Which are the Best Disney World Restaurants when you are in a hurry and don’t have much time to spend eating?
One thing about Walt Disney World is that there is always somewhere to be and almost certainly you will never run out of things to do and experience there.
One visit is never enough! So you need to make the most of your time there.
The first thing that will strike you when you arrive is that Walt Disney World is huge. Really huge. This has the great advantage of there being so many things to do and see. However, that can also feel overwhelming.
If you have limited time at Walt Disney World what on earth do you actually do? How do you prioritize things so that you can get the most out of your visit? How do you balance having time to enjoy the attractions along with experiencing some of the great dining venues that Walt Disney World has to offer?
Walt Disney World can be such a huge experience it is overwhelming. That doesn’t mean that you can never pause to enjoy the moment.
Sometimes it’s good for your sanity to turn off your awareness of time and simply appreciate where you are. Just stop trying to do too much.
You really can’t cover everything at Walt Disney World in just one visit. Just try and prioritize certain things to do and enjoy doing those things! Part of the enjoyment of the Disney World parks is the dining experience. There are so many choices of restaurants in Disney World it can be overwhelming.
What we have learned from all our years of experience of Walt Disney World (and yes it’s a lot) is that there are some restaurants that are undervalued and easier to get reservations for.
Sometimes the headline Walt Disney World Restaurants just aren’t available. And that’s OK.
The most popular and well known Disney World restaurants aren’t necessarily where you will get the best eating experience. Often the best Disney World dining experiences are the ones that you have at the lesser-known places to eat.
The easiest way to do that is to pick Disney World restaurants that work well with a busy schedule so you don’t have to worry as much. Remember, Disney World restaurants appreciate good turnover.
If you are in a hurry, don’t be afraid to politely mention it to your server. They may not be able to do anything about getting the food out more quickly. However, they can expedite your check and have you on your way at your own pace.
As for the food… typically you don’t want it rushed out too fast, but if you are in a hurry, these restaurants give you the best experience overall.
ABC Commissary In Disney Hollywood Studios
The ABC Commissary is a fast-casual restaurant that recently began taking evening reservations. It has long been one of our favorites for a quick lunch or dinner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The food is of higher quality than the average quick service location and the menu is broader. It’s a nice casual way to enjoy a quick lunch as you pass through the park from the Animation Courtyard to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Entrees on the new menu include Shrimp Teriyaki, Pot Roast, Southwest BBQ Burger and California Burger. Prices range from $9.99 to $18.29 for an entree.
Be Our Guest Lunch Service
Be Our Guest is a highly themed and immersive location. Located in Disney’s Magic Kingdom it is themed, of course, around Beauty and the Beast.
During the evening it’s a fancy French restaurant, but in the daytime, it’s a quick service/table service hybrid.
Take some time to look around the Be Our Guest restaurant, to see the amazing attention to detail. The restaurant is enormous! The main dining space is themed after the ballroom in Beauty and the Beast. Look at the ceiling to see the beautiful chandelier.
For lunch at Be Our Guest you order your food at a kiosk. Then you will be seated by a Cast Member.
You are given an enchanted rose, which has a hidden sensor so that the Cast Members can easily find your table and serve your food. Since you prepay when you order, you can get moving again as soon as you’re ready.
When Disney World reopened in July the Be Our Guest Lunch Menu changed to a price fixe 3 course menu. It is $62 for adults and $37 for kids. I agree, this is quite pricey. However, the atmosphere and quality of the food make it worth the splurge once in a while.
The only exception to this is if you are vegetarian. It is rare that fixed price menus for vegetarians give the same value as those who eat meat or fish and Be Our Guest just doesn’t give the value for the veggie option in my opinion.
Appetizers include French Onion Soup and Maine Lobster Bisque. Some choice of entrees are Pan Seared Scallops, Filet Mignon, Pork Tenderloin and Roasted Corn and Spinach Tortellini.
The Dessert Trio is included and yes, you will get to try The Grey Stuff.
Morimoto Asia Street Food
Image by Disney Parks
Iron Chef Morimoto is just one of the celebrity chefs with a presence at Disney Springs. His restaurant Asia is one of the area’s most high profile venues. The Forbidden Lounge is a close second.
If you want to experience this master chef’s cuisine while on the go, however, you can do that too. The quick-service location is just outside his signature restaurant.
The Ginger Chicken Ramen makes a substantial lunch or even dinner, and is good value at $12. If you want more traditional sushi the California Roll is good at a reasonable $8.
D-Luxe Burger
Image by Disney Parks
This is one of the best-rated places at Disney Springs based on the ratio of quality to affordability. It’s also an excellent fast-casual option for great food when you are in a hurry.
Here are some items on the menu of D-Luxe Burger
- Classic Cheeseburger – Beef patty topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and pickle
- Barbeque Classic Burger – Beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked Gouda, bacon, barbeque sauce, and lettuce\
- Veggie Burger – house-made patty topped with Tzatziki, green bean salad, lettuce and tomato
The Fresh Cut Fries and delicious and you will also want to try one of the Gelato Shakes.
Via Napoli Window
One of the most popular Disney World restaurants is Via Napoli at Epcot. The Neapolitan Pizza here is worth the stop, but on certain busy days, the restaurant opens a window location for carryout.
This is a really great option as you can enjoy a reasonably priced meal and sit outside in the piazza at Epcot Italy. Pizza slices start at around $7 each, depending upon the topping.
Do you have a favorite Disney World Restaurant for when you are in a hurry? Leave us a comment!