Though it may not initially seem like it, Disney parks have truly come into their own in recent years as a real food lover’s paradise. If you count yourself as one of the many who love eating their way around the Disney parks and resorts, there are some big changes taking effect right now you should know about.
For October’s dining update, characters return to an iconic restaurant in December, a quick service favorite in Tomorrowland reopens, plus some progress is made on the long-awaited Space 220 restaurant at Epcot!
1. Characters to return to Chef Mickey’s in December
Character dining is slowly returning to Walt Disney World, with confirmation coming that Mickey Mouse and his best pals will be returning to meet guests during breakfast at Chef Mickey’s restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort on December 16th.
Though the characters will be present in the restaurant, the experience will emphasize distant interactions, with guests encouraged to “smile, wave and make unforgettable memories with some of your favorite characters as they parade through the restaurant in their chef’s best”. In addition, food will continue be served family-style rather than in this location’s traditional buffet-style. The restaurant will be adding several new menu items on December 16th as well, including:
- Goofy’s Banana Bread French Toast will combine unique flavors of banana bread baked in zesty orange-scented French toast batter, topped with Espresso-mascarpone cream, toasted bananas and chocolate crumbles.
- Mickey’s “Celebration” Pancake featuring whipped cream, celebration sprinkles, shimmering pixie dust and more.
- “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole topped with smoked bacon crumbles and chives.
2. Chefs de France now open
One of the most-anticipated reopenings at Epcot has been Chefs de France, which finally welcomed guests back this past week on October 8, 2020 with a slimmed down menu, limited capacity, and physical distancing measures in place between tables. To celebrate the reopening of this iconic restaurant a new $49.95 prix fixe menu is being offered, which includes one appetizer, one entree, one dessert, and a drink. For guests 21 and over, the meal also includes a glass of Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.
3. New Table to Go My Disney Experience available at select resort restaurants
In an effort to give guests as many choices for food as possible, Disney is now allowing guests to place to-go mobile orders at table service restaurants using the My Disney Experience app. Right now this feature is only available at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
4. Space 220 could be opening soon
Space 220, an ambitious new dining concept that will be part of the Mission: Space pavilion, was originally slated to open earlier this year, but an issue with broken glass delayed its opening to Spring 2020. And unfortunately when Walt Disney World closed down back in March, this project missed its pushed back opening date. And though Epcot is now open with limited dining options, Space 220 is still not available.
However, there is some good news as signage for this dining option has recently been spotted at Epcot, and with the recent roll back of regulations regarding dining, this new restaurant could begin operating very soon.
5. More Joffrey’s locations now open
More Joffrey’s locations reopened this week at the Walt Disney World Resort, including the following locations and hours:
Transportation and Ticket Center at Magic Kingdom:
Monday-Thursday 7AM to 1PM
Friday-Sunday 7AM to Park Closure
Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
6AM to 1PM Daily
6. The Lunching Pad reopens with Mobile Order service only
Tomorrowland favorite The Lunching Pad has finally reopened at the Magic Kingdom, and though this restaurant’s menu is basically the same as it was before the shutdown in March (serving pretzels, sandwiches and hot dogs), orders must be made via the My Disney Experience app’s Mobile Order feature, as walk-up ordering is unavailable at this location unless you have specific dietary restrictions or discounts and need to order in person. Tables around this outdoor location have been spaced out, and social distancing markers have been added to the mobile order waiting areas to keep guests spaced apart.
