Disney’s Best-Kept Food Secrets and Hacks for Visitors
Disney’s Best-Kept Food Secrets and Hacks for Visitors
With its four theme parks and dozen-plus resorts, Walt Disney World can be overwhelming. So much planning and anticipation goes into every trip, and what and where to eat is a key part of the equation. We don't want you to miss a thing (or suffer through subpar meals). These easy hacks and tricks will help you make your time at the happiest place on Earth absolutely delish.
Disney’s Best-Kept Food Secrets and Hacks for Visitors
CLAIM YOUR SEAT.
When it comes to Disney, the early bird definitely gets the best table. You can make dining reservations 180 days before your trip. Even better, if you're staying on Walt Disney World property, you can make reservations 180 days before your arrival date, and then book dining for your entire trip (up to 10 days). So if you have your heart set on eating at Be Our Guest or dining with Cinderella, get on the phone way in advance. And yes, I mean PHONE (Disney's reservation hotline is 407-939-3462). You can't beg and plead a website, after all.
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED ...
Didn't get a coveted spot at your dream restaurant? Keep trying. A credit card is required for reservations, so people are more likely to actually cancel their plans, rather than be charged for missing their spot. Download the MyDisneyExperience app to keep tabs on your favorite spot, or keep giving the reservation line a call.
You can also just show up to the restaurant and try your luck. Go early in the day for breakfast, during the parade, or off-peak dining times. This is especially true for Be Our Guest — the Disney Parks Mom Panel recommends breakfast and early lunch as your best shot for walking up to get a table.
TIME YOUR MEAL JUST RIGHT.
Want lunch or dinner with a view? You can watch the Magic Kingdom's afternoon parade from the patio of Tony's Town Square restaurant if you time your reservation just right. Or enjoy the fireworks from the California Grill on top of the nearby Contemporary Resort.
To see the nightly Electrical Water Pageant, grab a meal at 1900 Park Fare, which is inside The Grand Floridian Resort.
For EPCOT, snag a seat at the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK section of the World Showcase.
STOCK UP ON DISNEY GIFT CARDS.
According to Quora user Tom Nikl, if you go to Target and use your REDCard, you can save 10 percent on Disney gift cards. Since the cards are classified as entertainment cards, instead of gift cards, you can stock up and use them throughout the park — but you know you want to use them on Dole Whip and churros.
DON'T BUY BOTTLED WATER.
Essentials like bottled water and sunscreen are incredibly overpriced once you enter the parks. But there is no need to spend any dough when you need a drink — any restaurant or food stand will give you a cup of ice water if you ask.
Note: Florida water has a "signature" taste. If you're sensitive to different tastes, bring in your own bottles. You can do that, too.
GET FREE SODA AT EPCOT.
The walk from The World Showcase to Future World is a beast, especially on a humid day. If you find yourself in need of a cold pick-me-up, you can get free samples of soda from all around the world at Club Cool. Operated by Coca-Cola, you can try drinks like VegitaBeta (a Japanese soda that tastes like apricot and passion fruit), or Inca Kola (a beverage from Peru that tastes a little like bubblegum).
KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR FREEBIES.
There are several places you can get free samples of sweets and snacks throughout the parks. A few you definitely want to check out, if you're at Magic Kingdom: The Confectionary, Big Top Treats, and Prairie Outpost and Supply. If you're at EPCOT, try the free caramel corn at Karamell-Küche.
Outside the parks, visit Disney Springs to score samples of any flavor Goofy's Glaciers (basically, slushies) at Goofy's Candy Company, or a piece of chocolate at Ghirardelli.
TAKE A SHORTCUT.
This has been a trick of my family's for years: After the fireworks are over at the Magic Kingdom, thousands of people slowly make their way to the exits on Main Street. But if you go into a shops, you can beat the crowds to the exit — all of the shops are connected— AND stock up on last-minute souvenirs (hello, huge lollipop that was too big to carry around).
EAT FOR FREE.
According to Quora user Ian Stainbrook, Disney offers a free dining promotion with certain ticket packages during the fall to encourage tourists to visit during the off-season. Plan an off-peak visit and you could save major $$$ on all the food your heart desires.
WHEN IN DOUBT, ORDER PIZZA.
Didn't get enough to eat during the day, or just need to chill in your hotel room? Most Disney resorts offer their own pizza delivery service to your room up until 1 a.m., according to Quora user Tom Nikl.
USE BREAKFAST TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.
If you don't mind getting up with the sun on your vacation, there's a sneaky way to get into the park early that will make you well positioned to hit popular rides first. Make an 8 a.m. breakfast reservation at restaurants that open before the park does.
According to WDW Prep School, eligible restaurants include Be Our Guest, Crystal Palace and Cinderella's Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom; Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill at EPCOT; Hollywood And Vine at Disney Studios, and Tusker House at Animal Kingdom.
