As a reporter here at DFB, I’ve spent a LOT of time in Disney World restaurants.

Not only do I grab lunch at quick service restaurants frequently when I’m in the parks, but I’ve also done full reviews of dozens of quick service restaurants, snack stands, and table service restaurants for my job. In fact, by my tally, I’ve eaten at over 150 Disney World restaurants to date. And with all those meals in Disney World, I’ve developed some pretty strong opinions!

Today I’m sharing my SPICIEST Disney World restaurant takes, as a person who spends a large portion of her work hours eating or talking about the food in the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Keep in mind that these are just my opinions, based on my countless hours of experience dining in Disney World. If you’ve had different experiences than me, that’s totally okay, too!

Animal Kingdom Is the Secret Foodie Park

When I tell people that one of my favorite places to eat is Animal Kingdom, they’re often pretty shocked! But you know what? I’ll stand by that decision! I find that Animal Kingdom restaurants are incredibly consistent in a way that other park restaurants aren’t always, and there are some real standouts here — places like Nomad Lounge, Satu’li Canteen, Flame Tree Barbecue, Yak & Yeti, and more.

On top of that, Animal Kingdom has several unique snacks that you can’t find elsewhere in Disney World. Pulled Pork Macaroni & Cheese, Mr. Kamal’s french fries, Harambe Fruit Market grilled corn, Cheeseburger Pods, Pongu Lumpias, and of course, the Pineapple Crisp Sundae? Well, I could make an entire snack tour for this park alone — step aside, EPCOT festivals!

EPCOT Quick Service Is Not as Good as People Think

I know this is a spicy one, but I’m here to say that EPCOT quick service is not as good as people think. I’m a huge fan of EPCOT table service and of course, the delicious festival foods. But when it comes to quick service spots, I’ve had plenty of mediocre experiences!

My personal top two choices for best quick service restaurants in EPCOT (because they’re consistently delicious) are Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie and Connections Eatery. Many of the World Showcase restaurants offer very “basic” versions of their country’s cuisine, and it can be overpriced (I find this to be the case in China, Japan, the American Adventure, and Mexico). The remaining countries like Canada, the UK, and Germany don’t offer quite enough variety in their menus, with quick service spots that only have one or two items on the menu.

Sometimes It’s Better to Eat “Boring”

We’re heading to the resorts for this next take! I’ve been on a mission to eat at every quick service restaurant in Disney World, and that includes trying quite a few “food court” style restaurants around the hotels. You’ll typically find these spots at Value and Moderate Resorts, and while I don’t often recommend them, I’ll say that if you have to eat there…go SIMPLE.

The worst things I’ve eaten in hotel food courts are the “specialty” dishes. The entrees that are served up hot and fresh or dishes themed to the resort specifically (like Louisiana-inspired fare at Port Orleans) have typically been the most disappointing. But you know what tends to be at least “okay” every time? Things like chicken tenders, pizza, or regular burgers. Those items aren’t anything to write home about, but they’re safe picks. If the menu item sounds like it’s “too good to be true” for a food court, it probably is!

Magic Kingdom Wins the Snack Game

So many Disney fans talk about how they think Magic Kingdom’s food is “mid,” but I’m here to tell you that Magic Kingdom is sliding under the radar and winning the snack game. Seriously, SO many of the iconic Disney World snacks are available at Magic Kingdom, and you don’t even know it!

This park has half a dozen flavors of Dole Whip and soft serve, the iconic cheeseburger spring rolls, loaded waffles, the Cheshire Cat Tail, Gaston’s Cinnamon Roll, Tiana’s Beignets, corn dog nuggets, and many others. If you don’t like the quick service options in Magic Kingdom, why not spend the whole day snacking? I know I could!

Character Meals Are Severely Underrated (Especially by Adults)

I’ve heard many adults talk about skipping character meals in Disney World because they feel like they’re “just for kids” or it would be awkward to go. But because of my job, I’ve been to many character meals (often all by myself!) and I’m here to tell you — they are incredibly underrated!

Some of the most fun character interactions and most surprising eats I’ve had have been at character meals. I’m personally a big fan of Crystal Palace, Topolino’s Terrace, and Tusker House as great places to get a delicious meal and see your favorite Disney pals. The character interactions can be incredibly seamless, and if you’re worried about how those will go, you can come prepared with some questions to ask or an autograph book to fill the time. Seriously, don’t skip out on these just because you’re an adult — I’ve been so impressed with some of these offerings in the past.

Some of the BEST Meals Are at the Deluxe Resorts

If you’re saving all your food budget for the theme parks or Disney Springs, you might be missing out on some of the BEST food in Disney World! I’ve had some truly top-notch meals at the Disney World Resorts, from buffets with exotic eats like Boma to signature meals with spectacular views like California Grill. 

Other favorites of mine include breakfast at Ale & Compass, Beaches & Cream, Steakhouse 71 for lunch or dinner, Flying Fish for a fancy dinner, Whispering Canyon, Three Bridges Bar & Grill, and Geyser Point Bar & Grill. There are so many delicious meals to be discovered outside the parks, and you can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the hotel grounds afterwards!

Reservation Difficulty Does NOT Equate to Food Quality

And finally, we’ve got to get real and talk about dining reservations. With hundreds of table service restaurants to choose from, it can be SO hard to decide where to make your dining reservations for your Disney World vacation. But here’s a bit of truth I’m going to tell you — just because a reservation is “hard to get,” that doesn’t mean the restaurant is “good.”

Places like Be Our Guest or Cinderella’s Royal Table may be difficult to snag reservations for, but we’ve often had mediocre food there in the past. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is another one that fills up quickly, but while the atmosphere there is cool, the menu is mostly made of burgers and other plain eats. Oga’s Cantina is a challenge to reserve in advance, but it has some very bizarre and disappointing menu items if you’re trying to get food. Instead of relying on popularity to dictate where you eat, I recommend checking out our honest food reviews here at DFB!

Hopefully, these thoughts will help you plan your culinary adventures for your next Disney World trip! Stay tuned to DFB for more food fun!

Click Here to See My Adventures Eating at Every Quick Service Restaurant in Disney World!

What’s your favorite Disney World restaurant? Tell us in the comments!