Walt Disney World and Disneyland have a lot of great dining options. But all those choices can be confusing. For a quick breakdown of the different types of dining in the U.S. based Theme Parks, keep reading.

Table Service Dining and Buffets

These are what you think of when you think of a “standard” restaurant. You will have a waiter or waitress come to your table for your order (or drink order for some buffets). For most Table Service restaurants you will order off of a menu but some are “all you care to eat” family style platters or buffets.

Tip: At a la carte Table Service Restaurants adults can order off the children’s menu if they would like.

Beyond the Traditional Table Service restaurants there are a few unique options which include:

Character Dining

During Character Dining meals a select group of characters will come up to your table while you eat. They will take pictures and sign autographs. While these meals do cost a bit more, they are a great way to ensure you see your favorite characters and avoid the potentially long lines in the park. Restaurants have different groups of Characters, so make sure you find the right meal for you. If you are using a Walt Disney World Dining Plan most of these Character Meals are included for either 1 or 2 Dining credits.

You can get our guide to all the Character Meals at Walt Disney World here.

All You Care to Eat/ Buffets

These restaurants either offer a traditional buffet or a family style meal. With the traditional buffet you go up to a buffet line for your food and your waiter or waitress will get your drinks. The family style meal will be served at your table on large platters that everyone will eat from. You can still order more of whatever you want, you just don’t need to go up and get it. Typically, the traditional buffets will have more variety and the family style meals will allow you to relax at the table and not have to get up. Many All You Care to Eat/ Buffet meals have characters but some do not. Make sure you check which meals do have characters before you reserve dining to ensure you get the dining experience you want.

One of our favorite buffets without characters is Biergarten Restaurant in the German Pavilion at Epcot with a live Polka Band for entertainment.

Themed / Specific Ambiance Restaurants

Some Table Service restaurants are heavily themed and provide an extra experience. The ambiance at these restaurants really add to the meal. These can range from heavy theming like Sci-Fi Dine In (you sit in old time cars at a drive in), 50s Prime Time Cafe (dine in a 1950s home kitchen), and Blue Bayou (inside Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride) to more mellow theming like Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen (Jungle Cruise themed).

Fine/ Signature Dining

These are the highest end Table Service Restaurants. These restaurants will generally have the most gourmet food, top level wine lists, and highest end service. They are also the priciest. Some of these restaurants are included in the Disney Dining Plan, but they may cost you 2 credits. If you are looking for the highest end restaurant on Walt Disney World Property, you will want to try Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It is a AAA 5 Diamond Award restaurant, holds a Michelin Star, and has many other accolades.

Quick Service Restaurants

Quick Service restaurants allow you to order food at the counter or through a mobile app. While many people might think of burgers, fries, and chicken fingers as the typical theme park food, Disney has really expanded beyond that. In fact, if you want a burger, you will need to look for a restaurant that specifically services one. You will not get bored with your food even if you only eat at Quick Service Restaurants your entire trip. If you are on a Walt Disney Dining Plan you will either get 1 or 2 Quick Service meals per night.

Tip: Many Quick Service meals are big enough to share!

Snacks

We can’t talk about food at Disney without mentioning snacks. They are everywhere and there is a wide variety to choose from. From sweet to savory to salty, you will definitely find snacks that satisfy your cravings (even the ones you didn’t know you had). You can find snacks at many locations around both Disney parks including at Snack Carts and Stands, at Quick Service Restaurants, and in stores. If you have the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or Disney Dining Plan you will get snack credits during your stay. Just look for the purple symbol on the menu that indicates what is eligible.

Bars/ Lounges

Disney’s bars and lounges have good drinks and snacks. Sometimes they are attached to a tablet service restaurant and you can get items off of the main menu without needing a reservation. You’ll find pool bars, upscale lounges, and themed areas to enjoy a drink and some food. Some fan favorites include Trader Sam’s (on both coasts), Oga’s Cantina, Nomad Lounge, Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar, Crew’s Cup Lounge, and Lamplight Lounge.

Dinner Shows

Disney’s Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue is a dinner show at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground. The Pioneer Hall Players put on a musical and comedy revue each night with a big bbq feast.

Are you hungry? Schedule a complimentary consultation – we help all our clients pick the best options for them.