Best places to eat in Magic Kingdom(no dining plan)?

[purplefern]

Talking about Hurricane Irma has gotten too depressing. Sooo, time to talk about something else! My sister and I are going to DisneyWorld for the first time,and we don't have any dining plans or anything. What do you think would be the best (meaning, not-too-horrifically expensive) places for us to eat in Magic Kingdom? I'm thinking just get lunch at whatever counter-service places there are, but like I said, first trip, and I have no idea what I'm doing. Thanks!

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Talking about Hurricane Irma has gotten too depressing. Sooo, time to talk about something else! My sister and I are going to DisneyWorld for the first time,and we don't have any dining plans or anything. What do you think would be the best (meaning, not-too-horrifically expensive) places for us to eat in Magic Kingdom? I'm thinking just get lunch at whatever counter-service places there are, but like I said, first trip, and I have no idea what I'm doing. Thanks!

Columbia Harbor House has some pretty decent options that aren't a hamburger and I usually try to eat there at least once a trip. I've always found the flat breads at Pinocchio Village Haus to be pretty good, and the upstairs balcony is nice. We do not like Cosmic Ray's or Pecos Bill.

 

[Spencer Wright]

If I may be so bold, would you consider purchasing the dining plan? This will help you know what you have already spent and leave you wide open in terms of food options.

But to be more helpful, I would absolutely agree with Columbia Harbour House and Pinocchio Village Haus. As a plus, these are relatively centrally located.

Also, thanks for the distraction from Irma!

 

[LadyCerri]

We liked Liberty Tree Tavern when we were there last.

 

[Haygar2]

One of my absolute favorites is at the Polynesian. We love Capt. Cook's. Their pulled pork nachos are unbelievable. And the Poly is a quick monorail trip from Magic Kingdom. At the park, Columbia Harbour House is great.

 

[gharter]

First time to Magic Kingdom, one key is do your research. There is lots of information available to plan your trip. Going into the trip without a plan can make the trip very disappointing.
For restaurants suggestions, I would look at the menus to see what you like.

Since you asked about QS restaurants, Columbia Harbor House, Pinocchio Village Haus have been good. We also liked Pecos Bills. While we have not been fans, many have enjoyed Cosmic Rays as well.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We prefer Columbia Harbour House, but none of the QS is bad in MK. I would take a look at the QS menus and see what appeals most and also pick a place you will be close to around your lunch time (zero reason to walk all the way to Cosmic Ray's if you in Adventureland!). If you would like a TS meal, The Plaza is good and is the most reasonable of the TS in MK. They also take walk-ups, though there may be a wait. If you go to the Plaza, get some ice cream!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We think the Plaza is good food and reasonably priced for a sit down. Liberty Tree lunch as well. CS we really like Columbia house.

I would make some reservations though for LT lunch.

 

[Oneanne]

For CS as others have mentioned, Columbia House is a favorite, as is Peco Bill's. Also Sleepy Hallow is a must do for a Nutella and fruit waffle. And as PP's have mentioned, check out the various menus beforehand... and also take a look at the park map before hand so you know where things are. And have a great time!

 

[DisMommyTX]

My favorite is the Lobster roll from Columbia Harbor House. Casey's serves pretty impressive hot dogs. DD loves the turkey leg. Flatbreads at Pinocchio's are a standard for us as well. Last trip we discovered the kids nachos at Pecos Bills are a great deal, and DS could live off their free toppings bar! Remember that cups of ice water are always free. If you can get a reservation, I highly recommend a late dinner at Be Our Guest. Adults can order a kids meal (decent steak for under $15!) or just soup and dessert for a fun, inexpensive experience.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Another vote for Columbia Harbour House. And I haven't eatten at Skipper Cantina but I have read good reviews.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Pecos Bill's Fajitas Platter is a deal! You can easily split 1 between 2 people. It's a lot of food and the toppings bar is vast. Go hungry, my friend.

