Visiting Walt Disney World with little ones can take a lot of planning.
From stroller rentals, to figuring out the best form of transportation, to booking a hotel, to learning how cribs and pack ‘n plays work, there’s so much to learn.
One of the other things families have to think about when it comes to traveling to Disney World with little ones? Dining!
Kids can be picky eaters. Plus, how does dining even work for toddlers and babies? We’re here to answer all your questions when it comes to dining with little ones at Disney.
Below are the best places to dine with babies and toddlers at Disney World (plus some other important information).
Important note: This post is just one piece of a group of resources geared towards helping families with babies and toddlers traveling to Walt Disney World. Make sure you check out our Complete Guide to traveling to Disney World with Babies and Toddlers for even more information to help you plan your dream vacation.
Best places to dine with a baby or toddler at Disney World
First, a few details about Quick Service and Table Service dining…
What is Quick Service dining at Disney?
Keep in mind that Quick Service dining is, you guessed it, quick. These are counter-service meals served in a casual fashion.
If you want something fast, or your little one doesn’t do well sitting for a longer meal, or you simply want to save money, Quick Service is the way to go.
These also don’t require a reservation, with many locations offering Mobile Order meaning you can order via the My Disney Experience app on your phone.
What is Table Service dining at Disney?
Table Service almost always requires reservations (you can book up to 60 days in advance).
These are typically longer meals. While some little ones may not be a fan of Table Service, they may end up truly enjoying the locations that offer character dining.
Not only will they have an enjoyable meal (hopefully), but they also get to meet characters, take photos, hug them, and have characters sign autographs.
Table Service is on the pricier side compared to Quick Service, but sometimes the bang is worth the buck especially when you can eat a nice meal and meet characters all at once.
Plus, Table Service provides the chance for a break from a busy park day. Not only do little ones need rest time, but so do adults.
Here are just a few dining suggestions that we believe will be the biggest hits for little ones at the theme parks and Disney Springs.
Magic Kingdom
Quick Service
Casey’s Corner
Casey’s Corner serves hot dogs, foot-long hot dogs, corn dog nuggets, and fries. There are also plant-based hot dog options.
Columbia Harbour House
Columbia Harbour House is known for its seafood options, like fried chicken strips and shrimp baskets. There are also sandwiches and soups.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Cosmic Ray’s serves hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, chicken strips, and other standard theme park fare.
Pinocchio Village Haus
Pinocchio Village Haus has a variety of pizzas (cheese and pepperoni flatbreads), chicken strips, PB&J Uncrustables, and more.
Table Service
Be Our Guest
Be Our Guest is themed after Beauty and the Beast. You get to eat inside the Beast’s castle! You may even have the chance to meet the Beast during lunch and/or dinner.
Meals are prix-fixe and have 3-course menus, but there are kid-friendly options, including macaroni and cheese and chicken breast.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Cinderella’s Royal Table gives you the chance to dine inside Cinderella Castle. It’s gorgeous, to say the least.
While breakfast isn’t prix-fixe, lunch and dinner allow adults and kids to choose a range of options for appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
Some kid-friendly choices are Mickey Waffles for breakfast and macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, fish, and beef tenderloin for lunch and dinner.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet, where guests can meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore!
Because it’s all-you-can-eat, there are plenty of food options for little ones and anyone who might be a picky eater.
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Epcot
Quick Service
Connections Eatery
Connections Eatery has a big menu and great options for kids, like pizza, chicken strips, and a cheeseburger.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that next door is Connections Cafe, which is Epcot’s only Starbucks location.
Sunshine Seasons
Sunshine Seasons is a large food court inside The Land Pavilion. Kids can choose from cheese and pepperoni pizza rolls, macaroni and cheese, salmon, or a chicken drumstick. The specialty desserts are sometimes really good here too.
La Cantina de San Angel
La Cantina de San Angel is the main Quick Service spot in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. There is Mexican and American cuisine, including chicken tacos, empanadas con queso, chicken tenders, and macaroni and cheese. Nachos are also on the menu.
Table Service
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a family-style character dining experience giving guests the chance to meet Disney princesses (Ariel, Snow White, Princess Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella).
Keep in mind that even though there is a lot of Norwegian fare, there are still kid-friendly and American options, like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, and more.
Garden Grill
Garden Grill is a fun all-you-can-eat family-style character dining experience, where you can meet Farmer Mickey, Chip ‘n’ Dale, and Pluto.
Many of the vegetables you eat during the meal are actually grown in the Living with the Land greenhouse!
Space 220
Space 220 is an out-of-this-world dining experience. While this isn’t a character meal, Space 220 “transports” guests to space for a fabulous meal.
You really feel as if you’re in space and kids will love looking out the windows. Plus, they just might spot astronauts (maybe with lightsabers) and a space dog floating by.
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Hollywood Studios
Quick Service
PizzeRizzo
PizzeRizzo sells – yep – pizza. This is a great spot for kids who have a pickier palate. There are other menu offerings as well, including salad, a meatball sub, and a plant-based Spicy Italian “Sausage” Sub.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is one of the best Quick Service spots in all of Disney World. The Star Wars theming is on point and there are also some fun kids’ meals, like pasta, veggies and hummus, and crispy chicken served with macaroni and cheese.
Woody’s Lunch Box
Woody’s Lunch Box has fantastic Toy Story theming and serves pretty decent food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This spot is great for families.
