Eat your way around Walt Disney World

Here’s a question: Does food shaped like Mickey Mouse actually taste better, or is it just being at Walt Disney World that makes everything seem so good? I’m still trying to figure out the answer, but I can’t resist any of it: Mickey waffles with ears perfectly shaped for dunking in syrup, Mickey-shaped rice treats gooey from the Florida sun…I’ll take it all and so will my son.

Disney has tons of dining options from Michelin-starred meals to one-off vendors whipping up tacos and hot dogs. But if you’re like me, you don’t want to spend precious vacation time trying to get coveted restaurant reservations or waiting in line for treats. Luckily, after countless visits to the Orlando theme parks, I’ve discovered Disney dining experiences that have all the fun and flavor, with none of the lines or hassles.

So here's how to eat your way around the parks, with tips on what to skip (don’t fall prey to the lines!), where to go instead, and the absolute must-have treats.

Skip: Morning cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern

I appreciate this doughy, icing-covered pastry that’s as large as a talking teapot, but not the morning crowds. (Pro-tip: You can also pick one up late at night and save it for breakfast the next morning.)

Instead get: Cat tails at Cheshire Café

Across from the Mad Tea Party twirling cups ride, this low-profile window-service spot serves a sweet morning treat that’s just as good, but more under-the-radar: the Cheshire Cat Tail. The flaky, buttery pastry twist is filled with dark chocolate bits, then ribboned with swirls of purple and pink icing. It’s like a chocolate croissant going to a dress-up tea party. Another hack: Skip the line at Starbucks on Main Street U.S.A. and get your cold brew coffee here.

Don’t miss: Dole Whip at Aloha Isle

When the heat of the day takes hold, I make a pit stop for my favorite Disney treat: Dole Whip. A bite of the fruity pineapple sorbet soft serve is frozen bliss, and the pineapple juice doused “float” is like walking into a refrigerated cloud. I grab my golden frozen swirl and get on line for the nearby Enchanted Tiki Room. The vintage animatronic attraction has air conditioning and seats, so I can watch the singing tiki birds while I savor my treat.

Hot tip: You can get a Dole Whip without park admission at both the Polynesian Village Resort and Disney Springs.

Skip: Canada’s La Cellier Steakhouse

The World Showcase section at EPCOT is my favorite spot, bar none, for a food-filled day at Disney. The global cuisine ranges from fish and chips in the United Kingdom to couscous in Morocco, all served in immersive settings in each country’s pavilion. In the Canada section, there are always long lines for the steaks and tasty beer cheese soup, but I think the heavy food and busy dining room is a better fit for a Canadian ski resort than the heat and humidity of Orlando.

Instead go to: Mexico’s San Angel Inn Restaurante

Tucked inside the grand pyramid in the Mexico pavilion, this restaurant has a winding waterway and cool breezes. (Fine, it’s air conditioning, but I’ll take it in steamy Orlando.) With the twinkling stars, this dining spot is—dare I say it—romantic, even with a kid in tow. The queso fundido is a must-order; the creamy melted monterey jack and roasted poblano peppers scooped into a warm tortilla puts the neon orange dipping cheese sold in other parts of the park to shame. There’s a solid margarita made with fresh lime juice and agave (rocks and a salt rim, please), and then I order the light and flavorful pescado al veracruzana (seared snapper topped with a briny mix of capers and olives, peppers, onions, and tomatoes), and I feel like I’m on vacation in Mexico.

Don’t miss: Macaron gelato sandwich at L'Artisan des Glaces

I’m a fan of everything at the France pavilion (including the cute Ratatouille ride), but what really makes me swoon is this dessert sandwich with two oversized macarons stuffed with gelato. There are always two options: a decadent double chocolate option and a seasonal flavor. Don’t make me choose a favorite, but if they’re serving the vanilla-and-raspberry flavor, which tastes like a berry creamsicle, I’m all in.

Skip: Oga’s Cantina

This bar in Galaxy’s Edge—a.k.a. Star Wars land—is straight out of the original movie, with droid DJs and glowing bubble drinks. However, the drinks aren’t “out of this world” and there’s no real food except a couple of disappointing bar snacks. My advice: Don’t bother jockeying for a reservation.

