Walt Disney World can become a complicated destination when everyone wants to visit the same places. There’s good reason why certain Disney attractions, restaurants, and resorts can prove difficult to get into.
The thing is, sometimes the most popular choice isn’t the only good option…
Some of the best experiences at Walt Disney World tend to fly under the radar—worthy alternatives that may not get the same press as their counterparts but that many guests enjoy in equal measure. These underrated gems are perfect for visitors who want to skip lines, try something new, or run into issues accessing more popular experiences due to high demand.
An important note before we proceed—everyone is going to have different tastes. Diversity of options is one of the things that makes the Most Magical Place on Earth wonderful. When it comes to some of the popular experiences mentioned on this list, the goal isn’t to say that these aren’t enjoyable—rather we wanted to highlight laudable alternatives for guests to consider as options on their next vacation.
Curious? Here’s 9 worthy alternatives we found to Walt Disney World’s most popular draws…
1. Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen (instead of Be Our Guest)
A trip to Be Our Guest restaurant is an incredible experience, and there’s good reason guests rave about it. The problem is Be Our Guest is so popular, getting a reservation can prove a real pain in the patella.
Enter Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen—the snarky dark horse of Disney dining.
We’ve gushed about this Adventureland dining gem before, and we will happily do so again. The restaurant is themed charmingly after an Adventurer’s Club-style canteen (complete with plenty of S.E.A. references). The thing that makes Jungle Navigation Co. a little different, however, is that it is largely staffed by off-duty Jungle Cruise skippers.
Hilarity is likely to ensue.
I’m not a die hard Jungle Cruise fan, but there’s just something charmingly pure about the dad-joke and pun-heavy humor favored by Jungle Cruise skippers. For example, on your visit, you may get the chance to see the backside of water or The Great Wall of China.
In many ways, the skippers shine in the restaurant even more than on the ride. We’ve laughed pretty much every visit, but my favorite encounter was the time our server asked if I wanted river water or premium water. I told him I’ll go for the premium water. Minutes later, he emerged from the kitchen with a glass of bubbling, brownish-green liquid, proudly presenting my prize (the actual ingredients turned out to be a “mighty mix” of various colas). It was absolutely hideous. The server could barely keep a straight face. We lost it—Disney magic at its best.
The humor alone wouldn’t be enough for us to recommend Jungle Navigation Co—the food has been a delight every time we’ve visited. They have a nice variety of familiar staples for picky eaters, as well as African, Latin, and Asian dishes for more adventurous souls (the Kungaloosh is a wonderful dessert, as an example). The variety really sets Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen apart from other options at Magic Kingdom, making it a definite must-try for any would-be adventurer visiting Walt Disney World.
2. Kringla Bakeri og Kafe (instead of Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie)
If you have a sweet tooth, Walt Disney World has you covered—especially at Epcot’s World Showcase.
The most popular sweet spot in Epcot tends to be France’s Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. This charming pastry shop has been wowing guests for decades with mouth-watering tarts, mousses, and tarts, and it’s likely to only grow in popularity with the soon-arrival of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
World Showcase has another bakery, however, that some guests might argue is just as good.
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway pavilion doesn’t fly under the radar quite as much as it used to. The arrival of Frozen Ever After turned this once-quiet corner of World Showcase into a hot spot. Still, many guest skim Kringla’s selection, settle on familiar treats like cupcakes and cookies, then go on their way without realizing the mouth-watering wonders they’ve missed in its unassuming bakery case.
Kringla’s Norwegian pastries stand out because of their wonderful subtlety—treats packed with flavor without overwhelming sweetness. While guests who prefer something more traditional might enjoy a troll horn or chocolate Kringla, our three go-to favorites are the school bread, lefse, and rice cream.
The school bread tends to get the most press—a spiced sweet roll dusted with coconut and filled with a buttery custard that defies description. It’s astonishingly delicious. The rice cream is another winner—a creamy rice pudding that gets its subtle sweetness from a topping of macerated strawberries. For more adventurous types, we also recommend the lefse—a potato-based flatbread rolled with a sweet buttery filling. Try all of them on your next World Showcase tour!
3. Docking Bay 7 (instead of pretty much everything else at Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
We’ve loved Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from day one—Disney’s ultra-immersive Star Wars land breathed new life into Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including in one unexpected area…
The food is so good, it could bring a tear to a Wookie’s eye…
Disney’s Hollywood Studios largely is not known for dining. They do have a few noteworthy restaurants like The Hollywood Brown Derby and the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater, but most of the fare surrounds familiar American food staples. Variety can be a challenge to find.
