Disney World quick service restaurants is a cheaper way to feed your stomach while visiting the land of Mickey and Minnie. With added amenities, such as online ordering, eating quick service at Walt Disney World is also a faster way to get back to the magic of park rides and experiences.
You’ll find these dining establishments in a number of places, including Disney World hotels, so keep reading for the ins and outs of quick dining at Disney World.
Table of contents
What is a Disney World Quick Service Restaurant?
When it comes to dining at Disney World, Quick Service restaurants are the favored experience for many guests. While you might also hear them referred to as counter service restaurants, the premise is pretty simple, and probably quite familiar.
Quick service restaurants at Walt Disney World require guests to order and retrieve their own food. The experience is very similar to a typical fast food restaurant, where you will wait in line to place an order, pick up food at a counter, and then carry it to a table.
When guests are finished eating, it is expected that they will throw away their own trash and return their trays to a central location. Cast members will then clean and sanitize the table.
Like many fast food restaurants, Quick Service dining at Walt Disney World has also entered the digital age. Thanks to the My Disney Experience app, you can mobile order your food for faster pick up. (More on this Later.)
What Type of Food Can I Get a Disney World Quick Service restaurant?
From burgers to hot dogs and even more exotic options, you’ll find a lot of variety at Disney World Quick Service restaurants. Some of the more inspired menu options are offered at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom and the World Showcase in EPCOT.
One of our favorite places to eat is Satu’ li Canteen in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora Land. Meat or plant-based bowls are served up with your choice of base, ranging from rice to sweet potato hash, and a delectable sauce.
Restaurants in EPCOT’s World Showcase offer guests the opportunity to sample cuisine inspired by other world cultures without the expense of some of the pricier table service restaurants. Katsura Grill is an example of Japanese dining at a quick service price, but you can also find street tacos at La Cantina de San Angel, to name a few options.
At other parks, you’ll find more standard fare. Magic Kingdom for example, is well known for offering make your own burgers at restaurants, such as Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. It’s even world famous for hot dogs at Casey’s Corner.
Similar quick service menus are offered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The ABC Commissary serves up made to order burgers and chicken sandwiches, while Fairfax Faire offers specialty hot dogs.
You can also find quick service dining at Disney World resort hotels. Most deluxe resorts will offer one small counter service eatery that also offers grab and go items. Value and moderate resorts will usually offer a larger variety of Quick Service eateries, giving you a broader choice when dining at your hotel. One of our favorites has been Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Food here may not take on an authentic Polynesian flair, but it is reminiscent of the islands.
How Much Do Meals Cost at a Disney World Counter Service Restaurant?
On average, you can expect a Quick Service lunch or dinner meal at Walt Disney World to cost around $15.00 a person. While it may make a bigger dent in your wallet than a trip to McDonalds, the charge isn’t that far off from other fast food establishments, such as Chipotle or Panera Bread.
To feed the younger members of your party, quick service restaurants at Walt Disney World do offer kids meals. Most average out around $8.00 per person and include 1 or 2 sides as well as a choice of milk or bottled water.
When it comes to breakfast, you won’t find a lot of Quick Service options at Walt Disney World Parks. Where they exist, prices range from around $8.00 up to $13.00 for egg inspired dishes.
The best choice for breakfast dining is usually offered at your Disney World resort. Some deluxe resorts are well known for their unique dishes, such as Tonga Toast, at Disney World’s Polynesian Village. This banana stuffed French toast dish rings in at under $11.00 and includes your choice of bacon or sausage.
At Disney World value and moderate resorts, you’ll find standard breakfast options, including Mickey-Shaped Waffles. Prices here are usually fairly reasonable, ranging from around $9.00 for a breakfast sandwich up to around $13.00 for a large egg-based meal.
No matter how tasty the food at a Disney World Quick Service restaurant may be, you’ll need to wash it down with something. You can expect to pay around $4.00 for a fountain Coke product in a regular 16-ounce paper cup. Some of the newer dining establishments, such as Connections Eatery in EPCOT, even include refills in the price.
What Is Mobile Ordering at Disney World?
One of the biggest advancements in Disney World Quick Service dining is the introduction of mobile ordering. Mobile ordering allows you to peruse menus and even place a digital food order through the My Disney Experience app.
It’s easy to do and drastically reduces the time and hassle associated with counter service dining. Simply open the app and select “Mobile Food Orders” from the main menu. Find the restaurant of your choice and select the menu items you wish to order.
We usually place the order while we wait in line for our last ride before lunch. This puts your items in a queue with the restaurant. You should then receive a notification telling you to tap in once you arrive to dine.
When you’re ready for lunch, head over to the quick service dining location and then tap the notification. You’ll receive a text message when your meal is ready. Step inside, walk past all of the guests waiting to order food at the counter, and step up to the dedicated mobile order window. Your food will be ready to pick up with little wait and no hassle.
Can I Dine Quick Service with a Disney Dining Plan?
Disney Dining Plans can simplify your vacation budgeting and planing by providing two meals a day, and a snack, for a flat rate, charged per person, per day. Dining plans are available with the purchase of a Disney World vacation package, further simplifying your planning and budgeting with a single low deposit and no fee payment plans. Dining plans come in two varieties, and both include most quick service restaurants in the Disney Parks, resorts and Disney Springs.