The kids’ portions are decent for the prices, especially the grilled cheese sandwich. Plus, there are homemade lunch box tarts that make for a pretty tasty sweet treat.
Table Service
Hollywood & Vine
Hollywood & Vine is a buffet character dining that is fun for all ages. You can meet Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto during Minnie’s Seasonal Dining at lunch and dinner times.
Breakfast is the Disney Junior Play n’ Dine, meaning only Disney Junior characters (Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins, and Vampirina) appear.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is a really unique dining experience. You eat as if you’re at a drive-in theater in ’50s-style cars, which can be fun for kids.
Some of us on the WDW Prep School team (ahem, Allyson) think Sci-Fi has the best milkshakes on property, so you and your little one(s) should definitely indulge.
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Animal Kingdom
Quick Service
Restaurantosaurus
While not the best dining location at Animal Kingdom, Restaurantosaurus offers fun dinosaur-theming. You can order typical theme park food (hot dogs, burgers, that is good for kids and picky eaters.
Pizzafari
Pizzafari is a popular Quick Service spot that’s also a good choice for anyone who is a pickier eater. You definitely want to use Mobile Order here.
You can find standard theme park food, specifically pizzas. Choose from cheese, pepperoni, sausage and pepperoni, along with salads and a chicken parmesan sandwich.
Satu’li Canteen
Satu’li Canteen is an excellent Quick Service location that we recommend all guest try at least once.
It might not seem like the obviously choice for kids, there are several great choices: protein bowls with either chicken, beef, or tofu, cheese quesadillas, cheeseburger bao buns, and a hot dog wrapped in dough.
Table Service
Tusker House
Tusker House is a fantastic character dining option. You get to meet Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy in their safari gear!
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Disney Springs
Quick Service
The Polite Pig
The Polite Pig is a worthwhile dining option if you’re shopping at Disney Springs. The kids’ menu has several choices for little ones, including chicken tenders, barbecue meatballs, macaroni and cheese, smoked pork slider, and sliced smoked turkey breast.
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza has so many varieties of toppings, sauces, and more when it comes to pizza. To be exact, you can choose from over 40 delicious toppings and sauces. How fun is that? Plus, the pizza here is delicious.
Chicken Guy!
Chicken Guy! is a Guy Fieri creation. You can order chicken tenders (a staple for most little ones), chicken skewers, sandwiches, and salads. Don’t forget to check out the massive menu of signature sauces.
Table Service
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Raglan Road is a top Table Service spot in Disney Springs. Kids have their own menu featuring chicken, fish, and macaroni and cheese.
At certain times of the day, Raglan Road even has entertainment in the form of Irish dancers and music. It’s a fun atmosphere.
Wine Bar George
Wine Bar George has a great atmosphere, dining indoors and outdoors, and a stellar menu. Kids can order macaroni and cheese, a hot dog, crispy chicken tenders, and house-made meatballs.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
While there are plenty of menu items many adults will love at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, kids have good options in the form of fish sticks, fried chicken sandwich, fried chicken tenders, and a cheeseburger.
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FAQs about dining with little ones at Disney World
Do I need to include babies and toddlers on a dining reservation?
The short answer: Yes.
The long answer: Everyone in your party must be included in your reservation, including babies and toddlers.
Children under the age of 3 will not be charged for dining, but they still must be included on the reservation.
Restaurants need to know the exact number so they can set tables appropriately.
By including children under the age of 3, Cast Members will also know if they need to provide the table a high chair or if they should save space for an infant carrier seat.
Keep in mind that your little one most likely won’t be able to sit in their stroller if you’re going to a Table Service location.
Most Table Service spots do not allow strollers inside (there is always stroller parking nearby) because they take up a lot of room.
Do babies and toddler pay at buffets?
No, babies and toddlers do not pay at Disney World buffets. Children under 3 eat free, including at character meal buffets.
Even though they do eat at no charge, you still must include them on the reservation. See the question above for a lengthier explanation.
How does Disney know a child is under 3?
They don’t. You are not required to show proof of age. Disney is going to trust you to be honest.
Tips about dining with little ones at Disney World
Use Mobile Order
Mobile Order can be a big time saver compared to waiting in a physical line, especially if you’re eating during peak dining times. You can also order food and drinks ahead of time, which makes planning easier and is a good way to avoid anyone getting hangry.
Share meals
You can share at any Table Service restaurant as long as it’s not a buffet or fixed-price menu. Consider ordering separate appetizers and splitting an entrée. Flights of drinks are a good option for sharing, too. Regarding buffets and prix-fixe meals: you can share off each other’s plates, but everyone (except children under 3) will still be charged individually.
Pack your own food and snacks
You can bring in outside food and nonalcoholic beverages into the park, but they cannot be in glass containers. This is a money saver and a good way to keep picky eaters happy.
If you need dietary or allergy-friendly menus
If you’re traveling with a little one (or a teenager and/or adult) that have special dietary and/or allergy-friendly requests, you can plan ahead by looking at menus online. But, know you can (and should) talk with Cast Members/chefs during your visit to ensure your meal meets any special requirements.
Look for cheap and healthy snacks
If you’re in need of an affordable and healthy snack for your little one, you can ask Quick Service locations (where applicable) for a bag of fruit that usually comes with kids meals.
Ask questions
If you have a question about a menu or want to see if a Table Service chef can prepare something that’s not on the menu, ask! Disney is usually pretty accommodating and the worst they’re going to say is no.
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