Quick! What is everything you need to pack for your family’s Walt Disney World vacation? The question is enough to make your head spin, especially if you have little people in your family that you need to “pack” for just to drive 3 miles around […]
Sometimes planning a trip to Disney World can be overwhelming, and the more people and age groups involved, the more overwhelming it can be. I thought a quick list where you can see some of the best Disney hacks and tips at a glance would […]
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re trying to figure out where to eat during your Disney World vacation. There are well over a hundred restaurants on Disney property, and they range from burger places to buffets to character meals to fine dining.
You can’t try it all on a single trip, and you want to narrow things down and find the best places to eat.
But “best” of course is subjective — and it depends on who you are and what you’re looking for.
Are you a family with three kids under the age of five? Are you going to Disney for your honeymoon and looking for the most a romantic date night spots? Are you a strict vegetarian and want to avoid wandering around the parks trying to find something decent that you can eat?
So instead of making just one list of “best restaurants,” I created a few different lists, depending on what it is that you’re looking for.
Not surprisingly, there are a ton of very kid-friendly restaurants throughout Disney World.
Yes, many of them are character meals. But they certainly don’t have to be a character meal to be a great choice for families with kids under the age of 10,
Here are my picks for some good (and diverse) choices to get you started.
This certainly isn’t an exhaustive list, or we would be here all day. Feel free to add your own favorites below in the comments!
Ah, Chef Mickey’s … we have such a love/hate relationship with you.
You’re overpriced. You’re noisy. Your food isn’t that great (and from what I’ve heard, at dinner and lunch it’s downright bad).
And yet I still have to recommend you to families with toddlers and preschoolers.
Why? Because your kids will be thrilled to load up their Mickey waffles with chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and whipped cream while they wait to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald.
And years from now, you will be doing what I am today … looking at old photos and being really glad that you went.
So yeah … despite its weaknesses, I still say, go to Chef Mickey’s — for breakfast. Just know what it is (very kid-friendly and a great place to meet the Fab Five) and what is isn’t (quiet, or the best meal of your life.)
And have fun!
I’m a huge Winnie the Pooh fan (I love both Disney and classic Pooh), so any place where you get to eat coffee cake and waffles and get to meet and actually hug Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore gets an “A” in my book.
I also loved the decor.
The girls and I went to the Crystal Palace for breakfast, and the food was quite good, but not anything amazing or unique (which is one reason why kids will love it).
I have heard slightly less positive things about the Crystal Palace at lunch dinner, including the fact that it’s noisier and more chaotic during those times.
If you do go for breakfast, I would recommend trying to get a PPO ADR (Pre-Park Opening Advance Dining Reservation) OR going at around 10:30am so you don’t miss that opening hour at the Magic Kingdom when the lines are the shortest.
Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue is a 2-hour long dinner show that counts as 2 Table Service Credits on the Disney Dining Plan. Basically, the concept is that you’re a guest watching a group of traveling vaudevillian performers. The show includes singing, dancing, corny slapstick-style humor, and audience participation.
Hoop-De-Doo Revue is a great example of how enjoying something depends o lot onwho you are with. We went when our kids were early elementary school age, and a big part of the fun for us to see how much the kids were laughing at the silly, slapstick-style jokes.
I’m real sorry to say that if we were to go today, now that our two oldest kids are in high school, it would probably be a totally different experience. The girls might think it was lame, and they would probably be mortified by the audience participation. (No, wait. Correction: They would be mortified by their mother loudly and happily doing everything involved in the audience participation.)
This is no fancy dining experience, to put it lightly. The food is brought to your table in pails, for heaven’s sake, and will keep coming as long as you ask for it. The menu consists of gourmet offerings like cornbread, chicken ribs, baked beans, smashed potatoes, and strawberry shortcake. If you are a vegetarian, you can request noodles with marinara sauce as an alternative.
Video: Hoop De Doo Revue Highlights at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
A German restaurant may not sound like the most kid-friendly restaurant at first, but Biergarten has both a fun atmosphere and good food. My kids loved it and specifically asked to go back on subsequent trips.
They have a show about every hour, which is both educational and entertaining and involves audience participation.
HeidiGW on the DisBoards forum describes the experience well:
We ate [at Biergarten] for the first time last Christmas. and, we were surprised how much my husband and children loved it. i liked it. We had lunch, and three party members declared it the best meal of the 10-day trip. Everything was kept hot and fresh, and replaced pretty quickly.
i don’t remember it having a kids’ only-type section. for lack of a better term, the food isn’t weird…if the kids like chicken nuggets, they will like the pork schnitzel …a little thin cutlet, breaded and lightly fried. It was yummy. If they like baked mac and cheese, they have a version of it that was really yummy. If they like butter noodles, the plain spaetzles would be great. Lots of things that look like hotdogs…
there may have been pizza on the buffet too.
Video — Best Disney World Sit-Down Restaurants for Kids
What are the best restaurants for having a romantic date night as a couple?
Well, um … I wouldn’t know! I’ve never had a “date night” or “no kids meal” during a Disney vacation.
But if you’re planning an adults-only dinner during your Disney trip, here are the places that many other people recommend:
Victoria & Albert’s, located in the Grand Floridian resort, is a Disney restaurant in a class by itself. Those who have eaten there say it’s way better, not even close or comparable to any of the other restaurants. It also does not participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
And holy moly, it is expensive.
A 7-course meal has the fixed price of $185, and a 10-course meal is $235. If you also want a wine pairing, they start at an additional $65. And no, this does not include tax and tip.
Whoah.
I don’t know about you, but I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever paid that much for a single meal in my life.
However, everything I have read said that dining there is an absolutely amazing experience and totally worth the price (assuming you are the kind of person that would even consider — or want — to spend that kind of money on a fine dining experience, which frankly, I’m not sure that we are).
Just to put it in perspective, Victoria & Albert’s is one of only 46 restaurants in the entire United States that has earned a Five Diamond rating from AAA.
Not only that, but Victoria & Albert’s price is lower compared to most of the other Five Diamond restaurants.
Hopeful4FL on the Disboards gives some tips on how to best get your money’s worth:
It is a once in a lifetime experience. Amongst the most expensive meal we have ever had, but totally worth it. Please note “value” is subjective, but the food there is unique and VERY tasty. Memories will last forever.
Since this is a grand meal, here are some things that might make your evening extra special (did for us)
1) Dress for the occasion. You could dress is business casuals, but for a place and the occasion, make it memorable.
2) LOTS of places in the Grand Floridian for beautiful pictures, specially if you guys are decked out.
3) Take pictures of the food. You will also get your personalized menus to take home with you.
4) The service, food and ambiance is something that will be seared in your memory forever. For us, that was well worth the price.
Do be aware that there is a dress code that is strictly enforced. Men must wear a dinner jacket (ties are optional) and women may wear a dress, dressy pant suit, or skirt and blouse.
Monsieur Paul is a Signature Dining restaurant that counts as 2 Table Service Credits on the Disney Dining Plan located in the France Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase.
It is described as “a classic restaurant serving gourmet French cuisine” and the menu includes Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Butter Poached Lobster, and Grilled Octopus.
There is a “Resort Casual” dress code that doesn’t allow for tank tops, swimwear, cut-offs, or t-shirts with offensive language or graphics.
