Where to have dinner on Magic Kingdom Day? (Outside of park please!)

[DisSurfer878]

We know MK is more for quick service and that in general its not "the" spot for food. Short of taking a boat to Ohana's, where should we eat dinner on our MK day?

This is a future trip with no select dates yet, but for fun, let's say this is also a night with extended hours so there's less rush to hurry back to the parks.

 

[DisneyFan83]

I personally love the Grand Floridian Cafe, and it's just a quick monorail trip from MK!

 

[Her Dotness]

I personally love the Grand Floridian Cafe, and it's just a quick monorail trip from MK!

MUCH faster to take the boat to the GF or walk there on the new walkway.

You must ride the entire resort loop on the monorail as it goes MK-CR-TTC-Poly-GF. That's around 40 minutes and maybe longer if you must wait for the train.

Gasparilla Grill--the QS--is also very good, IMO. Along those lines, a boat to WL doesn't take terribly long--you'd think I'd recall how long as many times as we've done that. Roaring Forks QS isn't fabulous, but you may differ. Geyser Point is much better, we thought, and it's an outdoor lounge-QS with excellent sandwiches.

Any of the other nearby TS will take a good hour or more off your park time, but we like Citricos at the GF. Narcoosees often has veeery slow service. Steakhouse 71 might be workable at the Contemporary.

 

[CynBeth]

We really enjoy TS in MK. Our favorites are BOG, LTT, and Tony’s.

 

[teawar]

After doing rope drop and hitting the parks hard until noon or 11:30, we usually take a boat ride over to geyser point at WL and sit in the lounge. They do offer walk up table service and it’s nice to get a break from the park, take in the scenery and have some “real” food. We recharge and head back much more relaxed. We’ve done this at dinner time too.
We’ve walked over to the Contemporary and have done mobile order from steakhouse 71 and have eaten on the beach area or go to the contempo cafe.

 

[Brian Noble]

We know MK is more for quick service and that in general its not "the" spot for food.

Skipper Canteen has upped the MK's table service game.

I used to go to the Wave for an MK-area dinner. Steakhouse 71 looks like a downgrade menu-wise, but we are trying it out in a couple months. Lunch is tougher--a lot of the lunch menus in the MK area are only okay. I think @teawar's idea of Geyser Point is a good one unless it's during the hot-and-humid months.

If you are serious about taking a real break: Olivia's is one of my favorite lunch spots. The COVID-era menu isn't what it used to be, but it still might be a good choice. Very calm and relaxed atmosphere.

 

[igrsod]

Some of our favourites on MK day are, Skipper's Canteen in the park.
Whispering Canyon for skillets at Wilderness Lodge... a boat ride away
Steakhouse 71 at Contemporary
Kona at Poly

 

[gorkt]

I think there are some decent TS options at MK actually. Skipper Canteen and Liberty Tree come to mind. I have heard the Crystal Palace post-Covid is also pretty good too.

 

[LovesTimone]

It really depends on what your looking for...

*The QS service at the resorts offer some different options, and are in a more relaxed space...
We have friends that make it a point to get on a bus and have lunch over at POR, they just love the feel of it... They have now made this their home resort.

*Then you have to think about the time, how much time are you wanting, or willing to spend on dinner? and remember you have to go back through security...
You will want to add in the time getting to and from to be safe 45 min's to and hour each way...to help you make your decision.

*BOG, LTT, and Tony's are pretty solid options... now my family likes Crystal Palace just throwing it there... due to all the wonderful memories here, and with picky eaters less fussing about this and that...
With that said, we have not eaten here since the shut down so not sure how it is now...

* Not sure if you have thought about it, you could do a character breakfast then go into the park, and just snack around, and then do QS for dinner.
When our kids were younger meaning to about middle school, this method for us worked so much better than having them over tired sitting through a nice meal... so if someone flakes out, you aren't stuck with a ADR that if you miss it... you will get charged for... We had this happen..

* Lastly, we have some food allergies, as well as picky eaters... So really look at the menu's and break it down to what it really boils down to...there are alot of flowery words thrown into descriptions.
No sense sitting down some where, and nobody likes whats offered...

 

[SteveH]

Top choice for me would be to try the new Steakhouse 71 - we loved it when it was The Wave. Second spot for something casual would be Geyser Point at WL, loved sitting outside with a drink, relaxing for our meal.

 

[Marthasor]

We know MK is more for quick service and that in general its not "the" spot for food. Short of taking a boat to Ohana's, where should we eat dinner on our MK day?

This is a future trip with no select dates yet, but for fun, let's say this is also a night with extended hours so there's less rush to hurry back to the parks.

I would suggest Steakhouse 71 at CR (fairly short walk or monorail) or Whispering Canyon at WL (boat). If you'd like something a little more upscale, Citricos at GF is fantastic (take the boat - it's faster than the monorail). If you would rather save time, however, the food at Skipper Canteen isn't bad.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

For sure Steakhouse 71 is getting some good reviews from Vloggers I trust. Whispering Canyon and Geyser Point are both solid. I've never been to GF's restaurants outside of Narcoossee's, so can't comment on those.
I think MK gets an unfair wrap for their TS. LTT, Skipper and BOG all have good food. The Thanksgiving style meal at LTT is one my wife request often. We have had nothing but good meals at Skipper, the pork, steak, chicken and fish dishes are all good. I'd skip dessert and hit up a dole whip or citrus right outside instead. BOG has classically prepared French food and isn't nearly as bad of a deal as everyone makes it out to be. $10.00 for an app, $40.00 for a filet or Lamb Chops are fairly standard pricing for any WDW property restaurant and a $10.00 dessert. That's $60.00, add a drink and coffee which are both included and you are over the $62.00 price tag you are paying. Add in it's a beautiful restaurant with good service and it's in the park and I don't have to go back to the resort, shower up and change clothes then stress trying to get to the other resort for my reservation... I'm not complaining!

 

[jabrown40]

I really love Citricos and Narcoosees, if you don't mind a more expensive meal.

 

[nonnadisney]

TS options at MK Skipper Canteen, LTT and Crystal Palace. CS I have like CHH for lunch/dinner and should it return BOG for breakfast.

TS at MK resorts WCC at WL, KC at the Poly, GFC at the Grand and we want to try the new Steakhouse 71 at CR

 

[RanDIZ]

Boat over to WL and do Whispering Canyon or Geyser Point. Well worth the trip. Could even take boat straight to Ft. Wilderness for Trails End or P & Js.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I wouldn't leave the park to eat QS at any resort. The food isn't going to be much if any better, though I'll concede the atmosphere will be more relaxing (Pecos Bill and Cosmic Ray's are two of the most stressful restaurants I've ever visited). If cost isn't a factor then I'd probably select Narcoossee's or California Grill. Otherwise I'd consider Steakhouse 71. We liked it when it was The Wave and it seems to get good reviews in the current iteration. It's a short walk to either Contemporary or Grand Floridian. I wouldn't choose anything at Wilderness Lodge simply because it's a greater time commitment, and certainly wouldn't go to Wilderness Lodge for a non-signature experience, but others probably disagree.