I Ate Lunch at 12 PM in Magic Kingdom. Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend.

Have you ever tried to eat lunch at Magic Kingdom right at lunchtime?

If you answered yes to the question above, the odds are that it was not an enjoyable experience. Everyone wants to eat at the same time and fuel their bodies to keep going during their visit to the park. We understand that everyone wants to eat at normal meal times, but we are here to warn you NOT to.

Picture this: You are waiting in line to order your food at Pinocchio Village Haus at noon on a busy day. It is super hot out, and all you want to do is eat in the air conditioning until you realize there are no tables open. No matter how many times you circle the dining room, nothing opens up. It can be such a devastating feeling. 

Don’t let this be you! Everyone has the same idea of eating lunch at, well, lunchtime, but this could add stress to your park day and take away precious park time. 

Our biggest tip for avoiding the mid-day lunch rush is to dine at off-hours! Everyone wants to eat right at noon, which is the busiest time for most quick-service locations, especially in Magic Kingdom. 

We suggest that you plan to eat lunch right as a quick service location opens for lunch to beat the crowds or to have lunch around 2 PM instead. Waiting later in the day can help the crowds die down, making it easier for you to order your food and find a table. 

Don’t forget that you can actually schedule your Mobile Orders in advance! Mobile Order times can get pushed back during busy meal times. If you know you want to eat at a quick service location as soon as it opens, you can schedule your Mobile Order pick-up time to be right at opening.

This is a great way to make sure you secure a Mobile Order slot, and it can give you peace of mind throughout the day so that you do not have to worry about waiting in line to order. 

Another great tip is actually to leave Magic Kingdom for lunch. Yep, you heard that right!

We love to dine at a Monorail hotel for lunch during our Magic Kingdom day for a mid-day break, and it is so easy! All you have to do is hop on the Resort Monorail line, and you can choose between dining at the Contemporary, the Polynesian Village, or the Grand Floridian.

This break from the park can help you re-set and get some AC to cool down. It is also another great way to avoid a crowded quick-service location in Magic Kingdom.

We love to go to Contempo-Cafe for a quick bite at the Contemporary. If you need a mid-day pick-me-up, the Contemporary even has a Joffrey’s location, called Contemporary Grounds on the first floor in the lobby!

At the Polynesian, we would stop at Capt. Cook’s for a quick-service meal. On the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, as soon as you get off the monorail, you can find Kona Island, which is also a great place to get that mid-day coffee to ensure you can stay up and watch Happily Ever After when you return to the Magic Kingdom!

At the Grand Floridian, you can grab a quick bite at Gasparilla Island Grill, and if you choose to eat outside, you will get a beautiful view of the Cinderella Castle. 

All three of these locations offer Mobile Order, and you can place your order before you leave Magic Kingdom. As a warning, on busy days, Mobile Ordering is only offered to those staying at the resort. Regardless, anyone is still welcome to order by visiting a Cast Member at a register. 

The next time you are in Magic Kingdom for lunch, heed our advice. Remember to avoid busy times and dine during off times. Remember you can schedule Mobile Orders. And finally don’t be afraid to leave Magic Kingdom for lunch! Going to dine at a monorail hotel mid-day can help give you that extra energy for when you return to Magic Kingdom after lunch.

I go to Disney World every day, this is why I avoid Magic Kingdom

Do you like to leave Magic Kingdom during the lunch rush? Let us know in the comments!

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