Updated with meals from our September 2025 trip to Disney.
Planning your Walt Disney World vacation? Don’t underestimate the power of a great meal, especially when the Florida heat is sweltering. Dining at Disney isn’t just about the food (though that’s a treat all its own); it’s also one of the smartest cooling strategies you can plan. Booking a table at an air-conditioned restaurant gives you a break from the sun, a moment to recharge, and a chance to create magical memories over meals you’ll still be talking about back home. From character breakfasts to retro-themed dinners, these are our favorite sit-down and snack stops from across the parks and resorts.
A couple of notes:
- In 2023 and 2024, my granddaughter, Audi, and I did girls’ weekends at Disney. My daughter and her mother, Elizabeth, joined us in September 2025 (and will again this September). That’s why you’ll notice that some dining experiences include two meal mentions and others three.
- In 2025, while at Hollywood Studios, I decided to start keeping receipts and tracking our meal spending. On our upcoming September trip, I plan to do the same.
Hollywood Studios Restaurants
Before the server could bring our drink order to us, my granddaughter, Audi, loved Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater so much that she started planning her return to the restaurant with her parents. We sat in a booth shaped like a car, both of our seats facing a huge screen showing sci-fi movie clips. Most (if not all) are black and white. None are scary or gross. The restaurant has a strong 1950s vibe, and it is delightful.
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater serves all-American cuisine. Audi liked her Kid’s Cheeseburger ($13.50), and I enjoyed my Grilled Chicken Citrus Salad ($19). The service was kind and efficient. Instead of bringing checks, servers bring out parking tickets. There are other restaurants we should try for lunch on our next Grandma + Granddaughter Walt Disney World Girls’ Weekend, but it’ll be hard not to return here.
Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
$133.13 before tip for three of us on our September 2025 trip.
Roundup Rodeo serves everything family style, which takes the pressure off ordering and turns dinner into a shared experience. Two adult meals and one child’s meal generously covered our table. We couldn’t even try to finish it all. Our favorites: the chicken, the tater tots, and the biscuits. It’s fun, it’s filling, and the Toy Story theming is charming without being overwhelming. A great pick when you want something hearty and relaxed.
I booked our dinner at The Hollywood Brown Derby as part of the Fantasmic Dining Package, which provides VIP seating at Fantasmic – a 29-minute open-air musical at Hollywood Studios that takes place in the evening. Unfortunately, a thunderstorm kicked off while we were dining. I’m not 100% sure if the show was canceled that evening, but we were full, happy, and tired, and chose to return to our hotel room and rest up for our second full day at Walt Disney World.
Dinner here is divine. The Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios is inspired by The Brown Derby, the birthplace of the Cobb Salad, which first opened its doors in a building shaped like a brown hat back in 1926. You can watch a quick video about its history here.
Dedicated foodie that I am, I ordered “Our Famous Cobb Salad With Chicken” ($32). It is topped with spit-roasted turkey, bacon, egg, tomatoes, blue cheese, avocado, and classic dressing. For a bit extra, you can add chicken or shrimp. Not only is it delicious, but the way they cut the lettuce and everything in it so fine makes it the easiest salad ever to eat. Audi ordered the Kids’ Grilled Beef Steak ($17.50) and enjoyed it immensely.
For dessert, I convinced Audi to give the Grapefruit Cake ($14) a try. Have you ever heard of a Grapefruit Cake? Where else will you try a Grapefruit Cake? It’s made up of vanilla sponge cake, grapefruit syrup, and cream cheese icing. I loved it. The cake was too sophisticated for her palate, so I let her pick the next dessert.
Hollywood Brown Derby (Return Visit) — $247.08 before tip for three of us on our September 2025 trip as part of the Fantasmic Dining Package.
I ordered Our Famous Cobb Salad again (yes, again — it’s that good) and paired it with a glass of Sparkling Graham Rosé. My crème brûlée paired with an Old Fashioned was the perfect finish. Elizabeth went with the Filet, a Director’s Cut Coppola Zinfandel, followed by her own crème brûlée and an espresso martini. Audi had the Kids’ Steak with mashed potatoes, a fruit cup, vanilla ice cream, and a Pink Palace Mocktail.
And this time? No thunderstorm. We made it to Fantasmic.
Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
If you need a midday caffeine or sugar pick-me-up, Joffrey’s is a great spot to stop. They have two locations in Hollywood Studios: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ attraction exit and near the entrance to Toy Story Land. You can also find Joffrey’s at several locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. On a blazing hot day, the frozen Round ‘Em Up drink is perfection.
