Best Value Breakfast at Disney World
When it comes to breakfast at Walt Disney World, our general philosophy has been don’t bother. Most restaurants are overpriced and the food is sub-par, which is why we’ve been strong advocates of hotel grocery delivery and preparing healthy, inexpensive in-room meals in the morning.
We’ve also been anti-Ale & Compass Restaurant, which we derided in our original review shortly after the reimagining debuted due to dull decor and only so-so food. However, we’ve been back several times since then ‘for fun’ at lunch or dinner, and have had very good to great meals. It should probably go without saying, but we wouldn’t revisit any restaurant that we did not enjoy five times for fun.
The appeal of Ale & Compass is largely that it’s an easy ADR and a good restaurant to do with friends or family. It’s convenient, reasonably priced, and there’s something for everyone. The atmosphere is conducive to conversation, and it’s similar to a real world restaurant that’s located at a top WDW resort in a great location.
Our new capsule review of Ale & Compass for lunch and dinner is that it’s generally a good option for frequent visitors or locals, but still not recommended for Walt Disney World first-timers. The theme of the restaurant still bores us to sleep, but the food is good.
Speaking of which, the latest update is that Walt Disney World has announced several new dishes debuting at Ale & Compass on July 21, 2026. Here’s a rundown of what’s new (and in a couple of cases, the dishes are more like “new” as they’re only slightly modified versus what’s already on the menu):
Breakfast
- Stuffed French Toast: French vanilla stuffing, seasonal compote
- Dark Chocolate Waffles: Dried cherry compote, epresso-mascarpone cream, chocolate shavings
- Crab Cake Eggs Benedict: Poached eggs, pan-seared crab cakes, hollandaise
Lunch & Dinner
- Blue Crab Bisque: Chili oil, sherry reduction, jumbo lump crab (available lunch and dinner)
- Steak Frites: Grilled 12-oz New York steak, shoestring fries, au poivre sauce (available lunch)
- Maryland-style Crab Cake: Corn purée, tomato succotash, roasted baby red potatoes, spicy aïoli (available lunch and dinner)
- New England Seafood Pot Pie: Shrimp, scallops, jumbo lump crab, fish, baby vegetables, brandy-cream sauce, flaky crust (available dinner)
Dessert
- Banana Crème Brûlée: Brûléed banana, banana cream, puff pastry, raspberry sauce
- Peanut Butter-Marshmallow Cup (Plant-based): Plant-based peanut butter mousse, potato meringue, chocolate shell
- Boston Cream Pie: Vanilla chiffon, vanilla bean mousse, chocolate glaçage, raspberry sauce
Here are photos of these dishes via Disney Eats:
This is a review of breakfast, not lunch or dinner or the new dishes. Breakfast at Ale & Compass is a huge hit for us and has been for years. Since originally publishing this review, we’ve returned a couple of times for virtually the same orders. This boils down to a few things: lack of better options, value for money, and flat-out loving a trio of menu items.
With that said, we do want to draw your attention to one alternative that still exists: Trattoria al Forno. This is located across Crescent Lake at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. This was previously home to the Bon Voyage Adventure Character Breakfast, which has still not returned (and might never come back at this point).
While we loved that character meal, the regular breakfast menu is fantastic and reasonably priced–somewhat similar to Ale & Compass (minus the buffet add-on). Just a quick plug for that as an alternative–now on with the Ale & Compass review!
For starters, Ale & Compass Restaurant no longer has a limited menu and its breakfast buffet has returned after being gone for nearly two years. It’s not the only buffet that’s back at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, as Minnie’s Beach Bash Character Breakfast also has returned.
These join Yachtsman Steakhouse, Crew’s Cup Lounge, Beaches & Cream, and every other dining location at Beach Club in operating as normal once again. There are still some Walt Disney World restaurants that are operating with somewhat scaled back menus, but thankfully, that’s not the case with any of these spots at Yacht & Beach Club.
Here’s a look at what we love about Ale & Compass for breakfast…
Our first time doing breakfast at Ale & Compass was entirely by chance. As noted above, we weren’t keen on our dinner here, and planned on writing the restaurant off for the foreseeable future as a result. However, we found ourselves staying at BoardWalk Inn, without any groceries for breakfast or Advance Dining Reservations for one of the other restaurants.
