There are so many excellent Walt Disney World restaurants to dine in. Deciding where to eat can be a little overwhelming, especially for first-time Guests to Lake Buena Vista. Choosing the best Disney dining locations to visit during your Disney vacation can undoubtedly add to the Disney experience.
A balance between full-service restaurants and quick-service locations is what we recommend. Full-service restaurants are more expensive but offer a relaxing and fulfilling dining experience. They can also provide the opportunity to enjoy Disney character dining in locations such as the Crystal Palace and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Additionally, you can enjoy Signature Dining experiences in table service restaurants such as California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Quick-service restaurants are perfect for busy Disney Park days when you want to minimize your time sitting. Using the Mobile Order service can also make you more efficient when ordering quick-service food at Walt Disney World.
There are plenty of quick-service restaurants in the Walt Disney World Resort. Some quick-service restaurants offer unique dining experiences, including Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Docking Bay7 Food and Cargo in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park. Several locations also offer similar dining experiences. As such, there are some Disney restaurants that we recommend skipping, as there are dining locations we prefer to eat at. Here are our recommendations for the Disney quick-service restaurants to skip and those to dine at instead.
Skip: Sunshine Seasons
EPCOT has plenty of dining locations to choose from. World Showcase is a popular destination for Guests to eat, with cuisines from around the World to enjoy. For Guests exploring World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery before visiting World Showcase, there are a couple of restaurants to choose from.
You’ll find Sunshine Seasons in World Nature as you are heading to Soarin’ Around The World. The Disney restaurant offers a large indoor seating area and serves dishes that include ingredients from the Living with the Land greenhouses. Open through the day, Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Sunshine Seasons.
Dine: Connections Eatery
While Sunshine Seasons offers some tasty dishes, we prefer to eat at Connections Eatery when visiting EPCOT. You won’t be able to get breakfast, but lunch and dinner are available. The Disney restaurant offers a more luxurious dining experience, where food is served on plates or bowls, and metal cutlery is available. Dine in a spacious, bright restaurant while taking a break from the sun. A selection of burgers, pizzas, salads, and sides are available to order. Remember to save room for the Liege Waffle too.
Skip: Centertown Market
The Walt Disney World Resort hotels are most definitely worth visiting to find hidden gems for dining. Guests of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort can dine in the Centertown Market. Located at Old Port Royale, Centertown Market serves a selection of Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes throughout the day. We love the flavors of the lunch and dinner options at Centertown Market. However, breakfast could be a lot better.
Dine: Primo Piatto
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Guests can easily access Disney’s Riviera Resort. Primo Piatto is the Disney Deluxe Resort quick-service restaurant. Regarding breakfast, we much prefer the offerings of Primo Piatto to Centertown Market. Walking alongside Barefoot Bay to get there also offers a peaceful morning away from the crowds of the Disney Parks.
European flavors inspire lunch and dinner dishes at Primo Piatto. Enjoy heart-baked pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes. We love to enjoy our order from the seating area outside. Watch the fun other Guests have in the lawn games, or take your order to the waterfront and enjoy the views across Barefoot Bay. Primo Piatto is also a great place to visit when traveling between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT World Showcase. Use the Disney Skyliner and get off at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Skip: Pinocchio Village Haus
Located in Fantasyland, Pinocchio Village Haus is a Magic Kingdom Park quick-service restaurant. Italian dishes are available throughout the day, including flatbreads and salads. While the location of Pinocchio Village Haus makes it easy to grab something between experiencing the Magic Kingdom attractions, it isn’t our favorite place to dine in the Disney Park.
Dine: Gasparilla Island Grill
Should your plans allow you some time, we recommend leaving Magic Kingdom to enjoy a similar dining experience to the one offered in Pinocchio Village Haus. Gasparilla Island Grill is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa quick-service restaurant. There are more entrees to choose from here than in Pinocchio Village Haus. A selection of flatbreads is available, as well as sandwiches and salads. The indoor seating area offers shade from the sun and a chance to break from the Florida heat. There is also outdoor seating available, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Cinderella Castle from the marina.
Skip: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Another quick-service restaurant in Magic Kingdom is Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe. The Old Western saloon serves up a selection of Mexican-inspired dishes that can be enjoyed in the extensive indoor seating area of the restaurant. The flavors available here are one reason why Guests may choose to dine in the restaurant instead of Columbia Harbour House. You can find a variety of burgers, rice bowls, fajitas, and more here. However, being in a Disney Park, the restaurant can be known to have long lines, especially during peak dining times.
Dine: El Mercado de Coronado
If you’re ready to take a break from Magic Kingdom Park, you can find a great alternative to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. El Mercado de Coronado serves Tex-Mex-inspired dishes unique to the Disney hotel. Dishes include rice bowls, nachos, flatbreads, fresh pasta, burgers, and more. The dining area is light, airy, and a welcome escape from the crowds. There is also outdoor seating available, offering stunning views over Lago Dorado.
Do you plan to visit any alternative restaurants during your next Disney vacation? Will you use mobile ordering at any of these Walt Disney World restaurants? Some will provide a perfect opportunity to explore the Disney Resort hotels and break away from the crowds for a little while.