RealBlast3 on the DisBoards says:
It is the most elegant experience you can have in all of Disney World, outside of Victoria and Albert’s. A truly great dining experience, for those who have the TIME, to sit back and relax and savor the true French dining experience. They take their time here, so it is not a reservation to make to squeeze between other activities. Expect to spend a minim of an hour and half here, easily, and most likely it will be a 2 hour+ experience.
This is the type of dinner to end your evening on, and then retire back to your resort … This is as far removed from “Disney” and “Themepark” stuff as you can get, for adults who want a quiet evening with class and sophistication but don’t want to shell out hundreds of bucks at V&As.
And of course, one has to have some appreciation for French cuisine, I would think, as there are items like frog’s legs, and escargot along with some other interesting concoctions, on the menu. This is a small restaurant, meant for an intimate sort of experience. The wait-staff attends to you very closely and respectfully. As for the food, it is divine.
One nice plus about Monsieur Paul is that, especially since it’s on the second floor, it’s one of the best restaurants to watch Illuminations — if you’re able to get a table with a window.
California Grill is located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Like Monsieur Paul, it is a Signature Dining restaurant that counts as 2 Table Service Credits on the Disney Dining Plan, and it has a Resort Casual dress code.
One of the great things about California Grill is the panoramic view of the Magic Kingdom, which means it’s a great place to watch the Wishes! fireworks show. The advice I’ve heard is to get an ADR for about an hour before Wishes! and be willing to wait for a window table.
However, if you end up missing Wishes! because your reservation was too early or late, you can bring your receipt to the reception desk on the second floor and they’ll let you watch the fireworks from the observation deck.
The menu has several different kinds of hand-rolled sushi, and both that and the flatbread are supposedly must-haves.
If Rob and I were to finally have a romantic dinner at Disney World, I think this is the restaurant that we would pick.
Located in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, this is another Signature Dining restaurant with a Resort Casual dress code. But it just sounds more interesting than the other restaurants. It’s described as “a delicious blend of traditional African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine,” and that just sounds more appealing to me than either sushi or grilled octopus.
It’s won a lot of awards, including the AAA Four Diamond Award.
The atmosphere looks pretty cool too.
Stina from the DisBoards raves about Jiko:
Jiko is hands down my favorite restaurant at Disney. The food is amazing and the service incredible. I once had flounder there that can only be described as “a religious experience.” I’ve also had the chicken and the scallops entrees. My favorite appetizer is the flatbread with different hummus dips. So truly African and delightful. The cheese plate ($14 of cheese!) is also excellent. The atmosphere is gorgeous and relaxing. Jiko is also home to the largest hidden Mickey on property!
… Now hopefully I will not offend, but in my opinion, this is not the ideal restaurant for children. Yes, they are welcome and accomodated (kids menu), and I personally have no problems dining near children, this is WDW after all, but it’s not the best most family-friendly environment. This is an upscale dining experience I think best enjoyed by adults. Unless your kids are culinarily sophisicated like Remy from Ratatouille they would probably enjoy Boma more. Jiko is the kind of place where you want to take the time to savor your meal and your wine and enjoy a few courses.
What makes a good restaurant for a first-timer? Basically, one that seems to best capture the “magic of Disney” and has a very unique theme.
So, for example, as much as I love Flame Tree BBQ in the Animal Kingdom, and as much as I would recommend it to anybody, it’s not quite the vibe I’m going for in this section.
Here are a few good choices for people who are visiting Disney World for the first time and really want a “unique Disney experience” along with their meal.
Cinderella’s Royal Table, located in the Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom, is often considered the most coveted restaurant ADR to score in all of Disney World.
It is also considered expensive — because it is. Breakfast can be as high as $65 per adult, and dinner as high as $80. If you use the Disney Dining Plan, it counts as 2 Table Service Credits.
At breakfast, you can meet Cinderella, along with Ariel, Princess Aurora, and Snow White. At lunch and dinner Princess Jasmine and Snow White are the princesses joining Cinderella.
We’ve actually never eaten here — I didn’t even bother trying to get reservations when I heard how difficult it was. And over the years, I’ve heard mixed reviews. Some people say it’s one of the most overrated restaurants in Disney World.
So Is Cinderella’s Royal Table worth the price?
It sounds like the answer to that question can can best be answered by asking this question:
Are you willing to spend a lot of money (or 2 Table Service Credits on the Disney Dining Plan) and have mediocre food because you want the experience of eating in the Castle?
KellyArms20 on the DisBoards sums it up well:
It’s worth it in the sense that you have the opportunity to eat in the castle. The character interactions weren’t better than Akershus {Storybook Dining in Epcot’s Norway]. The only difference between Akershus and Cinderella’s Royal Table is the photo with Belle vs Cinderella, respectively.
I had a steak with shrimp which were good, but my potatoes tasted like Play Doh = inedible. The dessert and appetizer I had were ok. If eating in the castle is the main driver, go for it. If it’s for the food, skip it. (I enjoy a hot dog at Casey’s more :blush:). If it’s for the characters, go to Akershus if you can manage it, unless Cinderella is a priority. The food there isn’t a lot better, but the price is.
We won’t eat there again, but I’m happy we had the one time experience of eating in the castle.
Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom is another restaurant that we have never never been to, although, in this case, I did try to get reservations, but was never able to.
Be Our Guest is unique in that it is a counter service restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and a table service restaurant that counts as two Table Service Credits on the Disney Dining Plan. (If you eat during dinner, you get the added benefit of meeting The Beast.)
Be Our Guest has three different dining rooms: The Ballroom, The West Wing, and The Rose Gallery.
If you’re eating with little kids, here are two tips: T
1)The Ballroom is the largest and noisiest room. I’ll leave that for you to decide whether that makes it a good fit for your family.
2) I have heard that The West Wing could be considered scary to some kids because of the dark lighting.
Like Cinderella’s Royal Table, many people consider Be Our Guest to be overrated. But then I also heard lots of people rave about it — not just the castle decor, which I would expect people to like, but even claiming that the actual food was fantastic.
So I wasn’t sure what to think. I think Tom Bricker hit the nail on the head when he explained it this way:
Before we dined here, one thing I noticed is that the guest response to dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant is fairly divided. Based on what I’ve heard, I would say 70% of guests love dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant, while 20% hate it, and 10% are fairly indifferent. Part of this is inconsistent food and service quality, something that plagues all table service restaurants at Walt Disney World.
If I had to guess, I’d say another part of the ‘hate it’ camp is at least in part due to sky-high expectations resulting from the difficulty of getting an ADR here. There’s also the possibility that some of that ‘love it’ camp is the result of confirmation bias: after doing all that work and hearing so much hype, some people probably want to love it and rate it more highly than they otherwise would have if they were able to walk-in to the restaurant without reservation.
My point with this is that you should keep your expectations in check: I’d put dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant among the top 25% of restaurants at Walt Disney World, but it’s far from the best.
Ohana (which means “family” in the Hawaiian language) is located in the Polynesian Resort. I love eating at the resort restaurants because you get the visit and enjoy the resort decor even if you’re not staying there. The Polynesian, one of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts and one of the most expensive places you can stay on property, is a nice resort to get to enjoy!
The food at Ohana is served family style, which our hostess explained to us as being like “a reverse buffet — we bring unlimited food to you.”
