I’m a huge fan of trying everything at least once…and with restaurants at Walt Disney World, this is a huge undertaking as there are over 400 dining locations, including 135 that accept reservations.
With the number of folks who visit Steps to Magic for advice about narrowing things down, as our Top ADR’s to get ASAP article is still rocking…it’s important to share both sides of planning.
STARTING PLACE
With any list that involves food at Walt Disney World, there are so many factors that go into the “why” and “why not”. I’ve been lucky enough to try many restaurants on property, but the goal of this article isn’t to show off – it’s about relaying information for you to base an educated decision with.
I’m 100% confident that you can have amazing dining experiences at the locations that I’ve brought up below, but for my own personal preferences it’s easier to walk away after a meal knowing that it’s not worth putting on the rotation for future trips.
Food is subjective, as there are dietary restrictions, budget, date & time and so many other factors that come into play…so please know that I’m sharing this information from a good place (especially knowing that Disney restaurants are on a different level across the board)
Table Service Spots That Didn’t Make Our Regular Rotation
Sci-Fi Dine-In
- Cool factor: Super high! Who doesn’t love the idea of a drive-in movie restaurant?
- Reality check: Ever tried eating a burger in the dark? Yeah, it gets old fast. Hard to see your food, read the menu, or chat with your family.
- Money talk: For what you’re paying, you might want to pick a spot where you can actually see your meal.
- Backseat Dining: If you’re a party of one or two, you may be a literal backseat driver, as you’re table is a car and dining with other guests can be interesting.
Biergarten
- What’s good: German food that’s pretty tasty, fun entertainment
- The problem: Try juggling a buffet plate while a live band is playing. The timing never quite works out.
- Real talk: You end up either missing the show or letting your food get cold.
Garden Grill
- Props to: The service team – they’re fantastic
- But honestly: The place needs some TLC. Like, badly. The guest experience is different now than when Garden Grill was built, so a slow-moving rotation isn’t super interesting.
- Real talk: The food is okay, but the feeling like you’re on display for the thousands of people walking past to get Soarin’ or Living with the Land can be anxiety inducing.
Planet Hollywood
- Quick take: With all the amazing new spots at Disney Springs…
- Bottom line: This one’s just fallen behind the times
- Real talk: The big issue is that most of the artifacts and movie props are outdated and irrelevant.
Quick list of movies/shows that are represented:
- Baywatch
- Terminator
- Rush Hour
- Superman
- Benhur
- Daredevil
- Bridget Jones Diary
…you get the point – most of these were big 20-30 years ago and most guests wouldn’t know that Sinbad starred in Jingle All the Way and why the santa suit is on display.
Article Continues Below
Quick Service Reality Check
Let’s talk quick service spots that didn’t wow us. Remember – menus change all the time, so this is more about the overall experience:
- The Magic Kingdom, as a whole (Casey’s Corner, Cosmic Rays, etc)
- The Daily Poutine
- Earl of Sandwich
Here’s the thing about quick service – sometimes you just need to grab something fast. These spots will feed you, but they’re not going to blow your mind.
Bottom Line
Look, every Disney experience is what you make it. I’m just here to help you make informed choices with your precious vacation time and money. Maybe you’ll love one of these spots – that’s totally cool! Just go in with realistic expectations.
Some quick tips:
- Read recent reviews before booking
- Check current menus – they change often!
- Consider your family’s needs and preferences
- Think about timing – do you want to spend a big chunk of your day here?
Want More Disney Dining Tips?
- Check out our “Top ADRs to Get ASAP” article
- Join our Steps to Magic community for more real talk about Disney
- Share your own experiences – we love hearing from you!
Remember, this is just one Disney fan’s perspective after many, many meals on property. Your perfect Disney dining experience might be totally different from mine – and that’s exactly how it should be! 😊