Perfect Three-Day Holiday Weekend Meal Plan at Walt Disney World
Are you spending a holiday weekend at Walt Disney World? Lucky you! Seriously, I’m jealous. You’re gonna need to eat, though. Here’s what I’d call a perfect meal itinerary for a three-day weekend at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Day One
No matter how early your flight leaves, you’re unlikely to arrive in Orlando soon enough to eat breakfast. You’re stuck with whatever’s the airplane snack. May God have mercy on your soul.
Photo credit: WestJet.com
Thankfully, once you board Magical Express, you’re headed to the greener pastures of Walt Disney World. Presuming that you’re like most vacationers, your first stop is Magic Kingdom. You’ll want to eat lunch there.
I’m going to give you advice that maximizes your park time while providing you quality food options. My first suggestion is that you break out the My Disney Experience app on your phone and use Mobile Ordering. Whether you flew or drove into town, travel is exhausting. You should refuel before going hard in the park.
Lunch and Dinner in the Magic Kingdom Area
I’d suggest Columbia Harbour House for lunch. It’s one of the best-reviewed Quick Service restaurants on the Disney campus and clearly the best choice at Magic Kingdom. Plus, you’ll have options once you’re done with lunch. You’re right across from Haunted Mansion and are close to Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Frontierland attractions.
After a few more hours at the park, you’re ready to leave the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom. I’d suggest a monorail resort restaurant. You’ll be close enough to the park that you can return if so inclined. However, you’ll discover a more relaxing atmosphere at these hotels.
The easiest places to get a last-minute reservation are The Wave… of American Flavors, Kona Café, and Grand Floridian Café. You can pick any of them to savor a delicious meal in an idyllic setting.
I find The Wave a bit overpriced, and so I’d recommend Grand Floridian Café. I’ve previously described it as the best bang for the buck at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The best part is that once you’re done with the meal, you can savor the ambiance of the hotel lobby. It’s one of my favorite places at Walt Disney World.
Day Two
You’re now squarely in the middle of your holiday trip. You won’t want to waste a second on day two, as it’s the one where you’ll get the most done. You’ll want a filling breakfast to start the day.
I presume that you’re staying at an official Disney resort, and I’m happy to inform you that several of them have shareable options. The Bounty Platter is available in different forms at a handful of resorts. This plate of food is more than enough for two. I’d recommend that you start with that.
Right now, most guests will spend their fullest park day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge open, that section garners all of the headlines and acclaim from media and theme park enthusiasts alike. And the park hosts an obvious choice for lunch.
Lunch and Dinner
I’m hopelessly devoted to Woody’s Lunch Box, home to the tastiest comfort food at Walt Disney World. The meals here are brilliantly themed to mirror the school lunches that you’d eat. The difference is that these are the most decadent versions of those grilled cheese sandwiches and Pop-Tarts. Best of all, this restaurant participates in the Mobile Ordering program, too. You can grab-and-go before or after your trip to Batuu.
Photo Credit: Steven Diaz, photographer
Once you’re done at the parks, I’d suggest a change of scenery for an evening meal. Catch a bus or boat to Disney Springs. It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours shopping and dining. I’ll split my recommendations into three different categories here.
Those of you with Disney Dining Plan credits to spare should pick The BOATHOUSE, a Signature Dining experience that’s well worth the money. Guests who plan ahead should select Art Smith’s Homecoming instead. Just be aware that it books quickly. You’ll need an Advanced Dining Reservation to eat here. Anyone on a budget should visit Earl of Sandwich, one of the best values in Orlando.
You honestly can’t go wrong with any of the three. Whichever one you choose, take the time to do some shopping while you’re at Disney Springs. No matter how hectic your schedule is, there’s always time to grab some sweet Disney gear.
Day Three
The problem with holiday weekend Disney getaways is that they end too quickly. After only a couple of days, you’re already almost finished with your trip. You’ll be taking the Tragical Express back to the airport tomorrow, which means you must live today to the fullest.
Start the day with a full breakfast, preferably a character meal. Three of the best ones are at Trattoria al Forno, ‘Ohana, and Cape May Café. Select the one that’s closest to you, as they’re all terrific.
After a full meal like that, you can wait until the afternoon for lunch. At that point, I’d emphasize theming more than flavor. I recommend Satu’li Canteen as your destination. The Pandoran food is light and airy, and the surrounding area will dazzle you. The depth of the immersion is sublime. Plus, you’ll save a lot of space for dinner.
Photo Credit: wdwbound.com
On the last night of a vacation, I’m a firm believer in the strategy of go big or go home. That’s why we’ve saved Be Our Guest for last on several recent trips. This place is the pride of Magic Kingdom and one of the most difficult reservations to get at Walt Disney World. It’s totally worth the effort, though. Be Our Guest is one of the best-themed restaurants in the history of Disney.
Those of you who can’t get Be Our Guest should fall back to Plan B. That’s Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. The cuisine is remarkably sophisticated for a theme park, and the server spiel rivals anything that you’ll hear on Jungle Cruise. It’s rarely crowded, which makes it a superlative fallback option if Be Our Guest doesn’t work out.
With your meal finished, you must head back to the hotel room and pack your bags. Your holiday trip is over, but don’t feel depressed! You’re only a conversation with a MickeyTravels agent away from your next Disney vacation!
