Whether you’re staying on property or not, Walt Disney World resort restaurants are a great option for delicious, themed dining. If you can’t get reservations at a prime restaurant in the parks, or you’re just looking for something new and different, consider these resort restaurants for a convenient meal.
1. Trail’s End, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
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Trail’s End is easily overlooked thanks to its remote location, but this rustic restaurant has some of the most satisfying food on property. You can reach Trail’s End via a boat from the Magic Kingdom or any Magic Kingdom Resort, making this a great option before, after, or during a long day at the Magic Kingdom. If you park at Fort Wilderness or take a Disney bus to the resort, you’ll need to hop on a second bus to get back to The Settlement, where the restaurant is located.
Breakfast at Trail’s End is particularly enjoyable, with an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring the restaurant’s famous breakfast pizza, a special eggs benedict with bbq pork, French toast-custard pudding, a yogurt parfait station, and much more. Dinner is a buffet as well, with mouthwatering chili, smoked pork ribs, fried chicken, and other hearty country options.
While lunch is just as delicious, it’s served a la carte so you won’t get as much food for your money. Entrees include a barbeque pulled pork sandwich, chicken and waffles, and pan-fried catfish, among other options.
2. Pepper Market, Coronado Springs
Pepper Market is a food court rather than a table service restaurant, making it a great option when you want something quick and casual. The varied counters offer a little bit of everything, so this is a smart option when you can’t get your party to agree on what to eat. If you’re in the mood for a hamburger, try the resort’s signature Aztec Burger, with fried onions, fried jalapenos, guacamole, chipotle aioli, and pepper jack cheese. The grilled chicken torta is another unique option, served with pineapple crema.
Though Mexican food is abundant, this food court also features salads, sandwiches, Italian fare, and a kid’s station with options like popcorn chicken and mac and cheese. Coronado Springs is accessible via Disney Resort buses from any park on property, but it’s in the Animal Kingdom resort area, making it a great choice for a day when you’re planning to hit this park.
3. Whispering Canyon, Wilderness Lodge
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The deceptive name can make the Whispering Canyon sound like a quiet, peaceful dining option, but in reality, this is one of the rowdiest spots on property. If you spend any amount of time in the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge, you’re sure to hear the hootin’ and hollerin’ that comes from this table service restaurant.
Get ready for napkin twirling, hokey pokey in the aisles, and hobby horse races between the tables when you book a meal here. The food can easily take second place to the entertaining wait staff. Be prepared for some unexpected excitement if you drink your soda too fast or ask for ketchup. If you’re looking for an over-the-top dining option, this is the place to go. Accessible via Magic Kingdom boats or resort buses, this is a good choice for breakfast or dinner when you’re headed to this park.
4. Boma – Flavors of Africa, Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you’re spending the day at Animal Kingdom, Boma is a great dinner choice to begin or end your activities on a perfectly themed note. If you get to the resort early, you can spend some time strolling around the paths behind the resort, where you can view African wildlife roaming free along the savannah. Boma offers all-you-can-eat buffets for both breakfast and dinner.
The food at Boma includes plenty of authentic African options. For breakfast, you’ll enjoy African pastries, hand-carved meats, turkey bobotie, Kenyan coffee, and more. If you’re visiting Boma for dinner, don’t miss the curried coconut seafood stew, Tunisian couscous salad, or mater paneer.
5. The Wave, The Contemporary
The Wave is accessible via busses or Magic Kingdom boats, but the most popular option for reaching this resort is a ride on the monorail. If you’re coming from Magic Kingdom, you can even walk to the Contemporary, just a short distance away. The Wave features many local and regional ingredients, making the food particularly fresh and flavorful.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all available at this sleek American style restaurant. The breakfast menu includes a make-your-own muesli that’s particularly fun. For lunch, diners enjoy a wide range of classic sandwiches and pasta options. Dinner is the most distinctive meal at this restaurant, with entrees that include lobster ravioli, Florida clams, and royal red Caribbean shrimp on a bed of fennel, Ashely Farms naturally raised chicken breast, and sustainable grilled or sautéed fish.
6. Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Port Orleans Riverside
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If you’re planning an afternoon or evening at Downtown Disney, Boatwright’s Dining Hall is just a short boat ride away. This offers a convenient alternative to the wildly overcrowded restaurants found at Downtown Disney. The uniquely themed environment at this restaurant puts you in a shipyard warehouse with the skeleton of a fishing boat hanging overhead.
The menu features New Orleans favorites, like barbequed shrimp, Cajun crawfish bites, pasta bouillabaisse, jambalaya, and voodoo chicken. Nearly every item has a touch of southern flair, from the sweet tea-brined pork chop to the pecan pie. For a rustic dining experience that feels well-removed from the theme parks, this is a delicious option.
Enjoy a distinctive meal at one of these great Walt Disney World resort locations for a taste of something new outside the parks.
