Top 10 Fun Restaurants at Disney World
There are a lot of entertaining and amusing restaurants at Walt Disney World, with great interactive elements, characters, or immersive themes. This list looks at the most fun dining in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and the resort hotels. (Updated February 16, 2024.)
This list offers something for everyone. Whether you want a brilliant and immersive theme (see our Top 10 Themed Restaurants at Walt Disney World for more), the liveliest character meals (see our Best Character Dining at Walt Disney World), or options that are just generally joyous for some reason or another, this list has you covered.
It is important to note that this list emphasizes theme, atmosphere, story, character interactions, hijinks, and other environmental components of Walt Disney World’s restaurants. It does not focus on food. The advantage that Walt Disney World restaurants have over their real-world dining counterparts is their settings and atmosphere. Meticulously-designed and Imagineered venues, or with show components that surpass anything you’ll find elsewhere in Orlando (or beyond).
Reasonable minds may differ on whether more weight should be given to deliciousness since these are, after all, restaurants. If cuisine-quality is your paramount or sole concern, we’d direct you instead to our list of the 24 Best Restaurants at Walt Disney World for 2024. (For what it’s worth, we enjoy the food at all of these restaurants. Many lean heavily on comfort cuisine, but a few are slightly more ambitious.)
With the Disney Dining Plan back for 2024, and that being popular with Walt Disney World vacation planners, there’s also the question of which restaurants are ‘worth it’ on the DDP. First, there are a couple of 2-credit table service restaurants on this list (The Boathouse and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue); those are an objectively poor use of credits.
Every other restaurant on this list is a 1-credit restaurant on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan. Not only that, but they all are–or can be, depending upon what you order–very good to great uses of DDP credits. This is especially true of the character dining experiences on this list, as well as anywhere that serves steak or seafood (well, so long as you order said dishes!).
With that said, here are our picks for the most fun restaurants at Walt Disney World, in no particular order…
Minnie’s Seasonal Dine – Held at Hollywood & Vine in DHS, Minnie’s Seasonal Dine doesn’t have the best setting, but the buffet is solid and the costumes are excellent. Most significantly, the character interactions here are second to none–we don’t know what it is about this place, but it must be a great place to work, because the characters are given the freedom to goof around with guests and have a good time.
We’re particularly big fans of Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Christmas and Minnie’s Halloween Dine. Both of which are actually great alternatives to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It’s a great chance to get dressed up for the season, take family photos with characters that are likewise in special attire, have some laughs, and make some great memories.
Raglan Road – The OG of Disney Springs dining from back in the day when it was still Downtown Disney, Raglan Road has been neglected by many fans with so many great new options opening. We’ve revisited Raglan Road a few times in the last couple of years, and it absolutely holds up. (Except for brunch. You can safely skip that!)
For dinner, Raglan Road is every bit as delicious as it always has been, and the atmosphere remains as jovial and welcoming as ever. The food is good, but none of it makes Raglan Road destination dining. (Save for the Bread & Butter Pudding, which is a top 5 Walt Disney World dessert). The setting is like something straight out of World Showcase at Epcot, with authenticity right down to the wood on the bar that gives the restaurant added allure.
The big appeal of Raglan Road is its free live entertainment. There are multiple stages in and outside the restaurant where entertainers sing, dance, and perform authentic Irish music. They’re incredibly talented, and make the restaurant a raucous good time. They also make Raglan Road incredibly loud, which is perfect for late in your trip when you’re tired of talking to your family and just want to decompress and enjoy the show–and food. All of this puts Raglan Road right up there as one of the best restaurants at Disney Springs.
Garden Grill – In terms of cuisine, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast doesn’t quite compete with newer character meals at Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, the all-you-can-eat fare is both approachable and crowd-pleasing, and it’s sourcing some of the items from Epcot greenhouses is an interesting angle.
More importantly, Garden Grill is a winner thanks to its rotating dining room with views into the Living with the Land boat ride, unique character costumes, and memorable interactions. All of this makes it a really enjoyable experience and that plus above-average food makes it an overall winner.
If you’re looking for alternatives ‘with a view’ at the front of Epcot that are not character meals, both Coral Reef and Space 220 are strong alternatives. While we’ve found the food at Coral Reef to be very inconsistent, seeing into the Seas pavilion and the massive man-made ocean environment that’s home to 2,000 aquatic creatures is awesome. Space 220 is the exact same idea, but with a simulated view into space, and superior cuisine. (Of the two, we far prefer Space 220.)
