Top 10 Best Disney World Restaurants for Kids

These are the best Disney World restaurants for kids.

Whether you’re a veteran visitor or planning your first visit to Disney World, you may be a little overwhelmed by all your dining choices – especially when trying to select the best Disney World restaurants for kids.  

If you have never visited Disney World before, then you may be a little bit overwhelmed by all of your dining choices. There are three main types of restaurants: quick service, counter service, and table service. While we are mainly going to focus on the table service restaurants, there are still plenty of wonderful options out there if you are looking for something a little quicker. Here are the best Disney World restaurants for kids.

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The Best Disney World Restaurants for Kids

Chef Mickey’s [Disney’s Contemporary Resort]

Chef Mickey’s Restaurant, $$$ [$35.00 – $59.99 per adult]

Nothing solidifies a visit to Disney World more than a fun character meal!  Chef Mickey’s is one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids because not only does it feature a full breakfast buffet but kids will have the opportunity to meet many of their favorite characters.

Chef Mickey’s has character visits by:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Pluto
• Donald Duck
• Goofy

 

Tusker House [Disney’s Animal Kingdom]

Tusker House Restaurant, $$$ [$35.00 – $59.99 per adult]

Tusker House at Animal Kingdom is located within the Tree of Life and is one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids!  Like many of the Disney World restaurants, the food here is served buffet style but it all comes with an African flair.  Not only is the food unique but Tusker House is also one of the less crowded locations you can go to visit characters for a meal.  Plus, 

Tusker House has character visits by:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Pluto
• Donald Duck
• Goofy

Disney World Restaurant Tip: Get a reservation for Tusker House before the park opens and you’ll be granted early access to the park.  

 

Cinderella’s Royal Table [Disney’s Magic Kingdom]

Cinderella’s Royal Table,$$$ [$35.00 – $59.99 per adult]

What’s better than dining in a real-life castle?  Gain the opportunity to go inside Cinderella’s infamous castle at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom by making a reservation to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table.  There is tableside service here [sorry, no buffet] and most items are individual-sized entrees.  However, some items are served family-style to help stretch your dollar.  There is also, of course, a special menu developed especially for children.

Cinderella’s Royal Table is the epitome of the majestic Disney experience so it’s no wonder it is one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids.  As such, it is incredibly popular and reservations fill up fast!  Be sure to make your reservation as in advance as possible.

Check out other Disney World Tips for First Timers here!

Cinderella’s Royal Table has character visits by:

• Cinderella
• Snow White
• Ariel [breakfast only]
• Princess Aurora [breakfast only]
• Princess Jasmine [lunch and dinner only]

Disney World Restaurant Tip: Spring for their Signature Celebration Package to sit at Cinderella’s Royal Table and get first-class seating to the fireworks celebration at the end of the day.

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant [Disney’s Magic Kingdom]

Be Our Guest, $$ [$15.00 – $34.99 per adult]

Be the Beauty that meets the Beast at Be Our Guest Restuarant.  There is no buffet here — all meals are ordered a la carte.  During lunch, it is quick service; during dinner, it is delivered to your table where you are served like royalty.  To add to the princess [or prince or gender-neutral royalty] experience, you can also order special treats like balloons or flowers to be delivered during your meal.

Be Our Guest Restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants at Disney World [hello, it’s the Beast’s castle!] so reservations are highly recommended.

Be Our Guest has character visits by:

• The Beast from Beauty & The Beast [Please note he does not visit your table.  He is only there during dinner service and meets in his own special room.]

 

California Grill [Disney’s Contemporary Resort]

California Grill, $$$ [$35.00 – $59.99 per adult]

California Grill isn’t traditionally thought of as one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids.  It’s off-site at the Contemporary Resort, doesn’t offer a kids menu, and has a dress code.  But it’s actually an awesome choice because it offers phenomenal views of the firework spectacular at Magic Kingdom.  If you aren’t able to snag a reservation for a restaurant on-site or you just want to enjoy an adult meal one of the nights you’re at Walt Disney World, then California Grill is a great option.

Disney World Restaurant Tip: If you’re in need of a stiff cocktail [or as I call them “mommy drinks”], California Grill offers an extensive drink menu.

 

50’s Prime Time Cafe [Disney’s Hollywood Studios]

50’s Prime Time Cafe, $$ [$15 – $34.99 per adult]

50’s Prime Time Cafe is one of the best Disney World restaurant for kids if you’re looking for an old fashioned family dinner.  This sit down restaurant is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and definitely brings on the old school charm.  Their dishes match their decor by offering home style comforts like pot roast and meatloaf.

Disney World Restaurant Tip: This Disney World restaurant usually has reservations available even at the last minute.

 

Boma – Flavors of Africa [Disney’s Animal Kingdom]

Boma – Flavors of Africa, $$ [$15 – $34.99 per adult]

This wouldn’t be a family travel website if we didn’t include this restaurant in the list of best restaurants at Disney World for kids.  Boma is a buffet style restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom that features different cuisines from around the continent of Africa.  From Kenyan coffee to South African bobotie, they’ve got everything you to make you feel like you’ve been to transported to Africa.

Disney World Restaurant Tip: If your kiddos aren’t necessarily adventurous eaters, this can still be one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids.  They offer chicken nuggets and the like for children.

 

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater [Disney’s Hollywood Studios]

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, $$ [$15 -$34.99 per adult]

There are no character visits at this unique Disney World restaurant but it is still one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids.  Why?  Because the theme itself is the entertainment!  Families are seated in a dining booth that looks like a vintage car and treated to movie clips throughout their dining experience.  The “kitschy” experience is especially thrilling for the kiddos. Be sure to order them a Glowing Character Punch [it comes with a Disney character light].

Disney World Restaurant Tip: The desserts at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater are especially fun so leave room for sweet treats after dinner!

 

‘Ohana [Disney’s Polynesian Resort]

’Ohana, $$$ [$35 – $59.99 per adult]

’Ohana is right on theme with Disney’s Polynesian Resort by offering full blown Hawaiian-style meals.  The character visits at this restaurant are during breakfast hours only so that is the most popular meal here.  However, they also serve a tremendous dinner with all kinds of Polynesian fare.  Both options are buffet style and are all you can eat.  That makes it a great value for families and one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids.

Ohana has character visits during breakfast only by:

• Lilo
• Stitch
• Mickey Mouse
• Pluto

 

Via Napoli [Epcot World Showcase]

Via Napoli, $$ [$15- $34.99 per adult]

What kid doesn’t like pizza and pasta?  That’s why Via Napoli is included in the list as one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids.  The cuisine here is top notch and the restaurant was even selected as one of the best theme park restaurants in the world.  There are no character visits here but the authentic [kid-friendly]  menu makes it one of the best Disney World restaurants for kids. 

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Inspired by this list of best Disney World restaurants for kids?  Start your early planning and budgeting by reading this guide to Budgeting for Family Vacations.

 

Those are our top 10 best restaurants at Disney World for kids!  What’s your favorite Disney World restaurant for kids?