Let’s be honest. When adults visit Walt Disney World restaurants, most times it’s for the delicious food. But, let’s think about the kids – they want to visit for the fun! So, just what are the coolest restaurants for kiddos? From awesome themes to one-on-one character interaction, here are the top fun restaurants at Disney World!
Honestly, narrowing down the really fun Walt Disney World (WDW) restaurants was pretty easy. When I took each into consideration, I looked for theming, ambiance, and entertainment. Sure, food was a factor, but unless you’re actually creating the food, I wouldn’t call it fun. Here are my top picks.
1. Chef Mickey’s
Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort can be seen from the Resort monorail, and every time I look down at the diners, they’re always having a ball. Mickey mouse and pals dress up in their coolest kitchen attire and actually get the kids singing and dancing during the meal.
Dining is buffet style, so it’s all you care to enjoy. The food is typical WDW food, so think plenty of comfort food. There’s also a lower-to-the-ground buffet table for smaller children, which makes them feel welcome.
Want the scoop on the best all-you-care-to-enjoy Disney World Restaurants? Here are my top picks.
2. Cinderella’s Royal Table
You’ll be paying a premium price for a Cinderella’s Royal Table reservation, but it’s worth it at least once. After having your photo taken with Cindy, you’ll head upstairs when your name is called.
During the meal, Disney Princesses roam around and go from table to table while you dine. If that wasn’t enough reason to try it, kids get decked out with wands and swords for a magical, interactive show.
3. 1900 Park Fare
There are plenty of really good WDW Resort restaurants, but 1900 Park Fare is more than really good for its dinner entertainment. Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and the Wicked Step Sisters all make appearances while you choose your dishes, buffet-style.
But what I really love is watching the Tremaine Sisters interact with guests. Hands down, they’re the funniest characters, so being in the same room with them to really see how they play off each other is a hoot!
4. ‘Ohana
Breakfast at ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is pretty entertaining with Lilo and Stitch (and Mickey Mouse!), but the fun really amps up at dinner. With a coconut race, live Polynesian music, and delicious, Hawaiian-style courses, it’s my go-to for both food and fun.
5. Raglan Road
I love Irish food, but that’s not really the reason it’s so fun. During select times of the day, Irish Step Dancers hop, skip, and double jump on stage to Irish song selections.
And, while everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, guests from the audience can be picked to try their best Irish steps right along with the dancers at the Disney Springs restaurant.
6. T-Rex Restaurant
It’a all about the theming at T-Rex Restaurant at Disney Springs. With several unique dining rooms, cool decor, and even dishes with dino themes, it’s my pick for kids that love the Jurassic period.
7. Akershus
Another way to meet the Disney Princesses without an extended standby queue, Akershus at Norway Pavilion in Epcot is a great pic for both food and fun. You’ll have your official arrival photo taken with one of the Princesses, then after you get to your table, it’s time for the food. Part buffet, part family-style dining,
What makes Akershus really fun is the Princess parade throughout the entire restaurant. Kids, along with Princesses, walk gracefully and grandly around the tables and they love it.
8. Rainforest Cafe
A couple of times an hour, the animatronic animals at Rainforest Cafe, both at Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs, come to life and make plenty of noise. The tree canopy lights up, drums roll, and the show lasts for a minute or two. In between, guests can roam around the restaurant and look the animals and beautiful fish tanks.
The food? It’s okay. There are some standouts like the China Island Chicken Salad and Poke Bowl, but it’s the feeling of dining in a rainforest that’s the coolest part.
9. Cosmic Ray’s
One of only three Quick Service Dining Restaurants that made the list, Cosmic Ray’s is fun for its main star, Sonny Eclipse. Another audio animatronic, Eclipse sings and plays the keyboard while making corny jokes.
His songs are catchy and it’s fun to watch him from the lower level. You’ll find Sonny in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
Thanks to my friend Andrea from Just Is a Four-Letter Word for the cutest pic of her son at The Boathouse Restaurant in Disney Springs above!
10. Pinocchio Village Haus
Another Quick Service Restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Pinocchio Village Haus is a hoot if you sit in the indoor window area overlooking it’s a small world. Look for the large signs and hold them up to get guests in the attraction’s boats to do what’s written on them.
As a guest that’s been on both sides of the glass, I love looking for the signs when I’m on the ride AND holding them up.
11. Be Our Guest
Last, but not, least on the list of the top fun restaurants at Disney World is Be Our Guest. Each of the three dining rooms at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom is beautifully-decorated, but it’s the West Wing that’s dark, creepy, and super fun to dine in. The Beast’s magic rose is also in the room and a new petal falls every few minutes. When it does, look at the Beast’s human portrait for glimpses of what he’s now become.
BoG Restaurant is Quick Service during lunch and Table Service at dinner. It offers breakfast as well.
Thanks to Lisa at Adventures in Familyhood for the fun photo above! If you’d like to know which Disney World Quick Service restaurants to skip, she’s got the lowdown.
