Top 5 Quintessential Disney Eateries & your Favorite Foods There!!!

[Erica Ladd]

We are bringing my son and his two friends (all 14). One of them has NEVER been to WDW and I’d like to hit up a couple of places that are part of the must do Disney experience. We are staying Club Level for the first time and hope to do a lot of eating there but still want a few eating experiences outside of the lounge that would make the trip extra special. Please share your Must Do’s!!!!

ETA - no plans to go to DS so either in parks or resorts please!!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Must do Sci Fi because it is really different and very difficult to get a reservation . Good luck.
When is your trip arrival date? Might need some holiday suggestions too!
I have this age grandson and decided to experience OGAs Cantina and Trader Sam’s and Steakhouse 71 Bar Seating at the Contemporary. I was hoping to share that these locations are fun to experience without alcohol since I don’t drink. We also sat at the Bar at Yak & Yeti because table seating wasn’t available.
Iwas surprised how nice the bartenders always were to us ! Very classy and worth the Tip everytime .
Fun with Grandma !

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Whispering Canyon and 50‘s Prime Time might be great choices. I went with 2 14 year old girls years back and they loved Beaches and Cream. If they aren’t picky eaters, Boma would be fun and they could eat til they busted! That’s a plus for Whispering Canyon, too.

 

[CynBeth]

I agree about 50’s PTC and Boma. We have never done WCC for lunch or dinner only breakfast but really enjoy that. I would also say Liberty Tree Tavern at MK it is colonial America themed and an all you care to eat platter which they can adjust for any food allergies. Not sure if Be Our Guest would be too girlie but it has amazing theming and a pre fixe meal. At Epcot if you can get it Space220 which has a cool space theme and is pre fixe or Coral Reef which has a view of the tank. Also, Chefs de France and Tutto Italia you feel like you are at a restaurant in those countries. We enjoy Rainforest Cafe at AK.

 

[Eastern]

You're staying CL and that is $$$ but I am going to give some moderately priced suggestions since they are 14 yo boys...

My sons have liked San Angel Inn, Chefs, or just walking around WS and getting snacks, Skipper Canteen, SciFi, Ronto Roasters, Flame Tree bbq. A lot of the sit downs are expensive and I think your guests would like CS as well: 14 yo just like to eat! Beaches and Cream is fun for ice cream, esp if you get the kitchen sink. Steakhouse 71 for a steak dinner that won't break the bank but is 'grown up'.

My kids (boys) were meh about the buffets once they got to the teenage years. They like the exploring aspect of CS: you can pick up something if you're feeling hungry or between rides and move onto something else at a new location later. We have stayed CL often and so I usually figure on lunches if we are doing sit down and counter service/snacks later on. My kids really like the 'snacks' at CL for a light dinner and then grab something later if they get hungry.

 

[Jennasis]

Unique PLACES (with good food)
Cali Grill
50's Primetime/Sci-Fi (teens would probably go for sci fi)
Liberty Tree Tavern
Whispering Canyon
Biergarten/San Angel Inn (san angel Inn maybe not good food, but the atmosphere is great).

Unique FOOD:
Ronto's Roasters
Boma
Sanaa
Satuli Canteen
Skipper Canteen

 

[Erica Ladd]

CS suggestions are great too!! They are going to want to explore and try things here and there I’m sure!!! I’m thinking maybe 2 or 3 sit down meals. We’ve never been to San Angel and DS mentioned tacos lol. Also never been to Sci-Fi but looks cool. We will be at BWI and Beaches and Cream says it’s open til 11pm so I think that would be great late night! The only buffet place DS mentioned is Chef Mickey’s which he thinks is Super-Disneyish. He LOVES breakfast food and they are open til 12:30 so that might work, although Steakhouse 71 sounds delicious- maybe if I show him the menu!!!

 

[Eastern]

CS suggestions are great too!! They are going to want to explore and try things here and there I’m sure!!! I’m thinking maybe 2 or 3 sit down meals. We’ve never been to San Angel and DS mentioned tacos lol. Also never been to Sci-Fi but looks cool. We will be at BWI and Beaches and Cream says it’s open til 11pm so I think that would be great late night! The only buffet place DS mentioned is Chef Mickey’s which he thinks is Super-Disneyish. He LOVES breakfast food and they are open til 12:30 so that might work, although Steakhouse 71 sounds delicious- maybe if I show him the menu!!!

Chef Mickey's is super Disney but I would only do breakfast there. Steakhouse 71 isn't that Disneyish but it's good for a man's night out for steak

 

[Erica Ladd]

DH and I are planning a few outings alone, maybe like Nomads and Baseline. Maybe we can go to Steakhouse 71 too! Still debating if it’s worth going to Oga’s all together since all but one of us have been. Same with Space 220 - if we cant get the lounge I think that will be for just DH and I!!

 

[Erica Ladd]

If I wanted the boys to have their own car at Sci-fi do I need to make a reservation for 3 and 2 separately? I’m not familiar with the seating set up there…

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

Sci-Fi, Beaches & Cream, 50's Prime Time all good for teens. We are trying for the first time Steakhouse 71 in August.

