Tips For Resort Dining During A Day At The Parks

During your Disney vacation you’ll definitely want to carve out some time to enjoy some of the many table-service restaurants throughout the parks and resorts. Each park will have several restaurants to choose from, but the restaurants at Disney resorts should not be overlooked! You don’t have to be a guest at a Disney resort to enjoy dining there; just make sure you make an advance dining reservation as these reservations tend to fill up quickly. When you visit a Disney park you are able to leave the park and reenter, so resort dining during your Disney day is not only possible but recommended by many. If you are planning on enjoying resort dining during a day at the parks then continue reading for some tips on how to make the experience as smooth as possible.

Reserve Restaurants Near the Parks

When you are taking time out of your day to dine at a resort it is important that you pay attention to the location of the restaurant in relation to the park you are scheduled to enjoy that day. You don’t want to spend more time traveling than you need to in order to maximize your time at the park. If your day is being spent at Hollywood Studios then a restaurant at a Skyliner resort will be ideal. Skyliner Resort restaurants include Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Resorts on the monorail line are ideal for days being spent at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Popular dining destinations at monorail resorts include Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. If you plan on leaving Animal Kingdom for a meal, then Sanaa or Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge will be the closest restaurants to you.

Any resort can be accessed via bus from the Disney parks, and with buses running every 20 minutes or so you shouldn’t have to worry too much about being timely. However you should still leave a bit earlier than you think you need to in order to not be late for your reservation.

Enjoy Breakfast Early

If you do plan on enjoying resort dining then a great time to do so would be in the early morning before you even enter a Disney park. Many restaurants are open for breakfast, and the earlier the better for your reservation during a park day. Chef Mickey’s and Topolino’s Terrace both have wonderful character buffets that will start your Disney day out with some magic.

Be Mindful Of Dinner Times

When scheduling a dinner reservation during a day at the parks you want to be mindful of the times you book for dinner. If you wish to view the fireworks at Magic Kingdom then you’ll want to avoid scheduling anything after 7pm to ensure you’ll be back in time. Or, if you prefer to view the fireworks from afar you can schedule a dining reservation at restaurants like Ohana or California Grill so you can have a view while you eat.

What restaurants do you recommend at Disney resorts? Do you prefer park dining or resort dining? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray.