Should You Eat at These Disney Restaurants?
Walt Disney World restaurants have universally increased in price during/since the pandemic.
So, you’re likely more discriminating than ever about which Table Service meals justify the expense. Today, we’ll talk through some of these decisions.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Should you eat at these Disney restaurants? Read on to find out!
Boma – Flavors of Africa
Pros
Zebra Domes.
I’m listing them first because that dessert rivals any other at Walt Disney World.
Photo: blog.touringplans.com
They’ve grown so popular that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge occasionally sells them at the general store and a Quick Service place, The Mara.
While Zebra Domes gain most of the hype, other African dishes like Tabbouleh, Bobotie, and Tunisian Couscous are also exquisite.
Photo: Recipesofdisney.com
Boma embodies the pinnacle of international dining at Walt Disney World for foodies, even above some places at the World Showcase.
Cons
The main sticking point at Boma comes to pricing. Adults pay $49.99 plus tax for dinner here, while children cost $29.99 plus tax.
A family of two adults and one child will spend at least $150 here for food that may prove too unusual for a kid’s palate.
Also, throughout the pandemic, some folks swore that they would never dine at a buffet again.
Boma definitely counts as a buffet, even though Disney uses the term “All-You-Care-to-Enjoy (AYCE).”
So, anyone who still worries about such matters may not like the setup at Boma, which is basically one giant salad bar with entrees and desserts.
Verdict
I strongly recommend that people try Boma at least once. Foodies love the place for a reason. The menu items here are unlike anything else at Disney.
I’ll warn you in advance that Boma may not be for you. However, I have a “chicken nuggets and fries” palate, yet I’m still always able to find plenty to eat here.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Pros
Some Disney restaurants speak to me more than others.
For example, I won’t lie about Boma. It was an acquired taste that took some convincing from others before I’d give it a shot.
In other instances, I know that I’ll like a place the moment I hear about it. And that’s what happened with Art Smith’s Homecomin’.
Like most people, I’ve always been charmed by Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s former personal chef. His down-home cooking delivers a familial comfort.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
As a former Disney cast member, Smith claims ties to Orlando and readily accepted an offer to start a new chicken and donuts place at Disney Springs.
The rest is history…and magic! In a matter of months, Homecomin’ earned such glowing reviews that it turned into a virtual overnight sensation.
Photo: Disney
Even now, several years later, it’s challenging to book reservations at Homecomin’ due to its popularity and awareness level among locals.
The food here exemplifies comfort food dining
Cons
Do people still use the term “heart-healthy?” Well, that’s not Homecomin’ at all. Instead, this place serves the kind of food that people love but dieticians hate.
You’ll find crunchy fried skin on the chicken here, not vanilla chicken breasts. This place is for comfort food fanatics, not anyone who counts calories.
Also, let me be clear here. I’m in no way denigrating healthy dining. I think it’s smart, as does Disney. You’ll find plenty of places on the campus that suit your needs.
The point is more that Homecomin’ absolutely IS NOT one of those restaurants. If you’re on a diet, it’s pretty much the last place you should go.
Photo: Homecomin’
Verdict
Presuming you’re not on a diet or someone who already has done meal prep through next Monday, the answer is absolutely.
Frankly, Homecomin’ serves some of the purest, happy meals at Walt Disney World. I’ll repeat this because it’s essential to this conversation.
Photo: Chef Art Smith Homecomin’
This place serves FRIED CHICKEN AND DONUTS!!! You need that in your life.
Hollywood & Vine
Pros
Oh, this one’s easy. The massive pro at Hollywood & Vine is the seasonal dining.
Each quarter, Minnie Mouse and her friends dress appropriately for the time of year.
Members of the Sensational Six wear Easter outfits or Christmas red. During the Halloween season, they’ll even wear appropriate costumes!
Image Credit: Disney
Minnie dresses like a witch while Pluto throws on some rootin’, tootin’ cowboy gear! It’s absolutely delightful.
Cons
I hate listing “the menu” as a con, but it’s so true here. Hollywood & Vine formerly operated as an AYCE dining experience. It’s still that in some ways.
However, you also order a main entrée from a short menu of eight selections. None of them will wow anybody.
This seems like a good time to mention that dinner here costs $55 a person. So, you are paying A LOT for the joy of watching Minnie Mouse and her friends.
Photo: www.mealtrip.com
Verdict
I’ve eaten here many, many times, as the Halloween season character meal signifies one of my happy places at Walt Disney World.
I highly recommend the dining experience, as it’s one of the most charming at any Disney park in the world.
Still, at the cost of $55 per person plus tax for dinner, you may decide that you’re paying too much for a character meal.
After all, you’ll enjoy several other character interactions at Disney, ones that are included with the price of admission.
Trattoria al Forno
Pros
The biggest pro for me about this restaurant is the Bon Voyage Breakfast, a character dining experience featuring Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel, and Flynn Rider.
I love everything about this meal. However, Disney hasn’t reopened it since the pandemic’s start.
Photo: Disney
So, the next-biggest pro is that the restaurant serves high-quality Italian food at a reasonable price.
Most entrees fall in the $27-$35 range, which isn’t bad these days at Walt Disney World. Even the most expensive entrée is only $39.
Photo: Disney
A couple can likely dine here for less than $100, especially if that’s your target price. I mean, you can order a pizza apiece for about $40 plus tax!
Cons
I’ve got a general argument against Trattoria al Forno and then a more specific one.
Photo Credit: MealTrip.com
Generally, you may not want to dine here because you’ll find so many other options at the World Showcase.
One of these places may suit your needs better. After all, you might not want Italian that day. It can happen.
Photo: Disney
Specifically, you might not want to eat here because you’ll find better Italian food at Disney Springs and, even closer, the World Showcase.
I mean, why would you eat Italian food somewhere other than the Italy pavilion? It seems a bit silly, right?
Photo Credit: MagicMemoriesMayhem.com
Verdict
Until the Bon Voyage Breakfast returns, this one’s a pass. You will eat a tastier meal at Via Napoli, Tutto Italia Ristorante, or Terralina Crafted Italian.
Still, the moment that Bon Voyage reopens, you should rush to that dining experience. It’s exceptional!
Photo: MickeyBlog
