Best Restaurants to Use the Disney Dining Plan

By now, you’ve probably heard that the Disney Dining Plan is back for 2025.

Disney is even thoughtfully offering free Dining Plan packages for some 2025 visits.

I’m a strong proponent of the Dining Plan and often advocate for it.

In fact, I just used it on my most recent trip.

Here are my nine favorite Disney restaurants for the Dining Plan.

ABC Commissary

For many years, Disney fans have used ABC Commissary the way the name would imply.

“Commissary” is an old industry term for the dining halls at network studios.

Everyone from the president down to the doorman would eat most of their meals at the commissary.

For the longest time, Disney didn’t exactly elevate the premise, as the Commissary menu earned the nickname “Most Boring Restaurant” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

A few years ago, Disney took offense at that moniker and made more of an effort.

Now, ABC Commissary offers some excellent entrees and decadent desserts.

Sadly, the dessert isn’t included in the Dining Plan, but since the rest of the meal is paid for, you might as well splurge.

This restaurant is one of the pricier Quick Service locations at Walt Disney World, enhancing the value of the Dining Plan.

Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo

I’ll level with you that I overlook this place too often on lists like this one.

That’s probably my anti-Star Wars bias showing.

However, when I do eat at Docking Bay 7, I’m delighted by a deep menu of unique flavors.

Specifically, the Smoked Kaadu Ribs rival any ribs that you’ll find on the Disney campus.

You should also remember Docking Bay 7’s convenience.

You’re going to spend lots of time at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge anyway, so it’s perfect for mobile ordering using the Dining Plan.

Then, you can grab your food when you want to escape the crowds.

Honestly, if not for the Star Wars theme, I’d rave about this place all the time.

So, those of you who love Star Wars will be in heaven.

Flame Tree Barbecue

While I really like the Kaadu (whatever that is), you’ll more often find me at Flame Tree Barbecue.

This place is for the birds, and I mean that in the best possible way.

It’s an outdoor restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which means the birds fly around the area here.

They, like me, know the food is delicious, and if they hang around the trash receptacle long enough, they can have a mighty feast.

This is one of three barbecue options I’m mentioning today, which tells me that I might be in the mood for ribs later.

All joking aside, the food here is phenomenal to the point that Flame Tree Barbecue is often called the best barbecue place at Disney World.

Since The Polite Pig and Regal Eagle opened, the competition is tougher, but this place provides amazing value on the Dining Plan.

The Garden Grill

The Land pavilion earns two spots here, and I’ve chosen both spots for the same reason.

This pavilion is an agricultural facility hidden in plain sight at EPCOT.

So, you’re eating the freshest ingredients imaginable here because the food was made on-site.

I’ve largely shied away from buffets and character meals with this list, but let me be clear on the point.

These options are the best ones on the Disney Dining Plan.

With the Quick Service plan, you don’t receive Table Service entitlements, which is why I’m listing more Quick Service locations this time.

However, I believe that character meals provide the best dining experiences on a Disney vacation.

The Garden Grill is one of the best of them, because it serves a hearty meal and the inimitable experience of Mickey Mouse and friends visiting you at your table.

Also, I should mention that the restaurant rotates, thereby providing the occasional view of the Living With the Land attraction that runs beneath it.

‘Ohana

Some of my suggestions aren’t complicated.

‘Ohana provides quite possibly THE best dining experience on the Disney campus.

Tourists rave about it and rightfully so.

This meal is just wave after wave of Cast Members handing you skillets of delicious Polynesian cuisine.

‘Ohana is bliss.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

When we ate here during our most recent trip, I was blown away by the Toy Story theme and the wholesome atmosphere.

This might be the most purely Disney dining experience other than Chef Mickey’s.

Speaking of which, Chef Mickey’s would have been on this list, but I always include it and wanted to do something different this time.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ offers the same advantage as ‘Ohana and Garden Grill.

The robust flavors will fill you during your park visit, which borders on a necessity at Hollywood Studios.

The welcoming atmosphere makes everyone feel at home while on vacation.

You’ll appreciate crowds that are as vibrant and energetic as any I’ve ever seen at Disney, because excited kids know they’re about to experience the joy of a Toy Story meal.

And since this meal isn’t cheap, the Dining Plan feels like a cheat code.

Sunshine Seasons

Here’s the Quick Service option at The Land pavilion.

It’s located one floor below The Garden Grill, and the secret here is that the restaurants share ingredients and often even flavors.

While I wouldn’t describe this restaurant as expensive, it is on the higher tier among Quick Service locations.

Since you’re going to visit the Land for Soarin’ Around the World anyway, this option is terrific that marries convenience with powerful flavor.

Via Napoli

Everyone has an opinion here, and mine is that this restaurant provides THE best slice of pizza on the Disney campus.

It reminds me of Giordano’s, a statement that means something to anyone who’s spent time in the midwest.

The cheese on Via Napoli’s pizza is legitimately one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth.

Whenever I’m looking for a compromise dining option for a large group, this is the go-to choice.

Of course, it helps that some of these pizzas are built to feed four or five hungry tourists.

Woody’s Lunchbox

I actually debated whether to list this one, because Woody’s Lunchbox is actually one of Disney’s cheapest restaurants.

Still, this location is THE best Quick Service restaurant at Walt Disney World.

So, I recommend it to everyone, and the Dining Plan means that it’s paid for ahead of time!

So, enjoy a Lunchbox Tart and some Potato Barrels, and tell them David sent you!

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Feature Photo: Disney