Are you not entertained? The nerve of some people to actually demand to be entertained while they eat. But in all honesty, that’s what makes Disney Dining so great! You’re not only getting decent to extraordinary food, but in true Disney fashion, it’s a part of the overall “show.” While some restaurants are more in-your-face when it comes to “dinner and a show,” there are plenty of establishments that pride themselves on the extracurriculars that surround you as you wait for your food.
Welcome to Believe Vacation’s quest to find the GREATEST RESTAURANT AT DISNEY as this week, we look at the restaurants that provide the best entertainment. For this list, the atmosphere, setting, interactions with cast members and style of dining were all considered for a total score. With a nice mix from every park at Walt Disney World, we present the following:
Nice. Not Thrilling, but nice.
Be Our Guest Restaurant (Table Service, 1 Credit) – Once the initial gasping over being in the castle of the Beast goes away, it’s really crowded, noisy and not too much to do.
Coral Reef Restaurant (Table Service, 1 Credit) – There’s only so many minutes you can sit and watch fish swimming by. Even when scuba divers randomly appear, the act does grow thin quickly.
Tusker House Restaurant (Table Service, 1 Credit) – Yes, meeting Donald and the gang is fun but mostly, it’s a lot of sitting around and waiting for them to arrive at your table.
T-Rex (Table Service, 1 Credit) – The initial walk around and seeing the dinos is fun. The first experience of the meteor shower is a nice surprise. After that, you’d wish the animals would fall asleep for a while.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Quick Service, 1 Credit) – There’s a reason quick-service restaurants did not make the list. Sonny Eclipse and his piano is the reason there is one on the list.
The Garden Grill (Table Service, 1 Credit) – A revolving restaurant featuring so-so characters like Chip and Dale, overlooking a so-so attraction at best is not Disney imagineering at it’s prime.
50’s Prime Time Cafe (Table Service, 1 Credit) – While the interactions with Mom can be side-splitting hilarious, if you are not aware of what’s going on or you’re not into role-playing, this will be the exact opposite of entertaining.
1900 Park Fare (Table Service, 1 Credit) – Tea can be nice and adding the rare Alice in Wonderland characters is a nice touch. But it’s little more than a buffet in a “froo-froo” establishment.
Smile a little smile for me!
Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Cinderella’s Royal Table (Table Service, 2 Credits) – The ultimate in coveted Disney dining experiences should come with a good bit of entertainment. And as the original princess character buffet, it’s still tough to beat. Being inside Cinderella’s Castle and having THE all-time greatest Disney princesses interact with you is a thrilling moment for you and your family and is difficult to top.
Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Table Service, 1 Credit) – Ditto everything from above but instead of Cinderella at the onset of your dining experience, you meet Belle in this gem located in Epcot.
Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Chef’s Mickey’s (Table Service, 1 Credit) – There are plenty of other restaurants to dine with Mickey and the gang but the iconic setting inside the Contemporary Restaurant, below the Monorail, adds to the entertainment. If you’re not vigorously waving your napkin, you’re amazed at the hulk of transportation passing overhead. So much to take in!
Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney World
The Crystal Palace (Table Service, 1 Credit) – If you thought Winnie-the-Pooh was slowly fading away, try getting a reservation for this restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. The interactions with your friends from the Hundred Acre Woods are playful, whimsical and without the awe of princesses or Mickey himself, kids can truly be themselves around these guys!
Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant (Table Service, 1 Credit) – Way too much going on in this restaurant to ever be bored. Looking up at the night sky, cuddling close in the car with a loved one, watching previews of some awful sci-fi flicks, etc. Our only non-character dining establishment in this tier holds its own as a place amusing enough for everyone!
That’s Entertainment!
Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Hollywood & Vine (Table Service, 1 Credit) – The Hollywood Studios version of dining with Mickey and friends is fair enough. But this is also where you can dine with your favorites from Disney Jr. and I think that’s where this gets the nod when it comes to character entertainment. Jake, Sophia, Doc and Handy Mandy are all wonderful personalities that will bring years of enjoyment to the lives of kids old and young!
Did we miss a restaurant? Which ones provide you the most entertainment as you dine? Leave your comments in the section below and remember there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
