With the sheer number of restaurants at WDW, there are bound to be some stinkers in the lot. For the most part, the food is very good, if not great at a few of the upper end places. The 10 listed below, however, are the bottom 10. Many of the counter service places received a pass from me, they are what they are, fast food, and shouldn’t be rated poorly. The ones listed below are just not up to what they should be, and are to be avoided at all costs.

#10: Liberty Inn – Epcot – Ha, fast food! While Liberty Inn is servicable as counter service restaurants, and is actually very nice inside with great seating areas, it still make the list. Granted, when people from around the world think of America, they think fast food, McDonalds, hamburgers, fatties. Does Disney really need to enforce that stereotype? Build a dang nice table service restaurant, it will be packed.

#9: Planet Hollywood – Downtown Disney – Overpriced food surrounded by memorabilia from people no one cares about makes for a bad meal. Despite offering coupons to just about every Disney World visitor, Planet Hollywood is almost always dead, and I foresee a “for rent” sign on the big round eyesore of Downtown Disney.

#8: Rainforest Cafe – Downtown Disney & Animal Kingdom Park – Rainforest is another themed chain with locations at WDW. While the restaurants are busy, the food is expensive and not all that good. The question is, do I really want to eat at a place while at WDW that I can visit at my local mall? I dig the waterfall at the Animal Kingdom location, but there are much better options within a few feet at either location.

#7: California Grill – Contemporary Resort – Long touted as the “crown jewel” of Disney World restaurants, all I hear lately is complaints about the service and food. Granted, the view is to die for, especially during fireworks. Everything else, blah! I have eaten here three times in the last year or so, each visit has either had horrible food or horrible service, or both. Very expensive, but remember, you are paying for the view, don’t expect much else.

#6: Pizzafari – Animal Kingdom Park – Nothing says Africa like Pizza. Rarely open, and that is a good thing. The cool building doesn’t even come close to making up for the poor food. Much better options throughout the park.

#5: Sci-Fi Dine In – Hollywood Studios Park – Where to start. Counter service food (at best) at table service prices. Looping movie that is technically trailers of bad 50′s monster movies that loops every 40 minutes or so, so you get to see it 2 or 3 times during your meal. Just imagine if you worked there and had to see the loop 15 times each shift, I would pull out my hair. Really fun concept (the cars are cool), just poorly done. Stop by for a shake and fried in the afternoon, you will thank me.

#4: Coral Reef – Epcot Park – So much promise, such bad food. The wall looking onto the giant aquarium is cool, but this is the one place that epitomizes the down side of the dining plan. An expensive restaurant, always crowded with dining plan users, why both service good food? They don’t bother.

#3: Tony’s Town Square Restaurant – Magic Kingdom Park – A stretch to call this place Italian. Poor decor, overly loud, it feels like you are eating in an elementary school lunchatorium. I could get by all of this if it weren’t for the food, which is disastrous, to be nice. Strait from the can spaghettios would be more Italian, and better tasting. Eating here, you just get the feeling they are trying to feed you as cheaply and quickly as possible.

#2: Comtempo Cafe – Contemporary Resort – Ok, so a few counter service places made the list. Located right under the monorail (loud) and next to Chef Mickey’s (even louder), this poor excuse from a restaurant offers appalling food, obviously made off site and trucked in, along with no atmosphere and plenty of noise.

#1: San Angel Inn – Epcot Park – Without a doubt, one of the best located restaurants, especially if you can get a table along the waterway of the Grand Fiesta Tour. Romantic as you can imagine. And dark, which is a good thing, as you can’t see the food. San Angel Inn has nothing on Taco Bell when it comes to bland, Americanized Mexican food. Now, I am from the West, where good Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen, and maybe in Orlando, that might not be the case, but that doesn’t mean you have to consume their poor excuse for food and accept it as “authentic”. With all the wonderful options in the World Showcase, go somewhere else, and stop by La Cava del Tequilla for a better experience.

