There are a lot of dining options at Walt Disney World Resort. Not only just at the parks but at the resorts and at Disney Springs too. But what about the best Disney World Dining Experiences? The places where it is more than just sitting down and getting something to eat at Disney World. Dining locations that are about the food, the location and the experience. The locations that you will always remember when looking back at your Disney World Vacation. In this article we are going to share our Best Disney World Dining Experiences.
These are the locations that for our family are special. These locations offer more than just great food, they offer an experience that has kept us going back over and over again when we visit Disney World.
Our Top 10 Best Disney World Dining Experiences
Picking our top 10 Dining Experiences at Disney World wasn’t easy, but we have done it. Below you will find the dining locations that have given our family some great dining experiences. Every restaurant on this list we have dined at multiple times during our vacations. Let us take a look at our Best Disney World Dining Experiences.
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10. Coral Reef
Location: Epcot (Next to the Seas with Nemo)
We find Coral Reef to be quite a relaxing dining experience. Coral Reef is a great location to dine after day at Epcot. The panoramic views of the coral reef that is really nice to watch with all the species of fish, turtles and even sharks swimming by. The fish dishes are good and there is also steak and chicken on offer if like me you are not too big a fan of fish dishes. We have always had good food served here and we have always found it one of the quieter dining experiences at Disney World.
There are also some interesting sea themed cocktails on offer such as the Abyss, Captain Rum’s Runner and a Coral Rita. A good way to end a long day at Epcot.
What We Love Most About the Coral Reef Dining Experience
- The relaxed atmosphere compared to other restaurants
- All the fish swimming by.
- It’s a nice way to finish a day at Epcot.
- The fun cocktails.
9. Be Our Guest
Location: Magic Kingdom
Table service at this location is allocated to dinner and is signature dining meaning you will need 2 table service credits per person if you are on the dining plan. This restaurant is all about the experience of dining in the Beast’s Castle where you will either dine in the Grand Ballroom, the West Wing or the Castle Gallery. After dinner you can meet the Beast for a photo, so this is one for any fans of Beauty and the beast. Breakfast and lunch are quick service in this location too which is always an option if you don’t want to go for a dinner reservation.
We have had lunch here quite a few times now and have always enjoyed it, but it is a more calm and organised experience at dinner. Do not forget to try the grey stuff, it really is delicious!
What We Love Most About the Be Our Guest Dining Experience
- The theming is fantastic.
- You can meet the beast after dinner.
- Breakfast and lunch are quick service.
- You can try the grey stuff (it is delicious).
8. Via Napoli Ristorante Pizzeria
Location: Epcot (Italy Pavilion)
If you love pizza you need to visit Via Napoli at Epcot. We love pizza and we love the dining experience offered here. It is a big and busy restaurant but that kind of reflects Italy in my mind. There are huge wood burning ovens that cook the pizzas and the desserts here are delicious too. I love the Piccante Pizza with spicy Italian sausages and my pick for dessert would be the pistachio cheesecake.
Via Napoli offers a great dining experience and a dinner or lunch reservation here can make a day exploring the World Showcase at Epcot that little bit more special.
What We Love Most About the Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria Dining Experience
- The Pizza.
- The wood burning ovens are definitely something to see.
- The desserts.
- It’s a great location to have dinner when enjoying World Showcase.
7. Tusker House
Location: Animal Kingdom (Africa)
Tusker House is in Africa at Animal kingdom and is a buffet style character dining experience. We always try to secure Tusker House for our Disney World Vacations as there is such a wide variety of food on offer. The characters (Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy) in their safari outfits make for a great photo opportunity but we really think the food selection is great. You have carved meats, fish, curry and rice as well as some really good child friendly offerings too. One of our favorite Table Service Restaurants that provides great food and characters too.
What We Love Most About the Tusker House Dining Experience
- The variety of Food.
- The Characters in their safari outfits.
- It’s a buffet so you can eat as much as you like.
- The location in Africa is perfect for exploring the park when you leave.
Where to Eat at Animal Kingdom
You can find our Must Do Animal Kingdom Activities here.
6. Garden Grill
Location: Epcot (The Land)
Located in The Land at Epcot this restaurant very slowly rotates so that you will get to see various parts of the Living with the Land ride which is located below. During your meal you will be visited by Chip ‘n’ Dale, Pluto and Mickey and if it’s not too busy you will more than likely see them more than once.
The character interactions here have always been great here for our family with Chip ‘n’ Dale always being very entertaining. They have often sat with us, rubbed their tummies to say they are hungry whilst eyeing up our meals and generally have been great with the kids. Mickey and Pluto have been good too, but Chip ‘n’ Dale always seem to be the highlight.
We always have an early breakfast reservation here as you can get into the park early which has been great for getting on Soarin’ early without needing a Fast Pass. On our last visit we finished breakfast and was the first in line for Soarin’ as the park had only just opened. The Garden Grill breakfast is consistently good, and it is family style too, so the waiting staff will keep bringing food to you rather than having to keep getting up. Overall, I would recommend the Garden Grill for an early morning breakfast with the characters before you hit Epcot.
What We Love Most About The Garden Grill Dining Experience
- The Character interactions are always a lot of fun.
- Seeing the different parts of scenery as the restaurant slowly rotates.