There are two things I would “warn” you about Ohana:
1) This is, and should be, a meal that you “experience” and take your time enjoying. Even though you’re just two stops away from the Magic Kingdom, I would not recommend trying to squeeze in dinner before rushing out to use your 7:00pm Fastpass for Seven Dwarves Mine Train.
2) Pace yourself, because you will be getting a lot of of food. My family didn’t realize (because they hadn’t been listening to me carefully when I explained it to them, ahem) that there are so many courses at Ohana, and they filled up on the Pineapple-Coconut Bread, Pork Dumplings, and Noodles in Teriyaki Sauce … which was all amazingly good, but at that point you haven’t even gotten to the “real meal” of the meat skewers yet.
And of course you really want to save room for the dessert, Bread Pudding à la mode with Bananas and Caramel Sauce.
One more note about Ohana:
We went there for dinner, but they also have a Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo & Stitch (and Mickey Mouse and Pluto, dressed in Hawaiian garb.
If you’re trying to decide which one to go to, I would highly recommend doing dinner there instead of breakfast, unless your kids are huge Lilo & Stitch fans and you just can’t miss it. The breakfast, from what I’ve heard, is fine, but basically just your average character breakfast. Dinner, however, is where you’ll really get a unique experience and great food.
I’m always curiously amused by the concept of 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios … how did someone come up with this idea, exactly?
The restaurant replicates, in very specific and accurate details, a 1950s diner, complete with black and white television sets playing TV shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show (one of my favorites from childhood) and The Donna Reed Show (never saw it).
When we went to 50’s Prime Time Cafe on our “Girls Only” trip to Disney World a few years ago, I was expecting the experience to be really fun, but the food to be a less than amazing.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. The milkshakes were unbelievable (and huge, easily enough for 2-3 people to share), and my Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes was delicious.
Unfortunately, the reserve was also true … the experience was completely disappointing — BUT let me explain, because I don’t want you to write off the Prime Time Cafe (I definitely plan to return myself), and perhaps I can even help you avoid the experience we had.
When our server first came to our table, he told us that the people at the next table were our cousins, and that “Mom” had certain rules here, like no elbows on the table.
After he took our drink orders and left, I grinned at the girls and said, “Okay, this is gonna be fun!”
Well, sadly, that was the end of it. The rest of the meal was like eating at any other restaurant. The server took our order, he brought us food, he cleared the plates.
Meanwhile at a big table diagonally to my right, I kept seeing their server come out, say some things that I couldn’t hear because her back was to me, to which the entire table would erupt with laughter.
That table dinner didn’t just get a dinner. They got a performance.
We just got a dinner. A good dinner, but I was definitely expecting more.
Even worse, Rebecca made a point of finished her entire meal just so she could get a “Club Plate Club Sticker.” Our server made no comment about this when he picked up her, so I pointed out to him proudly, “Rebecca cleaned her plate!”
He gave us a disinterested nod as he carried the plates away.
On our way out, we told the hostess that Rebecca cleared her plate, and wasn’t she supposed to get something for it? The hostess acted surprised and gave Rebecca a few stickers.
I was so disappointed in our experience there that I seriously thought about writing a letter to complain after we got home from vacation. I was too azy to ever get around to it, though.
If you’re like me and want a “fun show” as part of your meal there, I would recommend you request “a server who is really it” when you show up for your reservation.
It never would have occurred to me to do that, because … well, I kind of thought that was part of the server’s job and the point of the restaurant.
I’m looking forward to going back someday, getting a better server, and enjoying the food again.
Any of the restaurants I mentioned above as being a choice to go to with kids would also be a good choice for a first timer wanting a great Disney experience.
Video: The Best Disney World Restaurants for First Timers
We’re not vegetarians, but Disney has some great vegetarian options. Plus, in typical Disney style, they are eager to accommodate your needs.
Most every restaurant has some sort of vegetarian option — and most burger places offer a garden burger, even if you don’t see it listed on the menu board.
Here are just a few of the many vegetarian meals that receive a lot of praise. To see even more options, keep scrolling down and watch the video below.
The Vegetable Platter at Tangierine Cafe, in the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot, comes with falafel, hummus, pita, salad, olives, tabbouleh, couscous and lentil Salad.
The Build Your Own Bowls option at Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom is considered by many o be the best quick service meal in Disney World.
After choosing fried tofu as your protein, you select a base (quinoa and vegetable salad, red and sweet potato hash, mixed whole grains and rice, or romaine and kale salad) and then a sauce (charred onion chimichurri, black bean vinaigrette, or creamy herb sauce).
The Vegetable Bowl at Pecos Bill’s Cafe, in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom, has rice, beans, roasted squash and tortilla strips.
Then comes the fun part — heading over to the toppings bar and piling it high with whatever you want — salsa, lettuce, onions, tomatos, guacamole and more.
The Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Rosie’s All-American Cafe in Hollywood Studios comes with pepper jack cheese, arugula, and red tomatoes, and comes on ciabatta bread.
Video — BEST Disney World Restaurants for Vegan and Vegetarian Food!
You have to be careful when it comes to breakfast at Disney World.
The first couple hours are prime time at the parks, and you can avoid a lot of time waiting in lines if you hit the most popular rides during those hours. You could certain argue that spending that time leisurely eating eggs and drinking coffee would fall under the category of “poor planning” (or, less kindly, “stupid”).
But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy a good breakfast during your Disney trip.
For one thing, some people (including certain members of my family) don’t like to keep up with the frantic, “hit the park before rope drop and make a mad dash toward Pandora” pace every single day. For them, relaxing with a great breakfast one morning in the middle of your trip is a smart choice.
Also, depending on how you do it, sitting down for a nice Disney breakfast doesn’t necessarily mean squandering your “prime park time.”
For example, you could hit Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort at 7:30am (if you’re that kind of person), hop on he monorail when you’re finished, and arrive at the Magic Kingdom by around 9:00 or 9:15 am, which isn’t too bad.
Even better is if you’re lucky enough to get a PPO ADR (Pre-Park Opening Advanced Dining Reservation), beginning at 8:00 am on days when the park opens for regular guests at 9:00am.
I tried desperately to do this when we had breakfast at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom (see “Best Restaurants for Kids” above”), but could never get one.
Not only is a PPO ADR a great way to get breakfast and not miss prime-time park hours, but it’s a fantastic way to get some photos when nobody is at the park.
Located in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom, this is one of the restaurants where you can get an ADR before the park opens.
We’ve been to Tusker House for both lunch and breakfast and enjoyed both meals, but everybody agreed that the breakfast was knock-your-socks-off fantastic. The variety of foods, the unique flavors, and the Jungle Juice all made it an amazing meal.
Also, Tusker House can be a nice character meal alternative to Chef Mickey’s. The food is better, the environment is more interesting, and it’s not as noisy and chaotic. (You won’t, however, get to meet Minnie Mouse or Pluto at Tusker House. The characters include Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse.)
Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge has all your typical Disney breakfast buffet favorites like Mickey waffles, bagels, cereal, bacon, sausage and cooked-to-order omelets.
BUT it also includes some traditional African dishes, like Papaya, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad (see Pinterest photo below), Pap and Chakalaka (a corn-based porridge with a spicy tomato relish) and Bobotie (a South African quiche).
Like Tusker House, Boma also has the amazing Jungle Juice.
