10 Popular Dining Alternatives to Try at Disney World

Maybe you’ve tried to get dining reservations for a specific restaurant but are finding it impossible to reserve a table. Maybe you’re just interested in trying a different restaurant but want a similar experience and/or similar food. Browse our list of ten dining alternatives to see if any of these options would work for you!

1 – Chef Mickey’s vs. Cape May Café

An alternative for the beloved Chef Mickey’s? Ok, hear us out! Chef Mickey’s is fantastic, but have you ever checked out Cape May Café? Cape May Café is located at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Typically, much easier to land a reservation, but this character dining experience is one that we highly recommend trying out. In our opinion, Cape May serves breakfast and dinner with incredible food – with better taste and options than Chef Mickey’s. Meet Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy, looking bright in their beach gear! The atmosphere at Cape May is much more intimate, and the noise level goes down a notch compared to Chef Mickey’s.

2 – The Crystal Palace vs. 1900 Park Fare

No park ticket to Magic Kingdom to dine at Crystal Palace, but looking for the same atmosphere? Keep the airy and elegant feel plus a terrific buffet by visiting 1900 Park Fare, located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. 1900 Park Fare serves breakfast and dinner with a great variety of food options. The restaurant is reopening on April 10, 2024, with a new menu and new characters!

3 – Cinderella’s Royal Table vs. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

We love Cinderella’s Royal Table. There is just something about eating in the Cinderella Castle that is hard to beat! However, we do know that reservations are somewhat tricky. The best way we know to dine with the princesses other than Cinderella’s Royal Table would be Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, located in Epcot. Akershus is just as perfect to dine for your princess or prince with the royal appearance inside. Delicious food and beautiful characters – Akershus will become a family favorite. Guess what – Cinderella has decided to dine with you at Akershus, too! You can also visit princesses such as Snow White, Belle, Aurora, Ariel, and Mary Poppins.

4 – Sci-Fi Dine-In vs. AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theater

Sci-Fi offers American cuisine with the entertainment of 50s TV show clips. AMC 24 Dine-In Theater offers American cuisine and entertainment, as well as the newest movie theater releases! If you cannot make a reservation at Sci-Fi or don’t have a park ticket, check out AMC 24 Dine-In Theater located at Disney Springs. Enjoy a great meal while watching a show!

5 – 50’s Prime Time Cafe vs. Whispering Canyon Cafe

Ok, so this one seems like an odd combination, but hear us out! 50’s Prime Time has the old-school theme, but one of its main draws is its fantastic meatloaf from Mama’s kitchen and the humor to accompany it. Whispering Canyon, located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, offers similar food selections (including meatloaf!) and humor that, in our opinion, surpasses 50’s Prime Time. Fresh jokes, casual Cast Members, and fun await you at Whispering Canyon.

6 – Beaches and Cream Soda Shop vs. The Fountain

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort has some delightful food and dessert options. You may notice reservations; however, it can be tricky to obtain at Beaches and Cream simply because of its popularity and small size. Check out The Fountain at the Dolphin side of Swan and Dolphin Resort, which is just a short walk up the boardwalk from Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The Fountain is known for its “Eats and Sweets” and is large in size compared to Beaches and Cream. Truly a hidden gem! Pull up a stool to the bar, grab a booth or table, and slurp away at one of The Fountain’s incredible malts or shakes – among many other desserts and food selections.

7 – Splitsville vs. Rix Sports Bar & Grill

Maybe you are looking for a bar/pub-type atmosphere but aren’t in the mood to fight the crowds or traffic to get to Splitsville at Disney Springs. Rix Sports Bar & Grill, located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, may be the alternative you are looking for. No bowling is available at the Rix Sports Bar & Grill, but most people eating at Splitsville don’t bowl anyway. American food and bar favorites are offered at Rix Sports Bar & Grill, much like at Splitsville. Sports playing on the big screens make for a great evening of entertainment, and it’s a lot easier to get in!

8 – Le Cellier Steakhouse vs. Yachtsman Steakhouse

We get it – for many, NOTHING can touch in comparison to Le Cellier. Sorry, but we disagree! Have you ever tried the Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort? No park ticket is needed to dine at Yachtsman. Enjoy spreading out at Yachtsman while keeping the same intimate and sophisticated dining experience Le Cellier offers. Check out these menus, and you’ll see the comparison in food selections and in pricing. So stop panicking if you can’t get your honey in for a reservation at Le Cellier – try a reservation at the Yachtsman instead. Even if you are planning a day at Epcot, the walk to Disney’s Yacht Club isn’t far from the Epcot gates.

9 – Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room vs. Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

British and Irish pubs – forget alternatives, dine and drink at both! Ok, but Raglan Road, located at Disney Springs, is an excellent alternative if you haven’t been able to snag a reservation at Rose and Crown Pub or if you don’t have a park ticket. Experience the friendly Raglan Road Pub that offers nightly entertainment, much like Rose and Crown Pub. These two pubs have similar food and drink menus. Bottoms up!

10 – Tony’s Town Square vs. Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Who doesn’t love a little taste of Italy? Whether you are dining for romance or simply for the pasta and pizza, Tony’s in Magic Kingdom and Via Napoli in Epcot are very comparable Italian restaurants. The menus, the price, the atmosphere, and the required park ticket make these locations rather similar. However, we find Tony’s to be a little harder to get a reservation for, leaving Via Napoli an excellent alternative if that Italian craving must be satisfied!

Remember that advanced dining reservations are recommended for even the alternatives we’ve listed, despite being a little less popular. If you are up for it and have the time, why not try both options?