Dining at Disney’s Resort Destinations

One of the best parts of a Walt Disney World vacation? The food! Whether you’re grabbing a Mickey pretzel on the go or enjoying a multi-course meal with fireworks views, there’s something delicious waiting around every corner.

But with so many options it can be overwhelming, so here’s your one-stop guide to how dining works at Walt Disney World and Disneyland—including how to book, what to expect, and where to find your favorite bites in the parks and resorts.

Disney Dining Basics

🥪 Types of Disney Dining

Let’s start with the basics! Dining options at Disney fall into a few main categories:

🍔 Quick Service Dining (aka Counter Service)

Perfect for fast, casual meals. You’ll order at a counter, window, or via mobile app, then pick up your food and find a seat. Great for grabbing lunch between attractions.

💡 Think: Satu’li Canteen (Animal Kingdom), Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom), Regal Eagle Smokehouse (EPCOT) Flo’s V8 Cafe (California Adventure, or Alien Pizza Planet (Disneyland).

🍽️ Table Service Dining

Sit-down restaurants with a host, waitstaff, and a full menu. These are ideal for a relaxing break from the parks or celebrating something special. Includes buffets, family-style, and à la carte dining.

💡 Think: Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom), Yak & Yeti (Animal Kingdom), Topolino’s Terrace (Riviera Resort), Café Orleans ( Disneyland) or Lamplight Lounge (California Adventure).

🥣 Buffet Dining

Sit-down restaurants with a host and waitstaff, where you’ll pay a set price and can eat as much as you want from a buffet. The waitstaff serves your drinks and clears your plates.

💡 Think: Biergarten (EPCOT), Cape May Café (Disney’s Beach Club Resort), or Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel).

🍝 Family Dining (All-You-Care-to-Enjoy)

Sit-down restaurants with a host and waitstaff, where you’ll pay a set price and can eat as much as you want from a specific selection of items, often served family-style on platters or in skillets, with refills available.

💡 Think: ‘Ohana (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort), Liberty Tree Tavern, (Magic Kingdom), or Plaza Inn (Disneyland).

🥙 Prix Fixe Dining

Sit-down restaurants with a host and waitstaff, where you pay a set price and order from a set curated (limited) menu. Typically you’ll select an appetizer, entree, and desert from four or so options in each category.

💡 Think: California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort), Space 220 (EPCOT), or Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)

🌹 Signature Dining

Sit-down restaurants with a host, waitstaff, and a full menu. Disney’s signature dining restaurants elevate your meal with gourmet dishes, elegant settings, and exceptional service. Perfect for celebrating a special occasion or indulging in a truly magical evening.

💡 Think: Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort or the Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney’s California Adventure.

👑 Character Dining

You’ll enjoy a meal while Disney characters stop by your table for photos and autographs. Each location features a different set of characters. Character Meals are typically buffets or All-You-Care-to-Enjoy meals.

💡 Think: Cinderella’s Royal Table, Chef Mickey’s, Story Book Dining at Artist Point, or Goofy’s Kitchen.

🍰 Snacks, Carts & Kiosk

Sometimes, a Dole Whip is all you need! You’ll find snack carts and specialty kiosks throughout the parks, Disney Springs, and Downtown Disney with unique bites and seasonal offerings.

💡 Pro Tip: Try a food festival booth at EPCOT or a churro from a Magic Kingdom cart!

🍹 Bars & Lounges 

Adults can unwind at spots like Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar (Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Nomad Lounge (Disney’s Animal Kingdom), Oga’s Cantina (Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios), or the Hearthstone Lounge (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa).

📅 Advance Dining Reservations (ADR)

If there’s one tip you remember—it’s this: Book ahead!

Reservations are handled slightly different on each coast.

At Walt Disney World reservations open 60 days in advance, starting at 6:00 a.m. Eastern. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort (or eligible hotel like Shades of Green), you can book dining for your entire trip (up to the first 10 days) starting on day 60. Non Disney guests can book reservations day-by-day 60 days prior to the desired date.

You can make or modify reservations using:

• The My Disney Experience App
• The Disney World Website
• Or by calling (407) WDW-DINE

Popular restaurants like ‘Ohana, Be Our Guest, and Cinderella’s Royal Table often book up in minutes—so be ready!

At Disneyland reservations open 60 days in advance, starting at 6:00 a.m. Pacific. Everyone makes reservations day-by-day 60 days prior to the desired date.

You can make or modify reservations using:

• The Disneyland App
• The Disneyland Website

Popular restaurants like Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, Trader Sam’s, and Oga’s Cantina often book up in minutes!

📝 Walk-Up Waitlist (Physical & Digital)

No reservation? No problem (well, maybe).

✨ Mobile Walk-Up List (Digital)

Using the My Disney Experience or Disneyland apps, you can join a same-day waitlist at select Table Service restaurants and lounges. Just open the app, find the restaurant, and tap “Join Walk-Up List.” Availability depends on current demand and party size.

💡 Tip: Be near the restaurant physically to see walk-up availability in the app, otherwise the app will tell you are not near enough.

👋 In-Person Walk-Ups (Physical)

You can still walk up to the host stand at most Table Service locations and ask if they have any availability. Sometimes they do—especially early or late in the day. Doesn’t hurt to ask!

📲 Mobile Ordering

At most Quick Service Locations, skip the lines and order your food in advance using the My Disney Experience or Disneyland apps.

Just choose a participating quick-service restaurant, build your order, pay through the app, and tap “I’m Here” when you arrive. The app will let you know when it’s ready—no standing in long lines!

