Most Overpriced Disney Restaurants

Deciding where to eat at Walt Disney World isn’t that hard if you’re not choosy. The Disney campus features more than a hundred restaurants.

No matter where you are in the parks, you’re never more than a short walk from a Disney restaurant. The thing is, you want to treat yourself to the best possible meal.

Some Disney restaurants are better than others in this regard. We often talk about how to get the best bang for your buck, but let’s take the opposite approach today.

Here are the most overpriced restaurants at Disney World.

California Grill

Okay, you can tell I’m serious because I’m starting with one of Disney’s heavyweights.

I spent my tenth anniversary dinner at this place, so it’s not like I’m biased against California Grill.

California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

That’s not today’s topic of conversation, though. I want you to feel like you got your money’s worth everywhere you eat.

I know from experience that I’ve walked out of California Grill a couple of times thinking, “Huh. That wasn’t that great.” Keep in mind that I’m not a drinker, so the splendid wine list here is completely wasted on me.

Photo: Disney

Still,a meal at California Grill will cost two people at least $150.

That’s a lot of money just to sit at the top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Credit: Disney

I feel like you can do better for your money at Steakhouse 71, which sits on the bottom floor of the same hotel.

Chefs de France

Photo: Disney

In the culinary world, French cuisine holds a place of great esteem.

Joël Robuchon earned the title of “Chef of the Century,” while Paul Bocuse founded the legendary Bocuse d’Or, the most prestigious cooking competition in the world.

Photo: Disney

The latter is especially important to this conversation, as his family populates the menus at EPCOT’s France pavilion. So, I’m trampling on sacred ground when I say that Chefs de France is just okay.

I consider this one of the worst dining options at EPCOT, a place where you should never eat a disappointing meal.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Obviously, I’m not pulling any punches with these first three selections, as I’m trying to maximize your value with your vacation budget.

Cinderella’s Royal Table delivers one of the best character meals on the Disney campus.

Inside Cinderella’s Royal Table

Several princesses come to your table and hang out with you. It’s great.

Do you know what’s even better? You’re dining inside Cinderella Castle, which is literally a dream come true for many Disney fans.

Credit; Disney

The catch is that Disney makes you pay for the privilege, and you may get sticker shock when the bill comes.

I consider Cinderella’s Royal Table lovely as once a decade – or maybe even once in a lifetime – experience. As a regular meal, it’s wildly overpriced, though. You’re paying extra for the location and characters.

Coral Reef

Coral Reef 

I suspect that two restaurants would make almost everyone’s list, and this is one of them.

I’ll note that I’m in the minority here, as my family eats at Coral Reef quite regularly.

I even have a Manta Ray friend who swims to the window and says, “hi” each visit. You may not be a Manta Ray fan, though, or you may have moral qualms about eating seafood in front of the fish.

If that’s the case, I can assure you that you won’t love Coral Reef for the food. Mediocre, overpriced seafood like this usually has a name, and that name is Red Lobster.

Hollywood & Vine

Hollywood & Vine

I’ll level with you that a lot of people would list Chef Mickey’s in this sort of discussion.

I could never do that, because Chef Mickey’s is my wife’s happy place. So, I’m listing the restaurant that’s most like it in its stead.

Hollywood & Vine is a character meal that brings Minnie Mouse and her friends right to your table, which may justify the price.

My family has eaten here many times, and we always have a lovely experience.

Still, the criticism has remained the entire time we’ve been eating here that the food is adequate, not special.

Disney

Really, the only memorable cuisine I can ever remember was during the Jedi Mickey Star Wars Dine, which featured exquisite desserts.

Rainforest Cafe

When you think of overpriced, tourist trap eateries, names like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Joe’s Crab Shack likely spring to mind.

Another place in that same conversation is Rainforest Cafe, with restaurants that once swept the land.

That’s no longer the case because, well, people ate at enough Rainforest Cafes to know better.

You’ll find one of them at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and another at Disney Springs.

I’ve tried both, and each time I’ve walked away thinking, “Never again!”

That doesn’t mean I’ve followed through, because I’m lazy, and these two restaurants are both conveniently located. Still, when you have time to choose a top restaurant, you should never select Rainforest Cafe.

Tony’s Town Square

Here’s another one you probably should have known was coming. For many years now, Magic Kingdom loyalists have bemoaned the quality of Tony’s Town Square.

This is the easiest Disney Table Service restaurant to find, as you’re facing it when you set foot on Main Street, U.S.A. The restaurant’s Lady and the Tramp theme should provide comfort that you know you’re getting a delicious Italian meal.

My word of caution here is this. Don’t get your hopes up.

If Disney fans could name Tony’s Town Square, they’d call it Disappointment instead. Earlier, I mentioned Red Lobster as a comparison for Coral Reef.

Lady and the Tramp feels like Olive Garden without the never-ending pasta, which is the best part, by the way.

Tusker House

Here’s another one where some fans will disagree enough that they may egg my car.

Whenever I read the reviews about this restaurant, they feel like an elaborate prank.

Photo: Disney

From my experience, Tusker House exists not at Animal Kingdom but rather the Stygian abyss. My wife once exited this place in tears, and I am not speaking metaphorically.

As far as Disney character meals go, Mickey Mouse’s outfit is adorable. Also, fans of flavorful African cuisine will relish many of the entrees and appetizers at this buffet.

Photo: Disney

I think you’ll find better value at Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, though.

Also, it’s a lot less hectic, which is a huge plus at Disney.

Photo: Disney

Okay, there’s what I assume is a decidedly unpopular list of the worst restaurant values you’ll find at Walt Disney World

Please let me have it in the comments if you disagree.

Photo: MickeyBlog

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