Disney proves that good food is part of the magic of Orlando’s parks

French fries, macaroni and cheese, turkey legs and Mickey Mouse ice cream cones. Yes, they are easily found on the menus of the theme parks. Walt Disney World Resort but the experience of eating well at the complex goes beyond the items above.

With hundreds of restaurants, shops and even cocktail bars, the Disney Theme Parks in Orlando prove that good food has a guaranteed place alongside fun.

To begin with, one of the most delicious examples in the gastronomic field is EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival which has been held annually in the second half of the year since 1996 – in 2024, the festival will end on November 23. Snack on a wagyu temaki from Japan, raclette from Switzerland, escargot brioche from France and even a feijoada with a frozen caipirinha from Brazil is a reality in the park’s international pavilions.

The portions are small, giving you the opportunity to try everything, and between bites, there’s nothing better than sipping: among the alcoholic drinks there’s a glass of prosecco from Italy, a glass of sake from Japan or a refreshing margarita from Mexico. The idea is that: to travel the world through different flavors, with prices that can vary between US$ 4.50 (R$ 24.64 in conversion with the dollar at R$ 5.47) and US$ 20 (R$ 109.53 ).

But it doesn’t stop there: the festival highlights the gastronomic potential found within theme parks, which are home to a variety of restaurants with table service that invite you to take a delicious break between one attraction and another.

Below, discover restaurants at the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks:

Restaurants at Magic Kingdom Park

The most visited theme park in the world is charming not only for the smell of popcorn, but also for its unusual restaurants. A good place to start experiencing this different side of Disney is at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen a casual restaurant that combines influences from Asia, Africa and South America at the table.

The menu includes items such as Venezuelan corn pancakes, cachapas (US$15, which is approximately R$82); fish of the day served with Chinese cabbage, lotus root, peppers, shiitake mushrooms and a ginger and lemongrass broth (US$32/R$175.26); and marinated pork loin with pickled vegetables and jasmine rice (US$29/R$158.83). The Brazilian cheese bread is not on the menu, but some waiters recommend it. The restaurant is located in the Adventureland area and reservations are required to get a table.

Now imagine sharing a Thanksgiving-style family meal of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes. That’s the premise of Liberty Tree Tavern a restaurant near the curious attraction The Hall of Presidents with a fixed menu and price. They charge US$ 42 (R$ 230) for adults and US$ 23 (R$ 125.96) for children, with unlimited seconds, both at lunch and dinner.

There are three stages: first, a hearty salad with apple, vegetables and cranberries arrives at the table. Then comes the main course, with roast turkey, pot roast, roast pork, mashed potatoes, vegetables and mac & cheese. As if that weren’t enough, the meal is finished off with a vanilla toffee cake with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. There is also a plant-based option on the same menu.

If a more sophisticated meal is in the plans, consider the Be Our Guest Restaurant with elaborate decoration at the foot of Beauty and the Beast’s castle. French-inspired dishes are served on a three-course pre-set menu. There are options such as onion soup, tuna tartare and escargot as a starter; seared pork loin, beef bourguignon and trout with crab as a main course and a trio of sweets to finish.

Prices are US$70 (R$383.38) for people over 10 years old and US$41 (R$224.55) for children between 3 and 9 years old, which have a special menu with mac & cheese, chicken breast and shrimp. Reservations are mandatory and the Beast may even wave between the tables.

But, of course, it’s worth trying the famous snacks while you’re at the park. Look for the colorful cart Spring Roll Wagon in the Adventureland area, and try vegetable and pork spring rolls, as well as those with unusual pizza and burger fillings (two for $9.50, or R$52). For snacks and pizzas, try Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café on the border of Tomorrowland, which usually doesn’t have many lines. For sweets and ice cream, Main Street is full of their little shops.

Restaurants at EPCOT

EPCOT offers an authentic trip around the world in its international pavilions, which showcase the culture and cuisine of various countries. It’s hard to summarize the many options: there are countless places that serve different snacks, quick service and table service.

After venturing on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, the tip is to walk around the pavilions without rushing, discovering their smallest details. Among the highlights, the French pavilion is home to the Chefs of France a bistro with classics like onion soup ($13.95/R$76.40), escargot casserole ($17.95/R$98.31) and ratatouille ($28.95/R$158.55). Right at the back of the pavilion is the Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie a great place for a croissant ($3.95/R$21.63) and macarons ($7.50/R$41) – there are also coffees and glasses of wine.

In the England area, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop sells the famous fish and chips (US$ 13.49/R$ 73.88), a quick option to eat standing up. The English atmosphere meets the counter at Rose & Crown Pub which, as the name suggests, has a range of beers, whiskeys and ciders.

One of the most sophisticated options is in the area of ​​Japan: the Takumi-Tei open only for dinner, has a US$250 (R$1,369.22) omakase menu that includes A5 Japanese wagyu steak, lobster tempura, sashimi and yuzu sorbet with strawberries, among others. Sake and Japanese whiskey are on the menu.

