Of the four Walt Disney World parks, the Magic Kingdom has the least amount of unused space, with pretty much every building housing an attraction, restaurant or gift shop. However, even though the Magic Kingdom doesn’t have the abandoned space issues of Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios have, there is one odd phenomenon that happens at this park that no one really ever seems to talk about: the collection of quick service restaurants around this park that never open.
While other parks have plenty of quick service restaurants that are open 365 days a year, the Magic Kingdom has several locations that are only open a few days of the year and are purposefully kept closed most of the time…
1. Tortuga Tavern
When it’s open: Select afternoons in the summer and holiday season
Though this dining location recently got a menu update, the Tortuga Tavern is only open for a few weeks a year, and only in the afternoon. Those who are able to find this place open will be able to enjoy a breezy covered seating area, rustic décor that recalls the style of the Pirates of the Caribbean (which is situated right across from this restaurant), and a BBQ-inspired menu that includes pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket on Texas toast, and even a roasted corn and vegetable salad with barbecued beef brisket.
Though this dining establishment is a great spot to get your barbecue fix at the Magic Kingdom, its only open on peak summer days and during the holiday season. Worse yet, if you want to grab lunch here, you’ve only got from 11AM-4PM to do so, as this location has extremely limited operating hours as well.
2. The Diamond Horseshoe
When it’s open: During special events and peak days
There’s an old saying among Walt Disney World veterans that if the Diamond Horseshoe is open, it means the Magic Kingdom is about to hit capacity. While that isn’t always true, it does speak volumes about how often The Diamond Horseshoe is actually available for guests. Which is a shame because this has one of the most unique dining rooms on property, which features ample seating around a central stage. Though the food here typically consists of pre-packaged items and simple entrees like turkey sandwiches , the atmosphere can’t be beat, and the fact that most guests walk on by this location means you’ll probably eat your lunch in silence, which is a huge perk if you’re trying to avoid the madness of popular restaurants like nearby Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Cafe.
Though it’s tough to predict when the Diamond Horseshoe will serve guests, on days that it does open this dining location typically begins service around 11AM, but then closes again by 3PM, which means you’ll have to act really fast if you want to dine here.
3. The Tomorrowland Terrace
When it’s open: Afternoons during the summer and holidays
Though both Tortuga Tavern and the Diamond Horseshoe have really interesting dining rooms that just beg to be explored, the Tomorrowland Terrace is actually pretty boring. You’ve probably walked past this usually-vacant restaurant plenty of times on your way from the Magic Kingdom’s central hub to Tomorrowland, and the adjacent overflow dining area for this seldom-open restaurant is used for the nightly Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Desert Party.
However, this location does occasionally serve food on busy park days, especially during the summer and during the holidays. Food here is typically your standard quick-service fare, including burgers, chicken nuggets and the like. Though this place isn’t exactly the best for food variety or scenery, if the park is filling up and you need a bite to eat fast, it’s a solid choice, and generally features the same kind of menu items as nearby Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe with almost half the wait. Unfortunately, this location does not keep regular hours, and can be open for an afternoon or an entire day, depending on guest need. O
4. Aunt Polly’s Refreshments
When it’s open: varies
Though Aunt Polly’s Refreshments at Tom Sawyer Island is one of the oldest eateries at the Magic Kingdom (it welcomed its first guests in 1973), this grab-and-go dining location closed in the early 2000s and remained dormant for over a decade, simply sitting abandoned in the middle of Tom Sawyer Island. However, during 2015’s spring break rush, Disney surprised everyone by opening this eatery once more, allowing guests to enjoy pre-packaged cold entrees, snacks and lemonades.
However, after only a few days of operation Aunt Polly’s was shuttered once more for several months. Then without announcement, Walt Disney World opened this restaurant again during the Thanksgiving holiday week. Though we wouldn’t bet on it, we can’t help but hope that this means that this dining location will open again for the holiday season, as its location on Tom Sawyer Island makes it somewhat unique, and considering this restaurant has remained at the Magic Kingdom essentially unchanged for the past 40 years, it is definitely a piece of Walt Disney World history! Though the cuisine here isn’t exactly the best, nothing beats having a picnic on Tom Sawyer Island while watching the Liberty Belle float by.
5. Golden Oak Outpost
When it’s open: Afternoons on peak days
Of the restaurants on this list, the Golden Oak Outpost is the one that you’ve probably seen open the most often. This Frontierland kiosk serves chicken nuggets as well as “loaded” waffle fries on a rotating menu. Past fry offerings have included Poutine (gravy and cheese curds), barbecue pork and BLT.
This kiosk is open mostly on peak days, and is a fixture of Frontierland during the summertime. Even better, this location has generous hours, and on days when it is open the Golden Oak Outpost is serving guests from 10:30AM to 9:00PM.
Have you ever been to any of these restaurants? Which would you recommend on a busy day at the Magic Kingdom?