Disagree with my list, or have others you would add? Let me know below:

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The Walt Disney World dining plans have been a huge hit since their introduction in 2006. A huge percentage of Disney Resort guests are using one of the dining plans. They allow you to eat in the theme parks for a reduced price, and have your dining budgeted out before you ever leave home. Obviously, the dining plan becomes a better deal if you eat at more expensive restaurants. Below are the 10 best table service restaurants for use with the Disney Dining plan:

The dining plan includes one entree, one dessert and one non-alcoholic drink per person. The prices are based on the total value of the most expensive total of the three items at each restaurant. The 2009 cost for the Disney Dining plan is $39.99 per adult per night of your stay.

#10 - Captain’s Grill (Yacht Club) -

• Snow Crab Legs – $29.99
• Hazelnut Gianduja Chocolate Mousse – $5.99
• Soft Drink – $2.99
• Grand Total - $38.97

#9 –  Raglan Road (Downtown Disney) -

• Mighty Mixed Grill – $28.50
• Dunbrody Kiss – $8.99
• Soft Drink – $2,99
• Grand Total - $40.48

#8 - Coral Reef (Epcot) -

• Grilled New York Strip Steak – $30.99
• The Chocolate Wave – $7.99
• Soft Drink – $2,99
• Grand Total - $41.97

#7 - San Angel Inn (Epcot) -

• Filete a los Tres Chiles – $34
• Flan de Vainilla – $5.75
• Soft Drink – $2.75
• Grand Total - $42.50

#6 - Wolfgang Puck Cafe (Downtown Disney) -

• Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Maytag Blue Cheese Butter – $28.95
• Ice Cream “Cone-a-Copia” – $11.95
• Soft Drink – $2.95
• Grand Total - $43.85

#5 - Maya Grill (Coronado Springs) -

• Seafood Risotto – $34
• Chambord Chocolate Cake – $6.99
• Soft Drink – $2.99
• Grand Total - $43.98

#4 - Chefs de France (Epcot) -

• Filet de boeuf grille, sauce au poivre noir Gratin Dauphinois et haricots verts – $34.95
• Creme Brulee – $7.25
• Soft Drink – $2.95
• Grand Total: $45.15

#3 - Restaurant Marrakesh (Epcot) -

• Mediterranean Seafood Platter – $36.95
• Moroccan Symphony – $5.95
• Soft Drink – $2,95
• Grand Total - $45.85

#2 - Le Cellier (Epcot) -

• Veal T-Bone – $36.99
• Chocolate on Chocolate Whiskey Cake – $7.99
• Soft Drink – $2.99
• Grand Total - $47.97

#1 - Tutto Italia (Epcot) -

• Tagliata di Manzo – $36
• Copetta Sotto Bosco – $14
• Soft Drink – $3
• Grand Total - $53

The first thing you can see is what a great deal the Disney dining plan is, you are getting $40+ in just one meal for $40, plus the addition of a counter service meal and a snack makes for one awesome deal.

Two notes. Many restaurants include other drinks as part of the plan, such as milk-shakes. I opted to keep all restaurants with soft drinks to keep thing simple. Also, make sure you check out all the menus, just because the restaurant might be the best “deal”, it might not be the best option for your family. Whether you are getting $50 worth of food, or $40, it is irrelevant, as you are paying the same cost. It just depends on which restaurant you will enjoy more.

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Walt Disney World some fantastic character meals, but honestly, how many can you really do during your Disney World vacation? I get burned out after two. Now that my kids are older, we may do one if we do any. I can only take so many buffets, and I want to enjoy my meals while at the parks, that is half the fun of going. So, where can you go where the food for adults is fantastic, it is still entertaining and the food for kids is even better?

#10: 50′s Prime Time Cafe – Traditional Meatloaf – Super fun place to eat, and the kids just love it when Dad has to eat his green beans and clean their plate. Good food, good fun.

#9: Spoodles – Beef Kabob – Loud, fun restaurant not far from Epcot. The Beef Kabobs have great flavor, and are familiar enough to kids that they have no problem eating them.

#8: Restaurant Marrakesh – Vegetable Couscous – the traditional meal of Morocco is presented to kids in a cool, different restaurant. With the chance for kids to learn how to belly dance, and the vegetable couscous, Restaurant Marakkesh will make you feel like you are in Morocco.

#7: Chefs de France – Croquette de Boeuf En Brioche – In what is in essence a fancy hamburger with an even fancier name, Chefs de France offers kids a chance to eat in a French restaurant without having to eat escargot.

#6: Rose and Crown – Cottage Pie – A super good mixture of things all kids love, ground beef, mashed potatoes and cheese. Throw in a few carrots and you have yourself a fantastic cottage pie. Great views of Illuminations from most of the outside tables, this is an interesting place to eat.

#5: Flying Fish – “Flying Fish” of the day – The Flying Fish offers the freshest sea food at Disney World, and the kids options are no different. If your kids love fish, this is the place to go. Small and intimate, all kids love the open kitchen.

#4: Coral Reef – Grilled Mahi Mahi – With an entire wall that is a open view of an aquarium, the Coral Reef offers wonderful fish for kids and adults, and an ever changing view of fish, sharks and turtles.

#3: Artist’s Point – Baked Salmon – Artist’s Point is famous for their Salmon entree for adults, and their kids option is just as good. Great restaurant with great views during the day, and after dark, the walk through the Wilderness Lodge courtyard is fantastic.

#2: Yachtsman Steakhouse – Slow Roasted Prime Rib – If your kids love beef, Yachtsman will offer you better options than anywhere on Disney property. This Prime Rib is so good, I have seem parents trying to trade their meals for their kid’s Prime Rib.

#1: California Grill -  Oak Fired Rib Steak – Great kids meal, and with a towering view of the Magic Kingdom, California Grill is the number one kids meal in Walt Disney World. Make your reservations for an hour before the Magic Kingdom fireworks, you will have fantastic food and an even better view.

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Walt Disney World has same fantastic restaurants, many are known far and wide for the great food and great views. While you don’t normally associate great food with theme parks and thrill rides, Disney World is the exception. You can easily eat at some of the best restaurants in Florida minutes after riding the Jungle Cruise.

#10: Jiko – Located in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko features food you are used to influenced by African flavors and cooking. Go out on a limb and try something new, you will love it. Great atmosphere, and usually very easy to get into, Jiko, while expensive, is fantastic:

Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon with macaroni and cheese and red wine sauce: $37.00

#9: Flying Fish – Located on the Boardwalk, Flying Fish is my favorite place to dine at Walt Disney World. With an open kitchen, and a small restaurant, Flying Fish is intimate and just a bit loud. Just a few minute walk from Epcot, and on the always fun Boardwalk, Flying Fish has great fish entrees, and oddly enough, one expensive steak:

Char Crusted New York Strip Steak with roasted fingerling potatoes, root vegetables, broccolini and classic sauce Foyot: $38.00

#8: Citricos – Located in the Grand Floridian, Citricos has a mediterranian theme, and flavors of Italy to North Africa abound. Wonderful views of the Magic Kingdom from most tables, and wonderful food on every table. A bit stuffy, but still a great, romantic restaurant:

Braised Veal Shank with carrot-potato puree and roasted vegetables: $39.00

#7: Portobello Yacht Club – Located in Downtown Disney near the entrance to Pleasure Island, the Portobello Yacht Club is a top notch Itallian restaurant. Good food, especially before a night out at Pleasure Island:

Filet Portobello, a grilled center cut of Angus beef, topped with gorgonzola cheese, caramelized red onions and served with roasted garlic whipped potatoes and tomato oreganata: $39.95

#6: Artist’s Point – Located in the Wilderness Lodge, Artist’s Point brings out the old West in Disney. Many entrees are unique to Artist’s Point, such as Buffalo and pork belly hash. Don’t mark this one of your list, it is one of the best at Disney. The Plank Salmon is to die for.

Grilled Buffalo Sirloin Steak with sweet potato-hazelnut gratin and sweet onion jam: $42

#5: Yachtsman Steakhouse – Located in the Yacht Club, just steps from Epcot, the Yachtsman Steakhouse features some of the best steaks around. This is a meat lovers paradise.