Whispering Canyon Cafe – This is all about hilarity and hijinks, which make it a hoot. The waiters and waitresses gently pick on guests and the interactions between patrons and Cast Members drive the experience. This gives Whispering Canyon Cafe a different dynamic than most restaurants at Walt Disney World, and one that is pretty much universally fun for kids and extroverts. You can research prompts that will typically cause a reaction from the wait staff, but you’ll stumble upon these naturally during the course of a meal.
Speaking of which, Whispering Canyon Cafe also has some excellent American favorites, including some spectacular all-you-can-eat skillets. On top of that, the open-air venue overlooking the lobby of Wilderness Lodge is delightful and a dose of serenity on top of an otherwise silly affair. Whispering Canyon Cafe is not for everyone (something that probably could be said about all of these restaurants, but is doubly true here) but if it “clicks” for your family, this is bound to be one of your favorite/best/most memorable experiences in all of Walt Disney World.
Tusker House – When it comes to cuisine, Tusker House is the best character meal at Walt Disney World. Located in Animal Kingdom (the park, not the lodge), this is similar to Boma, but with a better balance of adventurous African foods and crowd-pleasing favorites.
On top of that, Tusker House has some of the best character outfits for the Donald’s Safari meals, and the value for money offered here is much better than many other character meals. The themed design and atmosphere are also really cool, with Tusker House themed to a colorful street marketplace in Harambe. Tusker House really offers something for everyone.
Biergarten – Every restaurant in the World Showcase at Epcot offers something different. Somehow, Biergarten is the best for families with kids and for couples who want to “eat, drink, and be merry.” Offering authentic German food, Biergarten’s buffet is pretty good in our experience, but it’s far from the culinary pinnacle of World Showcase.
Themed to be a nighttime Bavarian Village, Biergarten celebrates Oktoberfest year round. Musicians perform traditional German songs and encourage guests to come to the dance floor to join in the fun. We especially love Biergarten at Christmas-time, when there are decorations and special musical numbers.
The Boathouse — Food-wise, this is one of the best restaurants in all of Walt Disney World, with an expansive menu with great options at a variety of price-points. From that perspective alone, it’s a solid choice for anyone who gave a side-eye to our notation above that this list doesn’t emphasize cuisine.
Great food doesn’t make for a fun restaurant, though. Just one that’s fun for your taste buds. On top of the exceptional cuisine, the Boathouse has excellent energy. It’s hard to define this, but there’s just always something happening here, especially in the main dining rooms and the dock. You can catch harbormaster flag ceremonies throughout the day, musical performances every evening, and a variety of other stuff you won’t find at other Walt Disney World restaurants.
One such example of “other stuff’ is the Boathouse’s huge fleet of classic watercraft including exotic amphicars, water taxi, and myriad other boats. These are docked, but also out and about in the lake behind the restaurant. (Speaking of which, a waterside table is a fantastic way to enjoy a fabulous Florida sunset!) Elements of the interior design are all over the place with an eclectic mix of kitsch and refinement. It’s an interesting vibe, for sure. (When we’re in the mood for a more laid back meal, we opt to eat out on the Dock Bar, rather than the main dining rooms.)
‘Ohana — Perhaps this is an unpopular opinion, but we think ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is overrated when it comes to the meal served. Don’t get us wrong, it’s still a ton of fun (hence its inclusion on this list), but it’s inching into the territory occupied by Le Cellier several years ago thanks to numerous price increases coupled with food quality cuts.
However, so many longtime Walt Disney World fans–us included–have tremendous amounts of nostalgia for the restaurant for good reason. It is the source of long-lasting memories and an experience that is, above all else, a good time.
‘Ohana perfectly marries a convivial atmosphere with a relaxed, no-cares-given meal on the isles. It’s the essence of being in “vacation mode” with no worries. You disconnect from society and connect with fellow visitors for communal fun. Few, if any, other Walt Disney World restaurants accomplish a vacation vibe as pitch-perfectly as ‘Ohana.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue – This eccentric dinner show is a non-stop dose of dancing, singing, and zany comedy. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a quintessential Walt Disney World experience that every die-hard Walt Disney World fan should do at least once. It’s impossible to describe what makes Hoop-Dee-Doo so great, but the mix of high-spirited music-and-comedy accompanied by a fantastic feast should sum it up pretty well.
