Intro
Dining at Disney World is such a fun and sometimes overwhelming adventure! There are so many options and different ways to dine, that it can be hard to decide what to do on your vacation. This week on the blog, I am sharing my top five Disney Quick Service restaurants!
To keep it from getting too complicated, today we are just focusing on Quick Service locations at the parks and not including resorts or Disney Springs. That will be another blog post for another day!
Types of Dining at Disney
So, first things first, you may be wondering, what do we even mean by a Quick Service restaurant? That is a great question! I know it can be confusing at Disney, since there are so many options and types of restaurants. To break it down a bit, Disney sorts their dining options in to a few main categories (note that this may not be a complete list):
- Quick Service
- Table Service
- Casual Dining
- Fine/Signature Dining
- Character Dining
- Other Dining
Quick Service
Quick Service restaurants allow you to grab a quick and convenient meal, at a lower cost than a sit down restaurant. These are the locations where you would order at a counter or using the Mobile Order feature on your app, then find your own seat.
Table Service
In short, Table Service restaurants are exactly what they sound like! They are sit down restaurants that could range from casual dining to fine or signature dining. How a meal is served can also change how a restaurant is categorized, such as buffet or family style. There are plenty of options and variety, which makes it so easy to find something that works for you.
Most, if not all, Table Service restaurants will take reservations ahead of time and do recommend having those reservations to get a table. I always recommend booking at least one sit down restaurant on your trip, to give yourself a little break!
Casual Dining
Casual Table Service options will be sit down restaurants, but will typically be less expensive and not as fancy as our Fine Dining options. These are great options for kids and families on a busy park day! A perfect example would be The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom.
Fine/Signature Dining
Fine or Signature Dining options are Table Service restaurants that are a little more upscale and pricey. These are great for celebrating a special occasion or when you just want to splurge!
This category includes restaurants such as Tiffins at Animal Kingdom and Le Cellier at EPCOT. These locations often have a dress code and may have other restrictions as well, so check those out before booking a reservation!
Character Dining
Character Dining experiences are sit down restaurants that include character interactions during your meal. Garden Grill at EPCOT, Tusker House at Animal Kingdom, and Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom are great examples of Character Dining.
Other Dining
Lastly Disney has a few other options that don’t fit well into these categories, including Pool Bars and Lounges. Lounges are bars that typically also serve appetizers and other small plates, however some will serve full meals!
My favorite example of a Lounge is Nomad Lounge at Animal Kingdom. This Lounge (like many Lounges) is attached to a signature restaurant, making it a wonderful place to stop in!
My Top 5 Quick Service Restaurants
Now that you have a better understanding of the dining options at Disney, we are going to dive into my top five Quick Service restaurants at the parks! These are just my personal favorites, which definitely doesn’t mean they are the best options for everyone. I will give some of the main reasons I love these restaurants and hopefully you’ll find some reasons to love them too!
Number 5 – Casey’s Corner, Magic Kingdom
Three words. Corn Dog Nuggets.
Casey’s Corner is a classic Quick Service restaurant, located right at the end of Main Street USA. Along with my favorite corn dog nuggets, the location of this restaurant is really one of the biggest draws!
It’s the perfect spot to grab a quick and convenient bite to eat on the hub grass or right on Main Street. You’ll have a perfect view of the castle and some classic theme park food! What more could you need?
Number 4 – Pinocchio Village Haus, Magic Kingdom
Have you ever wanted to enjoy some delicious food while watching the It’s a Small World boats go by? Then you are at the right place! This Quick Service location serves Italian-inspired food such as salads and flatbreads.
Kids (and kids at heart) will love eating and waving at the boats in the It’s a Small World ride! This is one of the rare locations where you get to watch an indoor ride go by and it really is a treat.
Number 3 – Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Hollywood Studios
Located in Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios, this Quick Service spot is themed as if you are eating in an old cargo bay! The theming is really unique and immersive, making this a fun dining experience.
The menu here include some classics like chicken and macaroni and cheese, as well as more adventurous eats. This is the perfect stop for a delicious and easy lunch while exploring Batuu!
Number 2 – Satu’li Canteen, Animal Kingdom
One of the newer spots to eat at Animal Kingdom is located in Pandora. Satu’li Canteen is a one of a kind restaurant at Disney World. It is located in a former mess hall, so the atmosphere is really eclectic and fun!
What really sets this spot apart is the food. The menu allows you to pick and choose your base, sauce, toppings, and sides to create a bowl that is perfect for you! They also have the fan favorite Cheeseburger Pods that are definitely a must try!
I’m a bit of a picky eater, so this is the perfect option for me! There is also plenty of seating indoors and out, making finding a spot really simple. That is really a plus on a crowded park day!
Number 1 – Columbia Harbour House, Magic Kingdom
And now, my number one Quick Service dining spot inside a Disney Park is Columbia Harbour House. This dining location is at Magic Kingdom and kind of a hidden gem! The cuisine is New England inspired and the decorations make you feel as though you are in a sea-side, New England home.
While they do have plenty of seafood options, there are also a few options for all to enjoy, even if seafood isn’t your thing.
To be completely honest, the food is only a very small portion of my love for this quick service spot. The main draw for this location is the ambiance and the wonderful option of sitting upstairs. Aside from a wonderful view, the upstairs of this space is typically fairly quiet and a great space to cool down and unwind.
Overview
That rounds out my list of my top five Quick Service locations at Disney parks! Here’s a quick recap:
- Number 5: Casey’s Corner, Magic Kingdom
- Number 4: Pinocchio Village Haus, Magic Kingdom
- Number 3: Docking Bay 7, Hollywood Studios
- Number 2: Satu’li Canteen, Animal Kingdom
- Number 1: Columbia Harbour House, Magic Kingdom
While any dining location at Disney is going to be great, these ones definitely go above and beyond! I hope you will try out some of these spots on your next trip. What are your favorite Quick Service restaurants at Disney? Let me know in the comments!
