5 Disney World Cast Members Revealed Their FAVORITE Restaurants

I visit the Disney World parks every week, and that means I’ve tried a LOT of Disney restaurants!

From table service to fast food to snack stands, I’ve tried countless eats in Disney World and I’ve definitely developed some strong opinions about which spots are the best (and which you should stay away from). However, there’s one group of people who probably spend even more time in Disney World than I do…that’s right, I’m talking about the Cast Members!

During a recent visit to Magic Kingdom, I spoke to five different Disney World Cast Members to find out what their favorite restaurants are. They all had some VERY different thoughts, and some of their answers were pretty surprising. So let’s dive in to talk about what they said!

Heather from Main Street Cinema

My first stop was Main Street Cinema, a gift shop on Main Street, U.S.A. where I spoke to two different Cast Members. Heather told me that her FAVORITE restaurant in all of Disney World is Skipper Canteen!

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen (known more commonly as just Skipper Canteen) is located in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom and is known for its unique and more adventurous menu. We’ve raved about this spot in the past but be warned — it’s probably not for picky eaters.

Stephanie from Main Street Cinema

Also in Main Street Cinema, I spoke to Stephanie. She told me her favorite place to dine is the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT. The Japan Pavilion has three different table service restaurants that you can check out — Takumi-Tei, Teppan Edo, and Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya.

Takumi-Tei is the signature restaurant, while Teppan Edo is your traditional hibachi experience. Shiki-Sai opened in 2023 and serves a menu with a wide variety of sushi options. All three are great options for your trip!

Genesis Fabre from Main Street, U.S.A.

After stopping at Main Street Cinema, I stopped to chat with some of the balloon handlers on Main Street, U.S.A.! Genesis Fabre had some HOT takes to share with me, noting that her favorite restaurants were either Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans — Riverside or Tony’s Town Square in Magic Kingdom.

Both of these restaurants were ones that were often thought of as “mediocre” in the past, but we’ve seen them have some glow-ups recently. Especially with menu changes at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, it might be time for you to go back and try it again if you didn’t like it before!

Ben from Guest Services

My last stop was the blue Guest Services umbrella to ask some Cast Members there what they liked! Ben told me that his favorite restaurant on the property is Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Steakhouse 71 opened with the 50th Anniversary of Disney World and has been a major hit ever since. It’s a great option for those who want the fancy steakhouse feel without the higher prices.

Aaron from Guest Services

Last but not least, I spoke to Aaron, also at the blue umbrella! He said that his favorites included Yachtsman Steakhouse and Whispering Canyon. Yachtsman Steakhouse at Yacht Club is a great option for a fancier night out, while Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge has a more laid-back feel.

Both of these are great options for dinner if you’re staying at those resorts, or if you’re looking to get away from the parks for a couple hours. We’d totally recommend them!

That’s a wrap on our list of restaurant recommendations from Cast Members. Which do you agree with? Tell us in the comments! And stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World fun!

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