Not only that, but the Lodge itself (especially the lobby) is gorgeous. And although you can’t see any animals from inside the restaurant, when you’re finished with your meal you can wander around the resort and possibly see some giraffes, zebras or wildebeest.
We’ve only been to Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort for lunch (and enjoyed it very much), but I’ve heard it’s a great choice for breakfast. As I mentioned earlier, it’s right on the monorail line, which makes it super-easy to eat there and then arrive at the Magic Kingdom within minutes.
Kona Cafe’s claim to fame is their Tonga Toast, which is a banana-stuffed French Toast rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with strawberry compote. It comes with your choice of ham, spiced ham, bacon, or sausage.
The 100% Kona Coffee French Press Pot offers what is considered the best coffee in all of Walt Disney World property. If you really like it, you can buy whole bean or ground Kona Blend or 100% Pure Kona coffee to take home with you.
NOTE: If you just want to try the coffee, but don’t actually want to have breakfast at Kona for whatever reason, you can grab a quick cup (along with a pastry, if you like) at nearby Kona Island.
So what do you think?
What do you consider to be the best restaurants at Disney World? Anything on this list that you agree with — or disagree with?
Let us know in the comments!
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Eating at quick service restaurants is practically a must when you go on a Disney World vacation. They’re relative cheap (in Disney terms), they offer a lot more variety than your basic “theme park food,” and since they don’t require reservations, you can easily work them around your other plans for the day.
But the choices can be overwhelming. There are a huge number of quick service restaurants to choose from, and some of them are … not good. (I’m lookin’ at you, ABC Commissary.)
So I reached out to some of my Disney blogging buddies again and asked them not only what their favorite quick-service restaurant at Disney World was, but also what their favorite meal was when they went there.
I didn’t put any additional exclusions or limits on it, so some of the restaurants are from Disney Springs, as well as from the Disney parks.
(Interestingly, not one person named a restaurant from either any of the Disney resorts or from Hollywood Studios.)
I organized the results in the form of a countdown. The restaurants with only one “vote” are at the top. When we hit Number Six, we get to restaurants that had two votes, continuing down to the clear Second Place and very clear First Place Winner.
So here we go!
The Lotus Blossom Cafe is in the China Pavillion in Epcot’s World Showcase. It’s menu offers “Americanized Chinese food” — basically, well-known dishes like egg rolls and pot stickers.
Angela from The Life of Spicers says:
My favourite quick service is definitely Lotus Blossom Cafe in Epcot. The Honey Chicken is amazing, and there is so much of it you could definitely share. The inside seating is also a welcome relief from the heat.
Tangierine Cafe is a Mediterranean eatery that offers North African and American cuisine, as well as pastries and specialty coffee drinks.
According to Mickey Wiki, the restaurant gets its name from the Moroccan city of Tangier, which is known as the “gateway to Morocco, to the Mediterranean, and to North Africa.”
Lisa from Adventures in Familyhood says:
When I’m on vacation, I like to eat cuisines I normally don’t get to eat at home. My favorite place to get a quick bite is Tangierine Cafe in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion. Their vegetable platter has a little bit of everything including falafel, couscous salad, hummus and pita. It’s a light meat-free lunch that can easily be shared.
It has three separate dining areas, themed after the ballroom, Rose Gallery, and West Wing from Disney’s 1991
animated film Beauty and the Beast. Its menu features French-inspired cuisine.
Kris from Nomad by Trade says:
I love the quick service meals at Be Our Guest! It’s the most beautiful restaurant on property and a dream come true for this girl who grew up loving the movie.
Though dinner service is sit-down style, breakfast and lunch are quick service and give guests a chance to experience the atmosphere without paying for an expensive prix fixe meal (though you do miss out on a chance to meet the Beast).
I love the Croque Monsieur for lunch (the very similar Croque Madame adds an egg at breakfast) and the fittingly named Feast a La Gaston is a breakfast of immense proportions.
You can’t leave without trying The Grey Stuff – served on the Master’s Cupcake for the quick service meals. I’ve tried the table service version of The Grey Stuff too, and in all honesty – the quick service version is better.
Even though breakfast and lunch here are quick service, you’ll still need reservations to visit, so make sure you plan ahead!
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe is located next to Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom.
The atmosphere is designed to make it feel like you’re dining at a western inn and it has a Tex-Mex menu. (Its menu was completely overhauled back in October 2015.)
Amy from The Mouse & the Monorail says,
My favorite quick service restaurant is Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. My favorite quick service item is the beef nachos. The toppings bar really takes this meal over the top, and you can get so much for your money!
The Yorkshire County Fish Shop, formerly the Harry Ramsden Fish and Chip Shop until 2006, was originally created because of the high demand for fish and chips at the nearby Rose & Crown restaurant.
Meredith from Mouse & the Monorailsays:
You may not be expecting seafood as a favorite walk-up quick service option, but don’t count it out!!
The Yorkshire County Fish Shop is delicious and serves up the most amazing fish and chips!
While a menu of only Fish and Chips might seem limited for some, it’s located in Epcot’s United Kingdom. That means that if your party doesn’t want fish, no worries! There are plenty of other great options for them too.
The fish itself is crunchy and perfectly battered while the chips (fries) are large and filling.
Top it all off with their lone dessert option, the Victoria sponge cake, and you’re sure to have a very happy belly!
Sarah from ‘Dis’ Happy Home says:
If you are planning your first trip to Walt Disney World or are a long time veteran you already know that Disney Springs has some of the best offerings for food! What’s nice is the large variety of food that are available with no parking fees or a Disney Park admission!
So with all the wonderful quick-service restaurants available at Walt Disney World my favorite, as you guessed is located at Disney Springs. Drum roll please. It is … Cookes of Dublin!
Cookes (pronounced “Cooks” and not “Cookies”) of Dublin is a wonderfully delicious kind of hidden gem! Located in The Landing, it is often overlooked, as it appears to just be part of Raglan Road.
My favorite menu items are the Battered Burger & Chips with a side of Dubliner Irish Cheese & Bacon Dip.
The Battered Burger is a hand battered burger topped with garlic mayonnaise, tomato chutney and mixed greens. This burger is delicious and I really love that the burger is hand battered. This gives it a crunchy texture that makes this burger unique.
The main reason I go back again and again is for the Dubliner Irish Cheese & Bacon Dip! Now this may not look like much and is often overlooked when ordering, but trust when I say: “You need to try this!” I just want to drink it straight from the cup. This side compliments the Battered Burger because you can drizzle some inside the burger and dunk your chips (French Fries) in. It’s a cheese sauce you will crave and want to dunk everything in.
There you have it: Cookes of Dublin is one of my favorite quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World. So if you are in town head over to Disney Springs now and “Beat it inde ya!” (which is Irish slang for “Eat that now!”)
Sunshine Seasons is a food court restaurant located in The Land Pavilion of Future World in Epcot. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and includes an Asian Shop with noodle bowls and stir-fries, a Sandwich Shop, Soup & Salad Shop, Wood-Fired Grill Shop with meats, and a bakery.
Kait from Kait Around The Kingdom says:
My favorite quick-service restaurant at Walt Disney World is Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion at Epcot. Aside from it being located in my favorite Epcot pavilion, I love this restaurant because it offers a lot of different food options, which can make for an easy meal time with your whole party.
