This checklist options our favourite “bang for buck” eating places at Walt Disney World. These are cheaper desk service menus, providing nice delicacies and superior worth when paying out of pocket. These meal picks mix a mixture of goal (decrease costs) and subjective (increased deliciousness) for stretching your trip price range additional and have extra pleasing meals at WDW.
With the ‘Free’ Disney Dining Card Discount at Walt Disney World for Summer by Fall 2023, we thought it’d be a good time to share this checklist. Although that particular supply sounds just like ‘classic’ Free Dining, it’s fairly a bit completely different. Among many different issues, the most important means it differs is that maximizing this promotion requires the reverse method as Free Dining.
With common Free Dining, the objective was to dine at the most costly eating places as a result of the Disney Dining Plan used a credit score system. The finish outcome was that the upper the out of pocket menu value, the extra theoretical worth obtained by way of Free Dining. This was sophisticated for the uninitiated, so in the event you’re confused by that, you’re not alone. (There’s a motive we known as it “Monopoly Money.”) None of that actually issues right here, although. The Disney Dining Card is way less complicated, and analogous to money. Hopefully you perceive a elementary precept of standard cash: decrease costs equals spending much less.
When it involves Walt Disney World eating places, we’d truly take {that a} step additional and assert that decrease costs usually equals higher worth. Of course, this isn’t at all times the case–there’s a motive “you get what you pay for” is a well-liked idiom. When it involves Walt Disney World, that expression is often unfaithful. Prices are increased on account of recognition, and recognition permits eating places to “get away” with slicing corners on high quality and resting on the laurels of their established popularity. It’s nearly a vicious cycle.
By distinction, much less fashionable eating places need to work more durable to fill tables and are sometimes extra aggressive on pricing. This is especially true exterior of the parks, with the extra distant resort motels and Disney Springs eating places normally providing the most effective bang for buck. There are a ton of eating places we love in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, however the sensible actuality is that they’ve a captive viewers. At greatest, which means premium costs for high quality delicacies. At worst, it means phoning in your complete expertise and nonetheless charging excessive costs as a result of they’ll fill tables both means.
Consequently, an inventory like this might be heavy on choices exterior of the theme parks if it had been purely about bang for buck. We’d have a surplus of choices nearly completely at “The Springs” (Coronado and Disney) that few of you’ll truly find yourself reserving as a result of they’re inconvenient to the parks. Our objective is to serve a sensible objective as a planning useful resource, so an inventory of eating places solely from far-flung areas of Walt Disney World isn’t value a lot to most vacationers.
To that finish, we’re specializing in choices within the parks, plus resort eating places which are accessible with out utilizing a bus–which means inside strolling, boat, monorail, or gondola distance of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios. (Sorry, Animal Kingdom!) With that in thoughts, right here’s our checklist, primarily based on a slew of things together with value-for-money, delicacies high quality, plus location & ease of entry…
Liberty Tree Tavern – There is not any good worth possibility in Magic Kingdom. Sorry, however that’s the unlucky fact. It’s the final word ‘captive audience’ park and one that’s missing in good eating choices. It was the case that the Plaza Restaurant was the ‘table service at counter service prices’ alternative, but it surely’s arduous to name a spot serving $20+ sandwiches a superb worth. (Maybe the Meatloaf?)
Another one we actually love as a sleeper decide is Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, and it’s positively attainable to have a fantastic meal there with out breaking the financial institution. There are a couple of unbelievable and filling entrees which are beneath $30, and good worth entrees on prime of that. Possible as it could be, it appears unbelievable–all of our precise meals from the previous few years there have been expensive. (If you do go for Skipper Canteen, skip dessert in the event you’re attempting to save lots of.)
This brings us to Liberty Tree Tavern, nearly by strategy of elimination. This is at present serving up the All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Bill of Fare for beneath $40 per grownup. (We one way or the other don’t have a standalone evaluation of this, but it surely’s stable consolation delicacies.) The reality of the matter is that the Patriot’s Platter is distinctly patriotic (besides the salad), particularly the Pot Roast, Oven-roasted Pork, Mashed Potatoes, and House-made Macaroni & Cheese. We additionally admire that “House-made Gravy” is its personal menu entry for some motive, and the Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake is a really iconic Walt Disney World dessert.
One of our favourite “hacks” for meals like that is doing a well-rounded and large breakfast of groceries in our resort room, noon snack from Friar’s Nook (or wherever), and late lunch or early dinner right here. (Both meal providers at Liberty Tree Tavern are precisely the identical, proper all the way down to the worth.)
We then use close by stage reveals–Country Bear Jamboree, Tiki Room, and Hall of Presidents–to get better from our meals coma. It’s (most likely) what the Founding Fathers had in thoughts when declaring independence from Magic Kingdom’s costly character meals and expensive Lightning Lane line-skipping choices.