While the hokey humor won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue has something for nearly everyone. The performers are incredibly talented, the audience engagement gives it a great energy, and it’s a good meal of comfort food favorites. Anyone who is a regular reader of this blog and can tolerate the cheesy “jokes” here will find something to enjoy in this rousing show. If you don’t like Hoop-Dee-Doo, that’s on you for not having a sense of humor. You should work on that.
50’s Prime Time Cafe — Here you’re dining in Mom’s house, which is a lot like the set of a mid-century sitcom. You’re also eating by Mom’s rules. If you put your elbows on the table or slouch, expect to be reprimanded! Expect your other relatives to drop by with quick-witted commentary. Bonus points are awarded for joining the clean plate club.
Mom will, however, let you watch TV during your meal, and many classic sitcoms from the 1950s play on televisions at certain tables. The servers are sharp and have a comedic edge that makes the meal fun and funny, and the setting is really cool, too. On top of that, the food is generally pretty tasty and crowd-pleasing. 50’s Prime Time Cafe specializes in comfort food, with the highlight of the menu being the milkshakes. Even when we aren’t dining here, we sometimes stop at the Tune-In Lounge to grab a quick milkshake!
Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends – This is Walt Disney World’s best character breakfast–and close to the best character dining experience, period. If the quality of a restaurant is measured by the length of its name, then Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera, is #1.
Whether your idea of a good time is great view, clowning around with character, enjoying airy atmosphere, chic costumes, eating good steak for breakfast, or saying long names, Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends (etc.) offers something for you. It’s a really well-rounded character dining experience, and is truly fun for the whole family.
Seriously–out of all the character meals we recommend, this is the one about which we get the most positive feedback. Even those who were skeptical of the price (usually) end up saying Breakfast à la Art (etc. etc.) was worth it.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater — The dining area is a classic drive-in movie theater at night, complete with a large screen showing classic sci-fi B-movies from the 1950s. To complete the experience, the tables are classic 1950s cars. Another layer is piled on top of this, as the whole drive-in area is actually a Hollywood set, making guests the star of whatever sci-fi B-movie is being filmed at the drive-in. Well…probably not the stars so much as extras, but no one really notices this added layer, anyway.
There’s also a story element between Cast Members and guests at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. The server is your car hop, the guest in the front left seat is driver, while others are passengers or hitch-hikers, depending on the party mix in the vehicle. When it comes time for the bill, you might be asked to pay a ticket (for speeding or parking) or chip in for gas money. None of this is as over-the-top as 50’s Prime Time Cafe, but it’s fun.
Then there’s the menu, which is also quite fun–so long as you’re into very “burger-forward” options. The signature blend of beef is fantastic, as is the double pork burger. They’re arguably a bit overpriced and overly indulgent, but on-theme for the venue. Thanks to its unique mix of themed design, atmospheric setting, amusing interactions, and comforting cuisine, you’re bound to have a fantastically fun experience. I’d actually go a step further, calling Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant one of the exemplars of Walt Disney World dining!
Many real world restaurants can surpass Walt Disney World on cuisine quality, but they cannot match the transportive themes, exceptional entertainment, absorbing atmosphere, and Cast Members found at so many of the restaurants on this list. Above all else, they are FUN, plain and simple. Every first timer to Walt Disney World should book an ADR or two at some of these restaurants. Actually, same goes for lifelong fans–these are all good reminders of what the Disney Magic is all about!
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
Which restaurants do you find to be the most fun ones at Walt Disney World? Any of your favorites that we snubbed on this list? Thoughts on our perspective that Disney does themed design and entertainment better than most real world restaurants, but those usually beat Disney when it comes to food? Can you have a great dining experience with only a so-so meal, or is cuisine quality paramount to your enjoyment of a restaurant? Do you agree or disagree with our list? 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 don’t like Hoop-Dee-Doo. I attended once and found it insulting and low-class. Making fun of audience members is NOT funny. The old corny jokes were terrible. The food was just average. I have a great sense of humor.
Love your choices! The best Disney memories from our family trips are always made at the restaurants. We’ve been to all on your list except Raglan Road so we will add it to our “to do list” when we are back in May.
Although not restaurants, we always enjoy the “entertainment lounges” such as Trader Sam’s and Olga’s Cantina. Looking forward to the new pirate themed lounge coming to Magic Kingdom and hoping they port the new DCL Treasure’s Haunted Mansion lounge to MK as well. The more of these fun, high energy themed lounges, the better.
Is it just me or has the magical star cocktail disappeared from a lot of these menus? I was planning on having one during my next visit to the Sci Fi Diner but it’s not listed in the menu anymore – I can’t find it on any other menus either! I’m gutted!!
