Where should you eat in Walt Disney World? I’ve got you covered. With over two hundred restaurants, thousands of snacks, and hundreds of cocktails, diving into Disney Dining can be overwhelming. But with a little guidance and this Disney World Dining Guide, you can be planning your best Disney Vacation and you won’t be missing out on any of the best dining spots in Disney.
In this Disney World Dining Guide, we will be diving into all things Disney Dining, from Table Service and Quick Service favorites, to what restaurants in Disney give you the best experience because everyone deserves a magical and delicious Disney vacation.
What are the different types of Disney Dining?
- Quick Service
- Lounges
What specialty dining do they offer in Disney?
- All You Can Eat
- Disney Experience
- Disney Springs
- First Time Must Do’s
Let’s Talk Everything Disney Dining Basics
Table Service
If you are looking for a full sit-down meal with a server at Disney, you are going to want to book Table Service. Reservations are strongly suggested for these meals and can be made 60 days in advance.
Disney does break down Table Service Restaurants a little more, which includes Signature Dining – they are the top Table Service Restaurants, All You Care to Enjoy Restaurants – where you pay one price and get unlimited food. All you Care to Enjoy used to serve as buffets in a lot of locations, but have since changed. Finally, you have dinner theater, which currently is not operating, but includes shows like the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue.
Quick Service
In Disney, your basic fast food style service is known as Quick Service, it is essentially any restaurant where you order from a counter. That includes both restaurants and carts and kiosks located throughout the park.
As one would expect, Quick Service is always a cheaper option when it comes to Disney food, and is abundant. You don’t need to worry about making advanced dining reservations, however, you do need to familiarize yourself with Mobile Order.
Lounges
Lounges fall somewhere between Quick Service and Table Service, they are essentially the bars of Disney World. Most offer light snacks and drinks, and you always can grab to-go drinks at these spots.
You’ll find Lounges throughout the parks, and at the Deluxe Resorts, with a few at the Moderate Resorts as well.
Breaking Down Disney Dining
The questions I get most often about Disney Dining break down into the following topics. I find that people are looking for these types of restaurants most often when planning trips. So while Disney doesn’t categorize them this way, I think it is the easiest way to break them down!
All You Care To Enjoy
One thing Disney is well known for is its all-you-can-eat restaurants. Previously, these use to be in the form of buffets, but now for the foreseeable future have been converted into family-style meals.
Most, but not all, character dining tends to be all you can eat, and there are also some themed restaurants as well.
Disney Experience
One thing Disney does well is restaurants that are so immersive that you feel like you are in the story. This is in no way an official Disney category, but there are restaurants you should visit, both Table Service and Quick Service if you want to experience all things, Disney. The price point of these restaurants tends to be higher, as you are paying for the overall experience and not just the meal.
A great example of these would be Be Our Guest, where you dine in Beast’s Castle from Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella’s Royal Table, where you dine inside the iconic Cinderella Castle.
Disney Springs
Located on Disney property is Disney Springs, it is a shopping pavilion with lots of food options. Most restaurants here are own by outside companies, and the food choices are endless. It is a lively area that can be a great escape from the parks!
First Time Must-Do’s
So you’ve booked your first trip to Disney but don’t know where to eat? These are the must-do restaurants in that category that really make a Disney trip feel like magic. It could involve character dining or dinner with a great view of the fireworks. It’s my list of restaurants I tell people that have to dine at, at least once.
Disney Dining Guide
Disney Dining is always an experience, and with over 200 restaurants around Disney World, it can be overwhelming. Be sure to dive into the guide above for more details on specific categories, including where I recommend dining, and what to order.
More of a visual person? You can also find my full guide in video form over on my Instagram!
