Dining at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom® Park can be explored with several different competing interests in mind. Some guests may not settle for anything else than a magical dining experience, while other guests are simply be in search of nourishment. Some families may be operating on a strict vacation budget, while for some price is no object.

There are dining locations scattered throughout the Magic Kingdom where a variety of dining options can meet and satisfy the appetites of most guests, and while the cost of food is not cheap there should be something for every vacation budget.

Employing our own definitions we broken the dining possibilities into five categories of restaurants to choose from.

Street Side Vendors
These free standing carts will abound throughout the park.
Here are sampling of their offerings and prices.
Turkey Leg $4.50
Cookies $1.50
Bottle Water $2.50
Frozen Lemonade $3.30
Coca-Cola Classic; Diet Coke; Sprite; Barq's Root Beer; Pink Lemonade - $2.00 & $2.30
Coffee - $1.70 & $1.90
Hot Cocoa; Hot Tea - $1.70
Assorted Chips $2.40

Snack Food Locations
These locations offer a variety of simple choices that won’t require guests to invest a lot of time or a lot of money.

Here is a sampling of the items and prices that you will find.

Dipped Ice Cream Cone - $2.90
Dipped Double Cone - $3.60
Sundae - chocolate, vanilla or swirl soft serve with hot fudge, strawberry or caramel topping and whipped cream $3.00
Chocolate or Vanilla Milkshake - $2.75
Soft Serve Cone or Cup - chocolate, vanilla or swirl soft serve $2.80
Orange Slush - frozen orange juice $3.25
Raspberry Lemonade Slush $3.25
Funnel Cake - dusted with powdered sugar or cinnamon and powdered sugar $3.25
Caramel Corn Bucket $4.00
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich - $3.50

Our Picks for a Snack Food Location

Sunshine Tree Terrace
Citrus Swirl - frozen orange juice swirled with vanilla soft-serve $3.00
Soft-Serve Ice Cream Cup - vanilla, chocolate or vanilla chocolate swirl $2.75
Available Toppings: Rainbow Sprinkles
Floats - vanilla or chocolate or swirl soft-serve with Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, prite or Barq's root beer $3.00
Orange Slush - frozen orange juice $3.25
Raspberry Lemonade Slush $3.25

Main Street (Plaza) Ice Cream Parlor
Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Butter Pecan, Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookie Swirl
Ice Cream Cone - $2.90
Double Cone - $3.60
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich $3.50
Ice Cream Float - Hand-dipped Vanilla ice cream with Coca Cola or Root Beer $3.60
Mickey Mouse Youngster Cone - one scoop of vanilla $2.50


Counter Service Restaurants
Scattered throughout the park these locations will feature hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, or specialty foods, i.e. tacos.

Although the theme for these fast food eateries will vary and their selections will differ their prices will be remarkably similar.

Our picks for Counter Service Restaurants

Lunch
Columbia Harbour House
Cuisine: American
Prices: $5 - $6.50
This air-conditioned counter service restaurant offers fried chicken strips, fried fish, sandwiches and clam chowder served in a bread bowl. Find yourself looking for a retreat from all the crowds and strollers found in Fantasyland? Nice dining area upstairs that makes for a pleasant break from the crowds.

Dinner
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
Cuisine: American
Prices: $5.49 - $6.99
This large counter service restaurant, which is actually several restaurants in one, offers burgers, rotisserie chicken, sandwiches, soups and salads. A combination of tables and booths in a comfortable air-conditioned “space” makes this an excellent choice for a quick bite.

Dining Tip: You may want to time your arrival at Cosmic Ray’s either just before or after the 12 o’clock rush to avoid the crowds.

Sit Down Full Service Restaurants
These oasis’ from the crowds are located throughout the theme park. Here the cuisine and prices will vary and will allow choices which will fit any budget and taste.


Our picks for a Table Service Restaurant

Lunch
The Plaza Restaurant
Located at The Magic Kingdom on Main Street
Cuisine: American
Prices: $9.99 - $10.49
This full service restaurant is a nice break and a chance to order up a hot deli sandwich, gourmet burger, hearty salad and a thick hand dipped milk shake.

Dinner
Grand Floridian Café
Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Hey wait a minute I thought we were discussing recommendations for dining at the Magic Kingdom? That is true but for the little extra effort of exiting the park for a short time and catch either the monorail or motor launch to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa you dining experience will greatly enhanced/

Cuisine: American
Prices: - $9.99 - $19.99

Situated on the first floor of Disney’s flagship resort the open dining room with its high ceilings and large picture windows offer a beautiful view the hotel veranda and grounds. Easy access from the Magic Kingdom by either boat or monorail makes this a great choice for dinner if you need a break from crowds.

Character Dining
Within the theme park you will find several character buffets where your favorite Disney characters will join you for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These character dining experiences are offered in to different styles.

Traditional buffets where guests are invited to help themselves to some pretty tasty and well prepared foods that is presented at serving stations.

Family Style make fit the bill for those that feel like a lot to eat but don’t feel like standing in another line. Here servers bring platters or crocks of food to your table in courses

Our picks for Character Dining

Breakfast
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Located in Fantasyland, Cinderella’s Castle
Prices: Breakfast - Adult $19.99 - Child - $9.99

Note: This character breakfast will often be completely booked by 7:30am 90 days out. So mark your calendar for 90 days prior to your desired dining date and begin dialing 407-WDW-DINE at 6:59 EST and hit redial until you get through!

This priority seating must be secured with a credit card. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy and there is a $10 per person charge if Guests cancel within 48 hours or no show for the meal.

Once Upon a Time Breakfast
Cinderella invites you into the glorious private dining hall of her castle for a storybook breakfast. Characters from Disney's Royal Family graciously host an all-you-care-to-eat pre-plated (the food is waiting for you when you arrive at your table) breakfast — a meal fit for royalty! Eggs, potatoes, meats, French toast and other yummy regal surprises make this one meal that always ends happily ever after.

Lunch
The Crystal Palace
Lunch: Adult-$17.99, Child-$9.99
Priority seating recommended

Located near Main Street guests will find breakfast, lunch and dinner all served here buffet style with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet all in attendance

Dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern
Dinner Adult-$21.99, Child (3-11)-$9.99
Priority seating recommended

At this early American style restaurant an all-you-care-to-eat character dinner is in order with Minnie and Friends on hand. Your meal will be served up family style and will include such wholesome favorites such as ham, turkey, flank steak, vegetables and salad
This can be a welcomed retreat from the hustle and bustle of the park and is great with the kids