Have you ever played a game of musical chairs with 40,000 people? Sounds tough, right?
Well, don’t laugh – if you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you’ll get to take part in that delightful party game several times throughout your stay. I’m referring, of course, to finding a place for dinner.
Whether due to lack of planning or an embrace of the spontaneous, it’s entirely possible you’ll have at least one night of your trip wherein you lack one of those coveted advanced reservations. As everyone else is heading off to their various culinary adventures, you might still be scrambling trying to find somewhere without a 45 minute wait. And, speaking from personal experience, arguing over where to eat after a long day at the theme parks can often lead to the type of fighting any Disney-going family is intimately familiar with.
So, what do you do when you realize you’ve forgotten to make a reservation? First of all, stay calm. The second thing you should do is fire up that trusty MyDisneyExperience app (or find your hotel concierge or the like) and check out the offerings. You’ll probably find something worth trying there.
But if it’s already 5 o’clock and you’re starting to hear your tummy rumble, looking for a reservation won’t help. Instead, point yourself in the direction of one of these five spots – the waits are small, the food is great, and they’ll help end that family food fight before it even starts.
1. Kona Island, Polynesian Village Resort
Image: Disney
In the mornings at Walt Disney World, Kona Island appears to all to be nothing more than a simple coffee and pastry stand. The coffee is phenomenal and, if you ask nicely, you can actually score some Tonga Toast from its neighboring Kona Cafe (without a reservation, naturally). But, while all of that is wonderful, Kona Island’s true value comes from its evening transformation into one of Disney’s better sushi bars.
And, again, there’s no reservation required.
Casual but classy, the bar’s menu has a nice selection of sushi rolls to appeal to all, even offering some cooked rolls for those who don’t love the raw stuff. The volcano roll, described as a “spicy tuna seafood Lau’ai with tempura crunch,” is one of the bar’s signature rolls. Beyond the sushi, diners can also enjoy a nice selection of sake and wine while enjoyins some people-watching — the bar sits right next to the Polynesian Village’s monorail stop.
Its location in the Polynesian Village Resort makes Kona Island a good spot to keep in mind during the Magic Kingdom dinner rush, as it’s only a short monorail ride away.
2. Beaches and Cream, Yacht Club Resort
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This ’50s style soda shop is not, by any stretch of the imagination, haute cuisine. Nevertheless, when looking for a place for dinner, it is something of an oasis. While reservations are recommended, they aren’t required, and it’s not unheard of to find a seat with only a nominal wait comparable to what you’d find outside WDW.
The food is solid old-style American comfort food: hot dogs and hamburgers are the name of the game. Both, however, are much better than what you’d find at a traditional theme park spot. The real treat of Beaches and Cream, though, is dessert. A dazzling array of ice cream concoctions ensures no two people at the table will order the same thing, and all of the items are delicious. The famed “Kitchen Sink” sundae comes piled with everything and is served, of course, in a decorative kitchen sink.
It’s a simple restaurant, certainly, but at the end of a long day at the theme parks, there’s something comforting about food that’s so familiar without being a food court. And its lower-brow cuisine means its not a destination unto itself, giving last-minute diners a bit of a respite.
3. Il Mulino, Walt Disney Swan Resort
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New Yorkers reading this article will likely see Il Mulino listed here and do a double take. Yes, not only does Walt Disney World have its own branch of the famed NYC Italian spot, but it also is rarely crowded.
Billed as a “Trattoria,” owing to the more laid back vibe than its NYC big brothers, WDW’s Il Mulino is every bit as powerful on the plate. Its location in the Dolphin likely keeps guests away as they opt for the more typically-Disney spots, but be advised that Il Mulino offers some of the best Italian dishes on property.
Reservations, again, are suggested but can be easy to come by – even day of. But don’t let the lack of one keep you from trying to find a table at dinner time. For the most part, the wait is minimal and, if lucky, you could find a spot at the bar for dinner if that’s more your speed.
The food, of course, is delicious. Options ranging from typical red-checkered-table-cloth-style pasta to higher-end Italian dishes means everyone will find something to enjoy, and while the atmosphere is laid back, it is still classy enough to make dinner feel like an event.
Last-minute diners will likely find all of the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin to fit their needs – tasty and without long waits – but Il Mulino is an adventure unto itself and is worth a special visit.
4. Crew’s Cup Lounge, Yacht Club Resort
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On its face, the Crew’s Cup Lounge is a nice comfortable bar, worthy of a relaxing after-parks drink. But, owing to its shared kitchen with the delicious Yachtsman Steakhouse next door, its menu is also worth exploring. And the fact that it doesn’t accept reservations means it’s a perfect spot for a last-minute diner to find a table.
The food is wonderful and the menu is quite varied: Everything from New England Clam Chowder to short ribs, lobster rolls, and even a great cheeseburger. The house-cut truffle fries and buffalo wings are also great bar food for those looking for something to compliment a nice brew.
As an added bonus, the Lounge remains open quite late – usually to midnight – meaning those returning home after a dazzling performance of Illuminations and are still looking for some nourishment don’t necessarily have to settle for a pizza or food court-style grub.
5. Jiko – The Cooking Place, Animal Kingdom Lodge
Here’s the trualy amazing thing about Jiko: despite serving some of the best food at Walt Disney World, despite having one of WDW’s most impressive wine lists, despite being housed at one of Disney’s most beautiful resorts and despite having a stunning dining room and charming atmosphere, Jiko is one of Disney’s easier dining reservations to get. There are often even tables available the morning of. And, even if you don’t have a reservation, don’t fret – it’s still very doable to be seated in a reasonable amount of time without one.
Jiko’s food is remarkable. The African-style flavors transform familiar proteins into incredibly unique dishes that linger on bother your palate and your mind for some time. The combination of Mediterranean or European standards with African spices and vegetables is brilliant, and a dinner at Jiko is absolutely an unforgettable dining experience.
It’s originality is likely what keeps it from being packed every single night, but use that to your advantage. And, even if you have a short wait, there’s always the beautiful Savannah to explore – it’s right outside the door. Disney really does think of everything.
