
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 dining locations in mind, both full-service and quick-service. But where are your favorite Disney dining locations? Are most of them located inside of the Disney Parks?
A lot of Guests may not realise 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 theme 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 of the Disney Parks. Well, let us inspire you, by letting you know of the Walt Disney World restaurants that we always leave the Disney theme parks for.
Full-Service Restaurants
The full-service restaurants that we always leave the Disney Parks for are generally located in one of the Disney Resort hotels. We recommend securing advance dining reservations for any full-service locations you wish to dine in. Doing so gives you piece of mind of where you will be eating, and helps with your plans too. Make sure to give you and your party plenty of time to arrive at your destination when you have an advance dining reservation, to avoid being late.
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Located in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on the shores of Bay Lake, this dining location is just a short water taxi ride from Magic Kingdom. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in a fun and interactive western-themed restaurant. The menu is extensive, offering individual appetisers, entrees and desserts, as well as our favorite, all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets. Take a mid-morning break from Magic Kingdom after enjoying Early Theme Park Entry, or dine here before heading to Magic Kingdom for the evening.
‘Ohana
This incredibly popular dining location can be found in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Whilst it can be really tricky to secure an advance dining reservation here, it really is worth it when you do. Guests can enjoy an American breakfast influence by Polynesian flavors, or enjoy an evening filled with Hawaiian-flavored specialities and music in a beautiful Polynesian-themed setting. Located just across Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom, or a Disney Monorail away from EPCOT, you don’t have to venture too far from the Disney Parks to enjoy this incredible restaurant.
If you aren’t able to get a reservation in ‘Ohana, then Kona Cafe is another great dining location to visit in Disney’s Polynesian Village. Advance dining reservations are easier to secure in this table service restaurant too. Why not enjoying an entree here, then visit Pineapple Lanai afterwards and treat you and your party to a DOLE Whip for dessert?
Boma – Flavors of Africa
This is the ideal location to retreat to, before or after a day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Boma – Flavors of Africa can be found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge which is a really short bus ride from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests can enjoy an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet in a restaurant inspired by a lively African marketplace, for breakfast or dinner. Take some time before or after your dining experience to explore the stunning Disney hotel you are visiting. If you’re dining in Boma for dinner, don’t forget to help yourself to a couple of Zebra Domes too!
Boma is also a great alternative if you are struggling to secure an advanced dining reservation at the popular character dining experience in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, known as Tusker House.
Grand Floridian Cafe
Located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Grand Floridian Cafe is an elegant yet casual eatery in a relatively formal setting. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner with delightful views of the rose gardens and courtyard pool of the Disney Resort hotel. With three options available to access Magic Kingdom before or after your dining experience, this is the ideal place to take a break from the crowds and excitement of the Disney Park; our recommendation would be to take a walk or water taxi to Disney’s Grand Floridian, then use the Disney Monorail to get back to Magic Kingdom.
Hoop-De Doo Musical Revue
If you and your party would like to enjoy dinner with some entertainment, then the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue is the place to go. Take a visit to Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and experience 2 hours of dancing, singing and comedy accompanied by a fantastic feast of food and drinks, including unlimited beer, wine and sangria for any Guests in your party that are 21 years of age or older. With three shows offered every evening, you are sure to find the time that works for you and your party best!
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Open from 11 a.m. through to 11 p.m. every day, this fun dining location is the best place to enjoy diner-style food, and the biggest sundae’s you’ll find on Disney property. It’s a great place to visit to break up a day in EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Located in Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you can access it by walking from EPCOT’s World Showcase by using International Gateway or catch a FriendShip Boat from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you’re not feeling too hungry, but instead in need of a sweet treat, then we’re certainly not judging if you only visit this Disney restaurant for dessert!
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop could also be a great rest point whilst using your Park Hopper pass to visit both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in one day.
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 jn the Disney hotels. It’s fun to try somewhere new, and you may just find a must-visit restaurant for your future Disney trips!