Are you planning a Disney World trip? If so, you’re probably getting a lot of advice from family, friends, and co-workers who have been there about things you ABSOLUTELY must-do.
The Beast at Be Our Guest Restaurant
That means you’re probably getting some dining recommendations, too, and yes, we bet that these are recommendations for the popular dining spots, those that EVERYONE talks about ALL the time. However, we’re going to tell you that just because a dining spot is popular does not mean that it’s the best. Now, we’ve eaten at every single restaurant in Disney World, and we’re going to tell you which reservations you should book instead.
So here are those super popular dining spots in Disney World that everyone thinks they want to go to, but the truth is, there is a better alternative (don’t worry — we’re going to tell you all about it!).
Cinderella’s Royal Table
You want to dine in a castle? Okay, we get it. You want to meet princesses and have a good meal? We get that, too. So the first place that comes to mind for that is Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. Did you know that you can get the same experience, though, in EPCOT at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall?
Belle at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall looks just like a castle on the inside. It also had a lot of princesses (and honestly, we feel you get more time with them here). So you’re getting everything you’d get at Cinderella’s Royal Table…but get this – it costs LESS. Same experience, less money. It’s a win-win!
This EPCOT Princess Breakfast Is CHEAPER and EASIER Than Cinderella’s Royal Table (And It Has Cheesy Potatoes)
Chef Mickey’s or Topolino’s Terrace
Speaking of character breakfasts, if you want to meet classic characters, you might immediately think of places like Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort first. We’re just going to say we’re not always impressed with the food at Chef Mickey’s, though, and both spots can be hard to get dining reservations for. However, we’re sharing one of our secret favorite character breakfast spots with you: Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Minnie at Cape May Cafe
Cape May Cafe has four of the fab five for breakfast: Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy (all dressed in their beach gear), and they will spend a LOT of time interacting with every table. The buffet is also good (there are crepes AND a taco bar!) and we like the sticky buns and sauce they serve at the table. It’s also a super easy reservation to get because it just seems that a lot of folks don’t know about it. Shh!!! Don’t ruin our secret (okay, we kid — we’re sharing it with you for a reason).
REVIEW: This Disney World Breakfast Has a TACO BAR and We’re Still Not Over It
Hollywood & Vine
Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is…well, it’s okay. You can meet some great characters, and the food is …well, like we said, OKAY. However, we would MUCH rather go to Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You get most of the same characters (dressed in little safari outfits, though!), and the food is solidly GOOD.
Meet Mickey at Tusker House
We especially love Tusker House for lunch and dinner because you’ll get some African-inspired dishes on the buffet, but there are still “safe” choices for picky eaters. Plus you also get all the Jungle Juice (aka POG juice) you can drink, and for that alone, it’s one of our favorite character dining experiences.
Disney Food Blog REVIEW: Buffets Are BACK at Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Nine Dragons
If you’re craving Asian food, you might be inclined to book a meal at Nine Dragons in EPCOT’s China Pavilion. But if you want some GREAT Asian food, you might want to head on over to Disney Springs instead and eat at Morimoto Asia. Why? Well, for starters, it’s owned by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. But the food is also STELLAR and way better than what you’re going to find in EPCOT.
Morimoto Asia
We’ll also go ahead and recommend the sushi here, too, because it’s OUT OF THIS WORLD, but we’ve honestly never had a bad meal at Morimoto.
This NEW Disney World Meal Is PERFECT If You’re Really, REALLY Hungry
San Angel Inn
Now don’t get us wrong, we do like sitting down inside the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT at San Angel Inn and enjoying a meal, but you can get something similar at La Hacienda de San Angel for a fraction of the cost. You’ll get authentic Mexican flavors here, just like you would at San Angel Inn. Also, the margaritas SLAP.
Tacos with rice and beans at La Hacienda de San Angel
Whereas you get a faux view at San Angel Inn, though (and it is nice, we have to admit), you can enjoy a meal at La Hacienda de San Angel while looking out over World Showcase Lagoon because of the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
REVIEW: Queso, Tacos, and Amazing Service? Our REVIEW of La Hacienda de San Angel in EPCOT
Be Our Guest
We used to be bigger fans of Be Our Guest when you could still get a quick service lunch here, but that went away in 2020 and now you’re forced into a prix fixe menu that is fairly pricey and not always consistently good. Yes, the atmosphere here is nice, but we think Skipper Canteen has a way more fun atmosphere, as well as better food.
Like we would ever turn down Cheese Bread at Skipper Canteen (hint: it’s on the secret menu)
Disney nerds will LOVE Skipper Canteen not just for its Jungle Cruise theme, but also for the Easter eggs spread throughout the restaurant, including clues about the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). The food here is also AMAZING, although we will warn you that some of the menu items are for more adventurous diners. But y’all — it’s totally worth a visit.
REVIEW: Yep. This Magic Kingdom Restaurant Is Still UNDERRATED
Le Cellier Steakhouse
We will never turn down the Cheddar Cheese Soup here, but this EPCOT restaurant in the Canada Pavilion is mostly billed as a steakhouse. However, it’s pricey, reservations can be hard to get, and there are better steakhouses in Disney World. For example, if it’s steak we’re craving, we’re going to get a reservation at Yachtsman Steakhouse (which is easier to get).
8-oz Filet Mignon at Yachtsman Steakhouse
For the record, you can get a great steak here, but you also need to order the French Onion Soup, which may be even cheesier than the soup at Le Cellier.
REVIEW: Is The CHEESIEST Soup in Disney World Hiding at This Forgotten Restaurant?
So before you make those dining reservations in Disney World, reconsider those more popular restaurants and consider these recommendations. You might just find your new favorite dining spot in Disney World.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
I Go to Disney World Every Week and I REFUSE to Eat at These Restaurants (But Not for the Reason You Think)
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Yachtsman Steak house is about the same as Le Cellier. Service has not been as good the last three times we have been at Yachtsman and have had some preparation issues. I think best Steak House is Shula’s in the Dolphin.
I have swapped to all of these except for Yachtsman. I agree with them all. Le Celliar has become to crowded and no longer worth the money. Although Shulas is on Disney property, Disney doesn’t own them nor are they part of the dining plan. That is probably why they are so good. I believe IMHO, that the dining plan ruined alot of the restaurants. BTW, the grey stuff is not delicious