Navigating Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

A burger joint, is a burger joint, is a burger joint.  Right???   Well…sometimes!  But, other times, it takes a little know how.  My favorite burger joint at Disney World  is more than just that!  The Magic Kingdom’s Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe takes a little jedi skill!  Today I am sharing some tips for ordering from this out of the world quick service restaurant.  Hopefully, it will take you to infinity and beyond!

Launch (Logistics of the location)

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe can be found in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.  With a location central to Tomorrowland, Cosmic Ray’s has entrances facing the castle (near the Tea Cups) as well as on the Tomorrowland side (doors lead to the hub of Tomorrowland, the PeopleMover).  Cosmic Ray’s offers something in the line of quick service for everyone in your party.  There are burgers, sandwiches, salads, and chicken.  There’s plenty of great seating.  Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you find out that there are wonderful views of the castle and even a little show to go with dinner.  As a child, my favorite parts of this restaurant were a.) Sonny Eclipse and the Earth Angels (he’s an animatronic lounge singer from somewhere out there…in space) b.) the condiment bar (think accouterments for your food). Now that you know where to go, let the mission begin!

Orbit (Flight plan for getting your grub)

Flight Consideration 1: Battle of the Bays

So now you have chosen to give Cosmic Ray’s Starlight a cafe a chance, it is time to talk food!  So here is where that Jedi skill comes in…Cosmic Ray’s is set up in a 3 Bay system.  There’s the Chicken Bay “Bay 1” (where you can order chicken done up how you like it), the Burger Bay “Bay 2” (with burgers and hot dogs too), and the Sandwich Bay “Bay 3” (sandwiches, burgers, wraps, soups, and salads galore). Young Jedis, I give you a warning you should strongly heed; be in the correct bay and order successfully, you will (forgive my limited Yoda knowledge in honor of Star Wars weekends).  If you plan on ordering chicken, get in Bay 1.  Don’t be trying to order that from Bay 2…keep the stars in line and get in the right bay!  Otherwise, you are going to have some trouble!

Flight Considerations 2: Thinking Ahead to Landing

Having an idea of where you want to sit will help you enjoy your experience at Cosmic Ray’s to the fullest.  There is indoor seating (away from the show), floor seats (you watch the show), and patio seating (Castle view or Tomorrowland view).  This is a very popular spot for park guests and you can pretty much bet that there will be a crowd.  If you are planning on a quiet meal, you’ll want to avoid the show area.  Otherwise (especially if you have kids) the show is a lot of fun!   Sonny is still a personal favorite; as a kindergarten teacher, I have resolved that I could pretty much eat anywhere and be fine with it.

Flight Consideration 3:  Have it Your Way

Okay, just when you think you are out of harms way and safely seated eating your delicious meal, another element crosses your path! So, when Cosmic Ray’s is packed out like normal, it is going to seem like you are in a sea of hungry people.  Finding an empty table seems like the most pressing of concerns.  So here is my tip, have one person from your party locate a table.  After a table is located,  take turns guarding your seat and returning to the condiment bar (wise jedis bring their trays with them and use good manners when waiting in line…pushing and shoving will have you ejected from the ship…or at least I wish it would).  There are utensils, napkins, sauces, and even specialty items like sauteed mushrooms, onions, and burger trimmings.

Landing
Okay, so now you’ve got your food, you’re settled in and ready to roll.  Okay, so I mentioned seating earlier, but I haven’t given you some of my best tips yet!  Tip one, seating on the Tomorrowland side offers you a choice of inside or outside dining and provides the beautiful backdrop of Cinderella Castle.  I highly recommend taking advantage of this view, especially if Wishes! happens to be going on.  What a lovely spot to watch this nightly favorite!  Tip two, if you choose to sit in the main dining area you’ll be a part of Sonny’s show.  This futuristic lounge singer croons space aged lyrics to some of your favorite tunes.  Children can dance and sing along and you’ll find that going just before or after the lunch/dinner rush will provide you with a relatively calm dining experience.  I recommend right around 8 pm if you can swing it.  You’ll find the lines low, the seats open, and the food delicious!

Are you prepared to take this mission?  I know I am!  What is your favorite part about Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe?  Write about it in the comment section below!

Related articles

• Making the Most of Counter Service Dining – Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)
• Star Wars Weekend One, Autographs, Wait Times, Characters, Merchandise, Parade, etc. (easywdw.com)

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