It’s no surprise to many that it can be challenging to book a dining reservation at some of Walt Disney World’s most popular restaurants. Even though you can book 180 days in advance, many people are shocked to find out that their favorite restaurant is booked solid the second they log on. And although you can constantly call or check the Disney website, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and realize that you may not get that dream reservation. But don’t panic! For every popular Disney restaurant, there are a few similar alternatives that will still make everyone in your party happy.
1. The First Choice: Chef Mickey’s
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Chef Mickey’s is a big must for character and classic Disney lovers. Not only is it located on the main floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, a short walk or monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom, but it is a buffet that features the “Fab 5” (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto) all wearing their chef inspired costumes.
Alternatives: Cape May Cafe for breakfast and The Garden Grill
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Cape May Cafe, located in Disney’s Beach Club Resort, offers Minnie’s Beach Bash breakfast. In this character buffet, you meet Minnie, Goofy, and Donald all wearing their beach and sailing outfits. Not only is the menu very similar, but the price is better, with each price per person being about $10 cheaper. It’s location is also great, because it’s only a short walk away from Epcot or a boat ride over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Just be aware that, while Cape May does have a great buffet dinner, the characters only meet during the breakfast service.
Another great option is The Garden Grill in Epcot’s The Land pavilion, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a difference in the menu here – instead of a buffet, each table is served family style, although it is still “all you care to eat.” However, both Chef Mickey’s and The Garden Grill serve traditional American meals. All meals are also hosted by Farmer Mickey, as well as Pluto, Chip, and Dale. Not only is the restaurant in Epcot, it’s also easy enough to hop on a monorail and make your way over to Magic Kingdom.
Both of these restaurants are generally easier to book, have similar dining options, and are full of classic Disney character fun!
2. The First Choice: ‘Ohana dinner
‘Ohana’s dinner service is one of the best and most unique in Disney World. The family style meal includes waiters who walk around the restaurant with skewers of grilled meat, which is served with Polynesian inspired side dishes and desserts. If you are lucky, you might also get a window seat that overlooks Cinderella’s Castle across the Seven Seas Lagoon, perfect for watching the fireworks.
The Alternative: Kona Cafe
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Kona Cafe is actually located right next to ‘Ohana on the second floor of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It might not be an all you care to eat family style meal, but it does offer similar Polynesian and Asian inspired menu items, like pot stickers, grilled chicken wings, noodles, and chicken, pork, and steak dishes. And if you are looking forward to the fireworks, you can always take a short walk outside to the pool area where you get a great view. Both restaurants have similar themes and menus, although it is usually much easier to get a reservation at Kona Cafe.
3. The First Choice: Cinderella’s Royal Table or Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
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Both of these restaurants often get fully booked as soon as their reservation window opens for one reason – princesses. Although Cinderella’s Royal Table is usually harder to reserve because of its prime location in Cinderella’s Castle, both restaurants offer elegant breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with characters like Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, and Snow White. They are also both located in the center of Magic Kingdom and Epcot, respectfully.
The Alternative: 1900 Park Fare dinner
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1900 Park Fare, located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, has that elegant, royal feel the moment you step inside the lobby. Like Akershus, this restaurant is also a buffet, although with more standard American menu. It features Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner, which includes appearances by Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drizella. The price per person is also $10-15 cheaper than the other princess dining options, and it is also in a great location so you can easily get to Magic Kingdom or Epcot by hopping on a monorail.
4. The First Choice: California Grill
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People choose California Grill for many reasons. Located on the top floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, it offers some of the best views of the Magic Kingdom and the surrounding area, plus it’s one of the best places to view Wishes. It also has an impressive wine list and menu and offers a sophisticated Sunday brunch. Besides this, it’s one of few places where you can really dress up for a fancy, adults-only dinner. No wonder it can be hard to get a reservation.
The Alternative: Narcoossee’s
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Narcoossee’s is located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but like California Grill it also is located in an unusual location – out past the main building, sitting alone overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. But that’s not it’s only similarity. Both restaurants feature gourmet, seafood based menus as well as a Sunday brunch. Both also have a strict dress code. Although there are a few differences (for example, there is no sushi at Narcoosee’s, although you can find a whole Maine lobster) but you can still get a fantastic view of the fireworks over the lake.
