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Table Service Restaurants to Skip in Walt Disney World

Guests who enjoy a vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort have virtually endless dining options to choose from, including many table service locations scattered throughout the property. Each table service restaurant features its own unique menu and theme that immerses Guests in the story designed by the Imagineers.

With so many table service restaurants to choose from, there are definitely some locations that you can definitely pass on, due to location, limited menu options, or better choices nearby. No matter the reason, consider skipping these table service restaurants on any visit to the Walt Disney World Resort.

Dining Room
Credit: Disney

Cinderella’s Royal Table

The Magic Kingdom is home to several table service restaurants including Cinderella’s Royal Table which can be found inside Cinderella Castle on the end of Main Street, U.S.A. The interior of the restaurant is stunning with royal and opulent details and offers beautiful views of Fantasyland and the prix fixe menu features options like Charcuterie, Steamed Mussels, Tenderloin of Beef, and Magic Carpet Ride.

Chicken
Credit: Disney

While the theming is absolutely beautiful at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the menu offers up limited options at a very hefty price that Guests have to pay upfront at the time of booking. Guests should instead opt to enjoy a meal at the nearby Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, which features an international menu of wonderful options in a laid-back and immersive setting.

Family Dining
Credit: Disney

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Also found in the Magic Kingdom is Be Our Guest Restaurant, a table service located in Fantasyland that invites Guests to step into Beauty and the Beast and dine on traditional French cuisine inside the Beast’s Castle. While enjoying the ambiance in the Grand Ballroom, West Wing, or Castle Gallery, Guests can dine on menu selections including the Captain Nemo Octopus, Maine Lobster Bisque, Poulet Rouge Chicken, and Herb-Salted Pork Tenderloin.

Captain Nemo Octopus
Credit: Disney

Be Our Guest Restaurant does transport Guests inside of one of the most beloved Disney animated films of all time and all the details are stunning, but the menu does leave something to be desired. With a limited selection of prix fixe menu items for a high price, Guests are again better off heading to nearby Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom instead.

Chef Mickey's
Credit: Disney

Chef Mickey’s

There are several table service restaurants available to Guests at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, including Chef Mickey’s which can be found on the Grand Canyon Concourse underneath the monorail beam and beautiful mural by Mary Blair. Featuring a vibrant and open-air dining room at the Disney Resort, Chef Mickey’s allows Guests to meet favorite characters while dining on family-style options like Mickey Waffles, Scrambled Eggs, Citrus-poached Baby Shrimp, Potato Gnocchi, and Prime Rib.

Credit: Disney

Chef Mickey’s wins points for offering a character dining experience to Guests, but other than that it can definitely be considered a skip. Guests who are looking to enjoy a more indulgent table service meal should instead opt for California Grill or Steakhouse 71 in Disney’s Contemporary Resort or the Grand Floridian Café at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Credit: Disney

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a unique table service location that invites Guests to travel to a drive-in movie theater at night and enjoy American favorites inside of classic cars while watching sci-fi clips on the big screen. Menu offerings for lunch and dinner at the restaurant include Crispy Onion Rings, Drive-in BBQ Burger, Grilled Chicken Citrus Salad, Pan-Seared Salmon Pasta, and more.

Credit: piratesandpirincesses.com

While the theming of the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is completely unique, the menu is a little lackluster leaving Guests better off choosing some other locations in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Some great alternatives are The Hollywood Brown Derby on Hollywood Boulevard and the 50’s Prime Time Café in Echo Lake.

Creperie de Paris
Credit: Disney

La Crêperie de Paris

EPCOT’s World Showcase is home to some of the most popular table service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort that serve up international cuisine in immersive and charming settings. The France Pavilion is home to La Crêperie de Paris which is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features a menu of savory and sweet crêpes, including options like Chèvre, Saumon, Ratatouille, Banane, Pomme, and more.

Saumon
Credit: Disney

While crêpes are certainly delicious, La Crêperie de Paris seriously limits Guests in their menu choices. A better alternative in World Showcase is to enjoy a crêpe from the nearby quick service Crêpes A Emporter by La Crêperie de Paris and opt for a table service meal of traditional French cuisine from Chefs de France.

Credit: Disney

Rainforest Café

The Rainforest Café is a table service restaurant that invites Guests to enter into the jungle and be surrounded by exotic vegetation and animals while enjoying an extensive menu of American favorites. Featuring locations at the front of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Marketplace in Disney Springs, Rainforest Café offers menu items such as Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs, Shrimp Tacos, Pulled Pork Burger, Fish-n-Chips, and Mojo Bones.

Fish & Chips
Credit: tripadvisor.com

There’s nothing particularly wrong with the Rainforest Café, but there are so many better table service restaurants near both locations that Guests should instead opt for those meals instead. Some great alternatives include Yak & Yeti Restaurant and Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Wine Bar George and The Boathouse in Disney Springs.

Credit: Disney

Planet Hollywood

Planet Hollywood has long been a pop culture destination, featuring a large dining room filled with memorabilia from some of Hollywood’s most famous films. Guests who visit the Town Center area of Disney Springs can enjoy lunch or dinner at the location which recently received an updated menu from Chef Guy Fieri with items like Texas Tostados, Plain Jane Cheeseburger, Turkey Pic-A-Nic, and Sesame Ginger Salmon.

Fresh Florida Mahi Mahi
Credit: Planet Hollywood

While the theme is interesting, there are again so many better table service locations to enjoy throughout Disney Springs instead that offer up unique menus and themes that cannot be found elsewhere. Guests should opt to skip Planet Hollywood and instead enjoy Jaleo by Jose Andres, Morimoto Asia, Paddlefish, or Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant.

Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a child and has developed a deep love and appreciation of the Disney Parks with a particular interest in the small details and history that can be found all around. Visiting every chance she gets, Caitlin loves to enjoy the ambiance of the Disney Parks and try something new every time. She can often be found eating and drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, riding the Haunted Mansion, sipping on a Lapu Lapu, pretending Illuminations: Reflections of Earth was still in existence, and enjoying… More »

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