Nothing else had walk-up availability, meaning the options were basically this, BoardWalk Bakery (now Deli), or waiting until World Showcase opened in a couple of hours. In perusing the menu, Ale & Compass had a few options that were only slightly more expensive than a counter service breakfast, so we decided to roll the dice on it…
Sarah ordered the Dark Chocolate Waffles: “Dried Cherry Compote, Espresso-Mascarpone Cream, Chocolate Shavings, and a choice of Bacon or Sausage.”
These were a fan-favorite at the old Captain’s Grille, but were conspicuously absent when the location reopened as Ale & Compass. Everything about these waffles was perfect–just the right amount of chocolate flavor, a rich and creamy espresso mascarpone to balance them out, and tart dried cherry compote as the literal cherry on top. Forget Mickey waffles–these are the absolute best waffles at Walt Disney World, bar none.
I ordered the Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast with bacon. This is basically an apple sandwich between two slices of french toast, and drizzled with salted caramel and topped with buttery crumble. The sandwich is like the mullet of breakfasts: healthy business in the center, blissfully decadent party on the outside.
The sandwich and mullet are totally inapt comparisons; you can’t actually eat this like a sandwich and it’s not disgusting like a mullet. To the contrary, it’s fantastic–on par with the Dark Chocolate Waffles, which should really say something. The point I’m trying to illustrate is that it’s a somewhat balanced breakfast option, and not just a sugary dessert on the breakfast menu.
All of the entrees come with a choice of bacon, sausage, or fresh fruit.
We ordered bacon and sausage since we were already getting sufficient servings of fruit in our very healthy entrees. The sausage here is the undisputed champ, as these plump house-made patties are absolutely delicious–and provided good balance to our sugary main dishes. Don’t mess with the bacon–get the sausage.
Those are our two main recommendations right now, as a couple of our other favorites have been removed from the breakfast menu at Ale & Compass. We’re also curious about other new menu items like the Chicken & Waffles, Crab Cake Benedict, Smoked Salmon Breakfast Flatbread, and Breakfast Protein Bowl. We should probably try a couple of those the next time we dine here, but it’s tough to deviate from the tried-and-true.
On a positive note, the breakfast buffet is also back at Ale & Compass Restaurant…
This buffet is not a fully-fledged offering like those at other Walt Disney World restaurants. Instead, it’s called a “Continental Enhancement” and includes: “Fresh Fruit, Assorted Yogurt Parfaits, Assorted Breakfast Pastries, House-made Granola, and Warm Cinnamon Rolls.” This is much less than what was offered previously.
Note that we have not done the Continental Enhancement or breakfast buffet since it was scaled back. It’s on the agenda for August, after which we’ll report back to cover whether it’s worth the money. Stay tuned.
As of Summer 2026, the breakfast buffet costs $28 and includes one entree. The smart move is thus choosing one of the more expensive entrees, like the $23 Shrimp and White Cheddar Grits or the $23 Breakfast Protein Bowl, and adding it to that. For those meals, you’re only paying $5 extra for the buffet. By contrast, the “Continental Enhancement” costs $12 on top of the Dark Chocolate Waffles that we love.
Overall, for around $30 (total, not each), we had one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had at Walt Disney World for any price. Being able to walk-up and be immediately seated in a half-full restaurant pretty much negates all of our previous complaints about the theme, too.
All things considered, it’s tough to argue with breakfast at Ale & Compass if you order wisely. This is the best bang for your buck breakfast at Walt Disney World. This is arguably true even if you ‘splurge’ on the breakfast buffet, so long as you eat enough to power you through until dinner. No matter how you slice it, Ale & Compass is a great way to start the day.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Have you done breakfast at Ale & Compass? What did you think of it? Did you do the buffet? Do you agree or disagree with our review? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I am visiting in the fall and was just checking Ale and Compass menu. They have discontinued the buffet enhancement as of August 2026. I ate breakfast there in May 2026 as well as multiple times in the last few years and one of the things that always made me return was this wonderful continental buffet. I may not be returning in the fall.
