As someone who often visits Disney World just to grab a bite, I’ll admit–there are a lot of really great places to eat. But, they’re not all amazing. I’ve been going to the parks for over 30 years, which has given me a lot of time to weed out the good food from the bad. So, if you’re like me and want to avoid wasting money at the worst Disney World restaurants, here are 8 spots to skip (and where to go instead)!

Worst Disney World Restaurants at Magic Kingdom

Dining at Magic Kingdom can be hit or miss, but some restaurants are just consistently bad. Here are the two restaurants in Magic Kingdom that always get bad reviews.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, located near the park entrance, draws in guests with its Lady and the Tramp theme. However, this restaurant just doesn’t have much going for it. The experience and food quality are similar to what you can find at Olive Garden, which can be nice if that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s overall disappointing if you’re looking for something unique to Disney World.

And, if you are looking for basic Italian cuisine, you’d actually be better off going to Olive Garden, because the prices at Tony’s Town Square are quite high for what you get. Plus, the service here can vary based on when you’re visiting. And, if you happen to be there when service is slow, you can end up wasting a lot of precious park time dining here.

On the plus side, you can usually get a last-minute reservation here, and the air-conditioned space is a respite on hot days. Additionally, if you’re traveling with picky eaters or large families looking for basic Italian food, Tony’s may suit your needs. Still, most Disney-goers prefer other options for a memorable meal.

Eat here instead: Be Our Guest Restaurant

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is the largest and most popular quick service restaurant in Magic Kingdom. But that doesn’t mean that it’s worth a visit!

The menu here is filled with basic theme park fare, like burgers, chicken tenders, and fries, and the lines can get long, like, really long. And, if you think the line just to order is long, try finding a seat! This may be the largest quick service restaurant in the park, but its popularity often means you’ll still struggle to find a seat.

Despite its drawbacks, Cosmic Ray’s is one of the more affordable options, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious families. If you prioritize location and fast service over food quality, you might stop here, but better options are available in the park.

Eat here instead: Sleepy Hollow

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Worst Disney World Restaurants at EPCOT

Over at EPCOT, you can find some of the very best food from around the world. But, with so many options, it’s easy to end up at a restaurant that doesn’t offer the best of the best. Here are the two worst-rated restaurants in EPCOT.

Coral Reef

Coral Reef is a table service restaurant located in The Seas Pavilion at EPCOT. The main attraction is its large aquarium wall, offering families a view of Disney’s marine life while they eat. Don’t get me wrong–this is awesome. But, do you really want to be eating seafood while watching the seafood swim in the tank? That’s questionable.

If you are a seafood lover and don’t mind admitting that fish are food, not friends, then you might find this restaurant appealing. However, the food quality is often lackluster and bland, especially for the price.

All in all, if atmosphere is more important to you than the food, you might still enjoy Coral Reef for the aquarium experience. But, there are definitely better seafood and dining options elsewhere at EPCOT.

Eat here instead: Teppan Edo

Lotus Blossom Cafe

The Lotus Blossom Cafe in the China Pavilion is the primary quick service Chinese restaurant in the park. Its fast-casual setup can be convenient if you need a quick meal without a reservation, and the open seating area is easy to access and nice when the weather is cooperating. However, there’s really nothing special about it.

People who eat here often find the heavily Americanized food disappointing and miss the authentic Chinese flavors. Dishes like orange chicken, egg rolls, and fried rice are often bland or overly sauced and, while prices are similar to other quick service options, the portions and quality don’t always match up.

If you want familiar, basic Chinese-American food, you might actually end up liking this spot a lot. But, I recommend visiting your local Panda Express when you’re home and opting for something more unique when you’re at Disney World.

Eat here instead: Yorkshire County Fish Shop

CLICK HERE for more on the best and worst restaurants in EPCOT!

Worst Disney World Restaurants at Hollywood Studios

There’s certainly no shortage of places to eat inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but there are a few spots you should avoid at all costs! Here are the two worst Disney World restaurants in Hollywood Studios.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is known for its immersive 1950s drive-in movie setting, complete with car-style booths and classic film clips playing on a big screen. While the atmosphere is memorable and can be fun for families and movie buffs, calling it a family-friendly restaurant may be a bit generous.

Because the car-style booths face the big screen, you end up looking at it instead of your dining partners. So, talking to each other without dropping ketchup on yourself while you eat is nearly impossible. Additionally, people often criticize the food for being limited and basic, and it rarely impresses.

You might still enjoy Sci-Fi Dine-In if you have kids and want to eat somewhere that is truly memorable. However, if food quality or variety is important to you, you may find the experience underwhelming.

Eat here instead: Hollywood Brown Derby

Backlot Express

Backlot Express is a quick service restaurant located near the park’s Echo Lake area, featuring a movie prop warehouse theme. The menu mainly includes chicken nuggets, burgers, salads, and sandwiches, which are pretty generic compared to other quick service options in the park.

The food is predictable and generally appeals to picky eaters, but you likely won’t find unique flavors or standout dishes here. The restaurant is large, though, and seating is usually easy to find, so Backlot Express can be a great option if you’re looking for something simple and convenient, or when other locations are too busy.

Despite its efficient service and approachable menu, the overall experience can be underwhelming for the price. If you’re looking for something fast, familiar, and relatively quiet, this restaurant can meet your needs, but you probably won’t remember the meal after you leave.

Eat here instead: Woody’s Lunchbox

CLICK HERE for more on the best and worst restaurants in Hollywood Studios!

Worst Disney World Restaurants at Animal Kingdom

When you find yourself hungry at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it can be easy to choose whatever is closest and most convenient. But if these two restaurants are nearby, try to find something else!

Rainforest Cafe

Rainforest Cafe sits just outside Animal Kingdom’s main entrance, and it might be tempting to want to eat here since it’s a more recognizable chain restaurant. And, while the rainforest theming and animatronics inside are highly immersive, the atmosphere is often loud, and the food isn’t anything overly impressive compared to what you can find inside the park.

Save your visit to Rainforest Cafe for a non-Disney vacation, since you can find them all across the U.S. Disney World has so many unique dining options, especially at Animal Kingdom. So dining here can be a waste of both your time and money unless you have kids who really want to experience it.

Eat here instead: Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Pizzafari

Pizzafari, located on Discovery Island, is often mentioned as one of the least impressive quick service spots at Animal Kingdom–and it’s understandable why! The main draw here is the pizza, and, unfortunately, it’s some of the worst pizza in Disney World (unless you love a big, doughy, bubbly slice). The rest of the menu features other basic options like salads and sandwiches, which are also considered average or forgettable by most

There is a ton of seating inside, so you rarely have to search for a table, and the colorful, mural-filled dining rooms can be fun for families with kids. Pizzafari is also fast and convenient if you want a quick meal and are not picky about taste. However, if you’re seeking higher-quality Disney food, other quick service or table service spots in Animal Kingdom typically deliver a more satisfying meal and experience.

Eat here instead: Satu’li Canteen

CLICK HERE for more on the best and worst restaurants in Animal Kingdom!

Comments

What do you think is the worst Disney World restaurant? Let us know in the comments where you’ll never eat again!