This checklist ranks the most effective & worst fast service eating places within the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Regardless of the park’s poor popularity for counter service eating, there are some good choices, particularly for households with children who’re choosy eaters. (Up to date July 5, 2024.)
With that stated, we’re not going to sugarcoat this. Though it’s Walt Disney World’s flagship park, Magic Kingdom is much and away the worst for counter service meals. There’s just one quick meals choice that we’d contemplate actually nice, and even that’s going to be a whole non-starter for lots of households. The remainder are both chaotic cafeterias or glorified snack spots with restricted choices. There actually isn’t a complete lot of in-between.
One (constructive) factor that complicates your eating selection if you’re within the Magic Kingdom is the superior choices simply outdoors of the Magic Kingdom. Contempo Cafe, Gasparilla Island Grill, Captain Cook dinner’s, Roaring Fork, and even the new-look Path’s Finish Restaurant are all a brief monorail or boat experience from the Magic Kingdom, and all are stable decisions. In actual fact, there are a number of monorail loop restaurant eating places on our Prime 10 Counter Service Walt Disney World Eating checklist.
Against this, most of Magic Kingdom’s high 10 counter service eating places are solely mediocre to good. Moderately than being a “better of” checklist, that is most likely extra precisely an inventory of “least dangerous” choices. On high of that, a number of of the great areas solely serve a particular sort of meals, which means they most likely aren’t even going to be viable choices for households wanting a spread of crowd-pleasing choices. This makes Magic Kingdom’s fast service eating tougher to rank than another park. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
In different phrases, you actually need to work for it if you wish to do two good counter service meals at Magic Kingdom. There’s one wonderful eatery that’ll work for nearly everybody, however the different quick-service eating places all have pitfalls. Whether or not or not it’s that they’ve massive menus of mediocre meals, small menus of fine decisions, or are loud and chaotic–many of the decisions go away one thing to be desired.
To make issues worse, virtually each Magic Kingdom restaurant has had its menu scaled again in the previous couple of years and the earlier #1 decide is now not a counter service restaurant in any respect…
N/A. Be Our Visitor Restaurant – New Fantasyland – As soon as the unequivocal #1 counter service restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Be Our Visitor Restaurant now serves an all-day menu (see our Be Our Visitor Prix Fixe Lunch/Dinner Evaluation). This implies it’s solely desk service, with the identical appetizer, entree, and dessert choices all day lengthy. It has been this manner since Magic Kingdom reopened, and stays the case a couple of years later.
At this level, we’re not optimistic that Be Our Visitor Restaurant will revert to a counter service lunch anytime quickly. That’s actually unlucky, as many of the options go away one thing to be desired. Even the “good” entries on this checklist don’t supply one thing for everybody, so good luck on getting your loved ones to agree on 2 meal areas in Magic Kingdom!
N/A. Aunt Polly’s – Tom Sawyer Island – In whole, Aunt Polly’s might be solely open for a handful of weeks per 12 months. It’s normally open throughout peak season round Christmas and New Yr’s, plus Spring Break, Easter, and different holidays. It hasn’t been open in any respect within the final 2 years, however possibly that’ll change this Thanksgiving?
Pre-closure, the menu at Aunt Polly’s was restricted however very good. Its location on Tom Sawyer Island is a pleasant respite from the crowds–a blissful escape when Magic Kingdom is at its most bonkers, crowd-wise. We advocate going out of your method to search it out. The general expertise is approach higher than the #10 rating may recommend–it’s solely this low as a result of 95% of you gained’t also have a likelihood to expertise it.
N/A. Tortuga Tavern – Adventureland – A few decade in the past, Disney refurbished the seasonal El Pirata y El Perico and renamed it to Tortuga Tavern. Loads of decor was new, with a heavy pirates motif and a few witty indicators. Our expectations had been excessive, as a result of the restaurant seemed cool, however for some purpose it remained seasonal.
Since then, Tortuga Tavern has been open extra commonly, whereas receiving a revolving door of recent menus. Whereas some objects had been good (Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, and Banana Sandwich), most weren’t. However it doesn’t a lot matter now, as Tortuga Tavern is now closed indefinitely, and as lined in Restaurant Thriller at Magic Kingdom, we suspect it’s being transformed into the Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern. Right here’s hoping that serves good meals alongside the booze!
9. Gaston’s Tavern – Fantasyland – This makes the checklist for lack of higher choices. Don’t get us incorrect, we love Gaston’s Tavern. This sleepy little spot is cozy and a thematic gem that’s arguably higher than Be Our Visitor Restaurant when it comes to design and ambiance.