It’s difficult to define the food at Docking Bay 7 because it’s purposefully designed to feel other-worldly—Disney actually struggled with the restaurant early on because people couldn’t figure out what the food was by looking at the Star Wars names alone. To break it down, Docking Bay 7 is a place where you’ll to find familiar flavors from Asian, Mediterranean, and BBQ mixed together in unexpected ways.
A perfect example is our favorite dish: the Felucian Garden Spread. In actuality, the dish is a mix of zesty plant-based meatballs, herb hummus, and a unique relish—when combined, you end up with a dish that tastes like it came right out of a science fiction novel. Another great example is the Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato Stir-fry, a tamarind-glazed beef dish served with yucca fries, stir-fried vegetables, and pickled onions. The combination makes sense on the page but becomes Disney magic on a plate in the atmosphere of Galaxy’s Edge. The creativity of the menu quickly skyrocketed Docking Bay 7 to the top of our list for dining options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
4. Maharajah Jungle Trek (instead of The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail)
We’ve largely avoided attractions on this list since everyone has different preferences for attractions. It’s also difficult to say something like, “Expedition Everest is a better alternative to Big Thunder Mountain” since, despite those two rides being similar, guests have to visit different parks to try them both.
We wanted to make an exception to highlight one underrated gem at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Guests eager to meet the animals of Disney’s Animal Kingdom tend to flock to two places: Kilimanjaro Safaris and the nearby Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. This isn’t surprising as Kilimanjaro Safaris captures the spirit of the park unlike anything else. The Gorilla Falls trail is easy for guests to locate upon exiting the safari, acting as a self-guided extension of the attraction.
Across the park in the Asia pavilion, The Maharajah Jungle Trek has the opposite issue: it’s incredible easy for guests to miss. Tucked unassumingly away near Kali River Rapids, the trek beckons guests to venture into a mysterious jungle known for tigers, Komodo dragons, and wild birds.
Maharajah Jungle Trek might be one of Disney’s most beautiful walking attractions. The environment feels so immersive that as a kid, I was convinced I might actually get mauled by a tiger if I didn’t keep alert—each step takes you deeper into the ruins of an ancient temple, long overtaken by lush vegetation.
Along your journey, you’ll not only meet the aforementioned tigers and Komodo dragons, but also Malayan Flying Foxes, water buffalo, gibbons, and over 50 species of birds. The aviary is a personal favorite stop in Disney’s Animal Kingdom—the resident birds have so much personality, and if you find a spot to settle in and watch for a while, you’re likely to see some unique behaviors.
5. Epcot Resorts (instead of Magic Kingdom Resorts)
The Magic Kingdom resorts are some of Walt Disney World’s most popular, known for their incredible theming, monorail access, and close proximity to Magic Kingdom. They do have a set of strong competitors in a different part of Walt Disney World, however.
The Epcot resorts—made up of the Yacht and Beach Club, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, and The Swan and Dolphin resorts—are the most ideally-placed hotels in all of Walt Disney World, offering easy access to all four parks. Guests staying at these resorts can reach both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via walking paths and friendship boats, with simple access to the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom via bus (as well as access to the Disney Skyliner from either park). The variety of options make these resorts an ideal choice for park hoppers, as well as those who plan to spend considerable time at Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Epcot resorts also have a unique character from the Magic Kingdom resorts. On the surface, they feel more “adult” than other Disney resorts. Despite the appearance, the Epcot resorts are all kid friendly with excellent pool areas and a wide range of recreation options (such as the nearby Fantasia Gardens mini-golf course and Disney’s Boardwalk).
A quick note about The Swan and Dolphin: they aren’t owned by Disney (rather, they are owned by Marriot). While guests at the Swan and Dolphin don’t get access to all the same benefits as those staying at Disney-owned hotels, they do offer different benefits in the form of unique recreation opportunities, an excellent selection of restaurants, and deluxe quality rooms at moderate prices. You also can use Marriot Bonvoy points to pay for free nights—something hard to come by at other Disney resorts!
6. Java (instead of Joffrey’s and Starbucks)
It’s worth highlighting two quick stops before we move on from the Swan and Dolphin. First off, we have to celebrate the wonder that is Java (formerly The Java Bar) at the Swan resort.
If you’re picky about your coffee, you might find yourself a little frustrated trying to get a good brew at Walt Disney World. This is largely due to the fact that Walt Disney World almost exclusively offers Joffrey’s coffee, with the exception of a Starbucks location in each park and Disney Springs. Joffrey’s isn’t terrible, but like Starbucks, it’s not great either.
Java offers some of the best coffee you’ll find anywhere on property. Guests can pick up either traditional coffee and espresso beverages or opt for one of Java’s specialty drinks, like nitro cold brew, collagen coffee, a power plant smoothie, or the Octane (a take on Bulletproof coffee). We always make a point to stop here anytime we take the walking route between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, and it’s well worth the detour!