We have had breakfast there many times and had most of the entrees. We have never been disappointed. My current favorites are the chicken and waffles and crab cake with eggs.
Most people inside don’t appreciate the design. It was made to look like you are inside
of a lighthouse.
I haven’t eaten there since 2021, but my mid-Covid, takeout blueberry-bacon pancakes were so memorable that I still crave them from time to time.
Indeed! The Blueberry Bacon pancakes were absolutely delicious! My favorite item on the menu. However, it was one of the first items removed from the menu. I shall ask if they can still make them for me on my next visit next month! In the past, when I just wanted to add coffee, it was always recommended to add on the buffet. Now, that buffet option is unavailable, you can spend an additional $20 for some of the previous buffet items. No longer a deal. Crazy!
And not even the things I liked to get from the buffet! 🙁
Definitely disappointed with the deletion of the continental buffet add on. We have enjoyed many a breakfast there, including special occasion meals. it was always lovely and with great service. Though now I may rethink going out of my way to eat. It’s sad when something that make an experience stand out or be unique is removed
Ale & Compass is one of our favorites. We usually do breakfast a couple times and a dinner there as well. We always have the buffet. We tried Trattoria al Forno one time for breakfast. The service was lacking and the food was just ok. Complete opposite experience for dinner there though!
Tom as of right now I don’t see the continental enhancement as an option. I think they changed it to a basket add on for $10? Am I just missing it?
No, you’re not missing it. The menu must’ve changed overnight when the new dishes were added.
The quoted text in here was what was available as of yesterday for $28 (with entree). Now that’s gone, and in its place are the following options:
1) Danish Basket ($10) – Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit Danish, Assorted Mini Muffins
2) Continental Parfait and Fruit ($10) – Açai, Blueberry, Strawberry, Sliced Banana, Granola, Coconut, Honey
Unless I’m mistaken, that’s $20 total to replace what was previously a much more modest (and unlimited) add-on. Of course, this is presumably shareable and that was not, but still. Seems like a downgrade!
The Continental Enhancement is still showing for me. I hope those replacements were a glitch.
Try in private browsing. It could be displaying a cached version of the page, since it just changed in the last 24 hours.
@Tom
Oh, yup, that did it — very disappointing. Hopefully another Cornbreadgate reversal will happen before out next trip in December.
Have you tried the buffet breakfast at Rosa Mexicano at the Swan? We ate at Ale and Compass one day followed by Rosa Mexicano on the following day on our last trip this past winter and I prefered Rosa Mexicano. The prices were very similar (maybe 28 vs 30?). At Ale and Compass I felt compelled to get a higher priced entree so got the steak and eggs which were okay. At Rosa Mexicano I was able to get a made to order omeltte from the waitress and then mickey waffles with churro whipped cream and mexican hot chocolate sauce and non paper thin bacon from the buffet (along with gucaomole toast, fruit, and other items). As a bonus, Rosa’s opens earlier at 7 am which sets you up well for rope dropping at Hollywood studios if you are not slow eaters. Highly reccommend.
Currently, the menu online shows the “Continental Enhancement” for $28. A la carte entrees are listed separately with additional prices. Can you clarify just a bit more the bit in the post about how the two can go together? The way the menu reads right now is that one would order an entree for its price, and then add on the continental items for an additional $28. Thank you so much!
If you only want the described meal, shown with its price, you order and will pay that amount.
If you wouldlike that meal AND the continental enhancement, your cost is $28.
By the way, they don’t serve toast with any meal or enhancement.
We went to Ale and Compass for breakfast the week before Thanksgiving. I was so looking forward to the bagel with salmon and cream cheese etc! Turns out the menu changed about 2 weeks earlier. Gone was the bagel and also their amazing buffet. They offered only 10 or so entrees and for an additional $8 you could add the pared down Continental Buffet offering cereal, Danish, fruit, granola and other items.
The meal i ordered only offered scrambled eggs, not Sunnyside or overeasy or poached. My scrambled eggs were cold.
Our meals didn’t include toast so we asked for some. THEY DON’T OFFER TOAST! The server said there’s no bread anywhere in the building. Weird.