expand my Disney food palette, I set a challenge for myself — to eat at every quick service restaurant in Disney World.
When I made my list, I included all quick service restaurants and snack stands in the parks (I’ll make my way to all the resort spots later on!). I started my challenge several months ago, and now, I’ve completed both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, with only a few spots in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom to go. Along the way, I’ve learned quite a few lessons about quick service food in the Disney parks.
Chipotle Barbecue Loaded Fries
Today, I’m sharing my thoughts about the eats in Magic Kingdom, and you might be surprised by my opinions!
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Is Often a Nightmare
Okay, we’re probably kicking this list off with one that you already know. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is the busiest quick service restaurant in Magic Kingdom, maybe even all of Disney World. And because of that, it can be a NIGHTMARE.
Cosmic Ray’s food
First of all, on my few occasions eating there over the past year, I’ve typically been underwhelmed by the quality of the food. I’ve eaten unseasoned fries, overcooked burgers, and salads with a terrible lettuce-to-toppings ratio. But on top of that, it’s nearly impossible to find a seat during lunch hours! You’d think that with the dozens of tables all around the restaurant, it would be less of a challenge, but I’ve been forced to sit outside in the 90-degree weather many times.
Click Here to Read Our Review of Cosmic Ray’s!
Pinocchio Village Haus Is Not Bad, and I Will Die on That Hill
Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland gets a really bad rap, but I typically really enjoy the things I eat there! I much prefer their flatbread-style pizzas to the puffy pizzas you get at spots like PizzeRizzo and Pizzafari. They’re pretty generous with the toppings, and the sauce on the pizza isn’t quite as overly sweet.
A yummy combination of chicken, mozzarella, ranch and buffalo sauce!
Also, during the time I’ve been doing this challenge, Pinocchio Village Haus has introduced a Buffalo Chicken Flatbread that several of us on the DFB team absolutely LOVE. It’s one of my favorite entrees in the park! Top that off with the stellar views from the balcony seating upstairs, and I think this restaurant is woefully underrated.
Click Here for the Review of the Flatbread!
Tortuga Tavern Has Turned Itself AROUND
Speaking of underrated restaurants, have y’all been to Tortuga Tavern recently? This spot used to be the most hated restaurant in Magic Kingdom, but since they made some menu changes a while back, it has become a hidden gem. Plus, it’s pirate-themed!
Yes, yes, and YES
The Orange Chicken Tenders and Peanut Butter, Banana, and Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread Sandwich are my two favorites, and though their house-made chips aren’t always cooked quite right, I’ve sometimes been able to substitute them for a bag of Lay’s. Tortuga Tavern is also home to Magic Kingdom’s best-hidden bathrooms for when you need a quiet spot to do your business!
Click Here for My Full Tortuga Tavern Review!
Seating Is a Big Problem in Magic Kingdom
Several Magic Kingdom quick service spots have good eats, but not nearly enough seating available, and it makes it a challenge for me to recommend them for more than just a snack. Casey’s Corner is perhaps the most famous spot with this problem — since it’s right on the corner of Main Street, U.S.A., its tables are nearly always full.
Friar’s Nook seating
Other places that have this issue are Cheshire Cafe, Gaston’s Tavern, and The Friar’s Nook. For these Fantasyland spots, one of my favorite hacks is to carry my food back to Storybook Circus. Several tables near Pete’s Silly Sideshow are often unoccupied, and some of them are in the shade!
Magic Kingdom Is the Breakfast KING
Throughout my park visits, I’ve also had breakfast on-the-go dozens of times. And of all four parks, Magic Kingdom is the undisputed champion of quick service breakfast. It seems to have the most options, and many of them are absolute knockouts.
Is this the best cinnamon roll in Disney World?
I love the options at The Lunching Pad in the morning, and the sausage, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich you can get at snack carts in the hub area is pretty good. A Cheshire Cat Tail or a Gaston’s Tavern cinnamon roll are great choices as well, and of course, I have to mention the delicious waffles at Sleepy Hollow.
Cheshire Cat Tail
So there you go — those are some of my most important observations from eating at ALL of Magic Kingdom’s quick service restaurants! Now it’s just time to finish the list!
Click Here for Our Disney World Restaurants Guide!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What lessons have you learned about Magic Kingdom restaurants? Tell us in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Lydia, I absolutely agree with you that Pinocchio Village Haus is not bad. I will die on that hill with you. Is it the best pizza I’ve eaten? Of course not – I’m from New England where bar pizza reigns supreme (if you know, you know.) But for theme park quick service pizza it tastes pretty good and it’s a satisfying plate of food at a reasonable price.
I do love a Cheshire Cat Tail with coffee, but no mention of Columbia Harbor House? It is our go-to place for lunch or dinner at an evening party. While I am still smarting from the loss of our favorite sandwiches (Lighthouse and Anchors Away), CHH offers enough variety for most parties. Along with expected fried fish and chicken, you can get soup, salad, grilled salmon or shrimp skewer, a New England-style shrimp boil, green beans as a side option, a plant-based “crabcake” sandwich, and even a lobster roll. Kids meals include grilled or fried shrimp, salmon, or chicken strips, so even the younger set has choices.