Magic Kingdom Restaurants Offering the Best Value
With 2022 Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages now available to book, we’re getting some insight into what Disney has planned for future vacations during these uncertain times.
It appears Disney will still require park pass reservations for park entry into 2022, and Disney Dining packages will continue to be unavailable. Yes, you read that right. No Disney Plan or Free Dining Plan Offers for 2022.
But there are ways to save money when dining at Disney outside the Dining Plan. For many families and individuals, Disney Dining Plans actually cost more than dining out of pocket. The secret is knowing where to go for your meals; and as always, we’ve done the legwork for you.
Today I’m breaking down the Magic Kingdom restaurants offering the best value. And by value, I’m talking about where to go to get the most for your hard-earned dough!
Quick Service Values
Gaston’s Tavern
Gaston’s Tavern is a Fantasyland quick-service spot inspired by Beauty and the Beast; and if you had any doubts, Gaston does indeed use antlers in all of his decorating.
The cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern are both delicious and massive! Priced at $5.99, they make for a shareable breakfast or snack, although you may be tempted to keep the whole thing for yourself.
Gaston’s Tavern also serves the Grey Stuff cupcake for $5.49. Now is it worth the price? That’s debatable. But since the Grey Stuff is the Be Our Guest restaurant’s signature dessert and a must for Beauty and the Beast fans according to the dishes, the ability to enjoy it outside of a Be Our Guest reservation makes it a value.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
When it comes to quick-service dining at the Magic Kingdom, you will find many Disney World veterans and regulars dining at Frontierland’s Pecos Bill.
The Tex Mex menu is a crowd pleaser and offers a surprising variety of items from salads to rice bowls to fajita platters to an impressive selection of nachos. The average price for a meal is $11 – $12, and Pecos Bill also offers an extensive allergy-friendly menu too.
Sleepy Hollow
Tucked away just inside of the entrance to Liberty Square and next to a pathway to Cinderella Castle is the Sleepy Hollow walk-up window. Here guests can truly enjoy something different, yet delicious, for breakfast, a snack, or as a meal.
Sleepy Hollow is famous for its waffle sandwiches. The fresh fruit and waffle sandwich with chocolate-hazelnut spread is a must-have breakfast or sweet treat for many Disney guests, and the sweet-and-spicy chicken waffle sandwich offers something savory for lunch or dinner. Also, Sleepy Hollow is one of the few places to enjoy a Mickey waffle in a park without the need for a restaurant reservation.
The waffle sandwiches range from $8.29 to $10.49, but they are huge and surprisingly filling. Bonus! If you’re not picky about what brand of coffee you drink, Sleepy Hollow serves a small selection of iced coffees if you need some Disney energy but don’t want to wait in a long line for Starbucks on Main Street, U.S.A.
Tomorrowland Terrace
Tomorrowland Terrace is a spacious, open-air eatery between Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A. For years, this space was known for its meh menu of standard theme park fare, seasonal operation, and the location for dessert parties.
Since Liberty Square’s popular Columbia Harbour House still hasn’t reopened, Tomorrowland Terrace has with Columbia’s hearty, seafood-inspired menu.
Here guests can enjoy platters of fish, shrimp, or chicken, or even a sampling of all three! Tomorrowland Terrace also offers lobster rolls and features an impressive allergy-friendly menu.
Table Service Values
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
This Jungle Cruise-themed restaurant is somewhat of a hidden gem, but I absolutely consider it a Magic Kingdom value since you’re not just getting a meal here. You’re getting an experience!
Now the menu here is truly adventurous, and that can scare some guests away. But trust me. I’ve never had a bad meal at Skipper Canteen, and I think about their Cachapas and Dr. Fall’s Signature Grilled Streak on the regular.
Since this is the Skipper Canteen, expect plenty of jokes and puns from the servers, as well as a continuation of the Jungle Cruise attraction story throughout the various dining rooms.
Liberty Tree Tavern
Liberty Tree Tavern at Liberty Square is a Colonial Williamsburg-inspired restaurant serving all-you-can-eat, family-style Thanksgiving meals every day of the year.
It’s a great choice for that point during a trip when you’re craving something homecooked and/or when you need to make everybody happy with the menu selection. Plus, Liberty Tree Tavern is home to one of the best desserts at Walt Disney World: the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!
In keeping with the design of Liberty Square, Liberty Tree Tavern looks and feels like you’ve traveled back in time to the late 1700s (but thankfully with A/C!). Each of the restaurant’s six dining rooms is themed after a figure from U.S. History such as Paul Revere, George Washington, Betsy Ross, and John Paul Jones.
Due to Liberty Tree Tavern’s all-you-can-eat menu, consistent quality, and themed experience, this Magic Kingdom restaurant is a reliable, yet satisfying, choice offering plenty of bang for your buck!
Which restaurants and eateries do you consider to be the best values at the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
Ate at Skipper’s pre Covid as part of the “Taste of the MK ” tour and enjoyed it. But on our last this past December it was a major disappointment. The chicken was so over cooked and dry and service was barely so-so. Won’t be on our list again.