Ask me why I’m going to any destination and the answer is probably: The food.
Disney is not a place you think of as a dining destination, but it’s come a long way from the McDonald’s era of my youth. It’s so nice to know that no matter what restaurant I choose there’s something my toddler will eat, and that they will be welcomed with a high chair and understanding staff.
However, Disney can be very overwhelming, especially to a little one. I find mealtimes are really, really important resets for us during the day, even if it’s not a “break.” This is a detailed list of everywhere I would book for your Disney days with a toddler. My recommendations follow a kind of magic venn diagram that brings together the best food, theming, and most importantly, sensory experience that are best for toddlers, specifically. They aren’t necessarily the ones I’d book if I was going with older kids or adults, though many overlap!
Why I book one sit-down restaurant per day
There are tons of places you can eat at Disney, plenty of which offer quick-service options whenever you actually want to eat. This sounds like it gives you more flexibility but in practice, at noon, these places are MAYHEM. Loud, chaotic, and you wait a long time and may not get a table. I say nooooo thank you with a toddler!!
The formula I use for a great Disney day (food-wise) is this:
- Breakfast in the hotel room, something quick
- Second breakfast as quick-service after a few rides
- Sit down, cool lunch in the A/C
- Naptime
- Snacktime with quick service or packed snacks
- Dinner is quick service, usually back at the resort or by the pool so it’s quiet
- 1 adult does bedtime and the other goes back out to the park for dessert with the rest of the group. (I usually travel in a large, multigenerational group so this works.)
You can flip this if you want and do a nice sit-down dinner but usually, we’re fried at the end of the day and all we want to do is relax.
You MUST book dining reservations if you want to eat.
I say this with so much love: You absolutely will have a terrible time if you try to wing a Disney trip. Reservations open up at the 60 day mark at 6 AM and YOU GOTTA BE READY. I mean it. 6:01 and you will miss the reservation you want.
I know this naturally is at odds with how toddlers are. Like, how do you know if they’ll be willing to sit and eat at 11 AM or 12:30 PM? And the truth is, I think of your lunchtime dining reservations as:
- Food for you, and maybe for them.
- A/C for all of you and a place to bring the energy back down a little bit in between rides and the heat
- OR a place to see characters without waiting in a stupid line
Every single restaurant has pretty much the same kids menu so truly, if your kid only eats chicken fingers and/or buttered pasta you will be able to find those, don’t worry. HOWEVER. The secret Disney dining “hack” is that you can absolutely bring your own food! The only thing you’re not allowed to bring into the parks is alcohol. But you wanna bring a cooler? Do it. This is the lunchbox/ice pack combo we use. I packed this with snacks depending on our park day.
Where to eat at Magic Kingdom with a toddler
I haven’t done fireworks in so long because of my toddler but someday!!
Magic Kingdom’s quick-service offerings are only so-so. However, they have two of the best character dining experiences on property which are very expensive but absolutely some of the best memories of the entire trip, for me and for my toddler.
Second breakfast: Gaston’s Tavern has a gigantic cinnamon roll in Fantasyland; Get the Cheshire Cat Tail at Cheshire Cat Cafe, also in Fantasyland. This is where you should be in the morning anyway because that’s where all the no-height requirement rides are.
Sit-down lunch: On Main Street, Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh and friends), Cinderella’s Royal Table (the princesses) – $$$; for something slightly cheaper or more quiet, go for Skipper’s Canteen in Adventureland or Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square.
Snacktime: The loaded popcorn at Main Street Confectionary on Main Street is the BEST. Mobile order! Obviously not for the littlest littles.
Quick-service dinner: Not a lot of good options, honestly, if you’re not at your resort. I think you should pick the closest chicken fingers to where you are in the park. Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square is the best choice, I think, but it’s New England-themed food so for us is like, meh.
Desserts: If you’re going to pick one, Dole Whip at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland is a must. And I’ll never say no to a Mickey bar from one of the many ice cream stands around the park.
Where to eat at Hollywood Studios with a toddler
I can’t even eat ice cream anymore and I still get this every time.
Hollywood Studios is actually a skip park for me with my toddler! They are opening up a playground and toddler show (FINALLY) this summer so that may change. I think the only reason to come to Hollywood Studios is if you don’t want to separate a family with older kids OR your toddler is already super into Star Wars.
Second breakfast: The Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge is basically a loaded sausage-egg-and-cheese sandwich.
Sit-down lunch: Hollywood Studios is not great for sit-down meals because all the best ones have screens! I think your best bet is the 50’s Prime Time Diner because it’s comfort food and recreates sitting in a normal kitchen, though there is a television. If you MUST meet Mickey and Minnie then book Hollywood & Vine, but beware the food is only okay.3
Snacktime: Ice cream milkshakes on Sunset Boulevard or soft serve at Echo Lake just hits after a bunch of shows!
