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Dining

Our 7 Favorite & 7 Least Favorite Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World

As a DisneyLists.com reader, we must say, you’re one of our favorite types of Disney fans! Chances are, our opinions don’t always match yours, and we totally get and respect that. So, as we embrace this list, keep in mind these are our opinions. If your favorite made our “least favorite” list, we are sorry and offer a warm Olaf hug! If your favorite matches ours, Baymax fist bumps all around! With so many quick-service restaurants on WDW property, we narrowed it down to seven favorite and seven least favorite. Shall we begin?





 

Favorite:

7 – Woody’s Lunch Box

What could be more fun than eating a meal in Andy’s backyard? You see, in Andy’s imagination, even toys have to grab a bite to eat now and then. He took a vintage Woody-themed lunch box and propped it open with a giant thermos to create a picnic for his Green Army Men. While Andy’s away, Woody’s Lunch Box serves up tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats. Guests may even spot Sarge in a nearby lookout tower, standing watch for Andy’s return. We highly recommend you don’t skip the Lunch Box Tarts! A modern interpretation of a breakfast toaster pastry as a hand-held dessert, these feature a uniquely delicate crust. Layer in high-quality ingredients for fillings, add a decorative garnish, and these tasty tarts beat anything Mom ever packed.

Tip – finding seating can be a challenge, so be prepared that you might have to wait for a table to eat your food.

6 – Chicken Guy!

The exclamation point after “Guy!” is for all the right reasons. Food Network Star, Guy Fieri, truly shows he is the “boss of sauce” with his 20 signature sauces to choose from at Chicken Guy located in Disney Springs below Planet Hollywood. We weren’t sure about this place to start with, but it’s now one of our favorites for mouth-watering chicken sandwiches… that will have you looking for a wet nap to wash up after. Select sauces, sandwiches, chicken fingers, or salad, and don’t forget to order a yummy shake to go with it.

Tip – the Triple Double Mint Shake is aaaaamazing.

5 – Satu’li Canteen

After you’ve taken flight on a banshee or explored the Na’vi River, chances are you’ve worked up an appetite. Satu’li Canteen is a quick-service spot located in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora. The cuisine here is unique if you’re looking for a change from the typical theme park quick-service food. Pick a protein and select if you’d like it in the form of a pod or bowl. Delicious, fresh, and fast is what you can expect from Satu’li.

Tip – Did you know Satu’li was the birthplace of Mobile Ordering on the MyDisneyExperience App? Take advantage and Mobile Order to avoid the line.

4 – Cookes of Dublin

Raglan Road is a fantastic table service restaurant at Disney Springs. But, if you’re looking to move along quickly, you can take advantage of their quick service called Cookes of Dublin. You’ll get that fantastic dose of Irish food and beverage without needing reservations. The menu here is superb with anything from the popular Fish and Chips to burgers and roasted pork shoulder.

Tip – any Gluten-free folks out there? Try the GF onion rings!

3 – Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza

Can you believe it? In all of Walt Disney World, a pizza joint made this list?! Absolutely. This isn’t one of the most popular quick-service spots in all of Disney Springs for no reason. There is a flavor of pizza for everyone’s taste preferences with super fresh ingredients and an easy-to-order process. Plus, you know it’s good when they slide the pizza into the wood-fired oven for that perfect crispy crust. Really want to eat on the move? Get it to go, and you’ll have some pizza to snack on later!

Tip – if it’s not too hot, head outside to sit by the water for a nice break from the Disney Springs crowds.

BBQ Pizza at Blaze

2 – Flame Tree Barbecue

Mmm… barbecue! All you have to do to find Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom is to follow your nose seriously. As soon as you step foot into the Discovery Islands portion of the park, this barbecue aroma will make your stomach start to growl. Sandwiches, salad, and more – this is one quick-service spot that needs to be on your must-do list. If you’re anything like us, you’ll try it once, and then it’ll become an easy family-favorite that you repeat with each visit. The food is heavenly, but we must also mention the great outdoor seating that winds around the back of the restaurant. If you’re lucky enough to catch one of the tables near the water at night, you’ll see the backside of Rivers of Light.

Tip – birds also love this place, so watch that your food doesn’t get snagged by a fly-by snacker!

