The Walt Disney World Resort is home to dozens of table service restaurants throughout the Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, and Disney Springs, each of which boasts a unique theme and menu. With so many options to choose from, several table service locations have become favorites over the years thanks to their theming, appetizing menus, and overall experience.
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These table service restaurants all have their positives, but they can also be argued as overrated thanks to certain factors. Regardless of the experience, let’s take a closer look at each of these popular table service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort and debate whether they are overrated or not.
‘Ohana
‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is almost always at the top of any recommended dining list for the Walt Disney World Resort, and the restaurant is open daily for breakfast and dinner. Guests can enjoy an open-air dining room with tropical décor and beautiful views of the Disney Resort’s grounds, Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Magic Kingdom in the distance as well as Disney Enchantment each evening.
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Guests who dine at ‘Ohana can enjoy family-style platters of American favorites for breakfast and an island feast for dinner, both with relatively high price tags. Breakfast at ‘Ohana features basic items like eggs, Mickey Waffles, bacon, and fruit which can be enjoyed at countless other locations at the Walt Disney World Resort including nearby quick-service options. Dinner, however, is a completely unique meal with bold tropical flavors in items like Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings, Spicy Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, and ‘Ohana Bread Pudding.
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‘Ohana is absolutely a table service restaurant that Guests have to try at least once, but it’s fair to say that breakfast can be considered overrated as Guests can enjoy the same menu items for significantly less at other locations. Dinner can definitely be argued as the better meal option at ‘Ohana as the large portions of unique items are exclusive to this location.
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Whispering Canyon Café
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge can be found behind Disney’s Contemporary Resort, nestled on the shores of Bay Lake. It celebrates the rustic spirit of adventure found at the great lodges in the National Parks. Whispering Canyon Café is a table service restaurant that is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner just off of the Disney Resort’s main lobby Guests can enjoy rustic and hearty American options for each meal.
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Whispering Canyon Café is well known for its all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets which are available for each meal period and each platter features a different theme of items such as predominantly meat items in The Carnivore, healthier breakfast alternatives in The Lighter Side, and seafood selections in The Land and Sea. In addition to the skillets, there is a regular menu of appetizers and entrées, with hearty options such as Pepper Jack “Cheese” Frittata, Chopped Bison Burger, and Char-crusted New York Strip.
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Part of Whispering Canyon Café’s popularity with Guests are the antics that Cast Members get into, including gags concerning ketchup and soda refills and other good-natured sassiness that add a layer of interactivity and fun to the experience. Is Whispering Canyon Café overrated? Food-wise, it’s great value for large and filling portions, but Guests who do not enjoy the antics might feel as though that aspect is not worth a visit.
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Be Our Guest Restaurant
The Magic Kingdom is home to several table service restaurants, including the relatively new Be Our Guest Restaurant in Fantasyland where Guests have the opportunity to enter into the world of Beauty and the Beast. The opulent restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner and features seating in The Grand Ballroom where Belle and the Beast shared their famous dance, The West Wing where the Beast has hidden for years, and The Castle Gallery where large portraits offer glimpses into Belle and the Beast’s lives.
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The menu at Be Our Guest Restaurant focuses on traditional French cuisine with a prix fixe menu that allows Guests to choose one appetizer and one entrée plus a trio of desserts to sample. Some of the menu items available for lunch and dinner include Captain Nemo Octopus, French Onion Soup, Center-cut Filet Mignon, and Pan-seared Sea Scallops.
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Be Our Guest Restaurant definitely delivers on the atmosphere, truly making Guests believe that they have left the Magic Kingdom and entered into the Beast’s castle in the French countryside. However, the food can arguably make the restaurant be viewed as overrated, as it’s a specific cuisine that not all Guests enjoy at a pretty hefty price point.
Chef Mickey’s
One of the most beloved, yet debated, table service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort is Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This open-air restaurant serves up American favorites in family-style meals for breakfast and dinner and Guests can enjoy their meals amongst colorful décor with the monorail gliding by above and Mary Blair’s famous mural towering overhead.
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Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s includes common menu items such as scrambled eggs, Mickey Waffles, bacon, fruit, and chicken sausage. Dinner takes on a slightly more elaborate menu with hearty options including Prime Rib, Potato Gnocchi, Roasted Salmon, and Citrus-poached Baby Shrimp. Guests can also wave to Chef Mickey and other friends as they pass through the dining room, posing for photos and greeting all who have come to dine in their restaurant.
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Chef Mickey’s has long been considered a classic table service restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, but it can be argued that much better food can be enjoyed elsewhere for a similar price point. Chef Mickey’s also is cheerful in the atmosphere, but it can be loud no matter what time of day, so many Guests find it overrated and would rather enjoy a delicious meal in a calmer environment.
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Le Cellier Steakhouse
EPCOT is home to its fair share of popular table service restaurants, including Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion in World Showcase. One of the smallest restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort, Le Cellier Steakhouse evokes the intimate and cozy atmosphere of a wine cellar and serves up Canadian-infused steakhouse classics for lunch and dinner.
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The menu at Le Cellier Steakhouse features many items that cannot be found anywhere else at the Walt Disney World Resort including Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, Prince Edward Island Mussels, Le Cellier Filet Mignon, Autumn Bison Strip Loin, and the Le Cellier Signature Poutine. With a relatively extensive menu for a traditional steakhouse, there is something for every Guest to enjoy at this charming restaurant.
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While Le Cellier Steakhouse definitely features a charming atmosphere and delicious steaks, some Guests might consider it to be overrated as the price points are considerable and there are other steakhouses that are definitely a little more upscale and opulent for the same cost. Le Cellier Steakhouse is a decent option, but Guests have to decide if they would rather dine at other locations such as Yachtsman Steakhouse or Shula’s Steak House for the cost instead.