I haven’t been too impressed by the shopping at Disney Springs (I saw most of the same merch online and around the parks), but Raglan Road may be my favorite table service restaurant at WDW for all the reasons you mention. Also, the steak is REALLY good!
Just a heads up: Minnie’s Holiday Dine at 2pm on 1/4/24 had no entry character (we asked and were told no character comes to the backdrop), no Daisy, and no Donald!
Interesting and news to me–so thanks for sharing. So how many characters did it have in total?
Just want to echo how great Whispering Canyons is. Our kids (8 and 6) were cracking up the whole time and wouldn’t stop talking about all of the hijinks for the next couple of days.
O’Hana?? Nothing fun about that $60 per person meal.
Space 220 not being on this list is a tragedy. Good food and an awesome environment.
I also love Liberty Tree Tavern, but I get it isn’t for everyone.
I don’t like Biergarten. The entertainment is good, but the food is bad. Like worse than any counter service restaurant in Epcot.
When my kids reminisce about their first trip in 2005, they always refer to our hilarious server at Whispering Canyon and the Clown Pool Slide at the hotel. If I had known at the time, I could have saved about $2,000 in Park Tickets.
6 years planning the ADR’s at earliest moment I could snd most of these have eluded me. 🙁
I enjoy dining at San Angel Inn inside the Mexican pavilion at Epcot. The atmosphere is just so cool, and I like getting a seat by the river ride and watching the boats go past. The atmosphere is way more important than the food in this case.
My favorite restaurant in Epcot is Space 220. The food and service was outstanding. You sit in this restaurant with giant windows which reflect your sitting above the earth. As you look out you will see astronauts snowboarding or having a duel with light sabers. It was very cool. I would highly recommend it.
I would stay away from Beauty and the Beast. I did not find it magical at all. The beast walked through the restaurant 2 x and I wasn’t impressed. Never stopped to see the children. The food was okay. At $69.00 per person I wasted my time.
Hi…
I would like to know if it is possible to eat in some of these places without a park ticket. Or if it possible in the resorts’ restaurants not being guest.
Thank you.
Anyone can eat in the restaurants that are at Disney Spring (Raglan Road, Boathouse) or at the resorts (Whispering Canyon, Topolino’s, Ohana, Hoop-De-Doo). Just make sure you’ve got a reservation! These are all popular places.
For park restaurants you need a park ticket. All the resort and Disney springs restaurants you just need a reservation.
Good luck
you can only eat at most of these places if they are outside a perk. you need a park ticket to eat in the park but you can eat at other resorts or at Disney Springs
I was severely disappointed by Sci-Fi on our last trip, not because of the food, but because of the movie clips they play on the screen. It’s been shortened by about 8 minutes from its previous length, with the removal of the cartoon “The Cat That Hated People” and some of the immediate clips around it. What that means is the loop is now too short – you’re virtually guaranteed to see it repeat during your meal, even with good service and fast eaters.
Our server said the change happened several years ago. Disney upgraded the projection system for the Star Wars Breakfasts (2015?), and sometime either then or later removed the cartoon for PC reasons. There had apparently been complaints (maybe about the Al Jolson part? Dunno). But they didn’t replace it with anything.
I am very aware of how minor my complaint is, but it’s a real complaint – it lessened the experience for us and we probably won’t be going back on future visits. We’ve never tried Prime Time – guess that’s next!
Tom, Great list, as usual. Always love your candid remarks , and your amazing pictures. I agree, a Disney dining experience is about so much more than just the food. I’ve been to almost every one (not Art, yet), and I love them all. Rick, I completely agree, my great experience was lessened by the length of the tv clip loop. There is no reason why I should be seeing repeats during my dining experience.
This is a great list. We’ve dined at many of them (Sci Fi, 50’s, Biergarten, Tusker, Whispering Canyon, and Garden Grill). For each restaurant our family had a uniquely Disney experience, and a great memory that I’ll never forget. In my humble opinion, these are the types of restaurants that are worth it…though some of the checks did sting :-).
Great list, Tom and Sarah! I won’t dive back into my anti-‘Ohana rant, which I’ve covered in responses to other posts. Suffice to say, the rest of these restaurants are at the top of our fun list, and have held up over time. I’ll throw a gold star in the direction of Whispering Canyon Cafe – the food quality during our August dinner was much better than I had previously experienced. Thr Land and Sea skillet surprised me with as good a piece of salmon as I’ve had anywhere in WDW.