- The tear and share cinnamon buns.
- When offering breakfast it’s a perfect location to get on Soarin’ when the park opens.
5. Yak and Yeti
Location: Animal Kingdom (Asia)
The Yak and Yeti is one of our favorite restaurants at Animal Kingdom. It offers a wide selection of Asian dishes along with some interesting drinks too (including hot teas). The Asian theme is really nice with old movie posters dotted around the restaurant. Also, if you manage to get seated upstairs by the windows you can watch people coming and going through the Asia section of the park as you enjoy your meal. The food here is so good and takes the dining experience to the next level making it one of our best Disney World Dining Experiences. The Bhaktapur Duck is delicious, and I would highly recommend it. A great location to enjoy a meal when visiting Animal Kingdom.
What We Love Most About the Yak and Yeti Dining Experience
- It has a great menu with a lot of variety.
- The Bhaktapur Duck
- The selection of hot teas.
- We have always found the food to be to a very high standard.
You can find our full guide to dining at Animal Kingdom here
4. Trattoria Al Forno
Location: The Boardwalk
Trattoria Al Forno is a very elegant looking Italian restaurant. We have only ever had a breakfast reservation here for the Bon Voyage Breakfast which is a character dining experience featuring Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Ariel and Prince Eric. When available this is one of the Best Breakfasts in Disney World and a great dining experience. The food is wonderful, especially The Royal Breakfast which includes Oak-grilled Steak, Asparagus, Cheesy-Egg Torte, Fonduta, Breakfast Potatoes, Crispy Onion. The Peach Bellini is a delicious drink to enjoy with your breakfast too. Wonderful food, a great location and one of the best breakfasts you can get at Disney World puts this high on our list.
What We Love Most About the Trattoria Al Forno Dining Experience
- The Bon Voyage Breakfast Experience.
- It’s an ideal location for visiting both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
- The steak (especially at breakfast).
- The cocktails.
You can read our full Bon Voyage Breakfast review here.
3. 50’s Prime Time Cafe
Location: Hollywood Studios
Another table service restaurant with a great theme. This all about classic American comfort food from the 1950’s set in a family styled atmosphere. All diners are called cousins and you are expected to keep your elbows off the table and eat all your food (I got a sticker for clearing my plate)!
Sometimes diners are made to stand up and perform ‘I’m a little teapot’ as punishment and on some occasions unfinished vegetables are brought back out as dessert. Don’t worry the serving staff are very good with children and if you don’t want to take part in any of the fun you don’t have to.
There is some great fried chicken here too and they all offer a sampling of all the top dishes in the form of A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes (fried chicken, pot roast and meatloaf with all the fixings). This restaurant is will offer a fun experience with some great food. The 1950’s theme and decor is also very well done.
What We Love Most About the 50’s Prime Time Cafe Dining Experience
- It’s a lot of fun and everyone is your cousin.
- The fried chicken.
- That you shouldn’t put your elbows on the table.
- How the waiting staff shout your name to tell you your table is ready.
2. Sci-Fi Dine In Theater
Location: Hollywood Studios
The theme of this table service restaurant is great. It is a 1950’s drive in theme where you dine in cars. A cinema screen is situated at the front of the restaurants showing clips from 50’s movies. Our kids love sitting in the front of a car whilst we sit at the back. The old 50’s footage that is being shown fascinates the kids and we don’t mind it either. I always enjoy the food; I usually get the ribs, but the burgers are also very good too. The milk shakes here are so good and I highly recommend the strawberry shakes. Sci Fi Dine-In is a very unique restaurant and definitely worth trying if you haven’t yet. Great burgers, shakes served in a very unique setting make Sci-Fi Dine In a very memorable Disney World dining experience.
What We Love Most About the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Dining Experience
- The theme is great (including the cars you sit in to dine).
- The milkshakes are great.
- It’s very different to most other restaurants (in a good way).
- Great for diners who enjoy burgers and ribs.
You can find our favorite Hollywood Studios Restaurants here.
1. Cinderella’s Royal Table
Location: Magic Kingdom (Inside Cinderella Castle)
Probably one of the most sought-after Table Service Restaurant experiences at Disney World. Cinderella’s Royal Table is a fantastic and very special dining experience. The restaurant is located inside the castle and you are greeted by Cinderella before being taken up the winding staircase to the restaurant and your table. The food is signature dining and we have always found it to be to a very high standard and on top of this during your meal various Disney Princesses are introduced and which you will get to meet at your table for a photo and autograph (usually Snow White, Jasmine, Ariel and Aurora). You will need to use 2 Table Service credits per person if you are on the dining plan but we think it is worth it especially if you are celebrating a special occasion. Gratuity is included too.
What We Love Most About the Cinderella’s Royal Table Dining Experience
- You are dining inside Cinderella’s Castle.
- The service is fantastic.
- You get to meet the Disney Princesses.
- It is a really magical experience.
The Best Disney World Dining Experiences
I hope you have enjoyed our Best Disney World Dining Experiences. Hopefully you now have some good ideas for your own Disney World Vacation and dining plans. Please feel free to share this post on social media, it helps us to reach a wider audience of Disney World Planners. You can even pin the image below.
Take a look at the Snacks I think you should try at Disney World here
You can find all of our Disney World Food and Dining Articles here too.
Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
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