Quick-service dinner: The quick-service spots in Hollywood Studios are all pretty good! Woody’s Lunchbox has a lot of kid-friendly options but it’s outside. I think eating in Galaxy’s Edge will be the most fun at Docking Bay 7.
Desserts: There’s a great pop tart at Woody’s Lunchbox or get the carrot cake whoopie pie at Trolley Car Cafe.
Where to eat at EPCOT with a toddler
Violet lemonade at the Flower and Garden in EPCOT.
The best park for eating! You’ll be able to find any kind of food you want to eat here, and with the food festivals, there is so much to choose from. EPCOT for me is actually a two-day park just to eat everything!
Second breakfast: This isn’t always possible logistically, but the pastries at Les Halles in France are top notch. Otherwise Sunshine Seasons in the Land has some options if you need a break earlier in the day.
Sit-down lunch: SO many to choose from depending on your World Showcase plan but I usually recommend San Angel Inn in Mexico because it’s dark and cool. Via Napoli in Italy has solid pizza, which is naturally kid-friendly. Sushi Izakaya is another very chill option, though it’s a little pricier.
Snacktime: I often do my snacks as a food booth situation during the festivals, but there’s plenty here. Skool Bread at Kringla Bakery in Norway or Pretzel Bread Pudding at Sommerfest in Germany are both delicious.
Quick-service dinner: Usually I’d do quick service using one of the food booths at the festival, but you have great choices throughout the World Showcase in particular: Regal Eagle BBQ in America, Katsura Grill in Japan, Tangerine Cafe in Morocco, or sandwiches from Les Halles in France.
Desserts: Lots to choose from here but there’s always something interesting in the case at Sunshine Seasons in the Land. Showcase-wise, anything at Karamel-Kuche in Germany and the brioche ice cream sandwiches at L’Artisan des Glaces in France.
Where to eat at Animal Kingdom with a toddler
Timon in Animal Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom has become my favorite park with a toddler because it’s much calmer than the other parks. It has a reputation as a half-day park and tbh that’s not true with a toddler! It’s a lot fewer rides they can do but so much to experience. I can’t WAIT for the new Bluey show coming this summer.
Second breakfast: Pastries and breakfast sandos at Kusafiri Bakery in Africa after your early morning safari.
Sit-down lunch: I actually love Yak & Yeti in Asia (P.F. Chang’s vibes) but if you want to meet characters, the Tusker House has an incredible (expensive) buffet. A much pricier but truly calm and delicious option is Tiffins near Pandora.
Snacktime: If you can catch Mr. Kamal’s in Asia, that’s always a good spot. It’s not always open, though.
Quick-service dinner: Satu’li Canteen in Pandora has a bunch of great options and gives you the chance to see Pandora at night, which is SO cool. Flame Tree BBQ on Discovery Island is another good option, but it’s mostly outside.
Desserts: People have been obsessed with the new ice cream sandwich at Terra Treats on Discovery Island and I’m intrigued. Otherwise Dole Whip at Tamu Tamu in Africa.
Bonus: My favorite date night spots if you can sneak out
Last time we went to Disney my parents sponsored a date night for me and my partner and it was SO nice to go out! Obviously everywhere in Disney is kid-friendly, though I will admit I am always surprised to see kids in these places because the vibe is more adult:
- California Grill, The Contemporary Resort – Tasting menu, fancy dress, fireworks viewing
- The Edison, Disney Springs – 1920s speakeasy, great drinks and live music
- Oga’s Cantina, Hollywood Studios – You get a 45-minute seating, so one round of intergalactic cocktails a la the cantina scene in Episode IV.
- Sanaa, Animal Kingdom Lodge – absolutely delicious, and then you can go see the animals!
- Le Cellier, EPCOT – a cozy steakhouse in Canada.
Thanks for being here.
The tricky part about all the Disney advice out on the internet is it really feels like it’s for families willing to just push and push and push their kids. The answer with a Disney trip is always DO LESS. The same is true of food. You’re not missing out if you pack a lunch, or honestly, if you end up going back to the resort for dinner and just have the same chicken fingers every night by the pool.
Some of my favorite Disney memories as a kid are going down the water slide while the fireworks were going overhead in the distance—that’s just as magical and memorable to me as a kid as being in the crowds all day. Just a reminder that you got this, planning a Disney trip is not for the faint of heart, and it’s still so, so worth it to watch your kiddos light up.
It’s all real if you just believe,
Kayla
If you liked this post, please consider supporting my work. I’m just a mom in the thick of the toddler years trying to create core memories for our whole family while minimizing meltdowns—I sincerely hope this helps you do the same.
This post was originally published on Travel with Toddlers. Subscribe for more real-talk travel advice, toddler-friendly itineraries, and tried-and-true gear recommendations.
