Which Magic Kingdom Restaurants Are Worth the Price?
Let’s lean right into the truth of it. Eating at Disney has gotten more expensive lately.
Disney’s new mantra prioritizes guests paying more per visit so the parks can hold current traffic levels.
Photo: Disney
When more people visit the parks, survey scores go down, and Disney cares about those scores more than just about anything. So, this is the new model, folks.
Knowing the problem is half the battle, though. And the key to winning is understanding how to maximize your vacation budget.
Are these Magic Kingdom restaurants worth the price? Let me tell you…
Be Our Guest Restaurant
I’ll make one presumption here, and it’s that you’ll eat at these restaurants at dinner.
I’m doing this because you’ll likely spend the most at Disney dinners. If you’re eating lunch or, even better, breakfast at these places, you should pay less.
Photo: Disney
Obviously, some exceptions exist, but that’s my rule of thumb for Walt Disney World Table Service restaurants.
Speaking of which, we’ll perform the most straightforward evaluation with Be Our Guest, a restaurant with a set fee for its prix fixe meals.
You’ll pay $67 per adult and $39 per child for probably THE best dining experience at Magic Kingdom.
Based on my wording there, you can probably guess whether I think you get your money’s worth at Be Our Guest.
Photo: Disney
The answer is yes, albeit with a caveat. Not everyone wants to spend $150 for two people and even more for multi-parent families with small children.
Disney charges this amount because of the overwhelming demand at Be Our Guest.
The restaurant celebrated its tenth anniversary in December 2022, yet demand hasn’t decreased at all.
Only you can decide whether an enchanting meal here is worth the equivalent of a week’s worth of Disney Genie+.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Then, we have Cinderella’s Royal Table, which is somehow even more memorable as a dining experience.
When you reserve a table here, you’re eating inside Cinderella Castle! You will never feel more regal than when those doors open and allow you within!
Photo: Disney
Disney manages this character meal a bit differently than most. You’ll meet Cinderella before you sit down at your table. That’s the official photo op here.
Later, while you dine, various Disney Princesses will visit your table and interact with you.
Photo: Disney
Every Disney character meal is magical in its own way, but you could make an argument that Cinderella’s Royal Table is the best of the bunch.
Again, management knows this fact, which explains why eating here costs even more than Be Our Guest.
Credit: Disney
You’ll pay $79 per adult and $39 per child. Once we factor in tax and gratuity, a meal for two here costs about $30 more than Be Our Guest.
For this reason, I view Cinderella’s Royal Table as a “special occasions only” type of character meal.
The Crystal Palace
Photo: Disney
Those of you who would prefer to eat a (slightly) less expensive character meal enjoy a third option at Magic Kingdom.
The Crystal Palace, which resides off the corner of Main Street, U.S.A., hosts a dining experience that’s sure to warm your heart.
Photo: Disney
You’ll meet some of the residents of Hundred-Acre Wood, including the most famous one, Winnie the Pooh!
Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger will join in the fun, making this one of the most wholesome dining experiences at Walt Disney World.
Alas, the All-You-Care-to-Enjoy buffet service here won’t wow your palate by any stretch. It’s…pretty basic.
Dining at The Crystal Palace costs $59 per person for adults and $38 per child.
Photo: kindpng.com
I’ve eaten here many times, but the latest price increase turned this one into a no-go for me. You can eat better at Magic Kingdom…and for much less.
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
This restaurant represents the first one where the answer comes with ambiguity.
You won’t pay a set price at Skipper Canteen, as it’s the first a la carte menu we’ve discussed.
As a general rule, entrees at this restaurant cost $28-$38 at the time of publication, although one is only $21.
So, we are definitely discussing a less expensive meal. For your money, you receive some of the tastiest, most ambitious cuisines at Magic Kingdom.
Photo: Disney
In truth, some guests believe that the flavors are too powerful for the park.
Disney has infamously cycled through several menus as it tries to find the most pleasing menu for non-foodies.
Photo: junglecruise.fandom.com
Independent of the food, you’ll love eating here if you’re a fan of the Skipper spiel on Jungle Cruise.
This restaurant extends that theme of pun-centric entertainment from the ride to your server.
Photo: Disney
Some find it a bit much, but I’m all about this dining experience. Highly recommended.
Liberty Tree Tavern
Think of this place as Thanksgiving dinner every meal. That’s both the conceit of Liberty Tree Tavern and its greatest strength.
When you sit down for a meal here, you know you’ll eat extraordinarily well…and for a reasonable price!
Photo: Disney
Disney lists the current cost as $39 per adult and $21 per child. I think you can tell from the other evaluations here what an excellent value this is.
You’ll enjoy the throwback theme, relish the food, and have plenty of money left over for Disney merch!
Liberty Tree Tavern is one of the hidden gems of Disney dining.
The Plaza Restaurant
Photo: TulipandSnowflake.com
Here’s the cheapest place to dine on this list. Also, you could argue that it’s the BEST place in terms of the location.
You’ll find The Plaza Restaurant at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. And some of the tables here overlook Cinderella Castle.
Photo: Disney
When you get one of those, you’ll bask in the warmth of one of Disney’s greatest landmarks.
As for the food, it’s…edible. If Disney offered a restaurant tier between Quick and Table Service, it’d be this.
Photo: ThemeParkInsider.com
The Plaza is really more of a burger/sandwich place as a rule, although it does serve a meatloaf entrée, too.
Still, you’re eating here for the scenery rather than the food. Is that worth more than ordering Casey’s Corner and eating in the courtyard?
Photo: kindpng.com
I vote no on this one…unless you’re craving ice cream. In that case, you’ll love it here!
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
I’ve eaten at Tony’s Town Square more than anywhere on this list, save for Be Our Guest. So, I’m about to sound a bit hypocritical here.
The value of a meal at Tony’s Town Square is, well, awful. As far as Italian food goes, the only place worse on the Disney campus is Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.
Photo: Disney
At Tony’s Town Square, entrees range from $26-$38, although some Today’s Sustainable Fish options could go a touch higher.
Realistically, you’re picking this meal to nuzzle a meatball to your significant other, though.
Photo: Playbuzz.com
Is that worth about $75-$100 for the meal? I watch more Disney and Hallmark movies than any other adult male on this planet, and I still say no.
Just eat somewhere else and watch Lady and the Tramp on your phone.
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Feature Photo: Disney
