5 Often Overlooked Disney World Restaurants: Resorts Edition

January 4, 2016

There is so much to see and do inside of the Disney World theme and water parks, which is why most of your vacation time is spent inside of the parks. There are amazing places to eat inside of the parks, but of the over 300 dining locations on property more than half are located outside of the parks! While some restaurants at resorts are well-known, especially resort food courts by the guests that are staying there, and big name places like Chef Mickey’s, 1900 Park Fare, and Ohana, there are some that just aren’t known by guests. So if you’re looking for some place to eat during some time away from the parks just for a meal, or during some resort hopping, consider these five often overlooked Disney World restaurants that are located inside resorts!

Beaches and Cream – Many guests have heard of the crowning jewel dessert from this location, the Kitchen Sink Sundae, but they may not know where it is or even that they serve more than just ice cream treats! Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is located at the Beach Club Resort near the pool. Everyone has heard of the Kitchen Sink and maybe even dreams of eating it, but other American classics can be found in this beach and soda shop themed restaurant. Guests can enjoy hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and salads before they indulge in dessert. The dessert menu boasts shakes and soda as well as cake, brownies, and varies sundaes that can feed anywhere from one to four or more people. Stop by Beaches and Cream even if you’re not craving something sweet!

Trail’s End – Trail’s End Restaurant is located in the main resort area of Fort Wilderness Resort right next door to Pioneer Hall where the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue takes the stage nightly. Many guest that travel to Fort Wilderness that are not staying at the resort do so to take in a showing of Hoop Dee Doo. However, if you’re looking for good food and lots of it Trail’s End is just what you’re looking for. The rustic feeling of the resort is carried over to the inside of the restaurant with beamed ceilings, animals mounted on spilt-log walls, and wooden slat chairs. Breakfast at Trail’s End is served buffet style – start your day off right with American breakfast favorites like eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, French toast custard pudding, pastries and more! Lunch is a la carte and guest can fill their tummies with a wide variety of tasty choices. Soup, salad, fried green tomatoes, and fried chicken lollipops are among the starters. Entrees include a shrimp po’boy, chicken and waffles, sandwiches, catfish, and shrimp and grits. Finish out your meal with s’mores, pecan pie, a warm sticky bun sundae, or banana and peanut butter cookie pudding in a jar. Dinner is served buffet style where you can eat soup, salad, pasta, pizza, carved meats, fried chicken, ribs, cobbler and more to your heart’s content! It’s worth the trip.

Cape May Café – Cape May Café is also located at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The Beach theme of the resort carries over into the restaurant. Here guests can join Minnie and some of her friends, who appear in beach gear, for a filling breakfast. Fruit salad, cold meats, cereals, bagels, eggs, potatoes, bacon, biscuits and gravy, hot meats and cereals and more can be enjoyed to start your day off right. Dinner, which is not a character meal, is still pretty exciting, can you say seafood buffet?! Soups, salads, chicken, pasta, potatoes, and corn on the cob as well as seafood such as crab, clams, mussels, and salmon can be found on this abundant buffet. A children’s buffet and desserts round out the selections. Be sure to add this one to your list!

Grand Floridian Café – As the name implies, the Grand Floridian Café is located at the Grand Floridian Resort. With so many dining options, like Cítricos, Narcoossee’s, Victoria & Albert’s, and 1900 Park Fare, the Grand Floridian Café is easily overlooked. However, one of the most amazing things that I have ever eaten was from this very restaurant. The restaurant can be found just off the lobby of the resort and almost always has opening. Like the rest of the resort the Café has an old Florida feel too it and is elegant but causal at the same time. The Café is open for all three meals and serves a variety of dishes. At breakfast you’ll find omelets, eggs benedict, French toast, smoked salmon, waffles, and pancakes. Lunch and dinner have choices ranging from sandwiches to burgers, to pasta, to salmon, and salads. Desserts include pot de crème, strawberry cheesecake, berry tart and chocolate fondue. I recommend the Surf and Turf Burger which comes with a butter-poached lobster tail – ON THE BURGER! I also suggest the dessert sampler – it serves to, but the four desserts that it comes with are the same size desserts that you’ll receive if you order just one.

The Wave… of American Flavors – The Wave is located inside the Contemporary Resort and is often overlooked in favor of Chef Mickey’s or the California Grill. The eatery has a subtle ocean feel to it and gives diners a variety of options to choose from. Guests can choose items from a menu or enjoy a buffet for breakfast. The buffet includes cold meats, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, cereal, Mickey waffles, and sweet potato pancakes. A la carte entrée include eggs benedict, sweet potato pancakes, omelets, and oatmeal. Lunch includes soups, salads, fish, sandwiches, fish tacos, a build-your-own-burger, and a Bacon, Lobster, and Tomato Club. Desserts at lunch include German chocolate cake, crème brulee, and a strawberry-peach bellini cake. The offerings at dinner include soups, salads, crab and shrimp cakes, fish tacos, and bacon and eggs for starters. Entrée include a braised lamb shank, beef or pork tenderloin, fish, and beef short ribs. Finish off your meal with crème brulee, German chocolate cake, or strawberry-peach bellini cake.

There are so many dining locations to check out at Disney World, but you should definitely add these to your must try list! Be sure to check out my past article 5 Often Overlooked Disney World Restaurants: Parks Edition too!

Have you dined at any of these restaurants? Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments!

My name is Miriya Whitaker, I am a travel agent with World of Magic Travel, and a writer for Chip and Co and Disney Addicts, and I love Disney food! I would love to help you plan your next magical vacation! Contact me at miriyawhitaker@worldofmagictravel.com to get started and follow me on Facebook for more Disney and travel information!

5 Often Overlooked Disney World Restaurants: Resorts Edition 1

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