We all know that dining in Disney World is unlike anywhere else!

I mean, you know how it goes. You’re strolling through the parks when suddenly you feel the hunger creeping in. And then (as if by magic) you find yourself already in line and paying for your Disney meal. It feels like nine times out of ten, the dining experience is fantastic, but we’re here to talk about that one time out of ten. You know, when you impulse eat at Disney World and know you’re probably going to regret it later. Well, we’ve been there and done that more times than we can count. So, let’s have a chat about a couple of those regrets and hopefully they’ll help you not go through the same experience!

As we were saying, at Disney World, while we had some awesome food experiences, there were definitely a few things we regretted eating, especially on impulse. Let’s talk about four of those regrets.

Liberty Tree Tavern

Let me set the scene. We’re at Disney World and my wife and I are tired, slightly hungry, and just cruising the My Disney Experience app to see if we could snag any last-minute reservations. Well, lo and behold, Liberty Tree Tavern had a spot. We’d heard great things, so we thought, “Why not?”

Here’s the thing. Liberty Tree Tavern is like Thanksgiving on steroids. They serve an all-you-can-eat family-style feast, and it’s delicious. We’re talking turkey, pot roast, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese — the works.

It sounds amazing, right? Yeah, it is, except when you’re not remotely prepared to eat that much food. We didn’t plan on stuffing ourselves, but when you’re paying upwards of $40 per person, there’s this pressure to get your money’s worth. Long story short, we ate way too much, waddled out of there, and felt like we needed to nap for a week.

Moral of the story? Just because you can get a last-minute reservation doesn’t mean you should. If you’re not starving or ready for a massive feast, you might want to skip Liberty Tree Tavern. Now, we loved the food, but we had no room left in our bellies to enjoy it.

Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Basic Snacks

Okay, okay. I get it. When you’re in Disney World, everything just seems extra special, right? Mickey pretzels? Magical. Popcorn in a cute Disney bucket? Adorable. But here’s the truth: once you get past the Mickey-shaped packaging, some of these snacks are just…basic.

I’m specifically calling out the Mickey Ice Cream Bar. It’s basically a chocolate-covered vanilla ice cream bar in the shape of Mickey’s head. It’s cute for the socials, but is it worth the price tag? It’s the same with things like plain pretzels and popcorn. You can get these things anywhere, and in most cases, they’re cheaper and taste the same.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with these snacks, but when you’re at Disney World, you want to try things that are unique to the parks. If I’m shelling out Disney World prices for food, I want something that’s a bit more than just a basic snack in a Mickey wrapper. Next time, I’ll pass on the basics and opt for something more special, like a Dole Whip or a fun seasonal treat.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

I’m going to come right out and say this one might be a little controversial, but hear me out. Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of those “bucket list” experiences that most Disney fans want to do at least once. You get to eat inside Cinderella’s Castle, meet princesses, and feel like royalty for an hour or so.

We managed to snag a last-minute reservation (maybe we should’ve taken that as a sign?) and were super stoked to dine in the castle. The atmosphere was incredible, but the food…not so much. For the price (around $84 per person), we were expecting something extraordinary, but it was just okay. It wasn’t terrible, but when you’re paying that much, “just okay” isn’t going to cut it.

The reality is, you’re mostly paying for the experience of eating in the castle and meeting the princesses, and while that’s definitely cool, if you’re a foodie or just care more about the meal than the atmosphere, you’re probably going to leave feeling a little disappointed like we did.

Now, if you’re dead set on eating in the castle, you might want to consider going for breakfast instead. It’s slightly cheaper, and since breakfast foods are a little more basic to begin with, you might not feel as underwhelmed by the food.

Pricier Versions of Foods You Can Get for Less Elsewhere

Now, Disney World is full of amazing restaurants, but sometimes you can find yourself spending way more than you might need to on something you could’ve gotten cheaper elsewhere. For example, this happened to us at Rose and Crown Pub in EPCOT.

Now don’t get me wrong. Rose and Crown is great. The food is good, and the atmosphere is fun. But here’s the kicker: I ordered fish and chips, and while they were tasty, I couldn’t help but think, “Why am I paying a higher price for something I can get at Yorkshire County Fish Shop just steps away for way less?” It’s basically the same fish and chips, but with a quicker service setup and a lower price tag.

Same goes for places like Raglan Road in Disney Springs. It’s a great sit-down restaurant, but if all you’re craving is some hearty Irish food, you can hit up Cookes of Dublin next door for a similar meal at a fraction of the cost.

Now, full disclosure, you do get more food with these more expensive options, but you are also paying for the ambiance. If you want the full dining experience and don’t mind paying extra for it, go for it. But if you’re just looking to satisfy a craving and save a few bucks, check out the quick-service options.

Disney World is full of amazing food, but it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and make some, shall we say, less-than-stellar food choices, especially when you’re on vacation and everything smells so good. So, if you’re planning a trip, do yourself a favor and think twice before jumping on that last-minute reservation or buying the first snack that catches your eye.

In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest from Disney World!

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What things do you regret impulse eating in Disney World? Tell us your story down in the comments!