On the other hand, a free way to quench your thirst is in the Club Cool not far from the EPCOT “ball”, which has machines selling soft drinks from all over the world sold by Coca-Cola. Just arrive, grab a disposable cup and choose your favorite.

Restaurants and bars at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tree-lined and pleasant, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has mouth-watering surprises in picturesque spaces. A option that doesn’t weigh on your pocket and who avoids heavy meals is the Satu’li Canteen in the Pandora – The World of Avatar area. In the quick-service style, with orders collected on trays behind the cashiers, the large cafeteria focuses on colorful and tasty bowls.

There’s the interesting Ocean Moon Bowl ($17.99/R$98.52), which has blue noodles with tuna, watermelon radish slices, carrots, avocado, cucumbers, red cabbage and soy sauce. There are versions of bowls with shrimp ($15.79/R$86.48), with grilled chicken ($13.29/R$72.78) and even baos stuffed with cheeseburger ($13.29/R$72.78). To cool off in the intense Florida heat, order the Pandorian Sunrise, a drink with pineapple juice, lemon soda and melon isotonic.

And who said that fancy alcoholic cocktails don’t have a place at Disney? You can find them at the counter Nomad Lounge a bar with an outdoor area on the waterfront in Discovery Land. The Spice Trader Classic ($15/R$82.15) is a good place to start, with gin, white vermouth, lime juice, strawberries and sparkling water. The Snow Leopard Salvation ($17/R$93.10) is more refreshing, with vodka, pear liqueur, mint, lime juice and ginger beer. A more tropical option is the Leaping Lizard ($17/R$93.10), which has rum with pineapple liqueur, cachaça with orange, passion fruit and mango juice.

Wines are also highlighted, especially those from South America, such as Argentine labels from Zuccardi, Susana Balbo and Catena, or Concha y Toro, from Chile.

Next door is the Tiffins Restaurant one of the most sophisticated in the park, with a charcuterie platter (US$ 21/R$ 115), noodles with Japanese eggplant (US$ 34/R$ 186.21) and surf and turf with filet mignon and scallops (US$ 68/R$ 372.42). Not far from the Expedition Everest roller coaster is the Yak & Yeti more casual, Nepalese style and specialties such as tikka masala (US$ 27.99/R$ 153.29), coconut shrimp (US$ 27.99/R$ 153.29) and half a roast duck with barbecue sauce and sautéed vegetables (US$ 37.99/R$ 208).

Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The joy of children and adults finds a table at Rodeo BBQ Roundup a restaurant in the Toy Story Land area. Diners enter Andy’s toy room and, at certain times, there is even a game in which all visitors, including waiters, remain still when the character “enters” the place.

For a fixed price (US$ 45/R$ 246.46), you’ll be served an American feast: smoked ribs, brisket, sausage, barbecue chicken and beans. Sides include mac & cheese and corn on a stick. Don’t miss the watermelon salad, which is sweet and refreshing. There’s also a plant-based option with cauliflower. If there’s room, assorted sweets are included. Children between 3 and 9 years old pay US$ 25 (R$ 136.92).

For a more refined desire, the The Hollywood Brown Derby is a direct gateway to Los Angeles. It’s not uncommon to see adults enjoying glasses of white wine on the outdoor patio. The menu includes salmon, halibut, salads and a charcuterie platter, with an average spend of between $35 and $60. Tucked away behind the Grand Avenue area, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano serves casual classics from the boot country, including rigatoni bolognese ($26/R$142.39) and prosciutto and honey pizza ($22/R$120.49).

For a different take, the Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in the amazing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area, serves dishes inspired by the franchise, including beef, tuna poke and chicken in various preparations with prices ranging from US$ 15 (R$ 82) to US$ 34.99 (R$ 191.63). To get into the “otherworldly” mood, try the blue and green Batuu milks, made with coconut and rice milk. They are available at the store Milk Stand which serves them with alcohol (US$ 16.50/R$ 90.36, with rum or tequila) or without (US$ 8.99/R$ 49.23).

How to Make Disney Dining Reservations

Everything must be done through the app My Disney Experience a helping hand for visitors to the complex, as it brings together all the information and tools necessary for visiting the theme parks or staying at Disney Resorts.

Through the app, you can check all the restaurants and opening times, as well as view the menus, including prices. To access the tools, such as reservations and payments, you need to have an account linked to the app.

Reservations at restaurants with table service are mandatory. Guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance. New reservation slots become available for Walt Disney World restaurants every day at approximately 6:00 a.m.

The advantage for those staying at Disney Resorts is that, 60 days in advance, it is possible to make reservations all at once for a stay lasting up to 10 days, without having to check availability day after day.

In certain counter-service restaurants, with quick service, it is still possible to order and pay through the app itself.

*The journalist traveled to Walt Disney World Resort at the invitation of the complex, Azul Viagens and Azul Linhas Aéreas.

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