No offense, Disney, but there are some places in Disney World we have to skip. After you work in Disney World six days a week for over six months, you start seeing Mickey Mouse in your dreams and hearing the Main Street, U.S.A. music in your head, even when it’s completely silent around you. Are we saying we felt a little haunted by the spirit of Sonny Eclipse? Maybe…
Hi there, MICKEY!
Yes, there are some things we REFUSE to do now that the Disney Food Blog team of former Disney World Cast Members is off the clock. Today we’re talking FOOD. After working in EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we have some opinions about Disney World dining. Here’s a list of all the places we DON’T plan to visit any time soon.
Be Our Guest
OK, with a team full of former Disney World Cast Members, no one around here wants to Be [Disney’s] Guest.
Be Our Guest
Let’s just take a second to look at the prices. This place has a prix-fixe menu, and the meal is $70 per adult and $41 per child. It’s not cheap. But that’s not our biggest gripe because, for a three-course meal, it’s not totally unreasonable to charge roughly $23 per dish. The problem is the food itself!
Be Our Guest Entrees
We’ve eaten a LOT of Disney food. A LOT. There’s just something about the menu here that just leaves us feeling a little letdown. The atmosphere? Stunning! The highly rushed Beast sighting and mediocre entrees? Disappointing. For the price, we wanted a little more.
Beast in Be Our Guest at Disney World
This restaurant used to be a fan favorite. In fact, we used to LOVE coming here for breakfast. But breakfast a la carte is no more. We miss those days.
How Be Our Guest Restaurant Lunch Slowly Declined From Perfect to Pathetic
Coral Reef
Most Disney World Cast Members — both former and current — seem to agree that Coral Reef is just not a go-to spot for people looking for a really good meal in EPCOT.
Coral Reef Restaurant
Again, the atmosphere here is pretty unique. You’re dining next to a HUGE tank full of fish! That’s not something you can do at your local Cheesecake Factory, eh?
Entertainment while you eat!
But, once again, we need to address the food. It’s just not our favorite! Coral Reef has some stiff competition in EPCOT. It’s got Via Napoli, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya, Le Cellier, and La Hacienda de San Angel to compete with, and those are some POPULAR restaurants.
New England Clam Chowder
When you work in EPCOT and get to smell the heavenly scents of Karamell-Küche and smoked meat at EPCOT festival booths on a daily basis, you certainly don’t feel inspired to walk past all the amazing World Showcase offerings for a bowl of Clam Chowder. Just sayin.
We’re STILL Confused About Our Meal at This EPCOT Restaurant
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Sorry, Mr. Eclipse. We don’t mean to offend. But of all the quick-service locations in Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is our least favorite.
Hello, old friend.
Is this a good place for picky eaters? Sure. Maybe. Do the chicken tenders have that star quality we look for in a good fried meal? Not really. They’re just okay!
Chicken Strips
We can’t bash this place too much because you may still catch us here if we’re starving and need a quick snack, but Magic Kingdom has better options. Cheeseburger Spring Rolls will ALWAYS beat the actual burgers served here.
I was a Disney World Cast Member. Do NOT Order This at Cosmic Ray’s in Magic Kingdom.
Rose & Crown
This may be a little bit of a hot take! You may be surprised to see this on the list. But really, this is a one-and-done restaurant for us. The atmosphere is fine (there is a nice view of the World Showcase Lagoon, though). The food is, once again, mediocre. But with so many BETTER places to eat in EPCOT, we can’t confidently recommend this one to our friends.
Rose and Crown in the UK
Let’s be honest — most people probably come here for the drinks, not the food. There’s nothing wrong with that, but be warned that this location can be NOISY, so it’s probably not the place to take a family with small children.
This EPCOT Dining HACK Just Changed My LIFE…AGAIN!
Space 220
Finally, we have to talk about one of the newer EPCOT restaurants, Space 220.
Space 220 in EPCOT
This place is known for its atmosphere. The story goes that you’re dining wayyy up in space, 220 miles above Earth. You even take a space elevator to get up to the restaurant. Fun!
