Five Restaurants For Your First Walt Disney World Trip

Walt Disney World does most things well, and dining is no exception. There are so many restaurants to choose from, that it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin with your planning. Even for seasoned Disney veterans, picking a favorite Disney restaurant can feel like picking a favorite child - a Sophie’s choice no one wants to make. But not to fear - that’s where your Be Our Guest Vacations travel professional comes in! Be Our Guest Vacations are pros - and they will offer personalized recommendations to you, based on your preferences! Today, we’re sharing five quintessential Disney World restaurants, that are iconic for a reason - and perfect for a first trip to the most magical place on Earth!

Be Our Guest

When it comes to theming, it’s hard to find a restaurant at Disney, or anywhere in the world, that feels as immersive as Be Our Guest. Located in The Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest feels like walking out of the real world, and straight into a movie. The restaurant has three distinct rooms - the Grand Ballroom, The West Wing, and the Rose Gallery. My favorite spot to eat is in the Grand Ballroom, where you can watch snow falling behind the windows. You almost expect to hear Mrs Pott’s singing ‘Tale As Old As Time’, or for an angry mob of villagers to break down the door at any moment - that’s how good the theming is. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and has a pre-fixe menu. I have a personal belief that the French Onion soup on the menu here is the best in the world. It’s even better than the French Onion soup I’ve had in Paris! Don’t miss The Grey Stuff at dessert - even the dishes say it’s delicious (or however the song goes!) You also will have the Beast on hand for photo ops and meet and greets. This is extra special since it’s the only place on Disney property where you can regularly find the Beast to meet. 

Cinderella’s Royal Table 

Does anything else feel as iconically Disney as eating in the famous Cinderella Castle? I remember as a kid, DREAMING of being able to dine at this restaurant. One of my favorite childhood memories is of dinner here - it felt like being swept up in a fairytale. If you ask my parents, they’ll tell you that one of their favorite moments of being parents was getting to watch my face during this special meal. The inside of the dining room looks like an authentic medieval dining room - and tables by the window have a view of Main Street U.S.A! Pro-tip - when you book a table during fireworks, you’ll have a view like no other for the show. Cinderella is available for photos and autographs in the foyer as you wait for your table. Other favorite Disney Princesses will stop by your table during your meal. Cinderella’s Royal Table is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a pre-fixe menu. ‘The Clock Strikes Twelve’ is a dessert that they’re known for - a combination of chocolate ganache and salted caramel coffee mousse. If you’re looking for the ultimate magical evening, consider making a reservation at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where your child will receive the ultimate royal treatment, with a makeover into either a princess or a knight. 

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to Cinderella's Royal Table, consider making a reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot. There are just as many princesses available to meet, and you'll have a wonderful meal that's served family-style!

Ohana

I might be biased when talking about Ohana because it’s my favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World. Seriously - I’ve woken up drooling more than once when dreaming about the bread pudding here. Ohana is located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and is incredibly popular. They’re open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast has standard favorites with an island twist, and includes characters, including Mickey Mouse, Pluto, and Lilo & Stitch. Dinner is a family-style island feast. You’ll have course after course of a tropical feast - including shrimp, steak, chicken, garlic noodles, dumplings, and wings. If you’re looking to make dinner a little more fun for the adults, try ordering a Lapu Lapu, which is a tropical drink served in a pineapple. For a great end to your evening, walk down to the beach at The Polynesian, where you’ll have a great view of The Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show. They even pipe in the music that accompanies the show, so you get the full experience!

Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming 

As a Texas girl, I firmly believe that there’s nothing like Southern cuisine, and Chef Art Smith has it down to a science. This is my top dining recommendation for Disney Springs, which is saying a lot since Disney Springs has been opening A+ dining options left and right over the past few years. If you’re able to snag a weekend brunch reservation, don’t skip the fried chicken and donut entree. A slightly sweeter option to a traditional chicken and waffles, this is one of the best breakfast options I’ve had anywhere. For those that are over 21 in your party, they have moonshine ON TOP! My personal favorite is the Sweet Tea Shine, with sweet tea, lemonade, and moonshine. It’s essentially a boozy Arnold Palmer. Really, you can't miss with anything on the menu.

Tusker House 

No first trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without a great character meal - I mean, it is one of the old places in the world where you can dine with the big cheese himself. My top pick for a character meal is an underrated option at The Animal Kingdom called Tusker House. I love it for so many reasons, but the number one is that the food is fresh, unique, and will have something for everyone. This is a buffet option, so make sure to come hungry - you’re going to want to try a little bit of everything. You’ll be dining with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy - all dressed in their African Safari outfits, which is the ideal recipe for a memorable meal. 

No matter if this is your first trip to Walt DIsney World, or your 50th, Be Our Guest Vacations can help make it a vacation of a lifetime. We help secure hard to get dining reservations for our guests, as well as offering pro-tips and knowledge, so you can focus on what’s important - making memories that will last a lifetime!