Magic Kingdom Area Dining

[slammie]

First trip to WDW Magic Kingdom next week with 6 y/o and 2 m/o DD's. We are staying offsite and plan to spend 2 days @ MK. Plan to bring lunch into MK, and eat @ restaurants for dinner. We were thinking we could leave MK and travel via our rental car to nearby off-site restaurant for cheaper, hopefully, better food. We decided this after seeing prices for dinner @ Cinderella's castle and reading a bit about food quality in the parks. Questions:

1. Is it advisable to travel off-site to eat and then return afterwards for parade, shows, more rides, etc? Or, should we stay in MK to eat?

2. If leaving is not a good idea, what restaurants are recommended within MK?

 

[bluechic03]

I wouldnt recommend leaving the park just to eat, especially with your 2 DDs....I would imagine it would be a BIG hassle to get everyone out of the park, on the ferry boat and in the car, get to the restaurant, eat, and then do it all again just to get back to MK. I would say if budget is a concern then I would try Cosmic Rays if you are OK with counter Service for dinner....it has a good variety and more "dinner" type entrees like ribs and chicken. I would also say the Plaza would be good if you want to sit down, just basic burger/sandwiches and ice cream but its economical and good. Lastly if you want to spend a little more go to Crystal Palace and then you can pick anything off the buffet, plus your DD's can meet Pooh and friends! Hope this helps

 

[maxiesmom]

There is really nothing very close to the Magic Kingdom as far as non-Disney restaurants go. You are pretty far into Disney property.

If you are looking for a sit-down table service restaurant try the Plaza restaurant right on Main Street. Good simple food at prices that are not too horrible.

There are lots of places if you want counter service meals. Pecos Bills has good hamburgers and chicken wraps. Pinnochio's has chicken nuggets. The Columbia Harbor House has tuna fish sandwhiches. The menus are listed on line. And while they may not be 100% accurate, they will be close. Plus it will give you an idea of what everything would cost.

 

[TDC Nala]

The MK and its surroundings take up a LOT of space, so there is nothing offsite that is particularly close to MK. If you're not interested in eating in the park, you could also try the monorail resorts - they're quite easy to get to on the monorail, and the Contemporary is within walking distance. Some of their restaurants get generally good reviews. I do always think picking restaurants based on someone else's review is like going to a movie because the reviewer on the news liked it, not because it interested you - they may not have your tastes. Some of my favorites get scathing reviews on the DIS.

If your main interest is cheaper food, and you think even the less expensive Disney restaurants are too much (CRT is one of the highest priced so don't go by that one - the cost of that meal is based on the castle and the princesses and not on the food) then you might need to go offsite to find more budget- friendly places, but it'll take some time that you could be spending in the park.

Another thing I should bring up is to ask if you have considered making restaurant reservations. Your trip is next week. Magic Kingdom has only four table service restaurants (it has 5 but one is currently closed for refurbishment) and if you don't have a reservation, you may not be able to get in, especially at regular mealtimes. Some of the nearby resort restaurants (Chef Mickey's and Ohana in particular) are probably fully booked and there's no guarantee you could walk up to them and get a table. I definitely suggest making reservations if you want to eat in a Disney restaurant, because you dont' want to end up going from place to place with a small child and an infant looking for a restaurant that has space for you.

 

[B-Ride]

If saving money is your prime objective then I would also recommend Cosmic Rays' for dinner. Pretty decent food and excellent value.

 

[hillview]

Also do a grocery run and pack some meals/snacks.
/hillary

 

[slammie]

Thanks folks for the info! I will try to make some reservations but a few more questions:

In respect to the monorail....can we use it if we are not staying on Disney property?

Also, would it be too difficult to get to downtown Disney from MK for dinner, and then back? If not, how do you get DT?

 

[Ericandus]

With it being a not very busy time of year, you might be able to get into Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary! It is a short monorail ride away and our kids found lots of things they liked there! Plus you would see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto! Your 2 year old would be free, so it might keep it more affordable. You might even try having a late breakfast there when it is less expensive (they serve breakfast until 11:30am) and then packing your sandwiches to have for a quick dinner while waiting for fireworks in the evening!! Have a wonderful time!!

 

[ShannonMB]

Thanks folks for the info! I will try to make some reservations but a few more questions:

In respect to the monorail....can we use it if we are not staying on Disney property?

Also, would it be too difficult to get to downtown Disney from MK for dinner, and then back? If not, how do you get DT?

You can definitely use the monorail whether you're staying on property or not -- no issue there!

As for heading to DTD for a meal, that's probably almost as much trouble as going offsite, IMO. You'd have to head all the way back to your car and drive there, or else I guess you could take the monorail to one of the resorts and ride the bus from there, but either way, that's a pretty big time killer.

Just thought I would also agree with previous posters about Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe if you don't mind counter service. You of course wouldn't need a reservation, and they have some good choices -- like 1/2 a rotisserie chicken and ribs combo, mashed potatoes and veggies, and good burgers. They also have a fixins bar, so you can put lots of different toppings on your burger including sauteed mushrooms and onions, and they have a hot cheese sauce on the fixins bar that my daughter just LOVES dipping her fries in!

Best of luck!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Slammie;

Please don't plan to transport much during your Park Days...

MK is HUGE as are most WDW parks.

Agree with all PP's ....especially recommend Cosmic Rays as a good value for the money.

"Back in the Day" when I had to do cheaper trips...and stay offsite...I did ...as you are...bring food into the park...

But don't take up your enjoyment of the park with transportation....bring in what you can...and make up the difference with a good value like Cosmic Ray's....DOn't leave MK unless you have to (for afternoon naps...if kids don't nap in strollers, etc.)

You can make it work...

Hugs,
Mary

 

[ShannonMB]

Here are some recent pics of Cosmic Ray's in case they might help you make a decision -- of course I'm not trying to talk you in to it, but I was already posting them on my trip report earlier anyway and thought you might like to see them...

 

[Art 1]

It's not worth leaving the park to go eat off property.

 

[slammie]

Thanks again for all the info, pics, etc. The food looks great! You all are really sweet people, and I appreciate your help! We're very excited for next week! Cheers!

 

[mkleinbe]

Have a fun trip! I agree, try for a Chef MIckey's reservation. I think you can probably get it at this time of year.