Magic Kingdom Restaurants
When we went to Plaza Restaurant, its exterior was getting a facelift. I don’t know if it is always the case, but there was nowhere to wait indoors for a table. We arrived early because it was hot and we were tired, but they were running behind. Umbrellas were placed outside, so we waited under some shade. If I were to do it again, I would’ve gone on one more ride and risked being just on time or five minutes late for our reservation.
Once we were seated at our table, Audi and I enjoyed another delightful, air-conditioned experience. She loved the Mac and cheese, and I liked my Crispy Chicken Sandwich well enough.
There were two guest stars at our meal inspired by The Princess and The Frog: Bayou Lavender Lemonade and Vanilla Chiffon Cake. They gave our lunch the just-right, magical touch. Neither remains on the menu, but because we enjoyed them so much, we’re likely to try other temporary dessert and drink selections at Plaza Restaurant on our next visit.
Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
$90.78 before tip for three of us on our September 2025 trip.
Get ready to have punny fun. The menu descriptions and the overall vibe at Jungle Skipper Canteen lean into the humor of the Jungle Cruise, and it works. I had the “Tastes Like Chicken, Because It Is!” — fried chicken served with jasmine rice and pickled vegetable slaw. It hit the spot. My daughter ordered the Mess Hall Duck Fried Rice, which was flavorful and generous. She loved it. Audi had the Kids’ Crispy Chicken with a Stitch CC Lemonade, both were hits. This is a more adventurous pick than some of the Magic Kingdom standbys, but the playful atmosphere keeps it kid-friendly.
Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
Food-wise, Cinderella’s Royal Table was Audi’s favorite spot. For me, it’s just too hard to decide which dining experience I liked best. Our steaks were flavorful and cooked to perfection. I loved the Castle Salad (Romaine, Brussels Sprouts, Goat Cheese, Seasonal Vegetables, and Green Goddess Dressing). For dessert, I ordered the very pretty and delicately delectable Berries Mousse. Beware its blue shoe – it might turn your mouth blue.
Before our meal, we had a special photo op with Cinderella on the main level of her Magic Kingdom castle. After having our royal photos taken, we went upstairs and were seated at an excellent table next to a window. “Princess, welcome back to your castle,” our server said to Audi when he first arrived at our table. During the meal, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Jasmine, and Merida stopped by our table. I took photos of Audi with each and every one of them.
Travel Tip: If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can make dining reservations 60 days before your resort check-in date. Book it as soon as you can because it can sell out fast. Also, you pay for this character dining experience when you make your reservation. As I write this, the cost is $84 per adult and $49 per child, plus tax and gratuity.
$289.95 before tip for three of us on our September 2025 trip.
This is a splurge, and it feels like one (thank goodness). Dining inside Beast’s Castle is an experience unto itself: the ballroom, the rose, the atmosphere. Being taken to our table was an experience in itself. It was also a pleasure to meet Beast when he went from table to table, greeting guests.
For dinner, we went all in. I had a French 75 cocktail and paired my Grilled Filet Mignon with a Silverado Cabernet. My daughter enjoyed the Prisoner Red Blend with her Short Rib Beef Bourguignon. Audi ordered the Chateau Shimmer, which came in a souvenir goblet that she still uses. The French Onion Soup before dinner was the perfect antidote to the rainy afternoon.
One small disappointment was the lack of steak on the children’s menu. They have Braised Beef Short Rib instead. Audi ended up having the Chicken Fingers. However, the cheese plate beforehand and sampling of desserts after more than made up for it.
If you’re doing Disney the way we do (fancy), this belongs on your reservation list. After Cinderella’s Royal Table (our Magic Kingdom favorite so far). Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
Here’s a look at the experience:
Animal Kingdom Restaurants
At Creature Comforts Cafe, located just beyond Animal Kingdom’s entrance, you can have your favorite Starbucks beverages and eat specialty Disney pastries. I ordered my Starbucks go-to, a Caramel Macchiato with coconut milk and an extra shot of espresso. Audi had a small hot chocolate. For breakfast, we split an order of Potato, Cheddar, and Chive egg bakes and an unfinishable but delectable Mickey Colossal Cinnamon Roll.
Yak + Yeti restaurant, located at the base of Expedition Everest, serves Pan-Asian cuisine and creative cocktails. The two-story restaurant has an amazing ambiance and offers excellent service. I ordered the Wok-Fried Green Beans ($12.99) from their small plates menu as a starter to share. Its portion was generous. I think we could’ve split it four or more ways. For my main, I chose the Vegetable Lo Mein ($21.49). Everything was delicious.