 

[ezma]

Our boys love pizza , what kid doesn’t!! You might try Via Napoli in Epcot. Their metro pizza is huge and very showy ... it will definitely get their attention!

 

[sapphirerose915]

There is NOTHING more quintessential Disney than a character meal- especially with the fab 5. I know they are older, but i feel it is a must. I dont know which resort you are staying at, but do a breakfast- Toppolinos is incredible- but there is also Tusker in AK and Chef Mickey in Contemporary.
Id also recommend Ohana dinner- all you can eat meats- if you do it at the right time you can watch the fireworks!!

edited to add that i would also say SCI-FI is a must

 

[tguz]

One of my new fav places is Yak & Yeti. Finally tried it for the first time in Dec 2021 and loved the Korean Beef from the Wok. Also, Capt Cooks at the Poly had amazing pulled pork nachos. Two great finds on that trip.

 

[DisneyFive]

Quintessential Disney restaurants have ebbed and flowed throughout the last decade, but if I had to name some are iconic "Disney", the top 5 that come to mind (in no particular order)...

• California Grill (never been)
• O'hana
• Cinderella's Royal Table
• Victoria and Alberts
• Hoop Dee Doo Review (show and dinner)

However, many of those are not for 14 year old boys lol

Keeping in mind your party, here are some that are very unique, and memorable. Tastes in food differ, so I'm not considering that. Not keeping cost in mind either...

• Hoop Dee Doo Review - Fort Wilderness Campgrounds - Unlimited comfort food (and beer and sangria) and a super fun show that you'll never forget
• Coral Reef, Epcot (HUUUGE aquarium with sharks, sting rays, sea turtles, etc...) It's worth the wait to ask to sit close to the tank
• O'hana, Polynesian - polynesian theming, good food, and ukulele singer throughout your dinner
• Sci Fi Dine in - Hollywood Studios. Burgers and sandwiches. an all indoor drive in theater where you literally sit in tables shapes as cars while watching old cheesy commercials and shorts on the big "outdoor" screen. Tried it, but totally not our thing but for others it is a MUST DO and love it. It's totally worth trying.
• Satu'li Canteen - Quick service at AK in Pandora. The theming is excellent for a quick service and the protein bowls are amazing IMO.

Hope this helps.

Dan

 

[sethschroeder]

By far Casey's Corners

Its on mainstreet, looking at the castle, and in Magic Kingdom.

It's not my favorite but that's where I would suggest if you only were to say you were eating at one location.

AK - Satuli
HS - Sci Fi (although I would suggest people go to Beaches)
Epcot - festival time I tell them to do that otherwise it's about what they like (Biergarten, Via Napoli, Regal Eagle)

Then for resorts places like Primo, Capt Cooks, Topolino, Beaches

 

[Erica Ladd]

Loving all these ideas - thanks!!!

 

[Wayland10]

I have a 14 year old as well, so I’m speaking from a little experience of what my child asks to do in the parks!
AK- Satu’li Canteen or Flametree BBQ and sit by the water.
Epcot- San Angel Inn or Biergarten for a buffet and music they’ll be too cool to dance along with.
HS- Oga’s Cantina or Sci-Fi Drive in. If you do 50s be prepared to be teased about how you’re oooolllddd and must feel soooo at home!
MK- the only thing my kid wants there is a meal at Jungle Skipper canteen and a refillable popcorn bucket.

 

[Erica Ladd]

I would love to take them to Hoop Dee Doo but not sure if they can last 2 hours - plus we are only there 3 nights/4 days so I’m really trying to maximize time!

Our family really likes ‘Ohana dinner as well, but since the return I’ve been weary of going.

I do think one character meal would be super fun just because so if we go that route it will probably be Chef Mickeys since DS loved the breakfast there.

Casey’s and Satulii are high on the list as DS mentioned hot dogs and I’ve been wanting to try satulii for a while now.

I forgot until yesterday that F&W festival was going on while we are there so that’s a good idea - give them a gift card to try some things out - no mobile ordering there so it makes using GC easier!

I definitely want to try Yak and Yeti, with or without them lol!! That’s been on my list for years!!!

 

[fly girl]

I have a 14 year old, these would be on her list:

MK ~ this is the hardest one since MK has the worst food. Skipper Canteen for full service, CHH quick service. (She doesn’t like hot dogs so Casey’s is out for her, but it definitely deserves to be on this list.)

Epcot ~ Full Service, Le Cellier, Via Napoli, Teppan Edo. QS: hands down trying options at Food & Wine booths (Germany is her favorite), Les Halles, Yorkshire.

HS ~ FS: Sci-Fi. QS: Ronto Roasters (breakfast wrap), Baseline (best charcuterie in WDW). If they love Star Wars, go to Oga’s. They’ll love the Jabba Juice or Carbon Freeze.

AK ~ FS: Yak & Yeti. QS: Satu’li.


Never again on her list: Coral Reef, Il Mulino.