- Mar 13, 2024
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If you’re headed to Disney World, sometimes dining at Disney World can get busy – reservations could be gone right when they open at 6 AM! Or if you have a big group, then things can get pricey fast.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-Cozze-e-Vongoli-Simply-Capri-General-Orlando-Photo-Apr-17-2026-5-19-21-PM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Cozze E Vongole
As a former Disney Cast Member, I know that navigating dining off property can be just as overwhelming. There are so many great options! Our team of former CMs compiled the five best restaurants within five miles of Disney World that are just as good as Disney restaurants. These Cast Member-approved spots have food just as great as Disney, and sometimes, we even prefer them!
@ The Diner is a family-owned and operated Orlando chain, with the closest location only three miles away from Disney Springs. They serve both breakfast and lunch, but their breakfast is the real Cast Member-approved favorite.
Boston Cream Pancakes © @ The Diner
Their breakfast options have gone viral for Instagram-worthy entrees at an affordable price point. For only $10-15, you can get the prettiest and tastiest pancakes of your life with flavors including Boston Cream, White Chocolate Macadamia, Fruity Pebbles, and Dubai Chocolate!
Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, is a Florida-inspired surf and turf restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, only three miles away from Disney Springs.
Four Flamingos
Their entrees are in the $50-70 range, but they’re so worth the price tag! We love all of the entrees we’ve tried from there, but the desserts are the real stars of the show. Grab their Baked Florida, a Baked Alaska with a Floridian twist – it’s frozen key lime pie, raspberry gelée, and flambéed meringue that’s lit on fire!
Simply Capri is an Italian restaurant in the Flamingo Crossings shopping center, only 10 minutes from Animal Kingdom. Lots of Disney Cast Members live in the area and frequent their happy hour!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Simply-Capri-General-Orlando-Photo-Apr-17-2026-6-38-10-PM-5712-x-4284-700x525.jpg
Simply Capri
They serve high-quality Italian dishes within the $20-50 price range, and we love their Cozze E Vongole, Ossobucco Di Vetello, and Delizia Al Limone. If you’re 21 and older, their Happy Hour from 10 PM to midnight is a great deal; get $7 wine, beer, and cocktails and $12 pizza & pasta.
Skyline Chili is an uber-popular chain from Southern Ohio, and the Flamingo Crossings location, only 5 miles away from Animal Kingdom, is owned by retirees from Cincinnati.
©Skyline Chili
It’s a fast-casual restaurant known for its chili dogs and chili spaghetti. If you’ve never had it before, it might look intimidating – but we promise it’s worth a try!
Publix is a popular grocery store chain in Florida. While their main product line is groceries, Publix is a Florida staple for its deli offerings, with quick, customizable subs with a similar setup to Subway.
©Publix
While Publix has dozens of different sub varieties, the chicken Tender Sub is the most popular – it’s diced chicken tenders with lettuce, tomato, and provolone cheese. Still, the subs are all fully customizable to your liking. Unless you’d opt for double meat, it’s included!
©Publix
We frequent these Orlando spots when Disney World is crowded, or if we don’t have a park ticket. We hope you’ve found your new favorite Cast Member-approved restaurant! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World tips!
What’s your favorite Orlando restaurant? Comment below!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-Cozze-e-Vongoli-Simply-Capri-General-Orlando-Photo-Apr-17-2026-5-19-21-PM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Cozze E Vongole
As a former Disney Cast Member, I know that navigating dining off property can be just as overwhelming. There are so many great options! Our team of former CMs compiled the five best restaurants within five miles of Disney World that are just as good as Disney restaurants. These Cast Member-approved spots have food just as great as Disney, and sometimes, we even prefer them!
@ The Diner
@ The Diner is a family-owned and operated Orlando chain, with the closest location only three miles away from Disney Springs. They serve both breakfast and lunch, but their breakfast is the real Cast Member-approved favorite.
Boston Cream Pancakes © @ The Diner
Their breakfast options have gone viral for Instagram-worthy entrees at an affordable price point. For only $10-15, you can get the prettiest and tastiest pancakes of your life with flavors including Boston Cream, White Chocolate Macadamia, Fruity Pebbles, and Dubai Chocolate!
Four Flamingos
Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, is a Florida-inspired surf and turf restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, only three miles away from Disney Springs.
Four Flamingos
Their entrees are in the $50-70 range, but they’re so worth the price tag! We love all of the entrees we’ve tried from there, but the desserts are the real stars of the show. Grab their Baked Florida, a Baked Alaska with a Floridian twist – it’s frozen key lime pie, raspberry gelée, and flambéed meringue that’s lit on fire!
Simply Capri
Simply Capri is an Italian restaurant in the Flamingo Crossings shopping center, only 10 minutes from Animal Kingdom. Lots of Disney Cast Members live in the area and frequent their happy hour!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Simply-Capri-General-Orlando-Photo-Apr-17-2026-6-38-10-PM-5712-x-4284-700x525.jpg
Simply Capri
They serve high-quality Italian dishes within the $20-50 price range, and we love their Cozze E Vongole, Ossobucco Di Vetello, and Delizia Al Limone. If you’re 21 and older, their Happy Hour from 10 PM to midnight is a great deal; get $7 wine, beer, and cocktails and $12 pizza & pasta.
Skyline Chili
Skyline Chili is an uber-popular chain from Southern Ohio, and the Flamingo Crossings location, only 5 miles away from Animal Kingdom, is owned by retirees from Cincinnati.
©Skyline Chili
It’s a fast-casual restaurant known for its chili dogs and chili spaghetti. If you’ve never had it before, it might look intimidating – but we promise it’s worth a try!
Publix
Publix is a popular grocery store chain in Florida. While their main product line is groceries, Publix is a Florida staple for its deli offerings, with quick, customizable subs with a similar setup to Subway.
©Publix
While Publix has dozens of different sub varieties, the chicken Tender Sub is the most popular – it’s diced chicken tenders with lettuce, tomato, and provolone cheese. Still, the subs are all fully customizable to your liking. Unless you’d opt for double meat, it’s included!
©Publix
We frequent these Orlando spots when Disney World is crowded, or if we don’t have a park ticket. We hope you’ve found your new favorite Cast Member-approved restaurant! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World tips!
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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What’s your favorite Orlando restaurant? Comment below!
