Ah, Disney dining…so sweet on the palate but, sadly, not so kind to the wallet.
And there is such a BIG deal made about scoring and lining up what Disney calls “Advanced Dining Reservations” for table service restaurants (or, better referred to as “ADRs” in the travel community). Many families stress for weeks – even months! – about character breakfasts, meal timing, and what will give their kids the most “magical” dining experiences.
Want to hear the most ironic part of all? The table service restaurants that are the absolute most coveted on property and those most difficult to add to a Disney vacation itinerary are almost always the most expensive meals guests can pre-book! This is not the best news, especially since Disney has still paused the return of their infamous Dining Plans (which really did help make the bottom line more affordable for those who wanted sit-down meals).
Something about this feels backwards, no? There must be families, just like my own, who are interested in quality eats that pack value too.
Having been to Disney World over twenty times in my life, and having dined at countless restaurants they offer, check out my suggestions below on what I would consider the most cost-friendly choices that will satisfy both your stomach and your budget!
Beaches and Cream
Described as a “soda shop,” this is one of the few spots where you can find lunch and dinner entrees in the $15-$20 range. They serve classic American fare that will satisfy any picky eater, and though their menu is nothing unique (eg: burgers and fries, grilled cheese and tater tots, reuben sandwiches), the real show stoppers are the ice cream desserts.
Beaches and Cream is known for their mind bogglingly large ice cream sundaes and outrageously unusual milkshakes. Many guests book reservations here simply to try the “Kitchen Sink,” which basically throws every sundae ingredient they house in the back into a huge bowl that literally is shaped like a sink. On our recent visit, in the matter of an hour, four tables had ordered this $36 monstrosity that easily feeds four or more, and each time we enjoyed the cast members’ presentation, which included disco lights and a restaurant-wide announcement of the table’s acceptance of the challenge.
Whispering Canyon Cafe
If you’re interested in indulgent comfort food with Disney whim and fun during the meal experience at an even more attractive price, look no further than Whispering Canyon at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Think barbecue with an Old West twist where regular entrees here range between $16 – $22. The best bang for your buck, though, comes in the form of their skillets (think bottomless platters), available at every meal. They are most popular at dinner, though, where they feature oak-smoked mustard-barbecued beef brisket, braised pork belly or house-smoked salmon, and don’t forget the lip-smackin’ sides. Pricing on these skillets is as low as $26 for breakfast, or $38 for dinner – but man, oh, man, it’s a lot of delicious food and a bone-lickin’ good time!
Pro Tip: Whispering Canyon shares a kitchen with the resort’s quick service eatery called Roaring Forks. So if you want the same mouth watering pulled pork, find it cheaper over at Roaring Forks!
Three Bridges Bar and Grill
A hidden gem of a restaurant can be found at the less talked about resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs. Three Bridges Bar and Grill has the most lovely, idyllic setting in the middle of a massive lake on property, and this restaurant actually does not even allow reservations made in advance (taking pressure off pre-planning)! Once you cross the converging bridges to the middle of Lago Dorado, the hostess will take your name, and you will be seated usually in a jiffy.
The Spanish American ambience and cuisine here are just delightful, and the most expensive item on the menu is only $25! Though the entrees are enticing, many share plates here tapas style. Top faves of my husband and mine on our last visit included Warm Manchego and Oaxaca Cheese Dip ($14.00), Szechuan-Peppercorn Wings ($14.00), and the Coconut Curry Bowl ($18.50).
Last, I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the best deals of all – the sangria flight for only $22…and you get four full refreshing glasses of a variety of flavors!
The Plaza
Notoriously, the table service restaurants in Magic Kingdom tend to be costly. With two character meals in castles, the bill for a family of four easily can scale as high as $300+ (gulp!)
Fear not! There are two restaurants in this park that I recommend, starting with The Plaza. This one right on Main Street serves your typical American fare – burgers, meatloaf, chicken sandwiches, and fries – and none of the entrees top a $25 price tag. As a bonus, they also serve over the top sundaes (similar to Beaches and Cream in this way, but just not quite as extensive options).
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
The other Magic Kingdom restaurant that takes the prize is Skipper Canteen. This place is a hoot, and works in conjunction with the very popular Adventureland ride, The Jungle Cruise.
Just like the attraction, your “skipper” (ie: your waiter/waitress) will impress you in the most corny way possible with their puns (or dad jokes, as my husband deems them), a perfect compliment to the ride if this is your kind of thing. If it is not, the food makes up for the punny humor.
Though the entrees do range $28 – $38, these dishes are all HUGE, and I always share with someone else at the table, cutting cost down to only $15 per person. Moreover, the flavors and exotic presentation of the food is just fabulous, which is why this is easily my favorite restaurant in this park.
Pro Tip: If you have an allergy, particularly gluten or dairy, this is a perfect option for you to try!
Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge and Nomad Lounge
The last recommendations I want to throw into the mix are not the traditional table service one would expect. They are two lounge options offered in two parks; however, both provide table service with a waited meal, and both are fabulous (and easy on cost). The hugest (and most fun) perk to the lounges that Disney offers is that they do not take advance reservations, so no stress needed in trying to book them weeks before your trip. Simply join their virtual queue when they open each day by letting the host at the restaurant know you are interested, and they will text you when your table is ready.
The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge in Hollywood Studios will provide guests a sampling of the menu of the Hollywood Brown Derby, its attached signature restaurant. For a fraction of what the interior restaurant would cost, it is a great idea for a midday break, a drink, and a bite.
Pro tip: Order a smaller portion of the restaurant’s famous Cobb Salad here for only $10!
Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Nomad Lounge is by far and wide one of my absolute favorite places to dine in all of Disney! The atmosphere here is unmatched if you can request a table outside, and the food is incredible. Plates are smaller (kind of tapas style) but so are their price tags, and we like to usually order three or four items for the table to share. My best tip – don’t sleep on the churros here!
When there are literally hundreds of dining choices at Disney World, it can be a bit much to sift through and find the best choices to suit your family. Do specific, tailored suggestions and expert help sound appealing when it comes to making these kinds of choices? The great news is you can receive that type of customized aid at absolutely no cost by working and booking your next vacation with an Authorized Vacation Planner from our sister company, Smart Moms Travel. Believe it or not, Disney pays us so you don’t have to!
If you are not already working with one of our fabulous agents, I would love to hear about your family and the trip you hope to take. When you book your magical vacation with me, we will become planning besties, and I will guide you in all important decisions pertaining to the trip, from dining to special add-on experiences to park itinerary. And, of course, a priority will be staying kind to your wallet by sticking to the budget you have determined is best. Click here to get started today!
Can’t get enough of these table service recommendations that are far more affordable than most at Disney World? Check out Part 2 of this blog article: Best Bang for your Buck in Disney World!!
