The restaurants at Walt Disney World are as varied as the theme parks and resorts. From formal dining to fast food spots, WDW restaurants have it all. The theme varies from exotic cooking to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, and from fancy to old-fashioned home cooking. Restaurants can also have special dining events. Special dietary needs are addressed by simply talking to your server.
The restaurants cater to different tastes and preferences. To determine what restaurant is right for you check out pictures and menus of restaurants before finalizing your booking arrangements. The Disney World website is a good source for restaurants and menu information. You can also get a feel of the ambience of the restaurants by the looks of the exterior and the interior decoration through its pictures posted on the site.
Travel agents specializing in Disney trips and packages can give you excellent tips, especially when bringing children along. While almost all of the Disney World restaurants are children friendly, there are Character Dining Locations, or special spots where your favorite Disney character will be appearing that you might want to bring your children to see.
Not all of the restaurants offer Advance Reservations. The restaurants that do, will ask you to check in at least 10 minutes before your seating time. Plan well ahead when you are going to WDW, as dining reservations may be taken as much as 180 days in advance. Some reservations at the Walt Disney World restaurants must be guaranteed by a credit card.
Special dinners and dining events are also held regularly. Examples of these are:
Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian
Christmas
Easter
Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Mickey's Backyard BBQ
Mother's Day
My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party
New Year's Eve
Spirit of Aloha (Polynesian Luau) Dinner Show
Thanksgiving
Valentine's Day
No matter what your preference, it's almost a guarantee that Disney World will have something that suits your tastes. The list of restaurants crosses all boarders, covering foods from American to French, and German to Mexican. With hundreds of places to choose from, finding the one you like may be a little daunting, but it'll be worth the effort!
Whatever you choose, keep in mind: You aren't just getting a meal, your getting an experience. As such, expect prices to be increased from what you would normally pay (and this goes all the way to the little stands that sell popcorn). Be adventurous, and don't be afraid to try something that may seem foreign...you might just be surprised at how much you like it!
