Uh oh! We don't support IE due to its failure to integrate new web standards.
For the best browsing experience, please use

More Info →

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search
MENUMENU
  • Crowd Calendars
        • January Crowd Calendar
        • February Crowd Calendar
        • March Crowd Calendar
        • April Crowd Calendar
        • May Crowd Calendar
        • June Crowd Calendar
        • July Crowd Calendar
        • August Crowd Calendar
        • September Crowd Calendar
        • October Crowd Calendar
        • November Crowd Calendar
        • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
        • Magic Kingdom
        • Epcot
        • Disney World Tickets
        • Hollywood Studios
        • Slinky Dog Dash
        • Animal Kingdom
        • Typhoon Lagoon
        • Blizzard Beach
        • Disney Springs
        • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
  • Resorts
        • On-Site
        • Off-Site
        • Disney World Value Resorts
        • Disney World Moderate Resorts
        • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
        • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
        • Dining Basics
        • Disney World Dining Plan Satuli Canteen
        • Disney Dining Plan
        • Animal Kingdom Disney World Dining Plan
        • Our top Table Service restaurants
        • Our top Quick Service restaurants
        • Guide to all Disney World character meals
        • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
        • 6 Step Planning Process
        • Disney binder planning workskeet
        • Planning Basics
        • Big Thunder Mountain exterior
        • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
        • Disney Movie Magic
        • Trip Planning for Families
        • Special Needs
        • Money and Shopping
        • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
        • Mask tips for Disney World trips
        • Cast Member with a mask
        • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
        • Disney Park Pass choose day
        • Where to find characters right now
        • Joy
        • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
        • How to tour Disney World right now
        • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
        • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
        • Choosing when to visit in 2021
        • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
        • How transportation works now
  • Mobile
      • Podcast
      • Become a WDW Prep Patron
      • About
      • Get a Quote
      • Things We Recommend
      • Contact
      • Search

Dining with kids at Disney World – PREP112

Share on pinterest
PIN
Share on facebook
FB
WDW Prep School → WDW Prep To Go Podcast → Featured → Dining with kids at Disney World – PREP112
  • Shannon Albert
  • October 18, 2015
  • October 25, 2018

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.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download


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.

In this article (click for table of contents)

  • Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron
  • Call in your non-Disney World questions
  • Dining with kids at Disney World
  • News
  • Quick tip of the day
  • Subscribe to get new episodes

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Call in your non-Disney World questions

If you have a non-Disney World question about websites, podcasts, business, personal stuff, etc., please leave me a SpeakPipe message and I’ll put them together for a show at the end of the year. You can do that by downloading the SpeakPipe app or using your computer at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

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.

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you’re used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

  • Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
  • Subscribe to the feed
  • Listen on Stitcher

Read this next

Popular Related Articles

Related Posts:

  • Budgeting for food at Disney (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
  • Disney Dining Plan (cost, best credits, and is it worth it?)
  • 100+ tips for your Disney World trip
  • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
  • Nassau, Bahamas (Disney Cruise Line Port of Call)
  • Walt Disney World is reopening, here's what you need to know
  • 100+ free downloads for your Disney World binder
  • Complete Guide to Disney Springs at Disney World

In this category

More Tips and Tricks

  • WDW Prep To Go Podcast

Ready to book a trip for 2021?

The team at Small World Vacations is ready to help get you started.

Get a quote now

12 Comments

  1. Amber April 11, 2017 Reply

    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!!

  2. Julia Thomason October 26, 2015 Reply

    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.

  3. Dana October 22, 2015 Reply

    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!

    • Shannon Albert October 22, 2015

      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.

  4. Laura October 21, 2015 Reply

    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!

  5. Caroline October 20, 2015 Reply

    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!

    • Nicolle October 22, 2015

      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.

    • Caroline October 23, 2015

      Thanks SO much!!! I appreciate it!

  6. Kristen October 20, 2015 Reply

    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.

  7. Stephen October 19, 2015 Reply

    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.

    • Shannon Albert October 19, 2015

      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.

    • Stephen October 19, 2015

      Thank you!

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Start here

  • Crowd Calendars
    • January Crowd Calendar
    • February Crowd Calendar
    • March Crowd Calendar
    • April Crowd Calendar
    • May Crowd Calendar
    • June Crowd Calendar
    • July Crowd Calendar
    • August Crowd Calendar
    • September Crowd Calendar
    • October Crowd Calendar
    • November Crowd Calendar
    • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Typhoon Lagoon
    • Blizzard Beach
    • Disney Springs
    • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
  • Resorts
    • On-Site
    • Off-Site
    • Disney World Value Resorts
    • Disney World Moderate Resorts
    • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
    • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
    • Dining Basics
    • Disney Dining Plan
    • Our top Table Service restaurants
    • Our top Quick Service restaurants
    • Guide to all Disney World character meals
    • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
    • 6 Step Planning Process
    • Planning Basics
    • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
    • Trip Planning for Families
    • Special Needs
    • Money and Shopping
    • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
    • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
    • Mask tips for Disney World trips
    • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
    • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
    • Choosing when to visit in 2021
    • How to tour Disney World right now
    • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
    • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
    • Where to find characters right now
    • How transportation works now
  • Mobile

More Goodies

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search

I just got back from a five night stay at Coronado Springs and had the best time! Even though I went during the busy season I barely waited in any lines and was able to do everything I wanted!

Jonathan C.

Meet us there


IG

FB

PI

TW

YT

EM

WDWprepschool.com is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, the Walt Disney Company.

PRIVACY POLICY

© 2021 PREP SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

WDW PREP SCHOOL ON INSTAGRAM​

Last day of Festival of the Arts. Bring on Flower Last day of Festival of the Arts. Bring on Flower and Garden! Starts March 3.
It's not goodbye, it's see ya real soon. 📸 @kat It's not goodbye, it's see ya real soon. 📸 @katiedidlynn
New “EARidescent” decor coming for the 18-mont New “EARidescent” decor coming for the 18-month long 50th celebration that officially begins on October 1.

Colorful outfits for Mickey and Minnie (do you like them better than the previous confetti version?), embellishments on Cinderella Castle, plus projections on the other park icons have been announced so far.

Was hoping for more, but I suspect they’ll be dripping the info out as they learn more about how things are going safety-wise.

What are your thoughts? Will you be making a trip for the 50th? We will!

Swipe to see all of the announcement pics. ➡️
It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King retur It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King returns this summer!

It’ll be in a modified form for safety purposes. No specific reopening date given, but so happy the list of things to look forward to keeps growing. 🙌
Load More... Follow on Instagram