The issue is that it’s too cozy and intimate–a really small venue with little seating and a small menu. There’s actually just one savory factor on the menu proper now, plus the Gray Stuff Cupcake and the long-lasting Cinnamon Roll. A very good choice for candy treats, however not a lot for a full meal. Such is the story with Magic Kingdom eating.
8. Sleepy Hole Refreshments – Liberty Sq. – “How the mighty have fallen” is just about the theme of this checklist, with Sleepy Hole now becoming a member of that class. Sadly, all the fan-favorite waffle sandwiches are actually gone as of Summer season 2024, changed by a wide range of subpar Mickey waffles.
The fan backlash to this Stunning Scandal at Sleepy Hole has been swift and robust. We haven’t heard outcry and complaints like this because the notorious ‘Ohana Noodlegate of ’21, which resulted in an unpopular resolution being undone. Whereas I’m not holding my breath, I may see the identical taking place right here. Through which case, Sleepy Hole is as soon as once more within the high 3. Within the meantime…a minimum of they nonetheless serve a corn canine, I suppose?
7. The Lunching Pad – Tomorrowland – This walk-up window beneath Astro Orbiter has expanded from being Magic Kingdom’s hotspot for scrumptious pretzels to lastly residing as much as the pun in its identify as a spot for a fully-fledged lunch. (The Lunching Pad additionally now serves breakfast, which is shockingly good.)
There are actually a couple of connoisseur sizzling canines right here, and these are what elevates the Lunching Pad to this spot. Or you would go full-on “trip mode” and easily order two of the unbelievable Cream Cheese Heat Stuffed Pretzels for lunch. Undecided concerning the dietary knowledge of that, nevertheless it’d be a scrumptious resolution.
6. The Friar’s Nook – Fantasyland – This unassuming meals counter serves up some scrumptious responsible pleasures for breakfast, plus mac & cheese centric dishes for lunch and dinner. These dishes coupled with our “hack” of consuming up on a balcony overlooking Fantasyland and Cinderella Fortress are what earns the Friar’s Nook its surprisingly excessive spot.
Sadly, the particular Mr. Toad menu objects are actually gone, however the Friar’s Nook nonetheless overperforms relative to its restricted menu. That this walk-up window does so properly ought to underscore simply how weak the lineup is in Magic Kingdom. In any of the opposite 3 parks, the Friar’s Nook wouldn’t crack the highest 10. It’s actually disappointing that Walt Disney World’s hottest park has such a lazy lineup of informal eating choices.
5. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – Tomorrowland – Oh, how the mighty have fallen – half 2 of 4 (possibly of 5-6, actually). Cosmic Ray’s was once our favourite counter service restaurant at Magic Kingdom, and we dined right here with regularity. The menu at all times had some standouts, together with “experimental” burgers, bbq ribs, rotisserie rooster, and a minimum of a few fascinating wholesome choices. Add to that the wonderful toppings bar and an expansive menu of ‘protected’ decisions that might be piled excessive with a heaping serving to of tomatoes, pickles, and condiments.
All of that’s gone now–apart from the protected choices. There isn’t any toppings bar and nothing fascinating or distinctive on the menu. It’s all customary theme park fare. Like Pinocchio Village Haus, it’s additionally a madhouse throughout prime eating hours, which makes it someplace you’ll need to keep away from in the course of the peak lunch and dinner rushes if you’d like a reprieve from the crowds and chaos.
Nonetheless, it’s house to the lounge lizard Sonny Eclipse, the alien Audio Animatronics performer who’s the epitome of the kind of ‘little factor’ that makes Walt Disney World particular. We nonetheless go there every so often simply to see one in every of Sonny Eclipses units, however we’re seldom impressed by something we eat at Cosmic Ray’s.
4. Pinocchio Village Haus – Fantasyland – Disney acquired swept up within the flatbread craze a number of years in the past, and Pinocchio Village Haus grew to become the default location in Magic Kingdom for these. The menu began robust, however has gone downhill since, and it’s lengthy overdue for an additional new idea. However, you may often get fortunate with a freshly-made flatbread that tastes nice. They’ve additionally had seasonal flatbreads now and again which can be normally higher than the everlasting menu choices. (I truly kinda just like the Buffalo Hen Flatbread, pictured above.)
One other upside of Pinocchio Village Haus is the window views overlooking “it’s a small world.” That’s actually enjoyable and distinctive, and we love late nights seated right here when the restaurant has cleared out. The downsides are just about every thing else. Pinocchio Village Haus is the Fantasyland restaurant, and that’s evident in the course of the lunch and dinner rushes. It’s loud and chaotic with households and young children, and the meals normally is okay at greatest.
