While we love dining in the parks (and recently shared our Top 8 Picks – Theme Parks Edition) we also love dining at resort restaurants. We actually tend to eat at resorts a lot just because I think it gives more flexibility when planning a trip (it doesn’t matter what park I’m at I can still eat at any resort and they are just a boat ride, bus ride or monorail ride away!). They are also great for pool days or after spending an afternoon at Disney Springs. So here are our Top 8 Walt Disney World Dining Experiences Resorts Edition for you to enjoy!
8. Whispering Canyon Cafe (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge): Are you looking for a rowdy, rootin’ tootin’ good time?! Then gather your family and friends and head to Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge! The food is good (the All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Skillets at lunch and dinner are my favorite) and the services is great, with a snarky twist! Try an All-You-Care-To-Enjoy (yes, all you can drink!) milkshake and don’t forget to ask for Ketchup! And give yourself extra time to enjoy the beauty of the resort. Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort to visit and just “take it all in” even if we are staying elsewhere!
7. ‘Ohana (Disney’s Polynesian Resort): Enjoy your meal with some Polynesian flair! This All-You-Care-To-Enjoy restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is pretty standard fare with scrambled eggs and waffles. But you’ll also find island-inspired dishes like Hawaiian-style Ham topped with Pineapple Compote and Uala Kahiki (Fried Potatoes) Island-style Potatoes. Dinner pays tribute the island inspiration of both ‘Ohana and the Polynesian Resort. The Pork Dumplings tossed in Garlic-Ginger Sauce and Honey-Corriander Chicken Wings are amazing and we love noodles and veggies, but the meal’s star is the ‘Ohana Bread Pudding à la mode topped with Caramel Sauce and Bananas. Breakfast is a character meal featuring Lilo and Stitch while dinner guests are entertained with family games, storytelling and music.
6. Yachtsman Steakhouse (Disney’s Yacht Club Resort): Only a short walk from Epcot, Yachtsman Steakhouse is a Signature Dining experience you want to check out! Delicious food and an elegant atmosphere make this my go-to pick for a fun adults-only date night while visiting Walt Disney World. This is the place to go for a delicious steak! The 32 oz Porterhouse for Two is a bucket list item for me and my husband, but all of their offerings are delicious – the Truffle Macaroni & Cheese and Butternut Squash Risotto are some of our favorite sides. Again, since this is a Signature Dining experience it will use 2 Table Service Credits. There is also a dress code that is enforced, so make sure you check that out before you go!
5. Cape May Cafe (Disney’s Beach Club Resort): Right next door to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (where you’ll find Yachtsman Steakhouse) you’ll find Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Not only is Beach Club my favorite resort at Walt Disney World but this is probably my personal favorite of all the buffets at Walt Disney World. Serving both breakfast and dinner, either meal is sure to please. Join Minnie and some of her friends, dressed in their beach gear, for a fun and delicious character breakfast that is sure to please. For dinner, you’re invited to a good ole fashioned clambake with a seafood buffet and other amazing dishes including some amazing pasta creations. It’s hard for me to decide which meal I like best – so we’ve been known to visit for each during a visit to Walt Disney World!
4. Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort): We don’t consider a trip to Walt Disney World complete without a stop at Chef Mickey’s! Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto all decked out in their culinary best for breakfast, brunch or dinner. This is such a fun atmosphere for kids and adults alike – make sure you have your napkins ready to join in on any celebrations that may be going on! We love celebrating birthdays here too! The characters are wonderful and this is a great way to spend some time with the Fab 5 in a less hectic setting than the parks. It’s hard to decide which meal I prefer – they all have aspects I like. I do think, however, that the character interactions and the atmosphere are the key selling points of this restaurant and the food just is slightly above average.
3. Boma (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge): Oh Boma – how I love you so! Seriously, this is my favorite place to eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge! And there are so many options, even the pickiest of eaters should find something they will like. The African vibe is strong throughout the restaurant with the decor and seating offering an authentic feel. And oh my, the food! The Chicken Salad with Chili Cilantro is a favorite along with the Avocado, Grapefruit, and Papaya Salad. There is also always a wide variety of soups and stews on rotation. The main dishes and sides rotate as well and are always full of flavor and delicious but I really love the Bobotie! But the favorite for me is the dessert – specifically the Zebra Domes. They are a must try if you plan to visit Boma.
2. 1900 Park Fare (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort): This used to be lower on my list but it has recently climbed up pretty high! Serving both breakfast and dinner buffets, and following in the Victorian theme of the Grand Floridian, 1900 Park Fare provides delicious food, an elegant atmosphere and wonderful character interactions. At breakfast you may find characters from Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins or even Peter Pan! Dinner is all about Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Tremaine ladies. Overall, I’m a bigger fan of the dinner buffet and I think Lady Tremaine and the step-sisters are some of the best characters to meet in all of the Walt Disney World Resort. The character interaction here is honestly my favorite! I have two little boys who have both developed a crush on Cinderella thanks to this character meal! For dinner we love the Floridian Strawberry Soup and all of their savory dishes are fabulous! And that breakfast buffet is a great way to start your day before heading off to a park – we love making this our breakfast or dinner stop when we visit Magic Kingdom!
1. California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort): The experience of eating at California Grill begins before you even look at a menu. From a private elevator, you’ll head up to the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort to the restaurant. Once inside you’ll be treated to a breathtaking, panoramic view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Floridian woodlands and Cinderella’s Castle. If you’re looking for sushi, California Grill is where you will find, in my opinion, the best sushi in all of Walt Disney World! The Spicy Kazan Roll is sure to please and the New Moon Roll with Maine Lobster is a fantastic choice as well. Sushi may not be your thing, but there are plenty of other options to choose from. Favorites include Oak-fired Filet of Beef
served with Truffled Boniato Mashed Potato, Zuckerman’s Asparagus, Miso Vinaigrette, Tamarind Barbecue Sauce and Lobster and Pork Ramen with Miso Broth, Ajitsuke Egg, Pickled Shiitakes, Bamboo Shoots, Sesame, Scallions! And of course, if you can time it right, you can watch Happily Ever After over Magic Kingdom while you enjoy a mouth-watering dessert. This is a Signature Dining Experience and does require 2 Table Service Credits on the Disney Dining Plan.
So we want to know how does your list compare? Did we miss any of your favorites? Share your top picks with us in the comments below!
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