Full spread
With such an interesting dining concept, we had high hopes for this place! Ultimately, though, the prices felt a little too high, and the menu didn’t “wow” us. Are we being a little harsh with our opinions? That’s up to you to decide! If you love the menu items here, like the Gemini Burger or the Steak Salad, enjoy! But when we’re working with a $55 two-course prix-fixe menu, we want to leave satisfied. Ultimately, we didn’t.
Those views are COOL, though!
So, what do you think? Are you ready to disagree in the comments? We want to know! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
This EPCOT Dining HACK Just Changed My LIFE
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To each there own but I eat at Cosmic Rays every trip to Magic Kingdom. I was lucky enough last trip to sit right in front of Mr Eclipse and enjoyed the show as we ate.
I totally agree.Disney charges way to much for food items.As a former cast member I’v seen the food quality don’t match the prices they charge.Walt Disney would have never allowed for our guest not to able to enjoy a meal without breaking the bank.A family of 4 would spend what they probably spend in a month a groceries or more.When I visit with family or friends we always make sure to eat a good breakfast at home and bring snacks and water for the day and leave the park to eat somewhere thats 1/3 of the price.Let me not start about the $30.00 parking fee..smh..other then that I love visiting the parks.
I completely agree with all these except Rose/Crown, and only because I’ve never eaten there so can’t form an opinion, lol!
We had the opposite experience at Be Our Guest. Liked the food, but was not aware of the two “wings”. We felt like we were doing the poverty march past the posh ballroom diners to be seated in a lackluster corner of the restaurant where “beast proposed to Belle”A square room with a few paintings. Beast didn’t even fully come into the room either. What’s up with the catfish, Disney? 😂
We are just back from Disneyworld. Instead of paying the higher price for a sit-down meal we always have success with the walk up fish & chips at UK.
We also tried Space 220. The atmosphere was very Cool! Our waiter (Mac) was excellent! Food was good. Prices are high! Definitely a 1 and done for us.
My husband and I LOVE Coral Reef! We eat there at least once every visit. The shrimp and grits are excellent and consistent. I must admit that’s the only thing we’ve ever ordered there but it’s delicious!
For years, I have actively discouraged friends from dining at Coral Seas. My first experience was extremely underwhelming and years later my second experience (only happened because of a late decision to dine in Epcot) confirmed my earlier experience.
Sad that Be Our Guest has devolved into an expensive place with mediocre food. I’m glad that I dined there many times before the change to the breakfast menu. Back then, I thought the food was great and the price was somewhat reasonable.
I used to like the Coral Reef, but lately the menu doesn’t appeal to me. On the other hand, the menu at Coral Reef seems to change every 3 to 4 years, so maybe the next change will be better. I would love to try Space 220 for the theming, but since I never eat appetizers, any restaurant with a prix-fixe menu is a waste of money. If the lunch menu offered a choice of either an appetizer or a dessert to go with the entree, I’d probably give it a shot.
I have to agree, the atmosphere at Be Our Guest is stunning, food not so much. It was a one and done with me. But the Rose & Crown, I love that place & eat there every time I’m at the E! The food is always delicious. I have food allergies and they always take the proper precautions. Regarding it being noisy, here is a tip-there is a covered outdoor seating area. We dine in the outdoor area and it is a lot quieter because you are far from the bar which tends to be noisy.
We absolutely loved space 220 – the kids loved it so much, the staff was so friendly and the food was so good. Totally worth the price on the last night of your visit. Just get thingd that are worth the price (steak, duck) and go for dinner when you get (delicious) desserts included. The best.
Did lunch in 2019 at Be Our Guest. Sooo..very disappointed. Bad cafeteria food. Rose and Crown, again disappointed in the food. Coral Reef passable but consider it a one and done.
We usually eat at the Coral Reef when in Disney World. You are right about the food, it is nothing spectacular. But we used to dive the aquarium with the early group, then go around and have dinner at the Coral Reef while watching the second set of divers. It was always fun to do.
Thought I was lucky to snag a reservation at space 220 on my last visit. Food was ho hum, but the kids running around reminded me of chuckle cheese
Have to disagree with two of your comments. The chicken strips at Cosmic Ray’s were the best of the quick serve meal we had over Easter weekend.