3. Casey’s Nook – Essential Avenue USA – Magic Kingdom is house to many iconic points of interest and must-dos for the ceremony of passage Walt Disney World trip. Arguably, Casey’s Nook is a type of. The recent canines are shockingly good, nevertheless it’s the plant-based slaw canine that’s most scrumptious (sure, actually).
Then there are the well-known Corn Canine Nuggets. In case you ate these wherever else, they most likely could be completely odd and forgettable. As a late night time Fourth Meal with a view of Cinderella Fortress whereas ready for the fireworks? They’re pure perfection.
Nonetheless, Casey’s Nook is however a easy sizzling canine spot. Is it actually deserving of a spot within the high 3? At another Walt Disney World park, it might not. However in terms of Magic Kingdom, there’s a greater argument for it rating #2 than #4.
2. Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn & Cafe – Frontierland – Pecos Invoice was once the Frontierland equal of Cosmic Ray’s, nevertheless it now serves a menu of Mexican delicacies plus some typical theme park meals. The range alone makes it one of many higher decisions within the Magic Kingdom.
Regardless of being one in every of Magic Kingdom’s large eateries, Pecos Invoice additionally advantages from a superior seating space. It’s subdivided into a variety of completely different sections, and whereas the primary one you strategy shall be crowded and chaotic–identical to Cosmic Ray’s–throughout prime eating hours, the others are sometimes higher.
The one downside, as lined in The Demise of Pecos Invoice, is that not one of the meals right here is superb. The meats are all one step above the grade of the stuff they put in pet food. There’s now not a toppings bar to masks the low high quality of the opposite components. It’s a dropping mixture throughout the board, and signifies that Pecos Invoice is a shadow of what it as soon as was.
In case you don’t see something on this description that sounds worthy of a #2 rating, properly, you’re proper! That’s exactly the purpose, and it’s an issue endemic of Magic Kingdom counter service eating, as a complete. Walt Disney World has switched suppliers, decreased parts, and dumbed down menus to chop prices. Consequently, virtually all the counter service delicacies at Magic Kingdom is downright dangerous–nowhere nearly as good because it was 5 years in the past.
1. Columbia Harbour Home – Liberty Sq. – Fortunately, there’s one exception to this rule. Columbia Harbour Home stays a favourite of ours, due to its stable seafood menu and really relaxed upstairs seating. Whether or not you need one thing on the more healthy facet or a platter of fried delights, Columbia Harbour Home has acquired you lined. It’s additionally an excellent place to flee the crowds of Magic Kingdom.
The parts are hearty, the dishes style nice, and Columbia Harbour Home usually presents good worth for cash. From the Lobster Roll to the Grilled Salmon to the Shrimp Skewers, the menu is bold and satisfying. (Fortunately, the fan-favorite Hushpuppies are additionally again!) There are nonetheless some primary choices and it gained’t attraction to those that dislike seafood, however for seafood followers, it’s the simple #1 decide in Magic Kingdom.
Columbia Harbour Home is the one full-scale counter service restaurant in your complete park that’s presently price your time, cash or abdomen house. It’s not even a remotely shut name, both. Although it has additionally gone downhill a bit in the previous couple of years, Columbia Harbour Home remains to be far and away the most effective counter service restaurant in Magic Kingdom. It’s arguably the one entry on this checklist that’s truly good as of 2024.
Based mostly upon these descriptions, you may most likely perceive why it’s so troublesome to rank a number of the Magic Kingdom’s counter service eating places. The highest of the checklist has some good choices, and there are a couple of selection objects right here and there at the remainder of the eating places, however by and enormous counter service eating within the Magic Kingdom is a sea of ‘meh.’ The Magic Kingdom is the worst park when it comes to counter service eating, with Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios all having considerably higher counter service choices. It’s actually not even shut.
Happily for Magic Kingdom friends, actually nice choices are solely a monorail or boat experience away within the Magic Kingdom Space Resorts, and lunch at one in every of these counter service locales could be a great way to interrupt up the day. You’ll be able to actually have a pleasant meal within the Magic Kingdom, however we really feel Walt Disney World’s flagship theme park actually must up its sport when it comes to eating. Be Our Visitor Restaurant was a superb begin, however now that’s gone and different menus across the park have gotten even worse.
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Your Ideas
Which Magic Kingdom counter service restaurant is your favourite? Have you ever dined at these eating places? Which did you want and dislike? What are your high Magic Kingdom counter service eating places? We love to listen to from readers, so when you’ve got any ideas or questions, submit them within the feedback!
