The folks at Walt Disney World divide their restaurants into eight categories, and some of those categories are not very helpful in choosing restaurants based on price. To make your choices easier, Disney World dining is divided into four categories in the EZ Fun Guide to Walt Disney World. Plus a tip for other food options. Counter Service
Food is ordered and served at the counter. Some counter-service eateries have plenty of indoor and/or outdoor seating. Others have only limited seating, typically outdoors. Prices are under $10 per meal. Included are the following types as grouped by WDW:
- Counter Service (also called Quick Service on some Disney park maps)
- Quick Bite (kiosks with limited outdoor seating)
(We prefer eating our meals at counter-service restaurants. It's faster and less expensive. Hours of operation are also more flexible.)
Table Service
You are seated at your table, then either order from menus with service by wait staff or serve yourself from a plentiful buffet with some service by wait staff. All have plentiful indoor seating. Prices typically range from $15 to $29 per meal, with most around $18-20. Reservations are recommended, and cancellation penalties may apply. Included are the following types as grouped by WDW:
- Casual Dining (especially table-service restaurants in the parks and moderate resorts)
- Themed Dining (five specially decorated and themed table-service restaurants in the parks)
Character Meals
These table-service restaurants provide guests with an opportunity to interact with the characters. All meals are buffet or family service, which means there is a set price for each diner. Prices are a little more expensive than restaurants in the Table Service category. Reservations are highly recommended, and cancellation penalties may apply. Included are the following types as grouped by WDW:
- Character Dining
Special Dining
Enjoy unique dining at these table-service style restaurants. Menus include regional and international cuisine, fresh seafood or other creations by expert chefs. Three are dinner shows. Prices begin at $30 and range up to $75. Reservations are highly recommended, and cancellation penalties may apply. Prepayment is required for dinner shows. Included are the following types as grouped by WDW:
- Signature Dining
- Special and Unique Dining
- Dinner Shows
One More Food Source
The shop at each WDW resort has a variety of snacks, bakery items and beverages. Many also have frozen dinners and pizza, bread and sandwich supplies. See the resort detail pages in Resort Hotels beginning on Page 72 for more information on what kinds of food items are available at your resort.
Hint: Compared to other resort categories, Fort Wilderness and Disney Vacation Club Resorts offer a wider selection of meal items. The best selection is at the Meadow Trading Post at Fort Wilderness.