Instead go to: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Ok, hear me out. I know this isn’t in Galaxy’s Edge, but nothing could be better than sitting in a convertible car at a drive-in and watching a classic sci-fi movie while drinking the thickest chocolate shake in all of Disney. Add in crisp-edged steak fries, perfectly cooked burgers, and a side of fried dill pickles, and it’s a perfect meal.

Hot tip: Sci-Fi has introduced a plant-based menu with a vegan spinach artichoke dip that’s as creamy and tasty as the real thing.

Don’t miss: Ronto Roasters

As a rule, I don’t love eating standing up, or food wrapped in other food, but I’ll make an exception for a Ronto Wrap at this stand in Galaxy’s Edge. It’s got a peppery, grilled pork sausage layered with pulled pork, coleslaw, and peppercorn sauce, all wrapped in a doughy pita bread. It’s the salty, crunchy, chewy, and very filling sandwich I never knew I needed, but can’t stop thinking about.

Skip: Rainforest Cafe

With its animal noises, mist, and vine-covered decor, this restaurant is tempting—but it’s a chain with locations around the country and forgettable food, so don’t spend your precious Disney time here.

Instead go to: Satu’li Canteen

At Pandora-The World of Avatar, mountains float in the sky, music comes from the trees, and the foliage glows at night. But for me, the highlight is Satu’li Canteen. While it’s technically a “quick service” spot, with orders placed at the counter, the healthy food is served on proper plates with real cutlery. My favorite dish is the chili-garlic shrimp bowl with a charred scallion vinaigrette. Don’t miss the cream cheese mousse, a shimmering blue orb topped with tart passion fruit cream.

Don’t Miss: The Night Blossom at Pongu Pongu

Right near Satu’li Canteen is this stand with the best cocktails in the Animal Kingdom. My drink of choice: the Night Blossom with layers of hot pink and green frozen dessert and pear-and-apple limeade, topped with passion fruit boba balls. It’s the perfect combo—tart, sweet, slushy—and when late afternoon arrives, I turn it up to 11 with a splash of rum.

Skip: Chef Mickey’s

Then there’s character dining: a Disney experience that everyone wants to do. The character breakfast at the Contemporary Resort is a classic. But it’s also classically difficult to get a reservation. Ditto Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant.

Instead go to: The Crystal Palace

This reservations-required spot is my family favorite, since it’s inside the Magic Kingdom (with plenty of air-conditioned seating) and we love that Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore all come to visit while you dine under a light-filled glass atrium. Plus, we can plan a late-morning (and not very crowded) brunch at 10:45, when breakfast ends, and have access to the lunch buffet that starts at 11. This way, I can get my fill of crispy, malty Mickey waffles and a fist-sized buttermilk biscuit covered in honey. Then I dive into crunchy salt-and-pepper fried chicken and a papaya and arugula salad that somehow manages to balance the Hundred Acre Woods feast.

On the day I arrive in Orlando, I skip the theme parks and head straight for Disney Springs, a sprawling outdoor mall that used to be called Downtown Disney. My reasoning: There’s no admission fee here, so it’s better to save the $100-plus theme park tickets for a day when I’m not dealing with possible airport delays. Plus, the food options at Disney Springs are amazing.

Go to: Morimoto Asia

I make a beeline for Morimoto, a multistory open dining room with massive jellyfish-style chandeliers and a glass-enclosed open kitchen. What I’m here for: the braised deep-fried pork ribs with tender falling-off-the bone meat in a sweet chili hoisin glaze flecked with cilantro. Everything at Disney is big, and so are these dinosaur-like ribs, which melt in your mouth like cotton candy. It’s only three to an order for an appetizer, but that’s truly enough for me (the entree size is 6).

Hot tip: Disney Springs also has a quick-service walk-up window, Morimoto Asia Street Food, that serves a take-out version of the ribs.

Don’t miss: Salt & Straw

This emporium of unusual ice cream serves ever-changing flavors like tart and tangy rhubarb crumble and classic options that aren’t like anything you’ll find at home. Think salted, malted, chocolate chip cookie dough that pops with bits of chocolate and sea salt—the perfect way to end a delicious Disney day.