Six Fantastic Reasons to Eat at Casey’s Corner
What’s more American than mom, baseball, and apple pie? NOTHING! Our country is founded on these principles, and that’s why Magic Kingdom hosts a restaurant based on them. Here are six reasons to eat at Casey’s Corner.
The Location
Whenever I recommend a restaurant, I suffer an internal debate about whether a first-time Disney guest can find the place easily. Sure, some eateries are out in the open, but quite a few require some searching to find them.
Then, there are places like Casey’s Corner, locations where I’d worry about you if you couldn’t find them. This hot dog joint is legitimately one of the five easiest restaurants to find at Walt Disney World.
At Magic Kingdom, you must walk down Main Street, U.S.A. to go anywhere else. And Casey’s Corner resides at the end of Main Street on the left side. Once you enter the park, you walk toward Cinderella Castle. Then, when you reach the end of the first walking path, you turn left to enter the restaurant. It’s the one with the piano. Seriously, you can’t miss it.
The Theming
I’m a baseball fan. When the Atlanta Braves lose, I’m miserable to be around for the rest of the day. So, the theming at Casey’s Corner feels like a second home for me. But it’ll bring a smile to the faces of Disney fans, too.
Technically, the theme here isn’t baseball, at least not exclusively. In 1946, while Disney officials worked on propaganda films for World War II, others were left with the task of keeping the movie studio alive. The company released an anthology movie called Make Mine Music.
One of the segments from this film recited the dialogue from the famous poem Casey at the Bat. Then, it added cartoonish shenanigans and music to entertain audiences. Casey’s Corner celebrates the film with thematic bleacher seats and Disney animated shorts.
The restaurant also includes old-timey baseball pictures from memorable games. Team pennants and bats adorn the walls and other parts of the restaurant’s décor. It’s a baseball lover’s dream destination, and the cuisine’s what it should be, as well.
The Hot Dogs
Oh yeah. Casey’s Corner sells hot dogs. And I mean all kinds of hot dogs. We’re talking foot-long hot dogs with mac and cheese on them. Or chili-cheese. Or Fritos. I can’t even be specific here due to the creativity on display.
Casey’s Corner experiments with hot dogs the way that pitchers mess around with grips. The restaurant’s always willing to try something new on the off-chance that a chef stumbles on something special.
Sometimes, you’ll even find the 12 Days of Hot Dogs here, a holiday event where they sell a special hot dog each day…and only for that day. Tim Tracker actually recorded his attempt to sample all of the options, and I’ve linked the video above.
Now, Disney didn’t offer this in 2019, so I don’t want to get your hopes up. I’m speaking to a larger point that countless hot dog recipes are in the rotation here. When the company prioritized plant-based hot dogs, Casey’s Corner received a new “sausage” hot dog that will melt in your mouth.
Amazingly, I haven’t even mentioned the dish that people relish. The Corn Dog Nuggets have become a park tradition, especially among Orlando locals and Disney obsessives.
These beauties deliver the perfect solution for a group snack or a light dinner. As a baseball fanatic, I’d rather die than eat something other than a hot dog. Still, the public has clearly spoken about the Corn Dog Nuggets.
mage Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
The View
Getting a table at Casey’s Corner has become a challenge, especially on crowded park days. The restaurant provides a modest amount of indoor seating. However, that’s not where everyone wants to sit.
On a sunny Florida day, you’ll want to grab a table outside. The seating areas provide some of the most excellent people-watching opportunities on the planet.
Photo: TripAdvisor.com
Depending on how you’re facing, you may have a view of Cinderella Castle. Alternately, you might get to watch people sitting off to the sides in the garden areas. In fact, many of these folks are dining on Casey’s Corner, too!
While everyone else raves about the castle, I provide a different perspective. Many of the tables face the crowds walking down Main Street, U.S.A. When you gaze in this direction, you’ll get to watch vacationers at one of the most exciting times in their lives.
Photo: https://www.wdwkingdomforum.com/
These park guests have just walked down the connector road at Magic Kingdom. The rest of the park is at their disposal, and they’re brimming with excitement as they plan their itinerary for the day. You’re a voyeur getting a contact high from their euphoria, and you’re experiencing it while eating a delicious hot dog!
The Piano Playing
I referenced the piano a bit ago. Well, that musical instrument isn’t placed by the restaurant for show. It’s a working piano, and you’ll hear performances throughout the day.
The gentleman’s name is Jim. For more than 35 years now, Jim the Ragtime Pianist has entertained guests on Main Street, U.S.A. He’s a cult hero to longtime park guests and feels like a member of the family to many.
Jim plays a wide array of songs, some of which are related to baseball. Yes, he plays a rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame! But his skill set stretches beyond America’s pastime.
At Casey’s Corner, you’ll hear an assortment of Disney classics, only Jim will add his own unique spin to the music. He’ll give an upbeat Ragtime version of your favorite tunes. And he even takes the occasional request!
When you notice that nobody else is paying attention to his show, feel free to strike up a conversation! Jim’s a friendly guy who would love to make your park visit more magical. He knows hundreds of songs and will happily play one to make your day!
The Shopping
Okay, I don’t mention shopping often as a reason to eat somewhere. However, the Emporium stretches all the way down one side of Main Street, U.S.A. At various points, the lines blur between when you’re in the store versus the restaurant. You can make one turn and suddenly notice a bunch of stuffed animals and Disney spirit jerseys.
A meal at Casey’s Corner goes hand-in-hand with a bit of shopping. And the Emporium legitimately qualifies as one of the best retail stores at Walt Disney World. Every day, thousands of guests grab a hot dog and then digest their food while getting their Disney fix at the Emporium. Few other Disney restaurants combine a satisfying meal and retail therapy like Casey’s Corner.