I reserved our table at this restaurant because I thought Audi might enjoy Asian food. I was wrong. Thank goodness Yak + Yeti’s Children’s Menu has some basic American options. Audi ordered a Cheeseburger ($11.99) with a side of rice. She politely tried one of the Wok-Fried Green Beans and a few bites of my lo mein.
Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
Disney Dining Beyond the Theme Parks
1900 Park Fare is a Disney character dining experience featuring Disney Princesses and Princes at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Their breakfast buffet features a wide assortment of sweet and savory dishes, from omelets to gummy bears and almost anything you can imagine in between. If you go, be sure to try the Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup with Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Cream. It’s famous for good reason. I also loved their Croissant Breakfast Pizza and Classic Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce. Their Mickey-shaped Waffles are fun and tasty – they’re definitely one of Audi’s Disney breakfast favorites.
The Disney Royalty made this a meal we’ll likely return to as soon as we can. Tiana is Audi’s favorite princess. When Tiana approached our table, she looked at Audi and said, “Looking at you is just like looking into a mirror.” Tiana chatted with her for a nice amount of time and gave her a wonderful parting hug. Audi was so star-struck she couldn’t remember a thing Tiana said. I filled her in on it all. Audi also had a delightful time meeting Mirabel, Aladdin, and Snow White. They each took time to engage with her.
As I write this, the breakfast buffet costs $54 per adult and $34 per child, plus tax and gratuity. The dinner buffet costs $66 per adult and $41 per child.
Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
Disney Springs
When I explained this restaurant to Audi and how amazing I thought it would be, she had her doubts. An Irish pub? Irish music and dancing? Hrm. She takes ballet, tap, lyrical, and hip hop, and loves them all. Tap is her current favorite. I tried explaining that tap and Irish dancing have a lot in common, but seeing is believing. Once the Irish dancers took the stage, she believed I’d made the right choice. Watching the dancers’ footwork up close mesmerized her.
My daughter was pleased from start to finish. She remembers the small-town Irish pub we used to go to when she was around her daughter’s age and the Shepherd’s Pie we used to get. It’s probably why she chose to have the Shepherd’s Pie To Try (Braised and pulled beef & lamb with root vegetables in a rich red wine jus with Irish peat smoked mashed potato). I tried their Gnocchi Nua (potato-and-herb gnocchi with zucchini, asparagus, yellow squash & peas in spinach-lemon Parmesan sauce). Nua is Irish for new. Audi ate a burger from the children’s menu.
My daughter and I were delighted with our meals. Audi was underwhelmed, as one typically is with a children’s burger.
The food is solid, and the atmosphere is lively, but the live entertainment is what makes Raglan Road special.
Travel Tip: This is a popular sit-down dining spot, so make reservations in advance.
House of Blues Beignet's at Disney Springs
You can’t go to Disney Springs and skip the beignets. We didn’t, and we have no regrets.
Swirls on the Water
If you need a sweet treat at Disney Springs, Swirls on the Water serves seasonal themed ice cream that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. It’s a quick stop, not a sit-down experience, but worth seeking out, especially when the Florida heat has you melting.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has several fabulous dining options. We spent a weekend there and loved Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Amare Mediterranean Restaurant, and Rosa Mexicano. You can read more about our experience here.
Epcot is missing from this list (for now). On our first and only visit to Epcot, we grabbed a fast-casual meal from a stand I can’t recall. Oh darn, I guess I have to go back to Walt Disney World again and find a couple of restaurants from there to share. Do you have any favorites at Epcot? I’d love to know them before my next trip. You can connect with me directly at @travellikeyoudreamit.
A Few Dining at Disney Details
- If you have food allergies, rest assured that the restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort take them seriously. I am allergic to shellfish. Whenever we went to a table service restaurant or had a character dining experience, I was offered an opportunity to speak with a chef about my allergies.
- One of my go-to resources when planning where to dine at Disney is the @disneyfoodblog.
- If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can make dining reservations 60 days before your resort check-in date. I recommend deciding on all meals before your trip, especially if you hope to dine at indoor restaurants that offer table service.
- You may want to purchase a Disney Dining Plan when you book your Disney trip. It can help you save money and budget for meals ahead of time instead of while at the park trying to relax with family and/or friends. It’s one more great reason to give some thought to where you and your vacation crew will be eating before you arrive at Walt Disney World Resort.
Looking for more Disney details? Check out our other posts for hotel reviews, park tips, and magical moments.