Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom is a favorite of my family. The counter service restaurant is located on Main Street U.S.A. and opened in May 27, 1995. The name references the poem “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Thayer. It is decorated in a nostalgic baseball theme and lets guests step back in history and enjoy reminders of the great American past-time. The restaurant is filled with historic baseball pendants, photos of historic players, and beautiful Tiffany-style light fixtures. There is a classic pinball machine in the back of the restaurant and a large screen in front of wooden bleachers, where guests can sit and enjoy black-and-white Disney cartoons with a sports theme. Cast members also wear classic baseball uniforms.
The menu features food that you would find in a ball park, including classic hot dogs, corn dog nuggets, fries, and assorted sodas. There are also a couple of speciality hot dog choices, including the Barbecue Slaw Dog, which is topped with pulled pork, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce and the Chili Cheese Dog, which is topped with chili and melted cheese. The classic hot dog, the Barbecue Slaw Dog, and the Chili Cheese Dog are all available in foot-long portions as well. Each hot dog is served with your choice of french fries or apple slices. Kids order from the same menu as adults; there is not a separate kids menu.
The food at Casey’s Corner is wonderful. When we first visited, my husband was somewhat skeptical. He was not sure if one hot dog and a side item would completely satisfy his hunger after a long morning the Magic Kingdom. We were pleasantly surprised. The hot dogs are a generous size and guests can have as many toppings as they choose from an extensive self-service toppings bar. Toppings include items such as sautéed onions, jalapeño peppers, nacho cheese sauce, diced onions, relish, and mushrooms. Guests should also visit the toppings bar for condiments such as ketchup, mustard and hot sauce.
The restaurant participates in the Disney Dining Plan. When using a dining plan, guests may select any regular sized hot dog of their choice, a side item, a drink, and their choice of three iconic desserts. Desserts include Cracker Jacks, cotton candy, or a brownie. As I mentioned, my family is always completely full after finishing our hot dogs and sides. We place the unopened desserts in our park bag and enjoy them later as a special treat for my daughter.
Casey’s Corner, like all restaurants at Walt Disney World, is happy to assist guests with food allergies. I have traveled with a child who has a gluten allergy. His mom told the cast member about the allergy and asked what would be safe for him to eat. The cooks were eager to assist, and prepared him a hot dog on a gluten-free bun. The cook even invited the mom to look through the glass window and watch him clean the prep area and prepare the food. Guests can also request a vegetarian option.
The restaurant is a guest favorite, and lines are often extremely long. Try to arrive before 11:30 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. during lunch hours. When you walk into Casey’s, the long lines can be intimidating. However, there are always multiple ordering stations available and the cast members are generally very fast and courteous. We always have one family member grab a table while another adult orders our food. Reservations are not accepted.
The location of Casey’s is one reason it is so popular. If you eat sit outside under one of the tables with umbrellas, you will have an ideal location to sit and enjoy the Festival of Fantasy parade or the Main Street Electrical Parade. The cotton candy and Cracker Jacks are the perfect food to enjoy while watching a parade. If you don’t eat a meal during parade time, the outdoor tables also offer a great view of Cinderella Castle, and are a great place to sit and people-watch.
Throughout the day, a pianist performs outside of Casey’s Corner. He is dressed in classic barber-shop attire and performs classic Disney music and sports-themed tunes. You are encouraged to sing along while you enjoy the show.
A visit to Casey’s Corner will have you singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” all afternoon long. It’s a great family atmosphere, with options to please everyone.