It Would Take Some Serious Convincing To Get a Disney World Expert To Eat at These Restaurants

Not all Walt Disney World restaurants are created equal. 

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World anytime soon, chances are high that you’ll be eating within one of the resort’s theme parks at least once. While Disney offers an array of dining options, there are some our experts would skip over every time (sometimes because of the food, but not always). Fear not though, there are also alternatives provided that still give the benefits of the initial restaurant, without the… ahem… baggage that goes along with it. 

SKIP: Cinderella’s Royal Table

Okay, hear us out. Yes, eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table is a bit of an iconic Disney World dining experience, especially for those who wish to meet the Disney Princesses in a royal banquet hall-style setting. However, when looking at things practically, the restaurant inside the Magic Kingdom’s iconic castle is small, cramped, located right in the center of the crowded Magic Kingdom, and hard to get a reservation for. On top of that, the menu is prix fixe and doesn’t offer much for picky eaters. 

Alternative: Akershus

Located in EPCOT, Akershus leaves the Magic Kingdom crowds behind. This jewel of the Norway pavilion features dining with princesses in a royal banquet hall setting and family-style platters for both breakfast and dinner. 

SKIP: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

While on the surface the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater — a restaurant that mimics sitting at a classic drive-in, complete with tables made to look like cars  — seems like a slam dunk, this Hollywood Studios original is hurt by a few things. First off, the B-Movie film clip compilation that plays on the “drive-in’s” screen usually ends up playing 2-3 times during the duration of a typical meal, which turns it from tongue-in-cheek entertaining to, frankly, annoying. 

Also, the car-shaped tables are fun in theory, but in practice, they’re cramped and make it hard for people to converse. 

ALTERNATIVE: 50’s Prime Time Cafe

Another opening day restaurant, the 50’s Prime Time Cafe maintains the classic Hollywood Studios feel of the Sci-Fi Dine-In theater, but in a brighter, less cramped environment, Plus, while not for everyone, the entertaining banter of the waiters… erm, we mean your cousins… changes from visit to visit as opposed to the locked in place film clips. 

SKIP: Tony’s Town Square 

Themed after the restaurant featured in Lady and the Tramp, Tony’s Town Square certainly thematically fits well on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. (Speaking of theming, we particularly love the area where you can look “behind” the restaurant to see Lady and the Tramp themselves.) However, that being said, the restaurant has a major failing: Its food. 

ALTERNATIVE: Skipper Canteen

Located in Adventureland, Skipper Canteen is just as well-themed to its area as Tony’s. It’s chock-full of references to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers as well as other classic Disney attractions. And the food is much, much better. In fact, the diverse menu offers some dishes that aren’t available anywhere else in the Magic Kingdom. 

SKIP: Space 2020

A restaurant set in space seems like it would be the ideal EPCOT location. Unfortunately, Space 220 falls short. The menu is uninspiring, and the space theming doesn’t truly give the feel of transporting one to outer space. 

ALTERNATIVE: San Angel Inn Restaurante

However, if you’re looking for an EPCOT restaurant that succeeds in transporting you to another location, look no further than the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase. The San Angel Inn Restaurante gives the illusion of eating outside in a Mexican town on the banks of a river, with a massive Pyramid looming over it, all while actually being inside an air-conditioned comfort. Plus the full diverse Mexican menu has something for (almost) everyone. 

SKIP: PizzeRizzo

To end on a quick service note, we have PizzeRizzo. Suffice to say, the nicest things we can say about PizzeRizzo are that the Muppet theming is deeply layered and… uh… it’s usually easy to get a table?

ALTERNATIVE: Woody’s Lunchbox

Located in Toy Story Land, Woody’s Lunchbox is another well-themed quick service location. Except, unlike PizzeRizzo, this one offers food that is not only edible, it’s actually pretty delicious. 

While we’re sure every one of these Walt Disney World restaurants hastier fans, in general, most experts would advise skipping them for one reason or another. Stay tuned to AllEars for further Walt Disney World dining updates. 

4 Hollywood Studios Restaurants I’ll Never Eat at Again

What are your thoughts on these restaurants? Let us know in the comments below. 

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