 

[im4pacers1]

You are going to get a varying opinions so I agree, do your research. Personally, I think the food at MK is meh. We almost always either A. leave MK and eat at Captain Cooks at the Poly or Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary or B. Eat a table service meal or C. Get smaller meals (large snacks) at Pinnochios or Sleepy Hollow

 

[hooch11bear]

We enjoy eating at The Plaza when we're in MK. On our most recent trip in July, we had a reservation one day and another we just walked up and were able to get in.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Talking about Hurricane Irma has gotten too depressing. Sooo, time to talk about something else! My sister and I are going to DisneyWorld for the first time,and we don't have any dining plans or anything. What do you think would be the best (meaning, not-too-horrifically expensive) places for us to eat in Magic Kingdom? I'm thinking just get lunch at whatever counter-service places there are, but like I said, first trip, and I have no idea what I'm doing. Thanks!

You are in for a treat for a first visit, you will have a blast but you should have a general idea of where you will be in the park around lunch time. If you don't have an idea, you will end up eating somewhere where you may wait too long or the food isn't your taste etc. Your best bet is to map out your day(s) after you get your fastpasses+ and see what you will be close to in the park. I like Pecos Bill which is inbetween Adventure Land and Frontierland. If you end up by Fantasyland, Pinocchio Haus is good as well. They have good flatbread pizzas and a yummy little chocolate cake for dessert. No reservations needed and I believe you can pre-order your food at Pinocchio Haus using he My Disney Experience app. It's very easy to use. Also a good idea when doing quick service restaurants is to try to eat your meal off time since it will be less crowded. We do lunch time at MK around 2pm to miss crowds and then you finish up in time to see the parade. Enjoy your first visit!!

 

[Spencer Wright]

You are in for a treat for a first visit, you will have a blast but you should have a general idea of where you will be in the park around lunch time. If you don't have an idea, you will end up eating somewhere where you may wait too long or the food isn't your taste etc. Your best bet is to map out your day(s) after you get your fastpasses+ and see what you will be close to in the park. I like Pecos Bill which is inbetween Adventure Land and Frontierland. If you end up by Fantasyland, Pinocchio Haus is good as well. They have good flatbread pizzas and a yummy little chocolate cake for dessert. No reservations needed and I believe you can pre-order your food at Pinocchio Haus using he My Disney Experience app. It's very easy to use. Also a good idea when doing quick service restaurants is to try to eat your meal off time since it will be less crowded. We do lunch time at MK around 2pm to miss crowds and then you finish up in time to see the parade. Enjoy your first visit!!

I think the 2pm tip is an excellent one. The other option which we do is to each lunch at 11am when the places open. Between about 11:30-1:30ish most food places, especially quick service, are absolutely swarmed.

11am works well for us, because breakfast and than the heat is too much, but I understand that is too early for a lot of people.

 

[purplefern]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Yeah, I'll probably just do some more research with my sister while we're planning what we're doing in the park.

 

[Shellyb84]

We like Pecos Bill's and Casey's Corner.

 

[disneyseniors]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Yeah, I'll probably just do some more research with my sister while we're planning what we're doing in the park.

Lots of great advice and I agree with most of them, so will not bore you with my repetitions
Something to consider: Nothing at WDW is very cheap, including QS. A lot of the entrees are really big, so you might consider splitting a meal if you are not super hungry? The good thing about that is,, tada............You will have room for yummy desserts and lots of ice cream. We also eat early around 11ish or early dinner at 4ish. I know you will have a great time. You might check out alllears,net for excellent menus and reviews.

 

[purplefern]

Lots of great advice and I agree with most of them, so will not bore you with my repetitions
Something to consider: Nothing at WDW is very cheap, including QS. A lot of the entrees are really big, so you might consider splitting a meal if you are not super hungry? The good thing about that is,, tada............You will have room for yummy desserts and lots of ice cream. We also eat early around 11ish or early dinner at 4ish. I know you will have a great time. You might check out alllears,net for excellent menus and reviews.

Haha, that was a definite from the beginning. XD We're pretty used to doing that already at other parks, plus my sister eats like a bird. Thanks for the website, though, I'll check it out!