- Mar 13, 2024
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It’s a new year, and if you’re like us, that means planning a new Disney World trip. Now, a lot goes into planning: you have to figure out your budget, where you’re staying, what kind of tickets you need, and more.
Mickey at Chef Mickey’s
However, the most important decision you’ll need to make when it comes to Disney World is where to eat (trust us, that’s ALL we think about). Now, Disney World is full of FANTASTIC restaurants, so instead of listing out the tons of great restaurants you should be booking in 2026, we’re going to tell you which restaurants you should be skipping instead.
We’re just going to come out and say it: stop wasting your time and money at Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It’s just not ALL that. Sure, you get to meet all the characters, but the food is usually just okay, and well, the atmosphere is utter chaos. We’ve had some less-than-stellar experiences at Chef Mickey’s, and it’s just not ever going to make our top list of character dining experiences.
We love you, Daisy, but this restaurant is utter chaos
If you really want to meet characters at a meal, you have other options. Mickey and Minnie, along with their friends, meet with guests at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and it features different themes, depending on the season). Or you can meet Minnie and her pals at the highly underrated Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. For a more upscale character breakfast, go to Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort. We’re also big fans of Garden Grill’s character dining at EPCOT.
Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom is…well…pricey. And all we have to say about going there in 2026 is “In this economy?” Yeah, it’s kinda a “no” for us. Yes, you get to meet Disney Princesses, but it’s going to cost you a LOT of money, especially if you have more than a few people in your party.
Cindy’s restaurant is pricey
But you can still meet Disney princesses in a royal environment for a little less, if that’s a priority. Head to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT, and you can meet many of the same Disney princesses you can meet at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Or you can just hang around Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom for FREE and meet the princesses there.
If you want a good steak or a good steakhouse experience in Disney World, you might head straight to STK Steakhouse in Disney Springs. But that’s a mistake. Say goodbye to STK for good. First, it’s a chain restaurant. You don’t come to Disney World to eat at chain restaurants, do you? But it’s also just not that great, and better options exist.
STK Steakhouse
Want a better option? Head to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and go to Steakhouse 71. We’ve been big fans of this restaurant since it opened, and you’ll find plenty of steakhouse options (including steak) that are sure to satisfy. We’re also big fans of the Steakhouse 71 Lounge (which has a slightly different menu).
Yep, we went there. ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is often still listed as one of those places you HAVE to dine at in Disney World, but we’re saying this isn’t so in 2026. Okay, so first, we’re old enough to remember when ‘Ohana brought out the skewers of meat to your table at ‘Ohana, and that nostalgia is what keeps a lot of people returning to this restaurant. But, y’all…it’s not as good as it used to be, especially now that you can get the ‘Ohana bread pudding and noodles at Tambu Lounge, the bar next to ‘Ohana.
‘Ohana noodles at Tambu Lounge
However, if you want some great Polynesian-inspired food? Hop on over to Island Tower at the Polynesian and visit Wailulu Bar & Grill. We’ve been very impressed with the food there!
Let’s face it…most table service restaurants in Magic Kingdom don’t live up to the hype. Sure, you can get a standard Thanksgiving meal at Liberty Tree Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe, but it’s WAY too much food, and there’s better table service to be had in Magic Kingdom. Plus, why are there two restaurants in Magic Kingdom serving the EXACT SAME MENU? That is so BORING. We also want to send Be Our Guest out the door in 2026 because it’s overpriced.
Be Our Guest…where you can see Beast, but not actually get a meet and greet with him
We do have two exceptions, though. The first is Skipper Canteen. We’ve never had a bad meal at Skipper Canteen, and the restaurant of puns has never let us down. We’ll also say that breakfast with Pooh and friends at Crystal Palace straight up slaps. Other than those, though? Skip table service in Magic Kingdom.
It’s true, we’ve never had a lot of good things to say about Coral Reef Restaurant because this is one restaurant that has disappointed us nearly every time we’ve dined there. If you want seafood in Disney World, there are far better places to eat. If the aquarium is the appeal of this restaurant to you, there’s a MASSIVE aquarium nearby in the same pavilion where you can see even more sea creatures without having to commit to a mediocre meal. Even Coral Reef has given up on itself…it recently suspended lunch service and is now dinner only.
Coral Reef
If you really want some good seafood, we recommend trying The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs. The seafood there is so much better, and you can get a cocktail with a rubber duckie in it. What’s not to love?
So let’s kick these Disney World restaurants to the curb in 2026 and vow to only eat at far better locations, okay? In the meantime, stay tuned to Magical Guides for more Disney food news and reviews.
Which Disney World restaurant are you skipping in 2026? Share with us in the comments!