Spice Road Table – Epcot’s World Showcase is commonly seen as Walt Disney World’s culinary powerhouse, and there are some undeniably sturdy choices. There are additionally some middling ones, and the case could possibly be made that Disney Springs now surpasses World Showcase in terms of envelope-pushing delicacies.
We’ve made a number of optimistic experiences at Spice Road Table for the reason that Disney takeover (for that matter, we had a number of optimistic experiences earlier than it) It’s additionally simply accessible, with nearly-perpetual walk-up (waitlist) availability, and small-plate costs which are nearly on par with a counter service restaurant. Given all of that, it’s very a lot value a strive. It’s additionally one of some choices in EPCOT, so we’re not going to fixate on this one…
Via Napoli – Mentioning Via Napoli on an inventory of the ‘best value’ eating places is certain to carry out the haters (and in addition, the lovers!), however hear me out. The Mezzo Metro pizza will be break up amongst 4-5 individuals (or “two Toms”) and finally ends up costing about $15 per particular person out the door for the meal.
Even in the event you break up it amongst 3 individuals, it’s nonetheless an objectively good worth for what I’d contemplate the most effective pizza at Walt Disney World. With that mentioned, it’s true that the remainder of the menu is overpriced and underwhelming, but it surely’s kinda on you in the event you go to Via Napoli and order one thing else. Start the meal by threatening your loved ones (as all profitable meals start), “big pizza…OR ELSE!” and you have to be in good condition.
Other honorable mentions in World Showcase embrace Biergarten (costlier than Liberty Tree Tavern, however cheaper than the flight to Munich) and Nine Dragons (common Chinese meals, however nonetheless a superb worth).
50’s Prime Time Cafe – This is one other default choice, or near it. I used to be tempted to incorporate Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, however that has the identical downside as Plaza Restaurant–it’s arduous to contend {that a} menu of sandwiches and burgers costing over $20 every is a “good value.” I occur to seek out these behemoth burgers extremely filling and unbelievable–I can eat one at 5 pm and be full for the remainder of the night time–however nonetheless.
50’s Prime Time Cafe will get the slight edge right here as a result of it affords a wider vary of menu choices, and each single one among them is beneath $30. This consists of A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes, plus a number of of the heavier choices which are round $25. For the lighter eaters in your social gathering, there are additionally beneath $20 salads. Desserts are additionally comparatively cheap and enormous, making 50’s Prime Time Cafe essentially the most well-rounded price range decide at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Honorable point out to BaseLine Tap House, which might make the reduce however for the restricted menu.)
Nomad Lounge – For Animal Kingdom, we had been torn between two go-to sleeper decide: Yak & Yeti Restaurant and Nomad Lounge. These two eating choices are basically completely different, with Yak & Yeti providing massive parts at increased costs. By distinction, Nomad Lounge serves up small plates that seemingly won’t fill you up.
The case for Yak & Yeti is that the eating rooms are exemplars of themed design, filled with beautiful particulars. The menu is likewise brimming with choices. There are quite a lot of shareable small plates, hearty noodles bowls, and grilled objects. We’ve discovered that it’s simple to eat a filling meal right here with out breaking the financial institution.
Nomad Lounge has decrease beginning costs, however that’s barely misleading since all the things however the bowls is small. Assuming you’ll want about 1.5 plates per particular person, that places the costs proper on par with Yak & Yeti. Nevertheless, we barely want Nomad Lounge, so it will get the sting in our subjective evaluation. You actually can’t go unsuitable both means.
Sanaa – Okay, this one does require a bus, however we needed to make an exception for this underrated establishment. Sanaa continues to be an excellent worth, however not the distinctive one which it as soon as was. (Maybe phrase is lastly beginning to get out about its gloriousness?!) The signature Indian-style Bread Service, for instance, is now over $20. Even at that value level, it’s a no brainer for us…however a superb worth? I’m not so certain.
As a complete, Sanaa nonetheless affords sturdy bang for buck. Remember these phrases of knowledge: “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” In the case of Sanaa, you’re getting a close-to-Signature-caliber meal that’s adventurous and atmospheric, at value factors on par with mid-tier desk service eating places. Even although there are comparably priced menus all through Walt Disney World, few overdeliver like Sanaa.
While dinner is nice–and the meal service we most often do at Sanaa–breakfast and lunch are arguably the most effective values of all. (The lunch and dinner menus do range barely.) Although it’s not vacation spot eating for breakfast, it’s completely value consuming the morning meal service in the event you’re staying at Jambo House or Kidani Village.
Steakhouse 71 – Located inside strolling distance of Magic Kingdom within the foyer degree of the Contemporary, Steakhouse 71 is among the newer eating places at Walt Disney World. It serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner–however our focus for the aim of this checklist is totally on the latter two meal providers. (We’ve been underwhelmed by the portion sizes at breakfast, that are small for the worth.)