My favorite menu item lately has been their Chicken Corn Chowder, but my usual go-to at Sunshine Seasons is the Salmon with Cheesy Grits and Andouille-Corn Succotash.
They also have a great dessert selection, including specialty cupcakes. So it can’t hurt to swing in and check out what they’ve got after riding Soarin’ or Living With The Land!
Patty from My No-Guilt Life says:
The one thing Disney World is not short on is good quick service options. If we plan a quick trip and forgot to make time for Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs), I don’t even worry about it anymore because we’ve got our favorite quick service options all figured out!
And they are even easier to navigate if you use the incredible Disney World Quick Service Dining mobile order option.
On a recent trip, we walked up to my favorite, the Columbia Harbour House at the Magic Kingdom, as the doors opened. There was already a line to order, so we stepped to the side, pulled up the app, and within 2 minutes were enjoying lunch!
For me, there’s nothing I want more on a hot day than the cold Anchors Aweigh Tuna Sandwich. My husband, however, is a fan of the Lobster Roll. Either way, we both agree that the House-Made Chips are delish!
And of course, there are the usual child-friendly options for kids who aren’t quite interested in seafood for lunch.
Ted at Parkeology says:
My favorite quick service restaurant at Walt Disney World is Flame Tree Barbecue. I would expect others might concur with me on this (and if not they should!).
Since opening day at Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree has been serving surprisingly good BBQ. My favorite form of it is in a Pulled Pork Sandwich.
Years ago they offered 3-4 different types of sauces. Now they are down to two, but no matter. The sweet BBQ sauce mixed with the smoky pulled pork piled up on a soft bun and served with views of Expedition Everest on the other side of the lake can’t be beat.
However, they also serve a shockingly good Smoked Turkey Sandwich. I had this with Shane [the other half of Parkeology] a while back while I was looking for a lighter option. The off-the-bone smoked turkey is some of the best I have ever had! And not just “best at Disney” or “best at a park,” but just plain best, period.
Stopping at Flame Tree is an absolute must while visiting Animal Kingdom and it may be worth taking a side trip from another park to grab some, for that matter!
Leah at The Budget Mouse says:
Our favorite Quick Service restaurant is Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom.
The ribs are the best on Disney property and some of the best I’ve ever had! We usually get the St. Louis Rib Dinner ($18.29) which is a hearty serving of ribs with a side of coleslaw and baked beans.
This entree and the Ribs, Chicken, and Pulled Pork Sampler (also priced at $18.99) are fantastic uses of a quick service credit on the Dining Plan.
We like to wash it all down with a Safari Amber, because hey, we are on vacation!
Although it’s not a restaurant unique to Disney, the Disney Springs location has been built to fit within its surroundings, made to resemble a refurbished sawmill from the 1850s.
Shane at Parkeology says:
I’m going to cast my vote for The Blaze at Disney Springs.
Pizza is my favorite food, and the pizza offerings around Disney range from bad to dreadful. Fortunately, the Blaze is not only delicious, it is also quite reasonably priced. I usually do the Make-Your-Own option.
I’m also a soda junkie, and the Blaze offers amazing Blue Sky Soda, which I had not previously tried (Black Cherry is the best).
Finally, their Blood Orange Lemonade is totally worth it.
Mark from Points on Neverland agrees:
When it comes to counter service meals, you want cheap, fast, and delicious.
Is that impossible at Disney World?
Almost.
Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza at Disney Springs is a make-your-own-pie joint that won’t make you feel like you just handed over the kids’ college savings.
Order one of their favorites or build your own. Since each pizza is personal size, it doesn’t matter if your kid wants to ruin hers with pineapple; you’ll get the perfect pizza.
By the way, the perfect pizza is Pepperoni, Onion & Light Jalapeno with a Side of Ranch. Just sayin’…
Wolfgang Puck Express is located near Disney’s Days of Christmas store in the Disney Springs Marketplace. After placing your order at the counter, your food is delivered to your table.
Kimberly at Savvy Mama Lifestyle says:
Our family loves Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs!
The portions are large, the food is great quality, and the menu offers a variety of things for the whole family.
We love the Barbecue Chicken Pizza and the Caesar Salad.
They even offer a kitchen table if you want to be close to the action.
They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – and they accept the Disney Dining Plan. One of the best bangs for your buck on Disney property.
&nsbp;
Rebecca at The Pixie Dusted Planner agrees:
Hands down my favorite quick service restaurant in all of Disney World is Wolfgang Express in Disney Springs. It’s such a break from the overwhelming presence of hot dogs and pizza all over the parks!
More than that though, it is high class dining on a budget. Wolfgang Puck is a renown celebrity chef with very few locations, and most of them are at a much higher price point. Dishes here are a perfect balance of savory, crisp, and utterly satisfying.
Make sure to try the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf (yum!) and luxuriously creamy Cheesecake!
The restaurant that we know as Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe was originally called Tomorrowland Terrace when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.
According to Mickey Wiki, in 1994 when the restaurant was given both a new name and a new theme, the topping bar “featured oddly colored condiments such as blue mayonnaise, purple ketchup and green mustard.” (Thankfully, that didn’t last long.)
Tracey and Simon from Disney and Orlando Geeks said:
Situated in Magic Kingdoms ‘Tomorrowland’ section, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe truly is out of this world, for me it is one of my absolute favourite places to stop off and eat.
It has a great variety of food for both lunch and dinner, with classics such as the good old Angus Bacon Cheeseburger, hotdogs, nuggets, Rotisserie Chicken, Pulled Pork, ribs and many more including healthy options such as Greek Salads.
One of the great things about this restaurant is the Toppings Bar. Once you have received your order, be sure to head over to the there to add some of the succulent extras to your meal. They have things like Sauteed Onions and Mushrooms, Pickles, and toppings such as Lettuce, Tomatoes, Fried Onions, and various sauces.
One of my favourite things to order is the Grilled Chicken Club. This is a herb-marinated chicken breast topped with American cheese and bacon all in a bun. I get it with the fries, but green beans or mashed potatoes are also an option. Then I head straight over to the toppings Bar to add the delicious sauteed mushrooms and some lettuce and tomatoes. It really is delicious and I highly recommend it.
BUT, the highlight for me, and the thing that makes this one of my all time favourite places is Sonny Eclipse, the resident intergalactic Alien that performs all day, every day in the Starlight Lounge part of the restaurant.
He is extremely funny and his songs are great. The children find him highly entertaining, and his jokes are also aimed at adult sense of humour with some classic ‘Mother in Law’ jokes, so he is a great entertainer all round for every age.
Cosmic Ray’s has a huge seating area, including seating outside too, so if Sonny doesn’t rock your world then there is alternative seating around the corner from the ordering bays that have an amazing view of the Cinderella Castle. So you really can have excellent food with a view, or dinner and a show!!
The air conditioning inside is really good, so when it is very hot outside it also makes for a great place to have a pit stop and grab a drink to cool off and watch Sonny.
There are a few good desserts on the menu too.
So for me, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe makes an excellent choice for an all-around great quick service option, with fab food, fab entertainment, fab views and great seating.
Taryn at Lau Family Travels said:
We have always loved Cosmic Ray’s at the Magic Kingdom (even though it’s just your typical quick service location).
I think their Burgers are good and you can make them even better with the Toppings Bar!
