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Disney’s Best Quick Service Dining Spots for Families

Post last updated June 8, 2021

When you are in the Disney Parks, sometimes you want a quick meal. But, you want good food, right? These can be one in the same if you know where to find the best Quick Service Dining at Walt Disney World.

RELATED READING: Guide to Disney’s Dining Plans & Are They Worth It?

I have put together a guide for you, outlining the best Quick Service Dining locations, so you can be ready to eat all the Disney food on your next trip.

Contents

  • About Quick Service Dining
  • Quick Service Dining Locations at Each WDW Park
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Hollywood Studios
    • EPCOT
    • Magic Kingdom

About Quick Service Dining

First, Quick Service Dining is just that. You walk up to a counter, order, get your food, and sit down to eat.

Unlike a Table Service restaurant, no one seats you, takes your order, or brings you your food. Currently the Disney parks are emphasizing Mobile Order for Quick Service, which is a GREAT tool for guests.

Quick Service Dining locations do not take reservations. So it’s easy to place a mobile order and have your food quickly, when you are ready to eat. It is also much more affordable for families on a budget. Plus, the portions are very easy to share!

Best Quick Service Dining Spots at Disney World Theme Parks - Eating on a Budget

Quick Service Dining Locations at Each WDW Park

Each park has a variety of Quick Service Dining locations. Let’s take a look!

Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is home to very, very unique dining. In all the parks, this one probably has my FAVORITE quick service options overall.

Satu’li Canteen – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

This dining spot is found in Pandora. The backstory for this restaurant is that it’s an old abandoned mess hall that has been turned into a restaurant for tourists by ACE: Alpha Centauri Expeditions. It fits perfectly into the storyline of Pandora.

Best Quick Service Dining Spots for Families at Each Disney World Theme Park - Blueberry Mousse at Satuli Canteen at Animal Kingdom

Satu’li Canteen offers bowls for guests to customize. You start with a protein, a base, and add a sauce to build your own creation. My personal favorite is the Chopped Wood Grilled Chicken Bowl with the Hearty Salad Base and Charred Green Onion Vinaigrette. And you absolutely MUST add the Blueberry Cream Mousse to your meal!

Flame Tree Barbecue – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

Flame Tree Barbecue is next on my list, also found at Animal Kingdom in the Tree of Life area. Until Satu’li Canteen opened, this was my favorite Quick Service overall. It is so easy to get to, no matter where you are in the park.

It’s centrally located, has a TON of seating, and great views of the water ways and the Tree of Life. My favorite menu item here is the Pulled Pork Sandwich. Flame Tree also has super fun grown up drinks – such as the Loggerhead Turtle. So good!

RELATED READING: Best Things to Do with Kids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Hollywood Studios

Moving from Animal Kingdom to Hollywood Studios, the options are not as plentiful, in my opinion. Hollywood Studios is not my favorite park for Quick Service meals.

But they do have some locations that will fulfill your needs. Hollywood Studios is lacking in plentiful options, but the ones you do have to choose from are solid ones.

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Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

Found in Galaxy’s Edge, Docking Bay 7 is definitely one to try. For Quick Service, the menu is very eclectic. I’ve had the Endorean Tip Yip salad ($13.99) and it was one of the best salads I’ve ever had at Disney World.

If there is a down side to Docking Bay 7, it is the cost. In terms of Quick Service, it is on the higher end. However, this is really a dining experience and the storytelling is immersive. Food is served on sheet pan with sporks that look like they are from a remote outpost in the far reaches of the galaxy – it is very fun!

ABC Commissary – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

ABC Commissary offers guests a more traditional, very kid friendly option for Quick Service. This is located right in the center of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and makes a convenient stop as you may be walking from Galaxy’s Edge to Toy Story Land, or to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. It serves lunch and dinner, and has A LOT of seating. The Southwest BBQ Burger is probably my favorite thing on the menu. And while the food quality is not outstanding, the menu variety is.

RELATED READING: Best Things to Do with Kids at Hollywood Studios

EPCOT

EPCOT is known for its huge variety of dining, both table and quick service.

La Cantina de San Angel – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

La Cantina de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion of the World Showcase consistently has great food. The setting is beautiful – who doesn’t love Mexican food along the water?! The menu also has good options for nearly everyone….and the grown up drinks are not to be missed!