🎉 Discounts on Dining

While Disney doesn’t offer too many dining discounts, you might be eligible for some savings if you know where to look:

💳 Disney Dining Discounts May Apply If You Have:

• Disney World Annual Pass – Up to 10–20% off at select restaurants
• Disneyland Magic Key Pass – Up to 15% off at select restaurants
• Disney Visa Card – 10% off at select Table Service spots
• Military Discount – Select Non-Disney-owned restaurants at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney offer military discounts. Always ask! Space 220 in EPCOT offers one as well.

🧀 Dietary Needs? No Problem!

Disney is fantastic with food allergies and dietary preferences. Most menus label options that are:

• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Vegetarian or vegan
• Peanut or tree-nut free

Just ask to speak to a chef if you have specific needs—they’ll make something delicious and safe for you.

🍴 Dining at Walt Disney World: From Mickey Waffles to Fine Dining!

The range of dining options at Disney World is absolutely fantastic!

There is everything available from grab-and-go locations, Starbucks, counter service, sit-down dining, and signature dining. Something for every taste and budget.

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🏨 Dining at the Resorts

Some of Walt Disney World’s best meals happen outside the parks!

Don’t Miss These Resort Dining Favorites:

• Ohana (Polynesian) – Family-style island feast
• Chef Mickey’s (Contemporary) – Classic Disney characters in a fun buffet
• Topolino’s Terrace (Riviera) – Signature dining with a rooftop view
• Flying Fish (BoardWalk) – One of the best restaurants on property

🚌 Bonus: You can visit any resort for dining—you don’t need to be a guest at that hotel! Just use Disney transportation to hop over.

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🎢 Dining in the Theme Parks

Each park has its own culinary personality, from adventure-themed eats to festival food booths. Here’s a quick taste:

Magic Kingdom

• Table Service: Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Skipper Canteen
• Quick Service: Columbia Harbour House, Casey’s Corner, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn

EPCOT

• Table Service: Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Garden Grill
• Quick Service: Sunshine Seasons, Regal Eagle, Les Halles Boulangerie
• Bonus: Year-round food festivals with global cuisine booths!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Table Service: 50’s Prime Time Café, Sci-Fi Dine-In, Hollywood Brown Derby
• Quick Service: Docking Bay 7, Woody’s Lunch Box, ABC Commissary

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Table Service: Yak & Yeti, Tiffins
• Quick Service: Satu’li Canteen, Flame Tree BBQ, Harambe Market

🛍️ Disney Springs Dining

This area outside the parks offers a wide range of restaurants—from quick bites to fancy dinners:

• The Polite Pig
• Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
• The BOATHOUSE
• Raglan Road
• Wine Bar George
• Salt & Straw (don’t miss the seasonal ice cream flavors!)

No park ticket is required for Downtown Disney, so it’s a great option on arrival or departure days!

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🍴 Dining at Disneyland Resort: From Churros to Character Meals!

Whether you’re craving a corndog on Main Street or a gourmet meal with a view of Radiator Springs, Disneyland Resort has you covered. Dining at Disneyland is part of the magic—because let’s face it, the food is half the fun!

With two theme parks, three on-property hotels, and Downtown Disney, you’ll find plenty of options to satisfy every appetite, budget, and craving. Let’s dig in!

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🏨 Resort Dining

Staying at a Disneyland hotel? Each of the three has its own delicious dining options:

• Disneyland Hotel: Goofy’s Kitchen is a must-do for character dining, and Trader Sam’s is wildly popular for tiki drinks and tropical bites.
• Grand Californian: Napa Rose is fine dining at its best, and Storytellers Café offers hearty buffet meals (including character breakfast).
• Paradise Pier Hotel: Home to the Surfside Lounge—simple, casual, and convenient.

Even if you’re not staying at one of the hotels, you’re welcome to dine there—just note that reservations are often required.

🎢 Theme Park Dining

Here’s a quick taste of what you’ll find inside the parks:

Disneyland Park:

• Table Service: Blue Bayou, Café Orleans, Carnation Café
• Quick Service: Plaza Inn (famous fried chicken!), Bengal Barbecue, Alien Pizza Planet
• Snacks: DOLE Whip near the Tiki Room, churro carts galore, turkey legs, and Mickey-shaped everything

Disney California Adventure:

• Table Service: Lamplight Lounge (Pixar Pier), Carthay Circle Restaurant, Wine Country Trattoria
• Quick Service: Cocina Cucamonga, Award Wieners, Pym Test Kitchen (hello, giant pretzel!)
• Snacks: Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land is iconic, plus churros and drinks themed to the land you’re in

🛍️ Downtown Disney Dining

This area outside the parks offers a wide range of restaurants—from quick bites to fancy dinners:

• Naples Ristorante e Bar
• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
• Ballast Point Brewing Co.
• Salt & Straw (don’t miss the seasonal ice cream flavors!)

No park ticket is required for Downtown Disney, so it’s a great option on arrival or departure days.

🎁 Final Bite: Eat What You Love

Whether you’re sipping cocktails on a rooftop or snacking on a turkey leg while racing to your Lightning Lane, there’s something for every appetite at the Disney Resort Destinations.

Plan ahead, book early, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Some of the best Disney memories are made over a shared dessert or a silly moment with a character during breakfast.

Whether you’re a foodie, traveling with picky eaters, or just looking for a place to grab a snack between rides, there’s something for everyone at Disneyland.

🎢 Hungry for more tips? Check out our full park guides, and don’t forget to reserve early, mobile order when you can, and snack often!

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