But, my favorite part of the restaurant is getting a window seat near the castle!
Casey’s Corner was clearly in the Number Two spot, with 3 different bloggers claiming it as their favorite quick-service restaurant.
Located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, it is themed to the “Casey at the Bat” segment of the animated feature Make Mine Music.
James at Adventures in Familyhood says:
My favorite quick service restaurant at Walt Disney World is Casey’s Corner. My go-tos are the Foot Long Hot Dog or the Hot Dog Nuggets.
Plus, you can’t beat the baseball theming!
Michelle from Disney Tips and Trip Reports says:
Our favourite Quick Service restaurant is Casey’s Corner on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom!
As Brits who visit Walt Disney World annually, nothing says All-American fare like a hot dog — and Casey’s Corner serve the tastiest ones around.
My husband and son often go for the Chili-Cheese Hot Dog, and my go-to dish is a portion of Corn Dog Nuggets – delicious!
Since we last visited the menu seems to have changed a bit, and I am definitely going to be trying the Macaroni & Cheese Hot Dog, because I am a Mac ‘n’ Cheese fiend!!
Ryan from Disney Pins Blog says:
My favorite quick-service restaurant at Walt Disney World is Casey’s Corner at Magic Kingdom!
Pretty much every trip I will stop for a hot dog. Although they do have a lot of specialty hot dogs, I go for the standard Hot Dog with Fries! I like to go to the toppings bar and put my diced onions and sauerkraut on it as well.
Their Shoestring French Fries are also delicious.
After I get my meal, I go outside to one of the standing table tops, have my lunch and people-watch with a wonderful view of Cinderella Castle!
Another plus is that they now serve the Mint Julep from Disneyland!
One thing no one mentioned about Casey’s Corner, but that I have to add, being a piano player myself … is that they has a live pianist outside.
Whenever we pass by, I always think what a cool job that would be. (Although I think having a mirror in front of my face while I’m playing would drive me crazy!)
Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom was our clear WINNER, with 7 different bloggers eagerly naming it as their very favorite Disney quick service restaurant.
is located within the Pandora — World of Avatar area that opened in May 2017.
The story behind the restaurant is that it was once the main mess hall of the Resources Development Administration (RDA) base located in the Valley of Mo’ara. Now the canteen is owned and operated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) tour company and has been redesigned into a peaceful dining area adorned with Na’vi art and cultural items.
Jodi of Family Travel Magazine says:
My favorite quick service location at Walt Disney World is one of the newest spots. Satu’li Canteen, located right in Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, offers some delicious and unique healthy food options.
My favorites include the Cheeseburger Pod, which tastes just like a deconstructed cheeseburger.
There are also delicious and healthy Satu’li Bowls, which come with a variety of different proteins. My favorite is the Chopped Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl.
For dessert, you can try the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse or Chocolate Cake.
There’s plenty of seating, but it does get busy, so I recommend going early.
Becka at DisneyKittee agrees, saying
My favorite Quick Service is the Satu’Li Canteen in the Pandora section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.
I LOVE the Cheeseburger Pod, and I also love the chips and quirky little salad they give you on the side.
Kristi from Disney Insider Tips adds:
When it comes to quick service restaurants, our favorite is Satu’li Canteen in the NEW Pandora section of Animal Kingdom.
It is a great place to cool off, unwind and refuel after waiting in the crazy lines for rides like Avatar, Flight of Passage!
My favorite thing to order there is the Slow Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl. It features marinated roast beef, crunchy vegetable slaw and boba balls. You can choose to have it with salad, rice & black beans or sweet potato hash.
You won’t find anything like it anywhere else in Disney!
Jessica at The Healthy Mouse give Satu’li Canteen yet another vote, saying:
My absolute favorite thing to get is the Vegetable Curry Buns! It’s hands down my favorite vegetarian entree at any Disney park!
My daughter likes the Kid’s Tofu Bowl (which I also enjoy myself if I’m in the mood for something small).<
Vegetable Curry Buns from Satu’Li Canteen
Photo courtesy of Jessica from The Healthy Mouse[/caption]
Sarah at The Mouse & the Monorail says,
Hands down, the best quick service food is found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Satu’li Canteen.
My favorite menu item is the Rice bowl with Chicken and Creamy Herb Sauce. The creamy herb sauce is probably the best topping I’ve ever had, and the chicken is always cooked perfectly with a nice chargrilled flavor to it.
I have to order it every time I visit Animal Kingdom!
Jenn at Touring in Wonderland had this to say:
One of my favorite quick service locations on Disney properties is Satuli Canteen in the Pandora land area of Animal Kingdom.
The food here is fresh, inventive, and unlike anything you can get at any other Disney World quick service restaurant.
You can’t go wrong with getting a customizable bowl. You have to try the beef — it is perfectly grilled.
For dessert, make sure to pick up the Blueberry Mousse, as this is one of the best desserts on Disney properties. Plus it looks awesome with all its shiny glaze.
Finally, TM Brown at Footprints in Pixie Dust had this to say:
This question is an easy one to answer. Hands down ~ my favorite quick service restaurant at Walt Disney World is Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
They have the most unique options and some great bursts of flavor on their menu!
As for my go-to meal option, I am in love with the Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl with Red and Sweet Potato Hash as the base and Creamy Herb Dressing as my sauce. Mmmm…yum! I can eat that all day.
Another plus is that they are FANTASTIC when it comes to guests with food allergies and dietary restrictions, too! We know from personal experience (wink, wink).
Now I want to hear from you.
Do you agree? Disagree? Any favorite quick service meal you’d like to add? Let us know in the comments!
Get a list of ALL Disney World character restaurants, their location, and which characters you’ll meet — all in one convenient, two-page printout!
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Our family’s first trip to Disney World was very spur of the moment. My parents invited us to go with them, and the trip was in less than six weeks!
So we didn’t have the luxury (or is it a curse?) of pouring over articles like this one to decide on the perfect strollers to bring with us. We quickly decided against renting a stroller (I’ll explain why in a minute) and bought two cheap umbrella strollers (that didn’t even have a canopy or basket, yikes!)
We really had no complaints, and I loved NOT having a big, bulky double stroller. But it we hadn’t been so rushed, we would have probably explored more options and possibly made a few different decisions.
So for those of you who DO have more time to plan your first Disney World trip with toddlers, here’s everything you need to know about strollers.
I would argue that is it, if you have multiple children that are toddlers or preschoolers, and definitely if you have more than one of them, like we did on our first trip.
Why?
1) If you’re like the average Disney guest, your family will be walking close to ten miles a day.
2) Not only that, but it’s likely that you will be walking in 90 degree heat.
3) Your child can take a nap without having to go back to the hotel room.
4) You can use the stroller to store things like food, water bottles, and backpacks.
5) A stroller can keep a toddler safer in a huge crowd, especially in situations like when the fireworks show has just ended and literally tens of thousands of people are swarming toward the park exit at the same time.
Well, like most situations where people can anonymously and publicly criticize someone else’s parenting skills, this can be a topic of hot debate.
Some people, like these folks over on the DisBoards, think that a stroller for an older child is so absurd that just the fact that you had to ask means there must be something wrong with you:
Since you asked — I think a 6 and 8 year old in a stroller is ridiculous (absent special needs, of course).