Most of our protection of Steakhouse 71 has centered on the Stack Burger. This has turn out to be my go-to lunch throughout solo “research” days at Magic Kingdom; I do a walk-up on the bar and will be out and in in beneath 45 minutes. That burger is unbelievable, but it surely’s actually the remainder of the menu that gives large bang for buck. I’m notably keen on the 14-oz Dry-aged Pork Bone-In Rib Chop, which is unique to the dinner menu.
Another Magic Kingdom space honorable point out is Grand Floridian Cafe. This is noteworthy as a mid-tier restaurant at Walt Disney World’s flagship resort. Not all the things is cheap, however few entrees are as scrumptious and filling because the Buttermilk-fried Chicken.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill – I’ll use any excuse I can to suggest this tranquil lounge situated alongside the waterfront at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This may as effectively be known as Bison Point Bar, as a result of our go-to recommendation is “come for the best burger at Walt Disney World, stay for the view.”
The burger is definitely now the most costly factor on the menu, surpassing even the salmon. That may name into query our alternative from a worth perspective, however all the things else continues to be cheap. The meals is superb, and the serene and secluded ambiance on the shore of Bay Lake takes this to the following degree, and makes it really feel such as you’re truly within the wilderness at Walt Disney World. (We’ve seen armadillo within the brush right here–twice.) That is, till the Electrical Water Pageant floats on by–dinner and a present!
Honorable point out at Wilderness Lodge is Whispering Canyon Cafe due to its rambunctious and enjoyable ambiance, plus the All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Signature Skillets (together with a plant-based one for the vegetarians/vegans on the market). Those are a bit on the expensive aspect, however they’re value it given the AYCE nature and high quality meats (besides within the plant-based one, clearly).
Ale & Compass Restaurant – Turning to eating places within the Crescent Lake Resort Area which strolling or boat distance of EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, and we have now quite a lot of wonderful choices…on the third social gathering Swan & Dolphin Resorts. I’m excluding these from the “official” checklist as a result of the Disney Dining Card just isn’t accepted at these areas, however just about something in these resorts affords good bang for buck if paying out of pocket (in chilly arduous money). We’ve turn out to be notably keen on Amare at Swan Reserve.
Aside from that, there’s actually just one good possibility at this level: Ale & Compass Restaurant. Admittedly, it took us some time to return round on this eating spot. Our preliminary take was that the inside was bland and the meals was comparatively atypical. Over the years because it opened, Ale & Compass has slowly received us over for constantly good delicacies and ease of entry. We now love this restaurant for each for breakfast and dinner due to nice selection and stable worth for cash. The inside continues to be bland and boring, however in the event you don’t care about that, the meals is scrumptious and fairly priced!
Sebastian’s Bistro – C’mon, you didn’t suppose we’d neglect our new favourite restaurant at Walt Disney World, did you? We had been merely saving the most effective for final! This sleeper decide at Caribbean Beach is simple to entry from the Skyliner, which means you possibly can depart a bunch of various resorts, or EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and be right here inside a matter of minutes.
In spite of that, and even with our fixed plugs for it, Sebastian’s Bistro nonetheless one way or the other manages to fly beneath the radar of most Walt Disney World followers. Their loss, your achieve. The household model service at Sebastian’s Bistro holds its personal and affords distinctive high quality on par with lots of the greatest desk service eating places at Walt Disney World.
If Caribbean Beach is “Poly Lite,” then Sebastian Bistro is mainly “Ohana Enhanced.” That’s proper, this style of the tropics trounces its extra fashionable counterpart at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in nearly each regard. The meals is healthier, the worth is decrease, and it’s a better ADR. The solely methods ‘Ohana “wins” are in terms of atmosphere and nostalgia-value; the best way of overcoming the latter is turning Sebastian’s Bistro into a brand new household custom! But I digress. The level right here is that Sebastian’s Bistro is actually the most effective worth dinner in all of Walt Disney World and, frankly, it’s not even a detailed name.
Ultimately, that’s our checklist of essentially the most greatest worth eating places at Walt Disney World which are additionally conveniently-located and simply accessible to most Walt Disney World guests. Again, we need to clarify is that this shouldn’t be misconstrued as a “best of” checklist and even our prime total suggestions. For these, see our Top 10 Table Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World or our 23 Favorite Restaurants at Walt Disney World.
This checklist is extra for people who need to stretch their Walt Disney World trip price range so far as attainable with out compromising on high quality or losing time eating off-site. Many of those usually are not our absolute prime picks for Walt Disney World first-timers, however they’re nonetheless unbelievable choices that’ll depart you glad with out breaking the financial institution!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about motels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for all the things you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Which Walt Disney World desk service eating places would you contemplate to supply the most effective worth for cash? Do you agree or disagree with our checklist? Any questions we may help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!