My family and I always make a point to be sure and try new experiences every time we go to Disney World. Since we only get to go every other year, we try to pack a lot of fun into our 8 or 9 magical days each time. And since we’re always on a budget, we only get to check out 2 or 3 table service meals each trip. It’s going to take us a long time to eat around the World at this rate, but we’re committed to the challenge!
One way that I have found to experience more for less is to try different restaurants at breakfast. So far we have had breakfast at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom, at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, at O’hana in the Polynesian Village Resort, at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian Resort (pictured), and at Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary. We’ve also enjoyed lunch at Skipper’s Canteen in Magic Kingdom and dinner at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios and Whispering Canyon in Wilderness Lodge. That’s not too bad for just three trips!
Breakfast at Disney works for our family for several reasons. First and foremost, my kids are early risers (this means that by default, I too am an early riser). We find that we are most hungry in the morning, so we really get our money’s worth. Speaking of money (and making the most of it), did you know that breakfast is considerably more affordable at Disney dining locations than lunch or dinner in most cases?
We also find that there are fewer distractions at this time of day (like getting back out to the parks or to the pool). We feel that it’s a time saver because not only are we fueled up from a hearty breakfast before the parks even open, we don’t have to take an hour or more away from all the exciting attractions that we want to enjoy.
Character breakfasts are our favorite way to start the day, and especially the ones with a buffet. It’s a no-pressure way to sample lots of different things or even have a custom made omelet. Tusker House and Boma both had interesting foods from other parts of the world that we were excited to taste. We probably wouldn’t have splurged on 1900 Park Fare if we hadn’t found a breakfast reservation at the last minute. We really enjoyed this one because it meant we also got to check out the stunningly beautiful Grand Floridian grounds. As much as we love buffets, the parade at O’hana was also a blast and we loved how everything was served “family style.”
What’s your favorite table service dining experience and why? Where should we go next?
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Candice was raised in east Tennessee. While in college, her best friend dragged her to a Walt Disney World College Program recruiting session at the University of Tennessee and the rest is Disney history. In the Fall of 1999, Candice became a quick service food hostess for Sunset Ranch Market and Fantasmic at Disney-MGM Studios – or what is now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While soaking up her time as a cast member, she met Ryan, a neighbor and a fellow college programmer who worked as a custodial host at Epcot. Four years later, Candice moved to the Midwest and married that boy from across the hall. They now live in Greenwood, Indiana with their two little boys. The Disney-loving foursome took their first family trip to The Happiest Place on Earth in 2013 and Candice is eagerly planning their return. Candice also works full-time at a community mental health center and enjoys taking photographs and blogging at Mommy in the Midwest.
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