REVIEW: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Offers A Galaxy of Casual Fare

Quick service dining is currently down to just a handful of locations at Magic Kingdom, and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is one of them. This centrally located quick service location is often noted as one of the busiest counter service restaurants in the entire United States. Cosmic Ray’s is a popular choice thanks to its large presence and easy access from Main Street USA, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland.

Mobile Ordering is available here, which provides out-of-this-world convenience. Our team has noticed that food here is fresher and hotter than it was in the before time. It seems food is more closely prepared to order thanks to mobile ordering.

Over recent years we have processed over 500,000+ surveys from our readers, and they have scored Cosmic Ray’s with a 78% thumbs up with a rank of 78 out of 107 dining options at Walt Disney World. That puts Cosmic Ray’s at a “B” grade. The portions are large, and the prices are some of the lowest of any quick service location. But the quality is just simple fast food fare.

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Once upon a time, Cosmic Ray’s had a great amount of variety on their menu. The service counter is made of three bays, and it used to be each bay specialized in different fare: chicken and ribs at one, burgers at another. But the efficiency of this setup was poor at times. The menu now is reduced from years past, which you can view here.

On a recent visit our team ordered:

• 1/3 lb. Angus Cheeseburger with Fries –  $12.49
• Plant-Based Vegan Sloppy Joe – $12.99
• All-Beef Foot-long Hot Dog – $11.99

I enjoy trying out plant-based fare at Walt Disney World because it is often flavorful and filling without weighing me down. Our team reports that the plant based Sloppy Joe isn’t the best non-meat option on property, but it’s a step in the right direction. The sauce is nice and the bun is soft, almost melting into the sauce. We recommend the plant-based options at Liberty Tree Tavern, but if you’re sticking to quick service and want a satisfying plant-based options this Vegan Sloppy Joe will fit the bill.

The hot dog is a good stand-in until Casey’s Corner re-opens.  It’s large enough for two people to share, but yummy enough you may not want too. The topping bar isn’t functioning for fresh toppings, which was one of the redeeming qualities of this location. There are more than enough sauces and condiments to add some variety to your order. Our team has now asked for the Sriracha Aioli that comes with the seasonal Mickey’s Monster Mash Burger and they’ve not been charged or had any trouble.

The Angus Cheeseburger is nothing special. Hamburgers are pretty standard at most in-park counter service locations. If a seasonal burger, like the current Mickey’s Monster Mash Burger, is available go for it instead of the standard burger.

The interior dining room is quite large, with the main dining area offering entertainment via the venue’s main attraction: Sonny Eclipse. This beloved audio animatronic alien lounge singer is full of corny jokes and crooning tunes. Outdoor tables and chairs offer views of Cinderella Castle, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.

Have you eaten at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Before? What did you think?