When planning your Advance Dining Reservations (or ADR’S) for your Walt Disney World meals, there are so many choices that it can be hard to figure out where to begin! One thing I always strongly recommend is that you plan a few meals outside the Theme Parks (why, you might ask? Check out my article on why eating outside the parks is worth the trip).
Here are my Top Ten choices for Table Service Meals at the WDW Resort Hotels (in no particular order!):
1. Boma – This one came to my mind first out of all the Disney restaurant choice….why? Because it’s different and delicious! It’s a buffet style eatery located at Disney’s beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge that serves up traditional African style cuisines like Bobotie (a sort of spicy/sweet meaty quiche!), watermelon rind salad, and the infamous Zebra Dome dessert. They serve up breakfast and dinner daily, and when I went for dinner I tried a little of everything and liked every single thing I tried! From the salads to the soups and meats and desserts everything is delicious here, and its a great place to try something new!
2. Beaches and Cream – Come here for delicious burgers and sandwiches in a casual setting, and end your meal with their specialty – those two little words that seal the deal and make this place a true winner – ICE CREAM! Their sundaes are to die for, and big enough to share! Located at the Beach Club Resort, Beaches and Cream is the home of the infamous Kitchen Sink, a dessert big enough for a family of 4 and then some!
3. California Grill – Come here for the fresh sushi, flatbread pizzas, and amazing views of the Magic Kingdom. Located at the top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this is one of Disney’s “Signature” Restaurants (meaning it will cost you more per meal, or 2 Table Service Credits per person on the Disney Dining Plan), and in my opinion it’s worth every penny! Imagine sipping wine from their large selection while watching an amazing fireworks show happen right before your eyes…the view, the food, the drinks, it all adds up to make California Grill an amazing experience
4. Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review – This dinner show wins a spot on the list for being the Best Entertainment – it’s a Wild West themed show full of lively fun, song and dance, and all you can eat ribs and fried chicken! Oh, and they serve unlimited beer and wine too! To get to the show you’ll have to travel to one of my favorite places to stay, a href=http://www.chipandco.com/planning/guide-to-disney-world/resorts/disney-moderate-resort-hotels/fort-wilderness-campgrounds-cabins/>Fort Wilderness, a beautiful resort/campground nestled among trees and walking trails, its a great place to visit and spend an evening (or your whole vacation!)
5. Victoria and Albert’s – This 5 start restaurant is located at the Grand Floridian Resort, and is one of the only restaurants on Disney property that has a strict dress code stating that men must wear dinner jackets. The food is as classy and amazing as the attire, as it is changed often to keep it different, fresh, and exciting! They offer wine pairings for an additional fee (with a large wine list to choose from!) to compliment the exquisite cuisine. It’s an expensive place to eat, but it’s worth it – especially if you have something special to celebrate!
6. Kona Cafe – In my opinion this is one of the best kept secrets of Disney Dining! Should you find yourself at the Polynesian Resort, you should definitely grab a meal here – their signature Kona coffee paired with their drool-inducing Tonga Toast will ensure your morning is off to a great start! For lunch and dinner they are serving up dishes with a Polynesian flair like pot stickers, asian vegetable slaw, and their amazing sticky wings. Kona Café is less popular than it’s next door neighbor Ohana, but I still recommend you make an ADR here so you don’t run the risk of missing out on all they have to offer
7. Yachtsman Steakhouse – Serving up an amazing dinner over at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort that includes salmon, truffle mac and cheese, and – you guessed it- several different cuts of steak. This is another Signature Restaurant, and with good reason – the atmosphere is upscale and so is the food, they do it all well, including the steak! After your meal you can take a stroll around the ground of the idyllic Yacht Club Resort. A perfect meal that makes for a perfect evening!
8. Cape May Cafe – Another winner at the Beach Club Resort, this buffet is a character meal by day, serving up a buffet style breakfast with Goofy and friends sporting their beach gear, and a delicious seafood buffet at night that’s character free but full of flavor! The “Clam Bake Dinner Buffet” features clams, mussels, crab legs, and for those who aren’t into seafood – BBQ ribs and roast chicken. End the meal with some of Cape May’s signature oreo bon bons or one of their many other sweet treats!
9. Big River Grille & Brewing Works – This one is for all you beer lovers out there! Head over to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and grab some lunch at this micro brewery that makes their own beer right on the premises! Try their flight of assorted brews, and enjoy their burger or hazelnut chicken…or my personal favorite, the beer cheese soup!
10. Chef Mickey’s – Just a hop skip and jump away from the Magic Kingdom via monorail is the Contemporary Resort, home to Chef Mickey’s, the only place at WDW where you can have breakfast or dinner buffet style with the fab 5 – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald! The food is nothing thrilling but is fun and fresh, I especially enjoy the Mickey shaped raviolis and the build your own ice cream sundae bar at dinner time! Breakfast is pretty standard Disney breakfast buffet fare, including assorted meats, pastries and the ever delicious mickey waffles. The real draw here is the characters, it’s the best spot to meet some of the most famous Disney icons all in one place (check out my article on the Best character meals at the Disney Resorts for more info)
When narrowing it down to these ten, I tried to include a lot of different styles of restaurants, including both 1 and 2 table service credit meals, but there are so many more it was hard to pick just the “Top 10” – so I want to know from you – what are some of your favorite table service restaurants in the Walt Disney World Resorts?
- Disney Confidential – All WDW Value Resorts will now have a Fridge (chipandco.com)
- Table Service in the Parks vs at the Resorts – Which is Better? Part 2 (chipandco.com)
