I visit the Disney World parks every week and that means I have tried A LOT of Disney restaurants!
From table service to fast food to concession stands, I’ve tried countless Disney World establishments and have formed strong opinions about which establishments are the best (and which ones to avoid). However, there’s one group of people who probably spend even more time at Disney World than I do…that’s right, I’m talking about Cast Members!
On a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, I spoke to five different Disney World Cast Members to find out what their favorite restaurants were. They all had VERY different views and some of their answers were quite surprising, so let’s dive in and talk about what they said!
Heather from Main Street Cinema
My first stop was Main Street Cinema, a gift shop on Main Street, USA, where I spoke with two different Cast Members. Heather told me that her FAVORITE restaurant in all of Disney World is the Skipper Canteen!
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Located in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom, Skipper Canteen (better known as Skipper Canteen) is known for its unique and more adventurous menu. We’ve raved about this place in the past, but be warned – it’s probably not for picky eaters.
Stephanie from Main Street Cinema
Also at the Main Street Cinema, I spoke with Stephanie. She told me her favorite restaurant is the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT. The Japan Pavilion has three different table service restaurants you can try – 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 offers a menu with a wide variety of sushi options. All three are great options for your trip!
Genesis Fabre from Main Street, USA
After stopping at the Main Street Cinema, I chatted with some of the balloon handlers on Main Street, USA! Genesis Fabre had some HOT tips for me and said her favorite restaurants were either Boatwright’s Dining Hall in Port Orleans – Riverside or Tony’s Town Square in the Magic Kingdom.
Both restaurants have often been considered “mediocre” in the past, but we’ve seen some shining moments recently. Especially after the menu changes at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, if you didn’t like it before, it might be time for you to come back and give it another try!
Ben from Guest Services
My last stop was the blue umbrella at Guest Services to ask some Cast Members what they liked! Ben told me that his favorite restaurant on property was Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Steakhouse 71 opened for Disney World’s 50th anniversary and has been a huge success ever since. It’s a great option for those who want that fancy steakhouse feel without the higher prices.
Aaron from Guest Services
Last but not least, I spoke with Aaron, also at Blue Umbrella! He said his favorites included the Yachtsman Steakhouse and Whispering Canyon. The Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club is a great option for a fancier night out, while Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge offers a more relaxed atmosphere.
Both are great options for dinner if you’re staying at these resorts or want to escape the parks for a few hours. We highly recommend them!
That concludes our list of Cast Member restaurant recommendations. Which recommendation do you agree with? Let us know in the comments! And stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World fun!
Why haven’t these restaurant hacks been banned at Disney World yet?!
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