1 – Geyser Point Bar & Grill

If you’ve eaten here, chances are you aren’t surprised that Geyer Point Bar & Grill takes our #1 spot. This quick-service restaurant located on the water’s edge of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort has it all. The food, the atmosphere, the views, the service… it’s all here! Grab the regular menu or the lounge menu to order anything from light bites to a hearty burger. The seating variety is fantastic, with lounge chairs, bar stools, and regular tables and chairs. It has a perfect open-air concept and rustic chic décor. We are thankful, however, for the excellent cover and ceiling fans as needed! Eat, drink one of their many specialty cocktails from the full-service bar, and even appreciate the assistance of the servers available as needed. Go try this place (like today)!

Tip – if you time it right and sit close to the water, you’ll have a chance to see the Electrical Water Pageant which cruises by on the water each night.





 

Least Favorite:

7 – Pizzafari

Some people swear by this Animal Kingdom quick-service spot, so we are nervous to list it! But, in keeping it honest – the pizza here is about as good as store-bought frozen pizza at best. If we decide to eat here again, it’ll be for the great AC.

Tip – Flame Tree Barbecue or Satu’li Canteen are close by! Head there instead.

6 – Restaurantosaurus

Sorry to put two Animal Kingdom quick service spots in a row! There are SO many excellent food carts and kiosks in Animal Kingdom that we feel it would be a waste to eat here again. It’s the typical quick-service food. Not too shabby but doesn’t do anything to get the taste buds watering. We will say however we like that the kids’ meals come in a sand pail.

Tip – Look for the cute décor featuring funny dino-puns!

Theming at Resaurantosaurus

5 – ABC Commissary

Whelp, we feel Disney is doing what they can to help this Hollywood Studios quick service restaurant step it up a notch. Unfortunately, the food and atmosphere are mediocre, plus our experiences with the service here matches that. With the incredible themed restaurants at Hollywood Studios, this one (in our opinion) isn’t worth your time.

Tip – Backlot Express isn’t too far. Try there first.

4 – The Artist’s Palette

Here we are at the beautiful Saratoga Springs Resort! As one of the largest Disney Resorts, you’d think the dining would be on point. We are sad to say, the main quick-service restaurant on property, The Artist’s Palette, is not what you’d expect to find here. The restaurant is super small, and the food is basic. Saratoga is a big Disney Vacation Club Resort with guests typically staying multiple nights. From personal experience, the food here gets real old real fast.

Tip – From Saratoga, boat or walk to Disney Springs to find a plethora of excellent quick service spots!





 

3 – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café

Even though Magic Kingdom’s Cosmic Ray’s is on our least favorite list, we find ourselves still eating here on occasion. It’s an easy go to when you’re in Tomorrowland and have a hungry crew with you. The highlight here is the indoor seating and shaded outdoor seating. Even though we appreciate the toppings bar, the food definitely tastes like it’s coming out fast. In our opinion, it’s comparable to a McDonalds which isn’t terrible but not our top pick when at WDW.

Tip – Have kids? Sit near the singing animatronic named Sonny Eclipse.

2 – PizzeRizzo

When Pizza Planet closed and PizzeRizzo reopened in this Hollywood Studios quick service restaurant, we were eager to try it out! While we give it props for having loads of excellent seating, it definitely doesn’t have crowds flocking to it. Sorry Disney, but the food is subpar at best. There may be some new life blown into this place as Galaxy’s Edge crowds may boost dining numbers here. We just hope PizzeRizzo steps up the taste a little or uses this incredible space for something even better.

Tip – Brought in a picnic lunch and need a good place to eat? There are outdoor tables that don’t always fill up here.

1 – The Lunching Pad

And now… for our #1 least favorite quick-service restaurant. The Lunching Pad in Magic Kingdom is located directly under the Astro Orbiter attraction. Unless you are grabbing one of the specialty snacks they typically offer here, there is no reason to drop by. Their small list of entrees aren’t great and the handful of seats is a tease on a crowded day. Grab your specialty treat and move on from this one. You’re at Magic Kingdom after all so find the goods elsewhere!

Tip – there are over forty eateries in Magic Kingdom. You might want to take this one off your list.

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Matt & Kim

We have had a long time love affair with Disney. We love the magic and the memories we've made at Walt Disney World! We follow all things Disney and have great experiences with being Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and RunDisney participants. From lodging to dining to Genie+ we have a spreadsheet for every occasion. Usually there isn’t a day that passes without some discussion of the master plan of our next trip to the happiest place on earth. Most people think we’re normal – until they travel to Disney with us.
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