If you will be visiting Disney World with your toddler, you might be wondering where to book your dining reservations. With little ones there are always extra considerations when planning for meals, including convenience, food options and cost.
As would be expected, Disney World has a number of restaurants that are perfect for dining with toddlers: you can find kid-friendly food, entertaining theming and an air conditioned respite from the parks. Check out our favorite picks below!
Character Dining Buffets
Character dining buffets are always a great choice for families with toddlers and young kids, not only for the variety of food options but for the great character meet-and-greet opportunities that little ones are bound to love.
Buffets can also be a cost-effective choice for families with toddlers, as children under the age of 3 can eat for free at these all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurants!
Crystal Palace
In Magic Kingdom, Winnie the Pooh and his friends can’t wait to meet you and your little ones at the Crystal Palace Restaurant. Toddlers will love seeing the recognizable characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, and parents will love the variety of options available at the buffet. There are kid-friendly food options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hollywood & Vine
If your toddler loves watching Disney Junior shows, then book a breakfast reservation at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios. The Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine breakfast features Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Fancy Nancy and Roadster Racers Goofy – as well as a buffet of classic breakfast favorites.
Lunch and dinner switches over to Minnie’s Seasonal Dining, where you can meet favorite friends like Minnie, Mickey and Pluto in their best attire themed to the season.
Chef Mickey’s
Always a classic and popular choice, Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort is an easy monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom, making it a great place for a mealtime break. Previously a buffet, Chef Mickey’s now serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as all-you-care-to-enjoy family style. Toddlers will love meeting Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto in their chef outfits – and the characters’ entertaining dance antics are sure to amuse everyone in your dining party!
Whispering Canyon Cafe
For a lively and entertaining meal, bring your family to Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge. Try one of their signature All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Skillets, a tasty and cost-effective way to fill up everyone’s bellies before heading out to the parks! My little ones love the Mickey waffles in the breakfast skillet.
The cast members here are engaging and amusing, making it a family-friendly environment that toddlers are sure to enjoy.
Rainforest Cafe
If you and your little one are feeling adventurous, then visit Rainforest Cafe for lunch or dinner. There are locations in both Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs (in the Marketplace), both offering unbelievable jungle theming that your toddler will be fascinated by!
Take a little walk around and check out the jungle foliage, animatronic animals and fish tanks (what toddler doesn’t love a good fish tank?). This is an engaging environment for young explorers who won’t be frightened by the animals or the occasional “thunderstorm” (note that there are lightning and sound effects to accompany the storms). There is an extensive children’s menu available, offering kid-friendly favorites like macaroni and cheese, pizza, chicken, mini hot dogs and more.
Do you and your toddler have a favorite restaurant in Disney? Tell us in the comments below!
Featured image by Disney.
Written by
Leia Cullen
Leia is a proud mom of two boys. She has been in love with Disneyland and Disney World since her first visit to the parks many years ago, and she continues to relive the magic now with her family. She is passionate about creating helpful content that shares news or information about all things Disney, in the hopes it helps others create their own magical moments.
