Anymore when we are at Walt Disney World, we find ourselves heading to the resorts for our quick service meals. Maybe this is because the crowds have been pretty insane lately and we don’t want to wait in long lines. Or maybe we just want to try something new. But regardless of our reasons, we think adding quick service restaurants at the Walt Disney World resorts is a great strategy. Not only do they usually have shorter lines, but they often have better food and more seating. Read on for the best quick-service restaurants at the Walt Disney World resorts!
Dining at Walt Disney World Resorts
Sometimes we think dining options are way better at the resorts than they are in the Parks. Plus, they’re usually less busy. Which is nice when you’re trying to escape the crowds. Quick-service dining options at the resorts are available to everyone. So, you don’t need to be a guest staying there to enjoy these restaurants. The easiest way to get to most of these is going to be Disney transportation. But you can also drive or take an Uber. And in the case of anything at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can walk!
Quick Service Dining at Disney Resorts
The quick-service dining options at the Disney resorts are some of the best on Walt Disney World property. Since they are at the resorts and are operated much like a food court, they sometimes have different hours than you may be used to in the Parks. So be sure to check out their hours before making the trek over to have your meal. Depending on how busy they are, or what their staffing situation looks like at the time, sometimes the only way to get food from resort quick service restaurants is to use mobile order. Either way, the Disney Resort Quick Service Restaurants are some of the best at Walt Disney World, and well worth exploring. Here are our favorite quick service meals at Disney resorts.
Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Contempo Cafe is not only one of the best quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World, but it’s also super easy to get to if you’re spending a day at Magic Kingdom. Just a 5-10 minute walk or the first stop on the monorail from Magic Kingdom and you’re there. Contempo Cafe is located on the 4th floor, so if you’re taking the monorail, head down the stairs one level and follow the flow of the room. It’s located right next to the entrance of Chef Mickey’s, which means that it sometimes can get a little loud. But it’s usually not disruptive. And it’s a cool place to see the monorail running through the contemporary. Kids love that part! Best of all, the seating is all inside! So it’s a great place to escape the heat or rain at Walt Disney World for a little bit.
Contempo Cafe has, in the last couple of years, mostly been using mobile order for all orders. Just be aware that you may not be able to order in person here. You can find flatbreads, salads, burgers, and unique desserts here. Once in a while, they even have a little more adventurous limited-time offerings. We recently tried a Banh Mi from Contempo, and it was completely delicious. Truthfully, we’ve never had a meal here that we didn’t like.
See Contempo Cafe’s Menu here.
Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Another restaurant conveniently located on the monorail loop is Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Resort. Captain Cook’s has both indoor and outdoor seating which we love because we never feel like finding a table is a difficult task. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. And fans of Kona Breakfast will love that they can find the beloved Tonga Toast here too. It doesn’t come with the strawberry topping here, but it is just a little over $10 making for a great budget meal at Walt Disney World. Other breakfast options include breakfast burritos, platters, and of course Mickey Waffles.
At lunch and dinner, guests can find Polynesian-inspired flavors along with American classics. With menu items like Pan Asian Noodles and Vegetables, burgers, pulled pork, and salads, you’re sure to be able to find something for everyone to enjoy here.
Find the full menu for Captain Cook’s here.
The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge
We love the quick service options at Animal Kingdom, but sometimes we just need a slower pace. That’s where The Mara comes in. The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge tends to be a go-to for us during Animal Kingdom days when we need a break from the Park. Not only do they have some of the most unique and fun desserts in their bakery case, but they also offer fun flavors you generally won’t find anywhere else. Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our favorite resorts in general. So just being able to spend time there is always a win for us! They also offer inside seating and outside seating that is in the shade. So even on hot days, seating at The Mara is pretty comfortable. You can find unique flavors inspired by AFRICA.
The Mara quick service menu can be found here.
Primo Piatto at Disney’s Riviera Resort
The addition of Walt Disney World’s newest resort, Disney’s Riviera, has brought with it some exciting new restaurants. We are big fans of Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera Resort, and it has quickly become one of the most popular character breakfasts at Walt Disney World. But what if you can’t score that hard-to-get reservation? Or maybe it’s just not in your budget, cost, or time-wise. You can still enjoy a nice meal at the Riviera by visiting Primo Piatto! This quick-serve restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And with it being on the Skyliner route, it’s also easy to get to. And if you’re looking to add something a little extra special to your breakfast, you can easily stop by Le Petit Cafe for fancy coffees and pastries.
For breakfast, guests can enjoy items like Blueberry-Lemon pancakes, French Toast Bread Pudding, and Croque Madame. For lunch and dinner, you’ll find pizzas, burgers, lasagna, and salads.
You can find the full Primo Piatto menu here.
Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Our love affair with Wilderness Lodge has been a long one. And after our recent stay there, which was a bit longer than usual, we stand by that this is one of the best resorts at Walt Disney World. I mean, can we just live here? Probably not, but a girl can dream. Sigh. Anyway, Roaring Fork is the resort’s main quick-service restaurant. And even though they’ve recently redone their menu, and gotten rid of the chicken and waffles, everything we’ve eaten there has been fantastic. Roaring Fork is also one of the few resort quick-service restaurants that offer specialty coffees. So, if you’re looking for coffee at Walt Disney World, Roaring Fork has some fun options.
On the menu, you can find things like quiche, breakfast croissants, and pastries. And for lunch and dinner, hearty options like barbeque brisket, burgers, and salads are available. This spot is an easy boat ride over from Magic Kingdom. And a great stop for some food during a resort break or on your way to enjoying some quiet time at Territory Lounge.
See the full menu for Roaring Fork here.
Disney Resort Quick Service Restaurants
There you have it, be sure to check out all our posts on the best quick-service restaurants at Disney World, that you can find in each park and the resorts too.
- Best Quick Service Restaurants at Animal Kingdom
- Best Quick Service Restaurants at EPCOT
- Best Quick Service Restaurants at Hollywood Studios
- Best Quick Service Restaurants at Magic Kingdom
Overall, we feel the quick service options at the resorts are generally some of the best quick service restaurants at Walt Disney World. If you have the time and don’t mind leaving the Parks for food, we highly recommend checking out what the resorts have to offer. Did your favorite make the list? Let us know!
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .
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