The Disney Dining Plan allows guest to select 2 meals a day, one from a table service restaurant and the second from a quick service restaurant. You’ll have your choice of drink for each meal included in the cost of the plan.
The second option, the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, works the same way, covering 2 meals a day, a snack and a resort refillable mug. The only difference is that you will consume all of your meals at one of the many Disney quick service locations.
Best Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World
Deciding on the best Disney World Quick Service restaurants really comes down to the type of food you like to eat. If you’re standard American fare all the way, step into Connections Eatery for gourmet beef blend burgers. With options from the classic lettuce, pickle and tomato toppings to French and southwest options, it’s easy to find something for everyone on your burger-eating list.
If you’re looking to branch out a bit and try something new, there are a few choices we recommend. While we already mentioned Satu’li Café above, it’s worth bringing it up again. This remains one of our favorite quick service restaurants at all of Walt Disney World. The fact that you can choose your base and what goes on top makes it easy to satisfy a variety of palettes, not to mention the fact that the food is quite tasty.
The award for most unusual dining at Hollywood Studios goes to Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Bay. This Black Spire outpost serves up “Galactic Grub” such as braised beef and pork ribs covered in out of this world glazes and sauces.
For more options, you can read our blog covering the best Disney World quick service restaurants, based on reviews from guests.
Disney World Quick Service FAQs
While the information above covers the basics, you might still be wondering about some of the particulars. Below, we answer the most common questions about quick service at Walt Disney World.
Do I need a reservation to eat at a Disney World Quick Service Restaurant?
Let Us Help You Plan Your Disney Vacation
As a Connecticut-based travel agent with Mickey World Travel, Kathleen Hesketh can help you plan and book your Disney World vacation no matter where you live within the U.S.
Plan your vacation your way and receive as much or as little help as you want.
- Booking dining reservations, saving you the 6:00 am wake up call
- Custom itinerary suggestions
- Convenient payment plans
- Help with Lightning Lane
- and more
Fill out the form to the right (below on mobile) for a no-obligation quote.
Reservations are not required at a Disney World Quick Service restaurant, but we do recommend that you use mobile ordering to save time in line.
How much does it cost to eat at a quick service restaurant?
As mentioned above, prices for adult lunch and dinner meals average out around $15 per person, plus drinks. For more comprehensive information on costs, visit the section above on Disney World counter service dining costs.
Does Disney World have quick service kid menus?
Disney World does offer kids menus at all counter service restaurants, although there won’t be a large variety of options. Disney World quick service menus offer anywhere from 1 to 4 of the most kid-friendly choices. Some may even focus on healthy options, so it’s advisable to review the menu with your child before picking a place to eat.
You said I needed to carry my food to the table. What if I have more than one tray or I need help getting my food to my table?
If you’re traveling with a large party, particularly a number of children, you may not have enough hands to carry all of those trays to your table. In this case, Disney Cast members are happy to help. Just let them know you need assistance.
I’m accustomed to eating smaller portions. Can adults order from the children’s menu?
Yes, adults may order from the kids’ menu or even share meals with other adults.
Are their vegetarian options at Disney World quick service restaurants?
Many Disney World quick service menus do feature vegetarian choices, though they may not be available at all restaurants. It’s best to peruse the menus on the Disney World website before heading out if you wish to dine vegetarian.
Are Disney World quick service restaurants allergy friendly?
If you have food allergies, eating out can be a major concern. Disney World drastically reduces the risk of allergic reaction by offering dedicated allergy menus at Disney World quick service restaurants. You’ll find options for all of the most common allergies, and since food is created in a separate allergen free kitchen, you can worry less about cross contamination.
List of All Disney World Quick Service Restaurants:
Looking for a handy list of quick service dining at Walt Disney World parks? We’re here to help. The list below includes all counter service locations that include seating, but not necessarily snack windows, carts or kiosks.
While Disney World can add or delete restaurants at any time, the list below is current at the time of publication. Some may only be open seasonally.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Quick Service Restaurants
- Creature Comforts
- Flame Tree Barbecue
- Harambe Market
- Pizzafari
- Restaurantosaurus
- Satu’li Canteen
- The Smiling Crocodile
- Tamu Tamu Refreshments (serving breakfast and snacks)
- Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Quick Service Restaurants
- ABC Commissary
- Backlot Express
- Cataline Addie’s
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
- Dockside Diner
- Fairfax Fare
- PizzeRizzo
- Ronto Roasters
- Rosie’s all American
- The Trolley Car Cafe (breakfast and coffee, essentially a Starbucks)
- Woody’s Lunch Box
EPCOT Future World Quick Service Dining Quick Service Restaurants
- Sunshine Seasons
- Connections Eatery
- Connections Café
- Festival Favorites
- Sunshine Seasons
EPCOT World Showcase Quick Service Dining Quick Service Restaurants
- Fife and Drum Tavern
- Katsura Grill
- Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
- La Cantina d San Angel
- La Creperie De Paris
- Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie
- Lotus Blossom Café
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse
- Sommerfest
- Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina
- Via Napoli
- Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Magic Kingdom Quick Service Restaurants
- Casey’s Corner
- Columbia Harbour House
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- Friar’s Nook
- Gaston’s Tavern
- Golden Oak Outpost
- The Lunching Pad
- Main Street Bakery
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café
- Pinocchio Village Haus
- Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Tortuga Tavern