And I know you said that they aren’t lazy, but really that is what it is. And I’m speaking for experience …
I get it, it is easier FOR THE PARENTS to have two kids in a stroller. But, you aren’t doing your child any favors by permitting this — especially at 6 or 8.
I would like someone to explain to me why kids now NEED a stroller when they never used to?
Seriously why in the last 5 yrs have 6-8 yr olds suddenly needed strollers?If you went 20 yrs ago you never saw anything but preschoolers in one, 15 yrs ago you almost never saw a kid older than 4, 5 tops in a stroller,
10 yrs ago a few more 5 yr olds still very few older kids; 5 yrs ago strollers everywhere with old kids! why?Magic Kingdom is still the same size mostly, EPCOT same size as when it opened, Studios same size, AK same size. It isn’t physical kids have been walking long distances for hundreds of years.
I have really wondered this and can’t come up with a legitimate reason why kids in the last less than 10 years now need strollers when they didn’t in the past.
Kids haven’t changed so it must be the parents? :confused3Disney has had all 4 parks for better than 10 yrs so it isn’t just an additional park.
I honestly would like to understand this because Disney was so much nicer without the massive amount of strollers.
Others, however, think that it’s simply smart to bring a stroller and will make everybody happier:
I for one don’t see any problem with having a child use a stroller for the times they are tired. I am not saying, “Hey, lazy kid you can ride in this stroller the entire time we are at the parks”.. I am saying “for the sanity of myself and your father and for those times during the day when you are tired and whining and cranky, and for those times when we still have stuff to do in the park, i will get a stroller for those times.”
But probably the wisest comments come from these folks, who make an excellent point regarding strollers:
One of my happiest Disney days ever was the first day in the park without a stroller. I always found that the stroller slowed us down. I thought it was a pain to not only find the stroller after each attraction but strap her in and out. I loved the freedom that not having the stroller allowed.
Personally, I was glad to be done with the stroller. My kids graduated from using one before they started school. I hated pushing one thru the crowds.. Dealing with people who would walk with a cigarette dangling right at the height of a child’s face when seated. Having people cut in front of you and having to stop quickly to avoid running them over.
I was usually the one who was tired and complaining at the end of the day because MY feet hurt. *I* was tired. And it frustrated me to no end that my stroller was never where I left it when I came out of an attraction.
Waking a sleeping child in order to return the stroller or fold it up and get it on the bus? No thank you! Struggling to get the thing on the bus? Not a picnic in the park!
It was amazing how little we needed to bring into the parks once everyone had to carry their own stuff instead of tossing it in the stroller. Maybe that goes along with the kids being older but suddenly there was no need for a diaper bag full of things when no one was potty training or diapered …
So what’s my personal take on all this?
Absolutely a stroller until age 5.
At age 5 or 6, I could see it going either way, depending on the particular child and your tolerance for dealing with a stroller all day. (Mine is low, and I probably would opt for no stroller for a 6 year old.)
Older than 6 — nope.
There aren’t a whole lot of rules involving strollers. They can’t be any larger than 36″ x 52″ (92 x 132 cm), although I’ve never seen Cast Member measure them, and I’ve never heard of someone being told that their stroller was too big.
Wagons, scooters, and trailer-like objects that are pushed are towed by a stroller are not allowed.
Some additional things to keep in mind which drive Cast Members (and perhaps other people) crazy:
1. Practice folding up your stroller before you enter the park.
I remember a scene in a Jennifer Weiner novel where the main character is “stroller-jacked” at gunpoint, and the thief has to ask her for help figuring out how to fold up the high-end stroller.
Yeah, those babies can be pretty tough to figure out, especially if you’re mechanically challenged like I am. Since you’re going to be going it several times throughout the day, you’d better get good at it beforehand. You don’t want to be struggling with your Monstrosity on Wheels when your Tier 1 Fast Pass is about to expire and/or when all the exhausted guests on an overcrowded bus are giving you the Evil Eye.
2. Park your stroller in designated spaces, and not “wherever it’s convenient.” If you can’t find one nearby, feel free to ask a Cast Member for assistance.
3. Do not let your 8 year old push his 3 year old brother around in the stroller (now matter how cute you think it looks).
4. Please obey the speed limit.
Well … I don’t know exactly what the speed limit, but “normal walking speed of a sane person” is probably a good guess. (BTW, I could picture me becoming guilty of this, because I tend to panic when I’m running late for things.)
And — as much as you can when you’re walking through a Disney crowd — try to keep some space between you and the person in front of you. I’ve heard people complain that half their Disney trip was ruined because Stroller People kept clipping their ankles.
Yes, but it MUST be folded. stroller that goes on a bus MUST be folded. So if you plan to be riding the buses several times throughout your stay, give this some thought when choosing your stroller. How easy is it to fold up, and how difficult will it be to haul up and down the bus steps?
(The monorails and some of the boats DO allow you to roll a stroller right on without folding it or taking your child out.)
The key to not making this stroller-and-bus combo miserable (for both yourself and others) is to be prepared and have a battle plan. Assuming their are two adults in your party, have one always be in charge of the stroller while the other manages the kids.
Here’s a thorough strategy from DisBoards that even works well with a big double stroller:
One parent is in charge of the kids, one the stroller and backpack. Use time waiting for the bus to repack the back pack, get the kids out of the stroller and fold it. Nothing annoys people more than you blocking the way onto the bus because you spent your time waiting doing nothing and now you have to pack 5 bags worth of stuff and wake up a kid and fold a stroller etc etc.
You will get separated on the bus. Assume this. The person with the kids finds seats. The person with the stroller heads to the back. Do not stop at the first seats you find and then have the stroller person stand in front of you or sit with you (unless you get a unicorn empty bus). This will impede the loading of the bus and will not make you popular.
Although some people think that taking a double stroller on the bus is so unpleasant that it’s worth driving to the parks instead — even if it means having to rent a car.
Taking the double stroller (while helping your kids) on the bus is a huge pain, since you’ll probably be traveling at times when the buses are over-full. Lots of people do it – you might get 4 other double strollers on your MK morning bus – but it was usually the worst part of my day, especially when we were one of the first to board a bus, so I had to lug it all the way to the back. Much better to drive to Epcot, HS, AK, and anywhere offsite.
To make things worse, a Disney Cast Member might have moved your stroller while you and your family were riding Dumbo — not for kicks, but because their job is to make room for more strollers and to properly park the ones that were not properly parked.
So you want a way for your stroller to stand out, preferably from a distance.
The problem/challenge, of course, is that everyone else is also trying to make their stroller stand out.
At first, the idea of attaching a Mickey head balloon to your stroller sounds like a great idea, right? They’re cute! They’re colorful! You can see them easily!
However, there are certain problems with balloons that may want you to re-think that idea (not the least of which are that balloons aren’t even allowed in the Animal Kingdom park).
A couple wise people on the DisBoards had this to say:
I have noticed over the years that many people attach a balloon, and we tried this the first time we went with a stroller.
We found that:
1) It was not unique,
2) It was a pain to deal with when riding the bus, and
3) It came off and floated away, causing a melt down for DD who was 18 months at the time.
And this person points out that a balloon on your stroller may cause others to hate you:
Do not. I repeat do NOT try to use a balloon unless you want to be smashed in the face and bonk every stranger in the face along the way as the wind constantly changes. We didn’t even do this for ID, just because my kid had to have a $12 red Mickey balloon. Just…no.