The menu features chicken, beef, and fish tacos, chicken with rice and beans, nachos, cheese empanadas, and a Mexican salad. Kids options also include mac and cheese and chicken tenders. There is plenty of seating with views of World Showcase lagoon, some of it is covered.

And, because of the excellent food and prime location at the beginning of World Showcase, there is often a long wait during peak hours at La Cantina. So plan to eat at off-peak hours to avoid long lines.

Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

In the France Pavilion, is Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie. As the name indicates, lots of baked goods and sandwiches here! But, you’ll also find some quiche, salads, and bread bowls as well!

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival 2014 Tips Orange Blossom Macaron | KidsOnAPlane.com #foodie #disney #flowergardenfestival

The sandwiches here are outstanding. And, they are giant. They are definitely something to share. The apple and brie is probably my favorite, but the ham and cheese is also fantastic. Not only are the sandwiches fantastic, you can also get baguettes, cheeses, croissants, pain au chocolat, eclairs, macarons, and the list goes on. The desserts here are a MUST.

Sunshine Seasons – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

To be honest, I used to shy away from Sunshine Seasons. I just thought there was better food tucked in World Showcase….but on my last few visits, I have found myself enjoying Sunshine Seasons. The seating is plentiful, and the food is really good. I love that it is indoors, in the middle of The Land building. The AC is so nice, and it’s one of those places where you can sit, eat, and maybe even linger while you make park plans for the rest of your day.

There are a TON of choices on the menu, so this is also a favorite of my children. Sometimes, you just need a good, family friendly menu to make it through your Disney day! The food is affordable, and the portions are generous. I personally love the Power Salad with Chicken.

Sunshine Season features rotisserie grilled meats, Asian noodles, soups and salads, sandwiches, and an excellent bakery. I love there is something for ANY kind of eater here, from super hungry carnivore to health-conscious vegetarian. It also serves all 3 meals of the day, which is very convenient.

RELATED READING: Best Things to Do with Kids at EPCOT

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom has over 14 Quick Service Dining locations. That is a lot to choose from! But, I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorites.

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe located in Frontierland is just past the Country Bear Jamboree, near Splash Mountain. Think Southwest/Tex Mex menu with a few burger options. The Chicken Rice Bowl is my favorite, just before the Chicken Nachos. They have several varieties of nachos, and all are big enough to share.

Best Quick Service Dining Spots at Disney World - Pecos Bill at Magic Kingdom

If you do not have a Tex Mex fan in your family, you cannot go wrong with the Bacon Cheeseburger, and the Children’s Menu is friendly for pickier eaters as well. Not to be missed are the Chocolate Dipped Churros as well! This is my “go to” spot for affordable AND good quick service food.

Sleepy Hollow – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

Sleepy Hollow is my next favorite. SO good. While the menu is not huge, the waffle sandwiches are amazing. This small walk up window in Liberty Square is known for its waffle creations. The Fruit and Nutella Waffle is the most popular item here. And is perfectly acceptable for a meal, right?

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If you are looking for something more savory, the Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwich or the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich are both divine. While Sleepy Hollow has great food, the seating is a little sparse, and all outdoors. We like to head toward the Hall of Presidents and sit on the “porch” area just around the corner.

Best Quick Service Dining Spots at Magic Kingdom for Families - Sleepy Hollow

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – Check out the Menu, Read the Dining Reviews

My third favorite is Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland. It’s very basic as far as menus go, but sometimes that is what we need. Actually, the burgers here are AMAZING. And it’s a good place to get kid friendly food like chicken, hot dogs, and French fries. Another aspect we like about Cosmic Ray’s is the amount of indoor seating. It is absolutely huge inside, and if outdoor is your preference, they have that as well.

Best Quick Service Dining Spots at Disney World Theme Parks - Cosmic Ray at Frontierland Magic Kingdom

RELATED READING: Best Things to Do with Kids at Magic Kingdom

No matter which Disney park you are enjoying, there is something at the Quick Service level for everyone. Also, it’s not all just standard burgers and fries! Guests can find quite a bit of variety as well as very, very unique foods! I hope you will try one of these on your next visit.



About Carrie - A Princess and Her Pirates

Carrie is a born and bred Ohio girl, who loves anything Disney. She has set sail on Disney Cruise Line several times, and has been to the Disney Park so many times, she has lost count! She loves to share joy and pixie dust on her blog, A Princess and Her Pirates. Minnie Mouse is her favorite, and no Disney trip is complete without a visit to 'Ohana!

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