Grab your Mickey ears and follow along with us as we uncover the truth about Disney World restaurants!

We’ve heard some outrageous claims and myths that have left us scratching our heads. In this blog post, we’re debunking the biggest lies about dining at Disney World and revealing the real gems that every Disney enthusiast needs to experience.

Myth #1: Character Dining is Only for Kids

Sure, character meals at Disney World are a great way to ensure your kids get some “face time” with Disney characters, but that doesn’t mean they’re all about chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and Mickey waffles.

At Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, you can have a butchers steak with polenta for your breakfast while you get some great pictures with Painter Mickey, Poet Minnie, Sculptor Donald, and Dancer Daisy. Or you can try the Sour Cream Waffle with Chantilly and Orange-Maple Syrup.

Later in the day, head over to Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White for a truly upscale themed dining experience, including appetizers like a Wild Mushroom Bisque or Wicked Shrimp Cocktail, and entrees including the Royal Prime Rib Roast or Magic Mirror’s Slow-Braised Pork Shank.

Need help planning your Disney World vacation? Start here!

Myth #2: Disney World Restaurants Are Overpriced

YES. Disney World Dining can be overpriced. You can spend $18 for a mediocre burger, fries and soda in any number of quick service dining locations at Disney World. But you can also find fabulous, fast food that is totally worth the price.

Did you know that for that same $18, you can get a platter (big enough to share!) of fried shrimp, chicken strips and battered fish with hushpuppies and fries and your soft drink at Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom?

How about a ham, cheese and bechamel filled croissant at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in EPCOT for $8.95? Or Baked Mac and Cheese with Pulled Pork for $6.79 at Eight Spoon Cafe in Animal Kingdom?

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Myth #3: You Can Always Walk In and Get a Table

We know, we know, at many theme parks, you walk right up to the gate, buy a ticket, walk in, ride what you want to ride, eat what you want to eat, and go home. We’re here to remind you that Disney World is an entirely different ballgame.

Sure, you can be spontaneous, if park pass reservations are available on the day you want to visit. But don’t count on deciding at 11am that you want to have lunch with the princesses in Cinderella’s Royal Table at 12:30. It’s pretty likely those reservations were gone 60 days ago.

We don’t want you to miss out on ANY of the special Disney World dining experiences you have been dreaming of, and that’s why we try to equip you every day – through our blog posts, YouTube videos, and eBooks – with all of the tools you need to plan your ideal Disney World trip. We do what we do because every member of the DFB team wants to save you time, money, and stress.

Advance Dining Reservations open up 60 days before your trip, so we encourage you to be ready for a plan about which restaurants you want to visit, including a few alternates, as well as an outline of the days and times you want to book each meal.

And don’t forget one of our best tips – don’t book too many reservations! You will want to be out exploring, as well as taking advantage of the unique dining experiences you can have at Disney World. Booking reservations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner won’t leave you much time for riding the classic Disney World rides in Magic Kingdom, or shopping at some of the unique spots in Disney Springs.

That’s a look at three of the biggest lies we hear about Disney World, as well as our “myth-busting” takes on them. We want you to explore the diverse dining scene at Disney World, and we’re sharing our decades of Disney World travel experience with you in one easy-to-use guide – our DFB Guide to Disney World Dining.

Inside, you’ll find easy-to-follow 5-step plan to take the stress out of planning your Disney World trip, our best-kept secrets for dining in Disney World like a pro, and printable worksheets you need to make dining reservations, plan your budget, and much more.

Order the DFB Guide here today!

A trip to Disney World is so much more than just rides – incredible culinary adventures await! Explore the world of unforgettable dining options with us in the DFB Guide!