8 Disney Resort Restaurants Worth Going Out of Your Way For
My favorite part of planning any Disney trip is deciding where I am going to eat. I always love trying new places even if it means going out of my way to visit a restaurant at a Disney resort.
With restaurant capacities for the summer and fall being reduced, it may be difficult to obtain a reservation to some of the more popular in-park dining experiences so I am sharing my favorite resort dining. I did try to rank them, but I love them all so much I just couldn’t.
So in no particular order…
Sanaa (Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village)
Step inside this exquisite, East African-inspired eatery, which evokes a traditional spice market, decorated with handcrafted wares under the graceful branches of an acacia tree. Experience the art of African cooking with Indian flavors, as exotic animals roam the Sunset Savanna before you.
Category: Al A Carte
Open: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Indian-style bread service, Vegetarian sampler (Paneer Cheese and Spinach, Stewed Lentils, Spicy Cauliflower, Onions, Tomatoes, and Mint), Tandoori meats, slow-cooked short ribs.
The bread service here is a MUST. I love making a reservation around sunset and requesting a table by the window so I can watch the animals as the sun sets over the savannah. It is truly a unique dining experience and only one credit on the Disney dining plan.
California Grill (Contemporary Resort)
Via private elevator, ascend to the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where you’ll discover exquisite panoramic views of the shimmering lagoon, Floridian woodland and Cinderella Castle. Inside, enjoy the vibrant sights and sounds of the lively onstage kitchen, where chefs combine global flavors in deliciously inventive new ways. Californian cuisine that celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients and the international, melting-pot culture of the Golden State.
Category: Al A Carte, Signature Dining
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, Sushi and Sashimi, Sundae Sampler for dessert
While the draw at California Grill is the view of the fireworks, even with the fireworks suspended until further notice the food still makes this worth a visit. If you weren’t able to snag a reservation, walk up and see if they have availability in the lounge. We like to just get some apps and drinks there and save some serious $$$$
Trail’s End (Fort Wilderness)
Feast on a down-home buffet for breakfast, dinner or a weekend brunch at this tasty Frontier mainstay. Round up your settlement and sail across Bay Lake to a time of pioneers. Nestled on 750 wooded acres inhabited by enchanting wildlife, Trail’s End Restaurant is one dining destination you’ll want to allow plenty of time to reach. Getting there is a trailblazing adventure unto itself! Inside, beamed ceilings, split-log walls, mounted animals, and a potbellied stove keep things cozy—all while you and your kin tuck into a hearty spread of countrified fare.
Category: Buffet
Open: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Ribs, Pasta, Pizza, Carved Meats, Chili, Seasonal Cobbler
Trail’s End is the food from the Hoop De Doo. The buffet is one of the BEST values at Walt Disney World. They have a to-go window, we love to get our food and rent a pontoon for a great picnic
1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian)
Delight in breakfast and dinner buffets, plus a merry afternoon tea party, each hosted by Disney Characters. Supercalifragilistic Breakfast features Disney Friends for this fabulously festive, all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet. Enjoy Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner with an enchanting buffet as the honored Guest of Cinderella and Prince Charming!
Category: Character Dining, Buffet
Open: Breakfast, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Mickey Waffles, Bananas Foster Pancakes, Mojo roast pork loin, Mongolian beef stir-fry, Mississippi fried catfish
This is one of my favorite character meals! If you can’t get one of the coveted Princess meals this is a great option. The Tremaine family is so much fun!!! I don’t think the buffet alone is worth it but when character experiences resume this is worth the boat ride from Magic Kingdom.
Narcoossee’s (Grand Floridian)
Slip away to this casual waterfront setting for coastal cuisine with spectacular views. Delight in superb seafood, steak and more in this waterfront hideaway. Narcoossee’s serves a spectacular, innovative selection of fresh seafood from both local waters and around the globe—it’s the only place on property you can get a whole-steamed Maine lobster.