Mickey at Chef Mickey’s
However, the most important decision you’ll need to make when it comes to Disney World is where to eat (trust us, that’s ALL we think about). Now, Disney World is full of FANTASTIC restaurants, so instead of listing out the tons of great restaurants you should be booking in 2026, we’re going to tell you which restaurants you should be skipping instead.
Chef Mickey’s
We’re just going to come out and say it: stop wasting your time and money at Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It’s just not ALL that. Sure, you get to meet all the characters, but the food is usually just okay, and well, the atmosphere is utter chaos. We’ve had some less-than-stellar experiences at Chef Mickey’s, and it’s just not ever going to make our top list of character dining experiences.
We love you, Daisy, but this restaurant is utter chaos
If you really want to meet characters at a meal, you have other options. Mickey and Minnie, along with their friends, meet with guests at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and it features different themes, depending on the season). Or you can meet Minnie and her pals at the highly underrated Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. For a more upscale character breakfast, go to Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort. We’re also big fans of Garden Grill’s character dining at EPCOT.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom is…well…pricey. And all we have to say about going there in 2026 is “In this economy?” Yeah, it’s kinda a “no” for us. Yes, you get to meet Disney Princesses, but it’s going to cost you a LOT of money, especially if you have more than a few people in your party.
Cindy’s restaurant is pricey
But you can still meet Disney princesses in a royal environment for a little less, if that’s a priority. Head to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT, and you can meet many of the same Disney princesses you can meet at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Or you can just hang around Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom for FREE and meet the princesses there.
STK Steakhouse Orlando
If you want a good steak or a good steakhouse experience in Disney World, you might head straight to STK Steakhouse in Disney Springs. But that’s a mistake. Say goodbye to STK for good. First, it’s a chain restaurant. You don’t come to Disney World to eat at chain restaurants, do you? But it’s also just not that great, and better options exist.
STK Steakhouse
Want a better option? Head to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and go to Steakhouse 71. We’ve been big fans of this restaurant since it opened, and you’ll find plenty of steakhouse options (including steak) that are sure to satisfy. We’re also big fans of the Steakhouse 71 Lounge (which has a slightly different menu).
‘Ohana
Yep, we went there. ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is often still listed as one of those places you HAVE to dine at in Disney World, but we’re saying this isn’t so in 2026. Okay, so first, we’re old enough to remember when ‘Ohana brought out the skewers of meat to your table at ‘Ohana, and that nostalgia is what keeps a lot of people returning to this restaurant. But, y’all…it’s not as good as it used to be, especially now that you can get the ‘Ohana bread pudding and noodles at Tambu Lounge, the bar next to ‘Ohana.
‘Ohana noodles at Tambu Lounge
However, if you want some great Polynesian-inspired food? Hop on over to Island Tower at the Polynesian and visit Wailulu Bar & Grill. We’ve been very impressed with the food there!
Any table service restaurant in Magic Kingdom, except for two
Let’s face it…most table service restaurants in Magic Kingdom don’t live up to the hype. Sure, you can get a standard Thanksgiving meal at Liberty Tree Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe, but it’s WAY too much food, and there’s better table service to be had in Magic Kingdom. Plus, why are there two restaurants in Magic Kingdom serving the EXACT SAME MENU? That is so BORING. We also want to send Be Our Guest out the door in 2026 because it’s overpriced.
Be Our Guest…where you can see Beast, but not actually get a meet and greet with him
We do have two exceptions, though. The first is Skipper Canteen. We’ve never had a bad meal at Skipper Canteen, and the restaurant of puns has never let us down. We’ll also say that breakfast with Pooh and friends at Crystal Palace straight up slaps. Other than those, though? Skip table service in Magic Kingdom.
Coral Reef Restaurant
It’s true, we’ve never had a lot of good things to say about Coral Reef Restaurant because this is one restaurant that has disappointed us nearly every time we’ve dined there. If you want seafood in Disney World, there are far better places to eat. If the aquarium is the appeal of this restaurant to you, there’s a MASSIVE aquarium nearby in the same pavilion where you can see even more sea creatures without having to commit to a mediocre meal. Even Coral Reef has given up on itself…it recently suspended lunch service and is now dinner only.
Coral Reef
If you really want some good seafood, we recommend trying The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs. The seafood there is so much better, and you can get a cocktail with a rubber duckie in it. What’s not to love?
So let’s kick these Disney World restaurants to the curb in 2026 and vow to only eat at far better locations, okay? In the meantime, stay tuned to Magical Guides for more Disney food news and reviews.
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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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Which Disney World restaurant are you skipping in 2026? Share with us in the comments!
