The Secret Disney Subway That No One Talks About

On a Disney vacation, Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort have plenty of options when it comes to dining. 

From full-service favorites like Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom and Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the quick-service ease of Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the new Connections Eatery at EPCOT, there are so many food and beverage choices to suit every theme park Guest.

But what if we told you there was a famous fast-food chain right in the heart of the Magic Kingdom Park?

Walt Disney World has some well-known outside food chains located right on property. Most guests are aware that McDonald’s is onsite to feed those craving its classic burgers and fries. There have been, in fact, two McDonald’s locations at Walt Disney World. One was at Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs), which opened in 1997 and closed in 2010. The second location, close to the All-Star Resorts and Disney’s Blizzard Beach, opened in 1998 and recently received a huge overhaul. 

Walt Disney World also has Starbucks stores in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, plus two locations at Disney Springs. In-Park Starbucks locations at Lake Buena Vista aren’t explicitly named Starbucks due to theming reasons but will show as “Starbucks” in the My Disney Experience app. The Starbucks inside the Parks are known as Creature Comforts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Trolley Car Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom, and Connections Cafe at EPCOT.

But there is actually another popular fast-food chain hidden from Guests at Walt Disney World – Subway!

Located in the infamous Utilidors underneath the Park, there is a Subway for Cast Members to enjoy in their breaks. It can be found in the Mousekateria underneath Pinocchio’s Village Haus and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. most days.

The Cast Member cafeteria, known as the “Mouseketeria,” is where many Magic Kingdom Cast Members grab a quick bite to eat. There are three different dining options to choose from, one of which is the popular sandwich chain, Subway.

As a former Cast Member, it was always fun to grab a sandwich and sit next to Tinker Bell or Ariel for a magical lunch break. The mysterious Utilidor system is a system of some of the world’s largest utility tunnels forming Disney’s backstage area. They allow Disney employees to perform park operations, such as trash removal, and allow costumed characters to quickly reach their destinations out of the sight of guests to avoid ruining the fantasy illusion.

Many guests believe Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Utilidors is a basement system. Because of an elevated water table, most of these tunnels were actually built at ground level, and the Magic Kingdom was built above that. Parts of Fantasyland, including Cinderella Castle, are actually at a third-story level!

If you have a craving for a Subway sandwich, however, you’ll be disappointed. Sadly, guests are not allowed in the Utilidors unless they purchase the “Keys to the Kingdom” tour.

There are plenty of other Disney dining locations on offer, though, to satisfy any hungry Guest!