With the beginning of a new year, lots of you are in full swing vacation planning mode and I mean, why not?!? And, if your sights are set on Disney, let’s face it, the task is a monstrous one indeed.
I know when I start thinking of planning at Walt Disney World, the first thing that comes to mind is food. No surprise there but don’t even pretend you don’t agree! With new additions, some still closed, and lots of menu changes, this got me thinking about what dining reservations are hardest to score when planning a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, and most importantly, are those hard to score ressies worth all the hype?
So, I’m going to break down those hardest to grab meals and give you the hard truth on whether you should add them to your list or not! And my answers may shock you!
Coolest watering hole in Batuu
It’s the coolest watering hole in Batuu with the freshest DJ in the Galaxy! Oga’s Cantina is the hub for smugglers and allies of the resistance and also hosts some of the shadiest characters in the universe!
While you’re not going to get a 5-course meal here, galactic drinks and celestial charcuterie are sure to tide you over until you reach your next destination. Reservations here will take some bargaining with your republic credits, but you will NOT be disappointed. The atmosphere is literally authentic and the drinks and snacks are literally out of this world!
While the names of drinks and small bites selections are a bit unfamiliar to some visitors, don’t be deterred! Adventure is the name of the game at Oga’s! Star Wars fan or not, this is an experience you will not want to miss in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Chef Mickey’s
Mom’s envision the classic breakfast with their kiddos hugging Mickey Mouse and the happy tears flowing.
Chef Mickey’s delivers on that bill. And so many people try to snag a reservation at this famous eatery for that very reason. However, if you have families with a refined palette, you may just want to rethink the price tag vs. quality of this experience!
While I do love its classic appeal, the overdone buffet-type items are not the best choice for most when choosing a character dining experience. Things have changed so much with this location that I feel like its reputation of the old days is what most focus on rather than its current state.
Is the character interaction great? Absolutely!
Is the atmosphere super fun for kids? Without a doubt.
Is the food good? Not even remotely……. This may be an unpopular opinion. And I do not intend to dash hopes and dreams, but in my humble opinion, there are better places to spend $200 on a meal and get a picture with that famous mouse!
Topolino’s Terrace
Topolino’s Terrace whisks you away to the Rivieras of Italy and France atop the stunning Disney’s Riviera Resort.
The breakfast time reservation at this stunning location is one of the toughest to snag even on the longest of trips with the smallest of dining parties. And you may be thinking, can breakfast really be that big of a deal? Is it really that different from any other character breakfast experience at Disney?
My answer for you…….without a doubt!
This heavily European pre-fixe menu of steak and polenta, wild mushrooms scramble, quiche Lorraine and staple appearance of Mickey’s waffles is nothing short of spectacular. This is by far my favorite breakfast character experience on property!
Aside from the amazing menu, with secrets might I add, the character interactions and view are the perfect start to any day! While it may be a task fit for a Fairy Godmother, this reservation is a must-do for fun and flavor!
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Like visions of sugarplums dancing, the idea of dining in Cinderella Castle is the stuff dreams are made of! Notice I say, idea.
While being inside the actual castle IS all it’s cracked up to be, the pre-fixe menu here…….is just meh. However, I will say that if you can grab the experience at least once you should! Especially during fireworks time.
The views and character interactions would not even make the wicked stepsisters turn up their noses! And I will advise if you can’t let go of the idea of dining here, choose the safe breakfast meal for both quality and pricing! Get that “in the castle dream meal” without breaking your heart or the bank!
‘Ohana
As we take a Hawaiian roller coaster ride over to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the top of the agenda is ‘Ohana! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner this Paradise of Polynesian cuisine is one of the hardest cases to crack on property!
Is it the view of the fireworks?
The unmistakably Hawaiian hospitality?
Or the controversial noodles????
Safe to say, all the above! If anyone tells you to skip ‘Ohana they deserve to be blasted by Cobra Bubbles himself! Any meal, any time of day, ‘Ohana is the right answer and so worth scoring a table! From Pog juice to potstickers, this location is not to be passed over!
Space 220
My newest addition to this list is the coveted ticket to the atmosphere at Epcot’s Space 220.
You basically have to be a certified miracle worker to score a table at this newest outer space adventure in Future World! And admittedly in my blog a few weeks ago, I was not thrilled to take one for the team so to speak on putting this eatery to the Carie test, but I did and boy was I shocked!
Yes, the theming and the atmosphere are spot on and really make you question yourself thinking that you may have actually left Earth, but is the food really cosmic!!?!? I must say, from drinks to desserts this meal hit all the high points! Have I lost sleep trying to snag a ticket into space for my clients…..no doubt and I am sure glad that I did. Not only did I love and want to repeat my dining adventure here at Space 220, but multiple clients have expressed the same sentiment! Corny as it may be, this experience is definitely among the stars of dining reservations!
While my list isn’t every hard to grab reservation on the property, they are the top few on my radar. And my opinions, although controversial, are just that….opinions.
Everyone has different tastes and goals when selecting dining at Disney, so choose wisely and make the best choices for your bunch! After all, as I always say, you know your family better than anyone else! But buyer beware when making those all so important dining selections! Because as Remy would say…..”If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff!”
