When thinking of delicious cuisine, folks rarely think of “amusement park” food.
Disney changed all that. Gone are the days where you have to drive around unfamiliar areas trying to find a place to eat while listening to the kids whine “why did we have to leave?” Virtually any type of cuisine can be found at Disney World. Just take a look at the menus and you'll see what we mean.
Dress code? That’s the best part. The majority of restaurants are casual so go ahead, wear those Mickey shorts and flip flops with pride. You can enjoy crisp white linens and great service without the suit and tie, although there are plenty of fancier signature dining locations if that's what you're looking for.
At the Magic Kingdom there are several table service restaurants and tons of quick service options. You can dine inside of Cinderella Castle, or share a plate of pasta a la Lady and the Tramp at Tony's Town Square. Additional quick service restaurants in Magic Kingdom offer hearty New England fare, taco salad, rotisserie chicken, fresh salads, noodle bowls, sandwiches and those oversized smoked turkey legs that the whole family can nibble on.
Epcot is an epicure’s delight. All of the countries at the World Showcase feature fabulous menus. Watch a belly dancer perform while you're dining at Restaurant Marrakesh, marvel at the skill of your chef at Teppan Edo, dine under the evening sky at the San Angel Inn or sing along at the Oktoberfest at Das Biergarten in Germany. There's wonderful Italian cuisine at Tutto Italia and France offers two dining options, the elegant Monsieur Paul and the more casual Chefs de France. Satisfy your craving for Chinese fare at Nine Dragons. Steak lovers should head to Le Cellier while fish and chips are featured at the Rose & Crown.
If you'd rather grab something quick, most of the World Showcase countries have carts or quick service restaurants. At the American Adventure Pavilion, the Regal Eagle Smokehouse serves up some fabulous barbeque. Over at Future World, there are plenty of food carts as well as quick service restaurants. For table service, the Coral Reef offers fresh seafood while watching the wall of windows of the Living Seas aquarium and the Garden Grill slowly rotates over the Living with the Land attraction while your meal is served family style and Mickey and friends visit your table
You can't beat the theming (and food) at the Disney's Hollywood Studios restaurants. You'll be transported back in time to Mom's kitchen at 50's Prime Time Cafe. You can almost imagine Elizabeth Taylor dining at the next table at the Hollywood Brown Derby and at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, you'll park under the stars while watching clips of some of the cheesiest horror movies ever made. At Mama Melrose's, you're transported to Little Italy. As at the other theme parks, there are endless choices of quick service restaurants.
The Animal Kingdom offers mostly quick service dining, but oh what choices you'll have. There's the Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Yak & Yeti, Satu'li Canteen, and a plethora of food carts. If you're looking for table service, head to Tusker House for a great buffet with Donald Duck and friends, the Rainforest Cafe, or if you're looking for a signature experience, Tiffins offers a more adventurous menu.
Have no fear as the kids haven't been forgotten. Just about every restaurant has kids menus and for the ultimate experience, reserve a Character Meal. From Princesses to Chipmunks to Mickey himself, you can create a lasting memory for your family when you dine with the “Disney Stars.” The kids will love it (and you.)
Still hungry? All of the Disney Value Resorts have food courts as do the Moderate Resorts with the addition of a table service restaurant. The Deluxe resorts have it all; table service, quick service, lounges, etc. When you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you have the option of adding the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package.
What? A rumbly in your tumbly still? Head over to Disney Springs for a world of different types of food. Chocoholics will make a beeline to Ghirardelli’s while that sushi craving can be satisfied at Splitsville. There's Spanish, Italian, Irish, Steaks, Seafood, good 'ole Southern fare, Asian, or Cajun cuisine to choose from.
There you have it. No matter what you crave, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Walt Disney World. Bon Apétit!