4. Try Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen instead of Be Our Guest

Now I say this one with an asterisk: if you can get into Be Our Guest, you absolutely should. It is an outstanding restaurant with great food and stunning atmosphere, particularly if you little ones who love Beauty and the Beast. I would go so far as to say Be Our Guest is probably a better investment than a visit to Cinderella’s Royal Table (previously, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall was our top alternative for that). However, if you can’t land a Be Our Guest reservation, Magic Kingdom does have an amazing and oft-overlooked alternative for magical table service dining.

Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen in Adventureland remains one of the most unique restaurants at Walt Disney World that most guests have never heard of. The restaurant is themed as a local canteen for off-duty Jungle Cruise skippers, who make up most of the staff—the result is an exotic dining experience often filled to the brim with dry humor, hilarious quips, and incredible food. Rather than coming across as heavy-handed, we’ve always found the staff charming and friendly as they lay on lighthearted puns throughout your visit.

Humor aside, the real draw of Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen is the food. It is absolutely delicious, particularly if you like bold, zesty flavors. They truly offer one of the most creative menus in Walt Disney World, and we have enjoyed every meal there. Don’t forget to try the Kungaloosh!

5. Get your comfort food fix at The Biergarten instead of The Garden Grill

If rich comfort food is something you particularly enjoy, you’ll have plenty of options to pick from at Walt Disney World. Over at Epcot, the go-to choice has long been The Garden Grill in The Land, thanks to their Thanksgiving family-style lunch and dinner. While many families we know have enjoyed their experiences at The Garden Grill, this particular location lost some of the magic for us due to a decline in quality. Compared to the rich farm-to-table fare the restaurant used to offer, the current selection can feel more akin to upgraded cafeteria food at steakhouse prices if you catch it on the wrong day.

Instead of rolling the dice at The Garden Grill, our top recommendation for a hearty family meal at Epcot is World Showcase’s Biergarten Restaurant. This spacious Oktoberfest hall has been serving up delicious German feasts for decades, and the quality has remained consistent. Thanks to the return of full buffets at Walt Disney World, you can expect to find an incredible selection of choices including schnitzel, bratwurst, roast beef, German potatoes, strudel, salads, cold meats, and more. If that’s not enough, your meal also includes a show with the ever-charming Biergarten band.

6. Visit The Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Trail instead of just Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris remains one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for good reason, offering one of the best ways to encounter the beautiful animals of the park in a striking replica of their natural habitat.  

Kilimanjaro Safaris isn’t the only place to see animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, however.

Many guests don’t realize Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to two incredible walking trails rich with animal encounters—Africa’s Gorilla Falls Trail and Asia’s Maharajah Jungle Trek. These two free exploration zones immerse guests right into the center of the park’s animal habitats, offering exclusive encounters with gorillas, tigers, Komodo dragons, Malayan flying foxes, zebra, and a stunning selection of birds.

More guests tend to find their way to the Gorilla Falls Trail due to its proximity to Kilimanjaro Safaris, but we feel like the Maharajah Jungle Trek (located near Kali River Rapids) is the real hidden gem of the two. Take your time as you explore the trails, particularly inside the aviaries—sit still long enough, and you never know what sort of feathered friends may come to say hello.

7. Try Docking Bay 7 instead of… well, everything else at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has really come into its own in the last few years as one of Walt Disney World’s most popular parks. While the park’s attraction and entertainment scene has vastly improved, its dining options still leave some things to be desired compared to Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The main issue is that Disney’s Hollywood Studios has long suffered from offering the same styles of food over and over again—Americana with a little New York Italian thrown in here and there. This makes sense to a point considering the park’s theme, but it can make for a mundane dining experience if that isn’t what you’re looking for.

Enter Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.

Located right next to the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Docking Bay 7 is weird but wonderful—100% Disney magic. Like everything else in Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost, the restaurant is designed to feel like something straight out of Star Wars. The food is creative, flavorful, and filling with wild options like Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato Stir-fry, Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs, and Peka Tuna Poke. Our favorite entrée remains the Felucian Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread, one of the most creative quick-service vegan dishes at Walt Disney World.

8. Try Ravello instead of Chef Mickey’s

Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is an icon among Disney dining, but it has also earned its fair share of criticism. It’s one of those experiences people assume is “essential Disney” but doesn’t really offer much truly unique among Disney dining, especially when compared with alternatives like Kona Café’s incredible Polynesian breakfast, the Snow White dining experience at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, or even Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

One option similar to Chef Mickey’s that most guests have not heard of is the Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals at Ravello, located at the Four Seasons Orlando. This might seem like an odd recommendation until you realize the Four Seasons Orlando is actually located on Disney property, tucked into the luxurious Golden Oak neighborhood.

Ravello stands out as a hidden gem among Disney dining as it is the only character meal I’ve ever seen win the approval of major food critics. It appears that buffet dining has returned to this location, and the selection is impressive. Guests can pick from familiar breakfast favorites like waffles, pancakes, pastries, and parfaits paired with chef-inspired frittatas, omelets, acai bowls, and more. As part of the Four Seasons, you know the quality is going to be top notch. What’s even more surprising is that this is a character breakfast, similar to Chef Mickey’s—you can expect to see Goofy and pals throughout your meal.

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