7. Picabu Market (instead of Boardwalk Pizza)
The second spot at the Swan and Dolphin worth mentioning is Picabu Market. Picabu Market is one of Walt Disney World’s only 24-hour dining locations (currently not-quite 24 hours, but closer than any other Disney dining locations). Too many Epcot resort guests end up settling for Boardwalk Pizza when stuck looking for a late night meal—not necessarily the most memorable spot in Walt Disney World.
Just locating Picabu Market can feel a bit like going on a quest—it’s hidden in what feels like the lowest, deepest corner of the Dolphin resort. You may need to ask for directions to find it. After heading to the lower level and passing both the resort’s ice cream parlor and another restaurant, you’ll find yourself in a long hallway that ends at Picabu Market.
It’s pretty rare to find a 24-hour dining spot in a hotel with decent food. Picabu Market isn’t just decent—we would actually pick it over many counter-service locations inside Disney parks. They offer a mix of familiar cafeteria-style foods like roasted chicken and sides, as well as a Chipotle-style taqueria.
The taqueria is where Picabu really shines, offering guests fully customized burritos, bowls, tacos, and nachos. Some of their protein choices include carne asada, guajillo pork, adobo chicken, and braised jackfruit. We’ve enjoyed many a late night meal here, and it’s nice that it’s also easy to eat healthy here.
8. The Biergarten (instead of The Garden Grill)
As of the end of August 2021, buffets are back at Walt Disney World! That means we can heartily recommend one of our favorite Epcot locations for sumptuous comfort food—The Biergarten!
It’s a close call to say whether Epcot’s Garden Grill or Biergarten is more popular—most casual guests tend to drift towards the Garden Grill at The Land pavilion thanks to its character dining and familiar Thanksgiving-dinner menu. I’ll try not to go down the rabbit hole with Epcot’s Garden Grill, but let’s just say it’s a sore subject for guests who enjoyed it back in its glory days. While the current food lineup isn’t terrible, it’s just a far cry from the farm-to-table extravaganza of flank steaks, homegrown vegetables, and fresh-caught fish they offered in years past.
Disney’s Biergarten, on the other hand, has done a pretty good job sticking to its roots. If you’re looking for a feast of mouth-watering comfort food, German is the way to go, and the Biergarten does an excellent job bringing the finest dishes of Deutschland to Disney guests.
The food at Disney’s Biergarten remains incredible, from its salads to its sausages, to its roasts, to its spaetzle, to its strudels… You get the point. Not only is the food delicious, but the Biergarten continues to offer guests live entertainment from their charming German band throughout the day. A trip to the Biergarten is an invitation to laugh, feast, sing, and smile, and we continue to celebrate it as one of Disney’s best dining experiences.
9. Ravello and Kona Café (instead of Chef Mickeys)
I went there. The gauntlet is thrown.
Chef Mickey’s is one of Walt Disney World’s best known character dining locations. Located inside the Contemporary Resort, it’s understandably famous as the go-to spot for character dining in the Most Magical Place on Earth.
We would argue Chef Mickey’s has two very strong competitors, both in the area of breakfast and in character dining.
The first is a spot most Disney guests don’t even know about—Ravello at The Four Seasons Orlando. The Four Seasons is a bit of an oddity at Walt Disney World—it’s technically on Disney property (in the Golden Oak neighborhood) but isn’t Disney owned. It’s not integrated in the same ways as the Swan and Dolphin, but the relationship is similar. Guests staying here get access to a good range of benefits similar to Disney resorts, and the resort has some seriously amazing restaurants that you do not have to be a guest to visit.
Ravello can come across as a little intimidating at first—it’s at the Four Seasons after all. For guests looking for a top-notch breakfast experience, however, they offer an outstanding menu that even some well-known food critics have lauded. The value is surprisingly comparable to other Disney character breakfasts, only with improved selection in a beautiful setting.
The other potential breakfast king to rival Chef Mickey’s is The Polynesian Resort’s Kona Café. While Kona Café doesn’t currently offer character dining, they do offer something else: Tonga Toast, a banana-stuffed French toast rolled in cinnamon and sugar with strawberry compote.
Kona Café has a wonderful menu (Macadamia Nut Pancakes!), but the Tonga Toast alone is worth a trip here. Many guests have described it as the best thing they ever ate at Walt Disney World, and having tried it, I can see why. It’s Disney magic in French toast form. Do yourself a favor and try it on your next trip!
What’s your favorite “worthy alternative” experience at Walt Disney World? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments!
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