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3. Narcoossee's, Grand Floridian Resort


Image: Disney

Narcoossee's kind of sits in the uncanny valley of Walt Disney World Restaurants: guests who want an upscale, high-class dining experience often opt for the traditional culinary powerhouses like the California Grill or ascendant spots like the Flying Fish Cafe, while guests looking for a relaxed, cozy vibe often look for a cheaper restaurant than this seafood locale.

For this reason, Narcoossee's isn't often the first place one things of when looking for a Disney dining reservation, but guests who do make the decision to visit are greeted by two things: The first is a deliciously simple menu structured around fresh seafood, and the second is a gorgeous view of the Seven Seas Lagoon.

In many ways, Narcoossee's can be viewed as a sister restaurant for the California Grill, offering the same level of elegant cuisine joined by a spectacular view and a tiny bit of spectacle.

You see, one of the great joys of a meal at Narcoossee's is when the Electrical Water Pageant makes its nightly tour of the Lagoon, stopping for a show just outside the restaurant's beautiful picture windows. The show, running since Walt Disney World's early days of operation, is as quaint and charming a production as you'll find anywhere, and compliments the clean seafood flavors perfectly – giving guests a unique version of the dinner-and-a-show experience they might find elsewhere on property.

4. Olivia's, Old Key West Resort

Image: Disney

If you've been to Olivia's, one of two things is probably true about you: either you're a Disney Vacation Club member (Old Key West is the original DVC property), or you're a Disney superfan who's been determined to try every restaurant on property. Naturally, those aren't mutually exclusive.

However, the Disney layperson probably has never been drawn to the casual Key West-themed spot. Usually, guests looking for a casual dining spot don't venture far beyond their current location, but those who do will find one of Disney's more eclectic American menus: Everything from pulled pork to sea scallops to ribs to a French dip.

But even more than the menu, Olivia's is a delight for its comfortable and friendly vibe, perfectly capturing the carefree air of the Conch Republic – with an added bit of Disney design work.

It won't compete with the big boys of Disney dining, but as a second-tier restaurant on-property, Olivia's is tough to beat – particularly if you're in need of a last-minute reservation.

5.Todd English's bluezoo, Walt Disney Dolphin Resort

Image: Disney

There's an argument to be made that this list could, and maybe should, include every single restaurant at the Swan and Dolphin. Being that these restaurants aren't owned or operated by the Walt Disney Company, it's possible guests dismiss them out of hand as being a lesser product. In fact, this is absolutely not not the case.

Bluezoo is a seafood offering from celebrity chef Todd English, complete with a Vegas-style eye-catching interior aesthetic. But, lest the ambiance intimidate you, the food is both delicately prepared and creatively interesting. Rather than opting for the clean, simple flavors one might find at Narcoossee's, bluezoo instead builds its menu around inventiveness – dishes like a barbecue-rubbed swordfish and a Miso-glazed sea bass aren't what you'd expect to find at a typical seafood spot.

And, as with all Swan and Dolphin properties, reservations are usually not too difficult to come by.

All in all, when looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat on your Disney vacation, it's often worth it to look a few steps off the beaten path. There are so many good options both on and off property, that you can hardly go wrong trying something new. But, of course, it's always nice to go back to that one spot you've always loved – some traditions aren't worth messing with.

 
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gluttony is, in fact, a sin.

Boma is by far our family's favorite Disney restaurant. Such creative dishes...we are always so delightfully pleased!

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