Traveling with toddlers and preschoolers to Walt Disney World should be a magical experience for both the adults and the children. Even though they may not “remember” every aspect of the trip, it’s all about making memories for EVERYONE-the parents included! For many families with preschoolers and toddlers, they think that character dining is their best option-not so! Today I want to share with you the Top Ten Disney Dining Locations for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Do your children love seeing animals up close? Then Sanaa is for you! The floor to ceiling windows give fabulous views of giraffes, zebras, and more animals in the savanna at Kidani Village. The nice thing is that the parents can really enjoy a unique menu of African dishes such as Spice Crusted Game Hen, Banana Leaf Wrapped Fish, and even New York Strip Steak. The children can enjoy familiar favorites like cheese pizza, chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and more. They might even try your lamb chops from the Tandoor Oven!
1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Day Spa: This very popular restaurant, and the best for princess dining on Disney property, is an all you care to eat buffet for dinner. It is also buffet for breakfast and lunch, but with Alice in Wonderland, and her friends. This is a must for any princess fan-as it is the best for interaction with Cinderella, her Prince Charming, and the rest of the royal family. The menu includes chef prepared pasta, prime rib, mojo marinated turkey, stuffed pork loin, salmon with dill sauce, chicken marsala, and much more.
Cape May Cafe Restaurant at Disney’s Beach Club Resort: For breakfast, you can join Mickey and his friends in their beach bum gear as they visit tables and interact with you while you take part of the breakfast buffet. This is one of the most popular restaurants at Disney World for families featuring a Clam Bake. If you enjoy seafood, you will enjoy menu items like clams, mussels, Fish du Jour, clam chowder, and peel and eat shrimp. You can also enjoy other dishes such as prime rib, pasta, pork ribs, and so much more. Cape May is walking distance from Epcot and just a quick watertaxi from
Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After your dinner, you can relax on the sandy beaches at
Disney’s Beach Club Resort at the campfire singalong and marshmallow roast or watch
movies on the beach.
Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom Park: Crystal Palace is an excellent choice if you are traveling with young children. After all, what is more friendly than a sunny meal in the 100 Acre Wood with Pooh Bear and his friend? It is a cheerful environment as soon as you arrive for your breakfast, lunch, or dinner buffet. The buffet is full of awesome foods-and some of the best desserts at Disney! The salmon, citrus flank steak, curry chicken, and more will give the adults plenty to enjoy while the little ones are snuggling with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and friends and enjoying their favorite foods from the children’s buffet!
O’hana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort: “O’hana” means family, so make sure your family enjoys a fun breakfast here with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and their Hawaiian friends. The breakfast is served all you can eat family style-which means they bring the food to your table for everyone to enjoy. Scrambled eggs, Hawaiian bread, pastries, breakfast meats, and more will give your family plenty to enjoy-and maybe even get a fun taste of some new Hawaiian foods! O’hana is also an excellent choice for dinner! Since it sits right on the Seven Seas Lagoon, you can often enjoy the Wishes Fireworks Show, the soundtrack to Wishes, and sometimes even the Electrical Water Pageant from the Polynesian during your dinner at O’hana or after.
Hollywood and Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: No trip to Disney with toddlers or preschoolers is complete without a visit to Hollywood and Vine for breakfast or lunch. Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, and Handy Manny visit each table to give those little ones lots of Disney, Jr. love. Hollywood and Vine is a buffet for breakfast and lunch. You can “Play and Dine” at Hollywood and Vine before enjoying the rest of Hollywood Studios for the day. It’s a perfect location for you and your family to enjoy!
San Angel Inn in Mexico at EPCOT’s World Showcase: Have you taken the Gran Fiesta Tour with the Three Cabelleros? If so, then you’ve seen the San Angel Inn from a different perspective! This pyramid environment serves Mexican favorites as well as fish and chicken dishes. The strolling musicians, activity of the Mexican Marketplace, and watching the Gran Fiesta Boats will keep everyone entertained. And, it’s a great way to get some variety in your meals while on the Disney Dining Plan.
Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT: After enjoying Under the Seas with Nemo and Friends, you can enjoy a fabulous “under the sea” atmosphere in your dining as well! Coral Reef provides a gorgeous backdrop of tropical fish and coral reefs in this floor to ceiling view of the waters. The menu is popular for families, and the surf and turf dishes as well as the crab legs, mahi mahi, and more make it a great place to dine. If you have children who enjoy the sea aquarium tanks at your local zoo, you’ll want to make this ADR for your next trip to Disney!
Rainforest Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park or Downtown Disney: The Rainforest Cafe is also an excellent choice for families with young children. The decor and theming of the Rainforest Cafe make it so much fun! And be sure to note there is a “rainstorm” every 20 minutes or so! No worries, you won’t get wet! One thing I really like about the Rainforest Cafe is the props and theming. It makes for such awesome photos! The waterfalls are so pretty, and it is a nice alternative to T-Rex if you have young ones who are a bit skittish. The menu is super family friendly, and the themed drinks add an extra special fun to your meal.
50s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: This location is wonderful for parents and children alike! The atmosphere is very family friendly-and it’s the home to the best meatloaf and fried chicken at Walt Disney World! The servers are acting as your family members, and they make sure you are a clean plater! If you are sure to be a clean plater, you get rewarded with a sticker! Everyone in the family will find something they enjoy here-and the desserts are amazing!
Are you surprised by some of the best dining for toddlers and preschoolers at Walt Disney World? What would you suggest? It doesn’t have to be a character meal or buffet for every meal-and these will give you some variety while enjoying some Disney magic.
I love planning trips for families with young children! Contact me today at carrie@destinationsinflorida.com to get a free quote and get your magical Disney vacation planning started!
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Great recommendations, I can’t wait to try them out! My little one would love the animals at the lodge! Last time we were there we loved the Tusker House at AK. I thought their buffet was delish, and they had food my 2 year old would eat.