The Quick-Service Restaurants We Always Leave The Disney Parks For

Walt Disney World Dining is a key part of every visit to Lake Buena Vista and getting the full Disney experience, whether you’re on the hunt for Mickey-shaped snacks or have specific full-service and quick-service dining locations in mind. But where are your favorite Disney dining locations? Are most of them located inside the Disney Parks? 

A lot of Guests may not realize that they are very welcome to visit the Walt Disney World Resort hotels without being a Resort Guest. This can limit their Disney experience. Visiting the Disney hotels allows Guests to enjoy all of the quick-service and full-service dining locations on Disney property if they wish to do so.

Going back to our question before, are most of your favorite Disney dining locations inside a Disney Park? If your answer is ‘yes,’ then it may be that you haven’t yet tried other Disney restaurants around Lake Buena Vista. You may not know about the awesome places to eat outside the Disney Parks. Well, let us inspire you by letting you know of the Walt Disney World restaurants we always leave a Disney theme Park for!

Quick-Service Restaurants

While there are plenty of choices when it comes to quick service dining in the Disney theme parks, there are also some excellent locations that we like to visit in the Disney Resort hotels too. The beauty of a quick-service restaurant is you don’t need advanced dining reservations, they’re cheaper than a table service restaurant, and they allow you to eat with a minimal wait. You can even place a mobile order to save you from waiting in line to place your order. Be sure to check the Walt Disney World app to see which locations mobile ordering is available at.

Let’s explore the best quick-service restaurants to leave the Disney Parks for.

Capt Cook’s

Find this Polynesian-inspired eatery just a water taxi or Disney Monorail journey from Magic Kingdom in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. If you don’t plan on eating at Kona Cafe during your Disney vacation, this is another place to enjoy a famous Disney breakfast item, Tonga Toast. Likewise, if you haven’t managed to secure an advanced dining reservation for ‘Ohana while in the Walt Disney World Resort, then pay Capt. Cook’s a visit and enjoy the ‘Ohana noodles and vegetables for a much lower cost. There are plenty of other plates to enjoy here too.

After dining in Capt. Cook’s, stop by Pineapple Lanai, just outside the Polynesian Village Great Ceremonial House, for a refreshing Dole Whip dessert.

El Mercado de Coronado

This dining spot in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers light and airy seating inside, or outdoor seating with a stunning view across Lago Dorado. If you like Mexican- and Italian-inspired food, this is a great spot to visit, especially for lunch and dinner. With plenty of choices, from flatbreads and freshly-tossed pasta dishes to nachos and burgers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This is a great spot to visit after a morning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Stop by your Disney Resort concierge to check on serving times at this quick-service location to avoid turning up to a closed kitchen. It has been known to have specific opening times rather than being open all day. 

The Mara

Located on the lowest level of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, this savanna-like, spacious restaurant serves classic American dishes with African flavors throughout the day. For breakfast, you can grab all of your favorite Disney items, such as Mickey Waffles and Tater Tots, as well as plenty of delicious plates. For dinner, you can grab a wide range of meals, including salads, burgers, and flatbreads. There’s also a great selection of desserts, including specialty cupcakes and the famous Zebra Domes, that you’ll only find at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Take a short bus ride from Disney’s Animal Kingdom to enjoy this delicious quick-service location in a beautiful setting.

Landscape of Flavors

Despite being at a Disney Value Resort, Landscape of Flavors in Disney’s Art of Animation is a favorite spot to dine for many Guests. Breakfast dishes include Disney character waffles rather than the regular Mickey Waffles, as well as bagels, omelets, and pancakes. Enjoy a wide range of cuisines for lunch or dinner as this restaurant serves up the following delicious dishes:

• Tandoori Chicken
• Sesame Chicken Stir-fry
• Walt Disney’s Favorite Chili in a Bread Boule
• Baked Gnocchi Turkey Bolognese

These are just some of the delicious dishes served at Landscape of Flavors. Use the Disney Skyliner to get to or from Disney’s Art of Animation, EPCOT International Gateway, entering the Disney Theme Park in World Showcase, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the main entrance.

Contempo Cafe

Hop on the Disney Monorail at Magic Kingdom for one stop and visit Contempo Cafe in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. While there isn’t the largest selection available for breakfast in this quick-service restaurant, this is the place to enjoy burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads for lunch and dinner. The real reason to visit Contempo Cafe is for the desserts; it can be tricky to decide on one from their great selection, which includes the Peanut Butter Pie and Monorail Cookies ’n Cream Cupcake!

Scat Cat’s Club

While this isn’t the place for you to get a full meal, it is the only place in Walt Disney World to get Mickey Beignets. Located in Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, you can enjoy Beignets in many ways: on their own, with a dipping sauce, as part of a sundae, or with an Oyster Po’Boy. Visit Scat Cat’s Club Cafe or Lounge, depending on which dish strikes your fancy. If you’d rather enjoy Beignets for dessert, visit the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory just next door beforehand.

This is a great place to visit before spending some time at Disney Springs. Use the Sassagoula River Boats to enjoy a scenic boat ride before shopping till you drop!

Next time you’re taking a Disney vacation, be sure to venture further than the Disney Theme Parks and take advantage of the great dining options available in the Disney hotels. It’s fun to try someplace new, and you may just find a must-visit restaurant for your future Disney trips!

If you are looking for inspiration on table service restaurants to leave the Disney Parks for, see our related post here.