All Your Disney Dining Questions Answered!

We here at Disney Dining are obsessed with…well, Disney dining! With hundreds of restaurants and dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, there is so much to love and talk about including favorite snacks, splurge-worthy meals, plant-based options, seasonal offerings, and so much more. While we love to talk Disney dining, we know that trying to plan ahead for a Walt Disney World Resort vacation can be stressful, so we’re here to help answer any of your dining questions to make that portion of planning that much easier. Let’s read on to answer some of your most asked Disney dining questions and, as always, happy eating!

When will the Disney Dining Plan return?

Sadly, this is one question that we don’t have the answer to. The Disney Dining Plan existed for years and allowed Guests to essentially pre-pay for a set meal plan for the length of their Walt Disney World Resort vacation that included quick service meals, table service meals, and snacks depending on which level was purchased. The ease of having meal credits taken care of ahead of time was a beloved perk that many Guests enjoyed, and we would be just as thrilled as many to see this service return again in the future.

What are table service Restaurants?

Table service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort are essentially any restaurant that accepts Advanced Dining Reservations and offers full plated meals for Guests in a sit down setting. Table service restaurants could be very high end and upscale like Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort or more laid back like the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and The Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. Regardless of the setting, each table service restaurant features a unique theme and décor and delicious menus with appetizer, entrée, dessert, and specialty beverage selections.

What are quick service Restaurants?

Unlike table service restaurants, quick service restaurants require no reservations and are much more casual and laid back. Guests can visit at any point during operation hours to grab quick and convenient meals from one of the many quick service locations which typically feature everything from small plates to entrees, desserts, sides, and more. Many Guests love to visit quick service restaurants throughout their Walt Disney World Resort vacation because they offer up great Disney dining options in fast settings, leaving plenty of time to continue to enjoy the Disney Parks and more.

Where should I go for character dining?

Character dining is one of the most beloved Disney dining experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort and invites Guests to enjoy fantastic meals while meeting some of the most beloved characters. Each character dining location offers up a unique theme, menu, and characters to interact with, but some of the most popular options include Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort, Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Garden Grill Restaurant in EPCOT, and Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Is it possible to eat healthy meals at the Walt Disney World Resort?

If you think that dining at the Walt Disney World Resort is just classic theme park foods like chicken nuggets and fries than you are way off! It’s completely possible to enjoy healthy meals throughout any vacation thanks to a massive assortment of light and fresh options at every single restaurant throughout the property. Guests can enjoy salads, light seafood options, and endless dishes that are crafted with the freshest and healthiest ingredients in mind. Don’t get us wrong- you can totally still indulge in some decadent foods, but there are also plenty of healthy options to choose from.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

No problem! Every single restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort features a variety of menus that cater to dietary restrictions and preferences. Guests can find options everywhere that include allergy-friendly and safe alternatives, plant-based options, and more. Many restaurants will also have chefs come out and speak directly to Guests to ensure that there are no issues with allergies and they will even walk Guests through their safe options on each menu to ensure that everything goes smoothly and every meal is wonderful.

How much should I plan on spending per person per day?

This really depends on the person and how much they are looking to spend versus the Disney dining experiences that they would like to enjoy. It’s absolutely possible to dine for less than $50 a day per person in the Disney Parks if Guests stick to quick service meals, but that number easily increases a lot when table service meals are introduced. Guests who splurge on an indulgent meal can easily spend upwards of $200 per person per meal depending on the restaurant, so it truly is up to each individual Guest to do a little research ahead of time and decide just how much they are looking to spend on dining.

How can I save some money on dining?

No matter how much a Guest is willing to spend on dining at the Walt Disney World Resort, there are always some ways to save a little overall. A great money saving tip is to pack a reusable water bottle to continue refilling throughout each day saving tons of money that would have been spent on purchasing water bottles. Another great way to save is to plan ahead and Instacart snacks and breakfast items to a Disney Resort that way Guests can save by buying ahead and have easy grab and go options to munch on that cost a fraction of their equivalents throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

What are some must have snacks?

Okay, now we get to the good stuff! No Walt Disney World Resort vacation is complete without enjoying some truly delicious snack options and there are some classics and cult favorites that we suggest you just can’t miss! Be sure to check out these favorites in the Disney Parks:

Magic Kingdom:

– Warm Cinnamon Roll – Gaston’s Tavern

– Pineapple DOLE Whip Cup – Aloha Isle

– Corn Dog Nuggets – Casey’s Corner

EPCOT:

– School Bread – Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe

– Kakigori – Kabuki Café

– Fish and Chips – Yorkshire County Fish Shop

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

– Jack Jack’s Num Num Cookie – Market

– Green & Blue Milk – Milk Stand

– “Totchos” – Woody’s Lunch Box

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

– Pongu Lumpia – Pongu Pongu

– Grilled Corn on the Cob – Harambe Fruit Market

– Pulled Pork – Jelly Doughnut Sandwich – Eight Spoon Café

 

We hope that answered any questions that you might have had about dining at the Walt Disney World Resort and that you enjoy every food item possible. Happy Disney dining!