Alex Coleman
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2017
- Messages
- 416
Introduction
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is a large eatery in the Tomorrowland area of Magic Kingdom. This restaurant is one of several Quick Service options at MK. I think that Cosmic Ray’s is an above average theme park restaurant with an interesting twist. Sarah and I visited during our July and November 2017 trips. During our November trip, we even tried to break Disney World’s dining system! For more info on that, check out the trip report link above!
Word on the Main Street is (see what I did there?
) that this is the busiest restaurant in the world. Even though there is no certifiable way to confirm this constant rumor, I would not be surprised. This is a massive burger palace and it is almost always completely full. It is by far the busiest (and best) restaurant in Tomorrowland.Atmosphere
Sonny Eclipse, the insanely talented demigod of song, takes up residence at Cosmic Ray’s year round. Anyone who has followed this restaurant closely understands that Sonny has a cult following. He puts in hard work at his work is rewarded!
The rest of Cosmic Ray’s is unremarkable. First, it is MASSIVE. There are three bays from which you can order. I haven’t personally observed this, but apparently the menu can include different things depending on your bay.
This restaurant also screams tomorrow (for people who were alive in the 70’s). This is Disney imagineering at its finest. The retro nods to the distant future make Cosmic Ray’s gel seamlessly into the Tomorrowland vibe.
Hot tip: if you are looking for a quiet meal, this is not the place for you. Between the hordes of people and Sonny’s performance, it is incredibly loud. If you are looking to talk to the person you came with, there is plenty of seating outside.
Food
The Disney World website classifies this restaurant as “American Cuisine”. The menus is about the stereotype of American cuisine. The classic knock against theme park food is that it consists of nothing other than burgers, hot dogs, and pizza. Though that is certifiably not true about Walt Disney World food, this does happen to be a burger restaurant. There are other options, but that is the majority of the menu.
The main draw and the source of value from this restaurant comes from the toppings bar. Nothing gets a WDW fan more excited than the words “toppings bar”. I am not sure that most people who religiously eat at Cosmic Ray’s or Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Cafe care about very much more than a good toppings bar. It is here and it isn’t going anywhere!
During both our July 2017 and November 2017 trips, I ordered the Barbecued Pork Bacon Cheeseburger (because meat). I thought this was a good theme park hamburger. I really liked that there was enough protein to satisfy the most adamant carnivore. It was fresh during our November trip, so that was much more enjoyable.
Sarah diversified her eating experience. During our July trip, she ordered the Half Rotisserie Chicken which was really good. I am rarely disappointed with Walt Disney World chicken! It is usually cooked well and the flavor is good for theme park chicken. The meal also came with green beans and mashed potatoes, which were also good! The fact that I even admit that green beans are good is a huge win for Ray's. The second visit she ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger, which was weird because she doesn’t eat bacon. She wanted a burger and so I benefited by adding an extra layer of meat to my meat monstrosity!
Both times I ordered the Strawberry Lemonade Slushy because flavored lemonade is my jam. I also cannot get away from ordering the most expensive beverage on the menu while we are on the Dining Plan. Sarah is always boring and buys a bottle of water. Something about not wanting to die of dehydration while walking around in the hot Central Florida sun.
Cost
According to the Disney World website, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is classified with “$” which means you should expect to pay roughly $14.99 and under, per adult. For the Disney Dining Plan users, this restaurant requires one Quick Service credit per meal. This is a good use of a Dining Plan credit, should you be interested in the toppings bar (and you should!). The amount of food can be a lot depending on your choice.
Hot tip: If you are really looking for the best value at Magic Kingdom, try to get a reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant. If you are not able to get a reservation (and it can be very difficult to get one), this is one of your best credit values at MK.
Who Should Eat Here?
This easy answer is probably: anyone once! I think the draw to Cosmic Ray’s comes from a couple different directions. The atmosphere is fun and Sonny is a fun show while you eat. The food is above average and can be an incredibly good value, depending on what you decide to eat. The menu is also appealing to even the pickiest of eaters. I think families will be very happy when they decide to eat here.
Even though this is not an exotic or flashy pick for a meal (most of the dishes are burgers and fries, after all), it is good enough that I would recommend it. It also does not hurt that it is the only reputable option on that side of the park. Tomorrowland Terrace is inconsistent, at best. I think there are better Counter Service options at Magic Kingdom, but this is a safe option. Not to mention, there is the ultimate meat-wich in the form of the Barbecue Pork Bacon Cheeseburger.
Oh yeah, did I mention Sonny yet? He is there too!
Have you eaten at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe? What what your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments section! For other reviews including resorts and other restaurants, check out our Reviews page!