GO TO EPCOT'S FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL.
There's always plenty of good food to try during a trip to Disney World, but real food lovers know they simply must visit during the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, which usually runs from September through November. More than 30 vendors set up shop in the World Showcase to bring tastes of international food AND beverages to guests. If you're traveling without kids, this is definitely the time of year to go, since the event's geared more toward the 21-and-up crowd.
SAVE MONEY BY ONLY ORDERING WHAT YOU WANT.
Yes, food at Disney is expensive, but you can't say they don't give you value for your money. Portions are hearty, and no one wants to take leftovers back to a hotel room. So don't be afraid to ask for an entree-only meal. According to the Disney Food Blog, not only will you not waste food, but you'll probably save money in the process. Everybody wins!
DON'T OVERLOOK HOTEL RESTAURANTS.
One of my favorite dishes at Disney World is not in a park at all — it's in a hotel. It's the Tonga Toast (pictured), which is banana-stuffed French toast that's covered in sugar. You can get it at the Polynesian Resort. It's everything.
All of the Disney resorts have truly wonderful restaurants that are often a lot less crowded than those in the parks. Some standouts include Flying Fish at The Boardwalk Resort, California Grill at The Contemporary, Shulu's Steakhouse at The Dolphin, and Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. And don't forget all of the restaurants at Disney Springs. All of these make great options for arrival and departure day when you don't have tickets to get into the park.
HAVE YOUR CAKE AND YOUR THEME PARK VISIT, TOO.
Lots of people visit Disney to celebrate something — birthday, anniversary, graduation, tall enough to ride Space Mountain. And when you're celebrating, you need CAKE. Good news is you can order a custom cake ahead of time, or when you arrive at any restaurant. You can also order vegan or gluten-free cake and get them delivered to your hotel. Learn all the details for ordering a cake from Disney Food Blog here.
LOOK FOR THIS MICKEY TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES.
You're on vacation, the ultimate excuse to indulge at every opportunity. But if you don't want to completely go nuts, there are some simple swaps you can make. Fresh fruit, salads, soups, and wraps are available everywhere, and items that meet Disney's nutritional requirements are marked with a yellow Mickey.
If you still want a treat, but want to make a bit of a healthier choice, try these swaps from Disney Food Blog:
? Instead of a Mickey Bar, have a Dole Whip.
? Instead of a Cosmic Ray's cheeseburger, have a grilled chicken sandwich with veggies.
? Instead of cheese fries, go for a soft pretzel.
GET A SECOND OPINION.
Feeling overwhelmed by too many food choices? Ask a cast member. They're trained to ask questions to find out what you like — and what's available at the parks — and they usually have opinions about their favorite place to eat.
DON'T FORGET YOUR STARBUCKS GIFT CARDS.
Still have Starbucks gift cards taking up space in your wallet? You can use them at any 'Bucks location at the parks. Your caffeine headache will thank you.
SATISFY THE PICKIEST EATERS.
My sister is the pickiest eater in the world. Therefore, the best way to satisfy her is to take her to a buffet. Disney has plenty of them, and they all serve high-quality food for a relatively reasonable price — as long as you bring your appetite. Some of my favorites include 'Ohana at the Polynesian, Biergarten Restaurant at EPCOT, Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, and Tomorrowland Terrace and Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom.
GET A DOLE WHIP OUTSIDE THE PARK.
Dole Whip is a cult favorite Disney treat. The non-dairy, pineapple confection is the reason many people go straight to Adventureland when they arrive at the Magic Kingdom (hi, Mom!). However, you can get the treat without even entering the park. Head to the Polynesian Resort to Pineapple Lanai where they serve the original, plus a Pineapple Vanilla swirl, which is cult-worthy on its own.
HAVE A FUN MEAL WITHOUT CHARACTERS.
Character meals are fun and all, but there are so many other restaurants that bring the fun in more ways than a slightly creepy head peering over you while you eat. Try '50s Prime Time Cafe, where you can basically eat on the set of your favorite retro sitcom, or Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant, where you can sit in a Cadillac and enjoy classic monster movies on a big screen.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR ... ANYTHING.
Disney will do almost anything to make you happy ... including replacing a dropped ice cream cone or pretzel. Klutzy people rejoice!
PICK THE RIGHT LINE.
When dining at counter-service eateries, you should be aware that the order stations are designed to take orders from both the left and right of the cashier. So if theres's a line on only one side, feel free to jump on ahead and line up on the opposite one to place your order more quickly.
PLAN AHEAD WITH KIDS.
Disney World is every kids dream ... but it can also be tough on tiny feet and even tinier tempers. One boss move is to schedule a sit-down lunch every day so little ones can rest up before the next ride.
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