After hearing people rave about the spring rolls I had to try them. Unfortunately they were extremely disappointing.
love cosmic rays and eat there every time we visit MK. sometimes you just want basic food and a great toppings bar
Agreed
Luckily, we got to dine at Be Our Guest in the ballroom and the ‘dark room’ a couple of times each pre-pandemic. We never got to dine in the library, but we did get to walk through it once, thanks to a friendly cast member. But even though we spent a spectacular Christmas Eve in the ballroom dining next to the windows with the snow coming down, right next to the big tree, we will probably never go there again. Even then, the food was underwhelming, bland, with too little choice, and expensive! We’ve never had another visit to BOG where we liked where we sat otherwise, and we likely won’t be back unless they bring back quick service for breakfast or lunch. Cosmic Ray’s is great when it’s not too crowded and like someone else mentioned, you can sit close enough to enjoy the show. All the more fun in your DFB Cosmic Ray’s tee, so be careful about busting on us loyal Ray fans 😉 Coral Reef is a matter of wanting to be out of the hustle and bustle, and being open to having whatever the best thing is that the restaurant currently serves up. The aquarium is so much fun, but unless the other factors are important to you, it no doubt is a once and done for many people. We were super impressed with the fish and chips at Rose and Crown, but that was during a fireworks dining event, so hardly the every day experience. My Space 220 tips is really DFB’s Space 220 tip originally – get lounge reservations. The food is better, the service was amazing, and costs so much less. The total opposite of our table service reservation experience there. I would have never done Space 220 again if it weren’t for lounge reservations. Now, we’re pretty excited to go back!
love the rose and crown . it is my favorite
Loved Cosmic Rays during my DW trip. I had been walking and tired and blistered and hungry, so I got chicken strips and fries and had a seat. It was very difficult to get up and going again, but others were starting to circle in a seat-hunt, so I moved on. Going to go back next trip. Simple but sometimes simple is what you want after being sensory overloaded.
We always eat at Cosmic Ray’s everytime we come to Disney World! We fly in from NJ and are in DisneyWorld for lunch! Our arrival day is always going to MK, making a pic on Main Street with the castle , and head right into Tomorrowland to Cosmic Ray’s for our first meal of our DisneyWorld vacation!!!! That will never change for us, it’s our tradition and how we start Our DisneyWorld vacations! We try different Disney hotels & restaurants, but always eat first meal at Cosmic Rays—We love it!!!
I was actually very pleasantly surprised by the food at space 220! Not sure if I’d return but well worth it for the experience! Agree that rose and crown food is just ok, but the beer options and view make up for that…. But honestly I’m all about the theming — can often get better meals cheaper but gosh, can’t get the Beast or a trip into space or world class fireworks anywhere else
Wow…the Rose and Crown is my only must-do restaurant when I go to WDW. I just love it there! As far as Coral Reef, I’m just so disappointed in their menu. You should have a hard time deciding what to choose, but the menu is so limited. Last time I was there there was only about two seafood items to choose from, neither of which was appealing. You should be able to at least get fried shrimp which is common at every other seafood restaurant but no, not on this menu. I’m also not interested in fixed price menus. Generally the choices are sparse and don’t really match up when considering price.
Just a few thoughts,
First went to Be Our Guest in 2016 and again2018? And we had a great time, atmosphere and food was fantastic, with a good time in the meet and greet with beast. Went last year, food was good, but the atmosphere, price and no photo op with beast, we probably won’t be back.
Went to space 220 first time last month, atmosphere was great, food was good, price for lunch, $55, a bit high, would never pay 75 for dinner just for a dessert, may do a lounge meal, but if you do it once there is no big desire to do it again.
We enjoy coral sea in the past, but last couple of years the menu seems kind of mediocre so we have skipped it.
Steak house 71, atmosphere is blah, but the food and pricing makes it a great place to go.
Agree with Be Our Guest. Lunch used to be great, but the quality doesn’t justify the price. Coral Reef was ok, but I’d spend the extra to go to Narcoossee’s. I do like Rose & Crown. I like Sonny Eclipse at Ray’s but not sure why Disney can’t make a decent quality quick service hamburger.
I love Be Our Guest. But I had weight loss surgery five years ago, so the amount of food I eat is about that of a five-year-old. Not going to pay $70 for a meal I can’t eat and a Beast drive by, if we’re lucky!
I respectfully disagree about Cosmic Ray’s. They have a really good hamburger and their fries are off the hook!!