Category: Al A Carte, Signature Dining
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Maine lobster bisque, Prince Edward Island mussels, Steamed Whole Maine lobster, Filet Mignon, Candy Bar, Sunday Brunch
I think this just may be my favorite on this list. It is fancy enough for an anniversary or celebration dinner but welcoming and accessible enough for kids. I love the Poached Lobster Tail and Filet, some of the best Lobster I have ever had and I am from Boston!! – Sunset is absolutely beautiful from the porch. If you don’t have your heart set on Fireworks I recommend planning your reservation for sunset.
Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge)
Experience Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White—a delicious, fanciful dinner with visits from Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and even The Queen!
Category: Al A Carte, Character Dining
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Choose your entrée from a prix fixe menu. Feast on the Royal Prime Rib Roast, Brother’s Grimm Roasted Chicken, Magic Mirror Slow-braised Pork Shank, Beef Stew and Bashful’s Butter Poached Sustainable Fish. Or enjoy the vegetarian option—A Stroll Through Nature—featuring asparagus, leeks, arugula and gnocchi. Children can choose from a selection of kid-friendly items, including Royal Prime Rib Roast, Grilled Chicken, Princess Pasta and Vegetarian Steam Bun.
This establishment recently switched from a pretty decent signature dining experience to an AMAZING character pre-fixe menu. Even if the characters are not here if they keep the pre-fixe menu it is still worth the visit. If you are looking for character meals when interaction resumes this one has the best food, no question.
Toledo (Coronado Springs)
Dine on tapas, seafood and steak in style at this Spanish haven inspired by surrealist art and the 1930s avant-garde. Savor dishes and small plates inspired by the flavors of Spain while feasting your eyes on the sweeping views from this rooftop restaurant.
Category: Al A Carte
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: The name says it all Tapas, Steak, Seafood. Most of the “cazuelas” tapas and side dishes are sure to please those in search of traditional Spanish flair with some familiarity.
This one is probably the hardest on this list to get to but it is totally worth the visit. This high-rise restaurant in the new Gran Destino tower at Coronado Springs is a hidden gem. Floor to ceiling windows on either side allows for sweeping views of most of Disney property. You can enjoy both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios fireworks. I have only been once and I went by myself so I didn’t get to try much but I loved my serrano ham appetizer and scallop entree. The couple next to me got some incredible looking dishes and seemed to be raving about them, I can’t wait to get back and try more.
Geyser Point (Wilderness Lodge)
Dine on tapas, seafood and steak in style at this Spanish haven inspired by surrealist art and the 1930s avant-garde. Savor dishes and small plates inspired by the flavors of Spain while feasting your eyes on the sweeping views from this rooftop restaurant.
Category: Quick Service, Lounge
Open: Lunch, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: A step up from most standard quick service fare, lighter lunch and dinner options include a grilled salmon BLT and a veggie-packed grilled portobello mushroom salad. While a regular burger is available for those in search of classic flavors, the upgraded bison cheeseburger with Tillamook cheddar and marionberry barbecue sauce is my favorite
Geyser Point is one of my favorite areas in all of Walt Disney World. I love to take the relaxing boat ride over from the Magic Kingdom and grab a lakeside table in the lounge. It is an open-air establishment, but the breeze from the lake and overhead fans keep it cool. I love to get a Huckleberry Moscow Mule (I ask them to make their mule with the rare huckleberry vodka they carry) a drink I discovered in Jackson Hole. Even if I have a dinner reservation somewhere later in the day I get the brisket dip (served with potato chips.) If this is my meal it is the buffalo burger all the way.
Will I actually save money with the Disney Dining Plan?
Budgeting is such an important part of trip planning, but it can be difficult to find the time to sit down and actually work out the real cost vs a package deal. My ‘Should You Add the Disney Dining Plan’ guide covers everything you need to know to make the right dining choice for you. From what is covered in each dining plan, and who it will best suit, to the average cost of each restaurant and even calculate your savings!
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