Walt Disney World can prove a weirdly difficult place to find a bite to eat late at night. The majority of Disney eateries close around the same time the parks do while the rest shut their doors by midnight. Perhaps like Cinderella’s carriage crew, the cast members inside all turn back into field mice and woodland creatures when the clock tolls 12…
The good news is guests looking for a late nosh aren’t doomed to a night of forlorn munching on free peppermints. We’ve gathered six of the best places to eat late at Walt Disney World.
1. Picabu Market – The Walt Disney World Dolphin
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega
We can’t gush enough about Picabu Market, the 24-hour eatery tucked into the deepest corner of the lowest level of the Walt Disney World Dolphin (right next to where Gandalf fought the Balrog, I think). Despite its tricky-to-find location (seriously, ask someone if you get lost), this has become our hands down favorite place to eat super late at Walt Disney World.
Picabu offers a number of delicious hot dishes like rich potatoes, tasty corn, and pot roast, but the highlight of their menu is the burrito and taco bar. Similar to Chipotle, guests can customize a taco plate, burrito, or bowl of their choice, and the meats and toppings are richly spiced and delicious. Picabu also hosts a respectable snack shop and a wide range of drink choices. Even with picky eaters, you seriously can’t go wrong at this hidden gem.
2. Disney Springs – Raglan Road, Cookes of Dublin, Bongos Cuban Cafe, and Paradiso 37
Image: Disney
One would assume that Disney Springs would be a no-brainer choice for late night eating at Walt Disney World. However, scoring midnight eats here can prove hit or miss. The good news is that Disney Springs has several locations in The Landing area that have a solid track record for being open late.
The go-to destination is Raglan Road. On most nights, this rollicking Irish pub offers appetizers until 1:30 AM including burgers, wings, potato wedges, and desserts. It’s quick service fish-n-chips counterpart, Cookes of Dublin, is also usually open until midnight.
If you’ll be arriving before midnight, Bongos Cuban Café and express window are both great options if you are looking for more lively fare like empanadas, short ribs, and paella. Paradiso 37, Taste of the Americas also holds similar hours with an eclectic Latin American menu. The landscape of Disney Springs is constantly changing, so make a point to check the hours for the day at any eateries you are considering, particularly if it’s a weekday.
3. Gasparilla Island Grill and Captain Cook’s – Magic Kingdom Resorts
Similar to Picabu Market, both Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and The Walt Disney World Polynesian Resort house 24-hour quick service dining locations. Many guests have reported their favorite is Gasparilla Island Grill at The Grand Floridian. Like other resort quick service locations, the grill offers a respectable selection of drinks and quick snacks, but where they really shine is their late-night pizza selection. Guest reviews overall were more favorable for Gasparilla’s gourmet pizza selections as opposed to other late-night pizza options (more on that later).
The other option is Captain Cook’s at The Polynesian. While a quick glance at their menu might make you assume there isn’t much to offer for late eaters, many visitors love ending their Disney days here with some sushi, a Dole Whip, pastries, and selections from a limited menu. Plus, the atmosphere of the Polynesian on a beautiful night can’t be beat!
4. The Boardwalk – Pizza and ESPN Club
Image: Chad Sparkes, Flickr (license)
The Boardwalk would seem like another “duh” choice for late night dining. Unfortunately, it has become somewhat maligned due to mixed guest feelings about The Boardwalk most notorious late-night dining option—the pizza window, usually open until midnight.
The main report is that the pizza is unremarkable with a distinct “frozen” quality. It’s not terrible, but it isn’t what most would consider Disney quality either. You may actually be better off ordering a pizza from nearby Celebration than stopping at the pizza window. However, it’s not a terrible choice for hungry kids or if you’re just looking to get through the night.
The better choice for Boardwalk guests (if you aren’t in the mood to hike over to Picabu) is The ESPN Club. With a full dinner menu available until midnight, it’s a legitimately tasty place to eat, particularly their famous buffalo wings. I am not a huge sports fan at all, but I can say we’ve enjoyed many happy visits to the ESPN Club. Do note that it is completely different from ESPN Zone restaurants like the one found at Disneyland so expect menu options to be different.
5. Resort food courts and in-room dining
Image: RickPilot_2000, Flickr (license)
Disney isn’t blind to hungry guests with hungry kids arriving back to their resorts. Most of Walt Disney World’s resorts house some sort of food court, such as The End Zone at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort or Riverside Mill at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. While closing hours for these locations vary (the ones at the All-Star Resorts usually close at midnight), it is always worth checking if the food court or quick service locations at your resort have a late-night dining option.
Many of Disney’s resorts also offer some in-room dining options, such as pizza delivery until 1:00 AM at the All-Star Resorts or until midnight at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans, Pop Century, Art of Animation, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs. The Swan and Dolphin offer late night in-room dining menus with appetizers at a somewhat inflated price. Check the guest services guide in your room for options for your individual resort. Speaking for ourselves, our go-to choice remains a quick trip to Picabu or Captain Cook’s rather than spending extra for room service.
What is your favorite place to eat late at Walt Disney World?
