Disney World Dining

If you want to eat at a Disney World restaurant it is a good idea to make Advance Dining Reservations. This is not a reservation in the true sense - Disney World does it a little differently! If you have an Advance Dining Reservation this means that you are seated at the next available table after your ADR time.

Call 407 WDW DINE to make Advance Dining Reservations up to 90 days ahead.

A meal with a Disney character is one of the most popular dining choices at Disney World. Where else could you dine with a Princess? Make your reservations early for Cinderella's Royal Table - this is the most popular restaurant in the whole of Disney World. It is located inside Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kindgom.

If you would like to eat in the Canadian restaurant in EPCOT, Le Cellier, then you better plan ahead. This is one of the most popular restaurants in Disney World - and it's small size means it is very difficult to get reservations!

You can even dine in Disney World own version of Saint Marks Square. Make a reservation for Italian dining in EPCOT World Showcase.

Jiko - The Cooking Place is a particular favorite of mine. It is located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Chef de Cuisine Anette Grecchi Gray presided for many years until her departure in June this year. It is a AAA Diamond Award winning restaurant.

The Jeffrey Beers designed restaurant interior is a fabulous mix of warm colors. It takes it's inspiration from The Lion King, and creating an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere. You are warmly welcomed by African students who are participating in the Disney one year cultural exchange program. The focus of the restaurant are the twin wood burning ovens in the open kitchen. Diners can choose to sit at the bar and observe the chefs prepare the food for the restaurant.

The style is American cuisine blended with influences from Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean and India.
This is an unusual mix, but it works. There is not anything too challenging here though. I found the originality refreshing. Familiar dishes are offered with a different blend of flavors and ingredients. Appetiser offerings include Green Asparagus Soup, Tikka Marinated Ahi Tuna, and Kalamata Olive Flatbread a particular favorite of mine. The signature dish is the Wood Grilled Filet Mignon with macaroni and cheese and red wine sauce. An unusual combination, but it tastes amazing. Other items include Durban Shrimp Curry,Tamarind Braised Beef Short Rib, and Wood Grilled Pork Tenderloin. I recommend that you order the cheese plate which has selections of goat and sheep's cheese.

Many of the waiters are sommoliers and will be glad to offer samples of wine before you decide on a bottle. They will expertly guide you through the exclusively South African wine list. With over 1800 wines, Jiko has the largest collection of South African wines of any North American restaurant.

Not forgetting the dessert, my favorite is the Flourless Chocolate Mocha Cake Stack with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Other current offerings include spiced fruit sorbet and Green Apple Mascapone Trifle.

This fine dining Disney restaurant has an unusual feature. A children's menu. My young children, who are very familiar with and enjoy dining out in high quality restaurants, appreciated the quality of the food. The menu has the usual kid's offerings of macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese and pizza but they are cooked from scratch with high quality ingredients. Our family is always very happy at Jiko.

Disney World operates a 'seasonal pricing' system. What this means is that at particularly popular times of the year the same dining option will have a premium price.

So for example, buffet character dining meals may cost an extra $4 for adults and $2 for each child .

Check when you make Advance Dining Reservations as to whether special pricing applies.

The higher cost seasons are likely to fall within these dates:

May 24th 2009 - July 11th 2009

If you ever particularly enjoy a dish in a Disney restaurant then just ask your server for the recipe. They are always glad to help. Once I asked for the recipe one of the dishes in The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. Our server apologized that as it was a new recipe she could not give it to us at that time, but she took our email address. I have to say I was both surprised and delighted when about three weeks later it arrived!

A unique thrill ride in Disney World EPCOT. This ride pulls a lot of g force so best not to plan to eat right away after you ride Mission Space!