Tying a bandana (or two) with an unusual color or design will make it easier for you to spot and will make it less likely that someone else will take your stroller by mistake.
It’s also not obtrusive, so it won’t bother you or anybody else, and it won’t cause any extra problems when you’re getting the stroller on and off Disney transportation.
When my girls were little, we got some cute “bendy flowers” with smiley faces on them from The Dollar Store we tied to their crib rails.
It never would have occurred to me to tie them to our stroller when we went to Disney World … but what a great idea! Almost nobody else is going to do that, and since it’s “bendy,” you can push it down whenever you need to so folding up your stroller quickly won’t cause a problem.
Soft Stuffed Flowers With Bendable Stems
Here’s another idea that “everybody else’ probably won’t be doing. (Well, um … until they read this article.)
Created for identifying luggage, these Ponchies are made of a stretchy fabric and an elastic band with a button closure.
They’re also just kinda fun-looking. You can use it as a cute keychain between Disney trips.
Something quick, cheap, and effective is to just stick a bunch of colorful rubber bands on the stroller handles.
Along the same line, you can wrap colored tape around the handles. It’s not exactly “pretty” or “cute,” but it gets the job done.
You basically have 3 options for having a stroller at Disney:
1) Rent it at the Disney parks;
2) Rent it from an outside company in Orlando;
3) Bring your own stroller.
So let’s break each of these down:
$15/day for a single stroller
($13/day if you pre-pay for multiple days)
$31/day for a double stroller
($27/day if you pre-pay for multiple days)
That’s kinda pricey, in my opinion, considering you have nothing to show for it at the end of the week.
Single Strollers are recommended for children 50 pounds or less. Double strollers are recommended for children 100 pounds or less.
Kind of, um … well, not that great, actually.
I was totally turned off when I saw the Disney World rental strollers on our first trip with kids. They looked ugly, cumbersome, hot, and generally uncomfortable. If I were a kid, I wouldn’t want to ride (or nap) in one, and as a parent, I wouldn’t want to navigate one through crowds of people all day long.
Not only are the Disney strollers made of hard plastic, with no padding or cushioning of any kind, but they don’t recline. That means your two year old can’t even take a nap in them. And putting, say, your six month old in one is out of the question.
It’s also worth noting that the double strollers have no physical barrier. In other words, instead of there being two seats, it’s one big seat.
If you have more than one child, I don’t have to explain what this inevitably translates into.
And to top it all off, the Disney strollers don’t offer much in the way of storage space.
Obviously I’m very biased against renting a Disney stroller, but of course there are advantages, the biggest one being that it never leaves the park, so you don’t have to worry about hauling it onto the bus (or for that matter, getting it to and from Florida in the first place).
Of course, this works both ways. Using a stroller that can’t leave the park means that … you don’t have a stroller when you’re not at the park (or Disney Springs).
Like when you’re at your resort. Or either of the water parks. Or any of the Disney parking areas. Do you really want to be completely stroller-less during these times?
If you do decide to go with the Disney stroller rental, make sure you always hang on to your receipt and tickets. If the stroller gets lost, you can just go to the stroller rental area at the entrance of the park and get a new one. And if you “park hop,” you just take your stroller’s name placard and your receipt with you to get a new stroller at your second park of the day.
If you like the idea of renting a stroller, but want more options than Disney’s ugly, hard plastic thing and want to keep it with you the entire time, there are several local companies that you can rent from.
This is probably one of the most popular stroller rental companies and is one of Disney’s “preferred providers.”
They they deliver to your location, whether it’s a Disney resort or a hotel in Orlando. They have a wide range of strollers to choose from, and you can even go to their store to see the selection in person. The strollers are described as easy to maneuver and have a protective overhead covering, and a “parent console” (which means a cup holder). Plus you get a free cooler with each rental.
Unfortunately, they are pretty expensive. Single strollers cost $40-$50 per day, and double strollers cost $55-$75.
This is another one of Disney’s preferred providers, and they deliver also will deliver your stroller to you. They were described as having a good variety of strollers that were easy to fold and that came with rain covers.
According to Touring Plans, their strollers don’t include a parent console cup holder. That may seem like a small thing, but I could picture it easily being aggravating, especially for as much as you’re paying. Touring Plans also felt the instructions they provided were lacking.
The rates are $40 – $45 per day (single strollers) and $50 – $65 for double strollers.
Kingdom Strollers also rents full-sized cribs.
Their strollers come in a nice, black, carry bag and you have to attach the wheels yourself. Touring Plans says they are more strict about their drop off and pick up times than the other rental companies. Also, they send you a text when our stroller is dropped off. They include a certificate from the company that cleaned and sanitized the stroller.
Yet another of Disney’s preferred providers who is also to deliver.
Rain covers available for free by request, and parent consoles included
Their rates are lower than some of the other companies, with a single stroller costing $15 for the first day and $10 for every additional day, and a double stroller costing $25 for the first day and $12 for every day after.
They provide both single and double strollers that have rain covers and parent consoles. The strollers can easily be folded and stored, and comes with a complimentary tote bag. Their offer flexible drop off and pick up times.
Touring Plans says:
If I ever need to rent a stroller in Orlando again, I would rent from Baby Wheels Orlando. They had, by far, the most detailed instructions, they were incredibly flexible with pick up and drop off times, and they had the best selections of add-ons, many for free. They were not the cheapest company, nor were they the most expensive. They sent a text the morning we checked in confirming our stroller was there, and were extremely helpful when I needed them.
Singles cost $30-45 for the first night, then $5 for each additional night.
Doubles are $40-50 for the first night, then $5 for each additional night.
If all these options are sounding too expensive for you, but you really want to rent a stroller, you might want to consider Apple Stroller.
They only offer one style, but the strollers were reported as clean, well-maintained, and cleaned between each use.
The single strollers cost $5 per day while the double strollers cost $7.
There is also a $5 delivery fee and a $5 pickup fee for every rental. There is a minimum 3 day rental.
So do you get what you pay for? Perhaps, but while reviews appeared mixed, I was surprised by how positive they were overall. One person described their stroller as “worn, but clean.” I suppose it depends on what your expectations are.
This is the option that makes the most sense to me — although, to be fair, we always drive to Disney and have never had to deal with bringing a stroller on an airplane.
Like I said earlier, our only experience is with little umbrellas, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that. At the very least, I would absolutely get a stroller with a canopy and a storage basket.
Here are some of the strollers that got great reviews for their comfort, adjustability, maneuverability, and storage features:
BOB Revolution Flex Jogging Stroller
Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini 3W Single Stroller
Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller
Personally, I’d be hesitant to bring a double stroller to Disney World. You have more autonomy with two smaller strollers, and having the option of bringing one kid back to the room while the other parent stays at the park with the other kid.
Still, there is certainly something to said for having one quality stroller instead of hauling around two. Here are some double strollers that people loved using on their Disney trips:
BOB Revolution Flex Duallie Jogging Stroller
Baby Jogger 2016 Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller
ZOE XL2 BEST v2 Lightweight Double Travel & Everyday Umbrella Twin Stroller System
Chicco Cortina Together Double Stroller
Now I want to hear from you.
What has been your experience with using strollers at Disney World? Do you rent or bring your own?
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