Info on dining with kids at Disney World, including suggested places to eat and things to consider with the Disney Dining Plan.
I also have recent news, and a quick tip of the day to help save your phone battery.
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These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.
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Dining with kids at Disney World
Kids don't have to be restricted to burgers and nuggets. Here are some interesting places to eat in the parks:
MAGIC KINGDOM
- Columbia Harbour House (QS) - my personal favorite Quick Service at MK, they have a tuna sandwich on the kids menu, but I'd actually recommend ordering from the adult menu here and splitting it
- Be Our Guest (QS) - I like breakfast and lunch here a lot. Just don't make the same mistake a woman behind me in line did one day when she said "what is there for kids here? Kids don't like Maui Maui!" < ---- The menu has mahi mahi, but she didn't know how to pronounce it. And my kids would love it.
- Liberty Tree Tavern (TS) - kids menu includes turkey and barbecue chicken
EPCOT
- Sunshine Seasons (QS) - one of the best QS locations at Epcot with lots of unique options like Asian food, sandwiches, etc.
- Katsura Grill (QS) - kids menu includes teriyaki chicken but they also have sushi
- Yorkshire County Fish Shop (QS) - great place to grab fish and chips
- Biergarten (TS) - German buffet with live entertainment. Fun to sample different kinds of German food. Everybody will find at least a few things they like.
- Garden Grill (TS) - home cookin' type of food served family-style (and this is a character meal)
ANIMAL KINGDOM
- The new Harambe Market area (QS) - several different windows to visit for interesting food options. I had a gyro during my last visit which was delicious.
- Flame Tree Barbecue (QS) - good BBQ, kids menu isn't that interesting so I'd suggest ordering from the adult menu and splitting
- Tusker House (TS) - buffet with American and African foods and it's delicious. This is a character meal as well.
- Yak and Yeti (TS) - Asian food. My son and I split a dim sum appetizer and an entree which was just the right amount of food for us.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
- Starring Rolls Cafe (QS) - sandwiches, sushi, and cupcakes available. Closes mid-afternoon around 3.
- Brown Derby (TS) - higher end restaurant, but you can visit the Brown Derby Lounge for a slightly more casual vibe (though they don't accept the dining plan at the lounge)
- 50s Prime Time Cafe (TS) - home cooked food in huge portions. Very easy to split entrees here.
For more ideas on where to eat, check out all of my dining guide posts.
Things to keep in mind when using the Disney Dining Plan with kids:
- Quick Service credits aren't split between child and adult so kids can order off of the adult menu.
- Kids at the lower end of the age range might not get the full value out of it.
- Kids 3-9 who are adventurous eaters might be disappointed at Table Service restaurants where they will be restricted to the kids' menu.
News
- Christmas parade taping at Magic Kingdom will take place November 10-13.
- 1900 Park Fare brunch appears to be available during Thanksgiving week.
- Candlelight Processional lineup finalized. You can find the full list in my holiday post.
- People riding Pirates of the Caribbean in the first 1-2 rows often get very wet now.
- New park hours came out recently. See what changed and find the full park hours on the monthly dashboards.
Quick tip of the day
A listener named Jami suggested putting all plans into a note on your phone, taking a screenshot, and then making that the lock screen to make it easier to find the info and save some battery life.
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Hi Shannon,
At table service restaurants that are buffet or all-you-can-eat (Chef Mickey’s, Crystal Palace, Akershus) does a child (4 years old) get charged for a meal automatically? She would normally share with me, so if that’s the case, this type of dining will be much more expensive for us.
Thank you!!
I just listened to the podcast and heard you refer to the Garden Grill several time at the Contemporary for watching the fireworks, but I thought that was the California Grill and the Garden Grill was at Epcot. I love the Garden Grill at Epcot for a character meal, but unfortunately have never been to California Grill at the Contemporary only Chef Mickey’s for character meals.
Thanks for the great info. I have a follow up question on your comment that kids on Quick Service DP can order from the adult menu. Guidance I’ve seen from WDW seems to indicate that they must order from a kids menu if available. So is that enforced? Thanks!
No, it’s not enforced, though you could always just send 1 adult to order for the whole group if you’re worried about it.
Great podcast as always, but I just wanted to add that Hollywood & Vine Disney Junior play & dine is GREAT for people with young kids! Especially when combined with the Fantasmic dining package. This was actually my kids favorite character meal that we did on our last trip. 😉 Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the news! Can’t believe Pirates of the Caribbean is a wet ride! Hoping the sit in the back of the boat tip works…
I was going to place an order at BOG for this Tuesday and was wondering if a Pirate light up cup would be included as a beverage on the DDP or if we would have to pay for that separately.
Also, if Fish and Chips is ordered at Yorkshire on Quick Service dining do we just forgo our drink and dessert since that is all they serve?
Thanks!
Dessert and a drink is included at Yorkshire. Typically a shortbread type cookie and they have fountain beverages.
You must pay for the light up cup.
Thanks SO much!!! I appreciate it!
Great podcast! We found that our kids really enjoyed eating at places with mid-meal ‘entertainment’, like the coconut race at Ohana and the parade with Pooh at Crystal Palace. They couldn’t have cared less about the food, but they loved having fun during their meal and being able to get up and move around the restaurant.
Two questions:
Is Garden Grill’s breakfast a character dining experience?
And, can you elaborate on “splitting entrees?” You mentioned 50’s Cafe’s portions are huge and can easily be split. But, I thought table service meals could not be shared. I have a 10 yr old girl that eats like a bird. So, if we could save a table service credit by having her share our meal at the 50’s cafe, it would be beneficial to our family’s plans.
Yes, Garden Grill is a character meal for all 3 meals of the day beginning on November 8.
You can split entrees at some restaurants, just not the locations that are buffets or serve food family-style. That includes 50s Prime Time Cafe.
Thank you!