My Top 5 Walt Disney World Restaurants
Crystal Palace
Alright, the first of my favourite restaurants in Walt Disney World has got to be Crystal Palace. This restaurant is a character meet and greet and can be found in the Magic Kingdom just beyond Casey's. Crystal Palace is a self-serve all you can eat buffet, which I know doesn't always have the best reputation. My first visit to Crystal Palace was with a picky eater (love you dad) and everyone was able to find something they enjoy. While you eat, the characters walk around the restaurant and stop at each table. You have the opportunity to meet Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger. Per usual, the
characters are always so willing to take as many photos as you would like. They even made a little magic for me as I was unable to see some of the characters during my time there due to some scheduling conflicts. They made sure the characters made their way to me as quick as possible so I was able to see everyone before I left. Crystal Palace serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have only been for lunch so I can't really speak towards breakfast and dinner, but it is my hot take take Disney breakfast buffet food is absolutely delicious. I know, that's a pretty controversial opinion, but have you ever felt sad while eating a Mickey waffle and bacon? Crystal Palace ranges from $35-60 per person and you should plan for about an hour and a half to eat everything you want and have the time to see all the characters. Reservations are highly highly recommended as this is a very popular dining experience.
2. Tusker House
Tusker House is another amazing must do at least once. Also in the $35-60 range, this character dining experience is served family style. You can dine on breakfast, lunch, or dinner while waiting for your favourite characters to dance around in their safari best. I've been twice, one with a friend who's vegan and one who has severe allergies. Both times, the chef came out and discussed the menu options and the extra precautions that would take place to ensure there would be no cross contamination. When the food was brought to our table, there were wooden sticks in the food that was allergy friendly or vegan so that there was no confusion. It's nice to be able to see characters that you can't normally see outside in the parks or even in parades. Tusker House is a popular restaurant, but I have been able to get same day reservations for every day that I tried. Now, that's not to say that you will always be able to get a reservation day of, but it is possible.
3. 'Ohana
'Ohana offers two different types of experiences; breakfast and dinner. Dinner is an all you can eat dining
experience and offers some more traditional Hawaiian dishes. I'm sure dinner is just great, but breakfast
is where it's at (and that's not just because I love Disney breakfast). At breakfast, you can see Lilo and Stitch and Pluto in their Hawaiian outfits. Breakfast is a family style buffet with Stitch waffles and some of the best breakfast potatoes on Disney property. There is so much to look at while you're waiting for the characters to come around. If you're lucky, you can get a window seat and overlook the Polynesian pool that also has a view of the Magic Kingdom. Characters aside, I would recommend breakfast as it's a great
way to watch the sunrise. Disney restaurants all serve Joffrey's Coffee, so it's all the same, but it's all different. Joffrey's Coffee has created different blends of coffee for each environment it will be placed in. The coffee at 'Ohana is one of my favourite blends, only in competition with California Grill, an honourable mention restaurant. 'Ohana, being a part of the Poly, is on the monorail line, which makes it incredibly easy to make your reservation at Magic Kingdom, or anywhere else on the line. If you don't have time for a sit down restaurant but still want a little taste of 'Ohana, I recommend hitting Kona Cafe on the other side of the second floor. From there, you can either order in person or mobile order the bread pudding. This is the same bread pudding that you can order at 'Ohana with the convenient ability to take it on the go.
4. Satu'li Canteen
Satu'li Canteen is a quick service restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom, and I know how it seems having Tusker House and Satu'li Canteen on the same list but hear me out. Satu'li Canteen is part of the incredibly themed Pandora and features food based on the planet Pandora itself. Theming aside, the best part of this land has got to be the cheeseburger pods, which is exactly what it sounds like. All the best cheeseburger tastes wrapped up in a bao bun. Cheeseburger pods were previously only available on the kids menu, but due to popular demand, mostly mine, they have been added to the adult menu as well. The handheld deliciousness is served with a boba topped slaw and vegetable chips. I'm not one for slaw, so I always opt for an additional side of chips. The chips are seasoned in a way that gives it a little extra bite, not spicy, but enough of something to be noticed. Satu'li Canteen is mobile order only, unless you have an allergy that needs to be discussed in person or you only have cash. There is seating inside but it's usually pretty packed because it's air conditioned. Cheeseburger pods are easily portable if you'd like to take them to go, but I like to sit and enjoy the view that is Pandora. They decorate for the holidays and you can sometimes see a cast member demonstrating the use of one of the Pandora Utility Suits.
5. Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
Hoop-Dee-Doo is an interactive musical dining experience that deserves a Tony. Hoop-Dee-Doo takes dinner and a show to a whole new meaning. The restaurant is set up sort of like a theater; there's the main floor in front of the stage and then a balcony. No matter where you sit you'll have a view of the
stage. When making your reservation, you'll need to choose between the main floor and the balcony , but from there tables will be assigned by the number of people in you party in addition to a first come first
serve basis. There's a few separate acts as each performer takes on their own persona and you get to see the character's personalities. I mentioned this show was interactive right? The performers will come down off the stage and include you in their songs. For example, my family and I went to HDD a few days before my friends birthday. Being the so good, caring, thoughtful people that we are, when the performers came around and started asking questions, we made sure they included Maelea's birthday in their songs. Food wise, you can expect buckets of fried chicken, potatoes, and the best corn bread around. Corn bread so good that, at the end of my meal, I wrapped up all the corn bread left on the table and made my mom put it in her purse for later. This is another family style serving so you're always welcome to order more of whatever you'd like. HDD is fairly pricy, ranging from $66-$75 depending on which seating area you choose, and absolutely requires a reservation. This experience is very popular and books up as soon as
reservations become available. Now, let's talk location. Because it's great, but it sucks. Aside from the two hours you'll need to fully enjoy your musical dinner, you'll also need to budget a fair amount of time for getting there. HDD is located at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds and there is no direct route from resort to resort. If you have one, I would recommend using your own vehicle, but if you're at your resort the easiest option will be to make your way to Disney Springs and catch the bus, or Uber if that's what you'd prefer. Once you get to Fort Wilderness, you'll have to take the internal bus to get you to where you're going. If you're coming from the Magic Kingdom, you can take the ferry boat, but it's recommended that you plan an hour and a half to get to the restaurant and that you arrive 30 minutes early for your reservation. Unlike any of the other restaurants on this list, Hoop-Dee-Doo does require payment upfront. If something comes up and you are able to keep your reservation, make sure you get ahold of someone as soon as you possibly can as refunds aren't always available.
Did any of your favourite restaurants make the list? If not, let me know! Give me the scoop on all your must eat places!
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