You often hear people rave about the food options at Disney. Some even joke about just going from meal to meal while on vacation here. While there are lots of truly fantastic options here at Disney World (see our Best Disney World Restaurants) there are also some that we aren’t fans of. In order to help you not have some of the same bad experiences that we did, I thought I would share our list of the worst Disney dining sit down restaurants to eat at Disney World.
Keep in mind that these are just our opinions and while we might skip some places they may be perfect for your family!
If you are looking for quick service dining to avoid be sure to read our sister article Worst Quick Service Dining at Disney.
Magic Kingdom Restaurants
The Crystal Palace
You hear this one recommended a lot for the character dining. However, the food here is not the greatest. Since Magic Kingdom really has limited sit down options there just isn’t much to choose from here and I think that is how this one gets recommended. If you are looking to meet the characters of Winnie the Pooh this may be the perfect stop for you as you get a lot of great character time at this location.
Instead we Recommend: You head back to Be Our Guest Restaurant, it’s a new edition and serves up stellar options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can even get a photo-op with the Beast during dinner.
Epcot Restaurants
Nine Dragons
Our last time eating at China we had terrible service and terrible food (all of us ended up getting sick). This has always left a terrible impression on us. Maybe we need to circle back one day but until then we recommend skipping over this one.
Instead we Recommend: Teppan Edo isn’t too far away and offers up food that’s hard to hate. Teppan is my husbands favorite place to eat, he is always trying to find a way to sneak in a meal there. Here you can watch the chef prepare your food being made in front of you! Entertainment and great dining, what’s not to like.
Biergarten
This is a pricey buffet for meh food. It’s all German food as you would expect and not all of it was up my alley taste wise. Another important thing to note, if you have a food allergy buffets are always tough and they really couldn’t accommodate my dairy allergy very well.
Instead we Recommend: The Garden Grill, this is a character all you can eat family style restaurant. The food here is great plus you get the added bonus of some exclusive character time and a view of the Living with the Land attraction.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood and Vine
This buffet option at Hollywood Studios has gone through its fair share of growing pains. Having so many redesigns and changes it’s almost like an identity crisis.
Instead we Recommend: Sci-Fi Dine In this one takes me back to my early days, when drive in movie theaters were still a thing! Well if any of you are like me and have those memories this restaurant is going to take you back. At Sci-Fi Dine In you actually eat your meal inside a car! On the movie screen you will find old school Sci-fi movies to keep you and your kids entertained throughout the meal.
Animal Kingdom
Rainforest Cafe
This is a chain! You traveled all the way to Disney World we recommend hitting up a spot that you can’t eat at back at home. There is a great atmosphere inside of here which is great for kids. We find the food here is pretty mediocre and that the draw is the animatronics and atmosphere.
Instead we Recommend: Try out Yak and Yeti location in Asia. The food here is great and is owned by the same people who run the Rainforest Cafe!
Tiffins
This one is just way too over priced and fancy. If you are a foodie this is probably a good stop. However most people have their families and small children who don’t have very many friendly options on this menu.
Instead we Recommend: Tusker House next-door in Africa is a better family option. You will still have a lot of unique cuisine here but there are plain items for your pickier eaters. This is a Buffett so you can try new things and eat as much as you want! This is a character dining location as well.
Disney Springs
Paradiso 37
It’s hard to put this one on the list because it’s actually where my husband and I had our first date. But as we came to find out the food here was not the greatest and the service was really lacking. It is however a fantastic place to stop in for some appetizers and margaritas.
Instead we Recommend: Try out the Boathouse instead. This is our go to spot when we have guests in from out-of-town. The food here is outstanding and it’s easier to get into due to the large size of this spot. As you can expect by the name they specialize in seafood but our none fish eaters love the steaks and burgers here and never have any complaints about this option.
So that concludes the list of our least favorite places to eat at Disney World. In the comments below share, your worst Disney dining sit down restaurants. If a spot you love made our list then be sure to share with us why you think it’s so great.
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I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
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