Exploring dining options at Walt Disney World is an essential part of the vacation experience. For those seeking variety and convenience, buffets and family-style restaurants offer excellent options. These establishments provide unlimited servings of diverse dishes in a setting designed to satisfy every palate. Here, we outline buffet and family-style dining options across the parks and resorts, highlighting notable features and experiences.
Animal Kingdom Buffet
Tusker House Restaurant
Located in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tusker House Restaurant offers a buffet filled with African-inspired flavors alongside familiar choices. Guests can enjoy Donald’s Safari Breakfast, which features Mickey waffles and South African French toast, or delight in lunch and dinner with options such as berbere-marinated pork and Tandoori chicken. Guests may also meet Donald Duck and friends in their safari attire during their visit.
Magic Kingdom Buffets and Family-Style
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace on Main Street, U.S.A. is a character dining experience celebrating Friendship Day with Winnie the Pooh. This buffet offers a range of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast highlights include churro waffles, while other meals feature hearty classics, all served in a charming, Victorian-inspired setting.
Liberty Tree Tavern
Liberty Tree Tavern offers a family-style, Thanksgiving-inspired feast. Guests can enjoy roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, pot roast, and other comforting dishes. Dessert features the popular Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake. For an alternative setting, the Liberty Tree menu is also available at The Diamond Horseshoe.
EPCOT Buffets and Family-Style
Biergarten Restaurant
At Biergarten in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion, guests can experience Oktoberfest dining year-round. This buffet serves authentic German cuisine like Schnitzel and Apple Strudel during lunch and dinner. Traditional entertainment, including dance-friendly music, adds to the festive atmosphere.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Nestled in the Norway Pavilion, Akershus offers Storybook Dining with Disney Princesses. Guests enjoy Norwegian dishes like potato casserole or kjøttkake (Norwegian meatballs) and grilled salmon. This family-style experience allows for memorable moments with princesses in a royal setting.
Garden Grill Restaurant
Located in The Land Pavilion, the rotating Garden Grill Restaurant offers Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast. Guests can enjoy farm-inspired breakfast, lunch, and dinner options while enjoying views of Living with the Land. Featured dishes include cinnamon breakfast bread and grilled steak with ranchero sauce.
Hollywood Studios Buffets and Family-Style
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Situated in Toy Story Land, Roundup Rodeo BBQ is a family-style restaurant offering barbecue classics like brisket, ribs, and cheddar biscuits. The fun theming immerses guests in a larger-than-life backyard setting, making it a unique dining experience in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Hollywood & Vine
At Hollywood & Vine, guests can enjoy a buffet alongside character dining. Disney Junior Play n’ Dine serves a hearty breakfast, while Minnie’s Seasonal Dining provides themed lunches and dinners featuring dishes like flank steak and plant-based roasted mushroom risotto.
Buffets and Family-Style Eats at Disney World Resorts
1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1900 Park Fare offers a delightful buffet experience in an elegant setting at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Breakfast highlights include the iconic Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup and Mickey waffles, while dinner options feature dishes like Tiana’s Gumbo and more traditional comfort fare. Guests may encounter characters such as Princess Tiana, Mirabel, and Cinderella, making this a memorable dining experience for families.
‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, ‘Ohana offers family-style dining with Polynesian influences. Breakfast features Lilo & Stitch greeting tableside, while dinner includes island-inspired dishes such as pork dumplings, ‘Ohana noodles, and the well-loved Bread Pudding with caramel sauce.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds
At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds, this dinner show combines Southern-style food with entertainment. Guests enjoy cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and strawberry shortcake while watching a lively performance by the Pioneer Hall Players.
Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s Buffet includes character interactions with Mickey and friends. Breakfast features Mickey waffles and buttermilk biscuits, while dinner offers options like shrimp and NY strip loin.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Guests seeking Southern flair can enjoy Boatwright’s Dining Hall’s “Taste of the Bayou” family-style platter. This includes hickory-smoked pork ribs, crispy Cajun chicken, and barbecue beef brisket paired with flavorful sides like roasted corn and macaroni and cheese. The warm, rustic decor enhances the inviting, laid-back atmosphere of this Port Orleans dining spot.
Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boma presents an African-inspired buffet. Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner that features dishes like African spiced beef and Zebra Domes, alongside classic favorites.
Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Situated at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Cape May Cafe transitions from Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast, featuring Mickey and Minnie waffles, to a seafood dinner buffet. The evening service includes peel-and-eat shrimp and slow-roasted strip loin.
Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Sebastian’s Bistro offers family-style Caribbean-inspired meals in a waterfront setting. Guests are welcomed with buttery house-baked pull-apart rolls, followed by the “Taste of the Caribbean” platter featuring slow-cooked mojo pork, citrus-marinated fish, and island-style rice. For dessert, the Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding with caramel sauce is a standout.
Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Located in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Whispering Canyon Cafe serves all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets with a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Guests can choose from selections such as The Carnivore Skillet, The Land and Sea Skillet, and a plant-based option. The restaurant’s lively atmosphere and rustic theming create a uniquely entertaining dining experience for the whole family.
Planning for Your Visit
Buffets and family-style meals provide an excellent way to relax and refuel during your Walt Disney World vacation. Remember to make dining reservations in advance, as these experiences are highly popular. Whether you’re looking for character interactions, cultural specialties, or hearty classics, these dining venues cater to all preferences and ages.
Final Thoughts
Dining at Walt Disney World buffets and family-style restaurants creates opportunities to enjoy diverse flavors in iconic settings. From themed character experiences to cultural culinary journeys, these options deliver convenience and memorable moments for families and visitors. Planning ahead and knowing your options will help you get the most out of your Disney dining experience.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