Oak-fired Rib-Eye, a 16-oz Rib-Eye served with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes and Red Wine Butter: $42.00
Porterhouse, a 24 oz. center cut porterhouse, served with fingerling potatoes and roasted garlic butter: $42.00

#4: Bistro de Paris - Located in France in the World Showcase of Epcot, Bistro de Paris is small, and hidden. Run by three great chefs of Paris, this restaurant is not your normal theme park fare. High quality food and a tiny restaurant make for a fantastic experience.

Maine Lobster sauteed with asparagus, ricotta gnocchi, creamy bisque sauce: $43.00

#3: Narcoossee’s – Located in the Grand Floridian resort, Narcoossee’s may have a funny name, but there isn’t anything funny about the food. Fantastic location, overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom, you get fantastic food to go along with the fantastic view.

Steamed Whole Maine Lobster served with California asparagus and potato gratin: $55

#2: Fulton’s Crab House – Located in Downtown Disney, Fulton’s flies all of their crab and fish in daily, and even posts a list of the daily shipment at the door. Fantastic crab in a unique restaurant (it is shaped like a giant steamer ship). Too bad the inside of the ship is not as good as the food. Great place for a meal, not as fancy as many of the other restaurants.

Lobster Narragansett, a whole Maine lobster, oven roasted, stuffed with shrimp, scallops and served with red skin potatoes: $55

#1: Victoria and Albert’s – Located in the Grand Floridian, Victoria and Albert’s is unique in that it is a fixed menu restaurant, with a fixed price. Also, each table has a waiter and waitress, all appropriately named Victoria or Albert. Fantastic restaurant for a special occasion, a coat and tie are require for men, so don’t plan on stopping by right after a day at the Magic Kingdom. Menu Prix Fixe $115.00 per guest, wine pairings $60.00 per guest.

One thing you will notice is that California Grill, probably Disney’s most popular “fancy” restaurant is not included on the list. While expensive, it doesn’t have any really expensive entrees. All of the restaurants listed, with the exception of Victoria and Albert’s, has much less expensive entrees available. Don’t be scared off by the prices listed above, all of these restaurants are fantastic, and you should experience one or two of them each time you visit Disney World.

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Walt Disney World has a great selection of restaurants, both in the parks and at the resorts. However, whether you are with kids or not, you just can’t do three sit down meals each day. There is too much to do and too little time. Disney World offers a wide choice of quick service restaurants, here are our top 10:

#10: Lotus Blossom Cafe – Located in the China Pavilion in Epcot, the Lotus Blossom Cafe offers decent Chinese food in a fast food setting. Usually uncrowded, even on busy days, as it is hidden from the main traffic of the World Showcase. Don’t miss the Rou Jia Mo (Chinese beef sandwich) for a different take on your everyday Chinese fare.

#9: Kringla Bakeri – Located in Norway Pavilion in Epcot, the Kringla Bakeri offers fantastic open face sandwiches and soups. Better known for their pastries, stop by Kringla for something different. Great seating area with a fun playground nearby.

#8: ABC Commissary - Located in Disney Studios, the ABC Commissary tries to replicate a sound stage restaurants, but in reality, just has good food. The Cuban Sandwich is the reason to stop by for lunch of dinner.

#7: Yakitori House – Located in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot, the Yakitori House has decent food, but a fantastic location. Perched high above the Japanese Pavilion, the Yakitori House has a nice quiet, dare I say zen like, garden area that will fool you into believing you are anywhere but Epcot.

#6: Casey’s Corner – Located in the Magic Kingdom, Casey’s Corner features hot dogs and more hot dogs. While it normally wouldn’t be in my top 10, Casey’s is a staple for many long time Disney guests. It gets very crowded at lunch, as it is very small, so come early or late to avoid long line.

#5: Columbia Harour House – Located in the Magic Kingdom, the Columbia Harbour House is the hidden gem of Disney World counter service restaurants. Across from the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square, most people don’t even know there is a restaurant there. The Starboard Deck Sandwich is by far the best counter service entree available despite not sounding exactly appetizing (ham on olive bread with munster cheese and broccoli slaw). You will just have to trust me on this one.

#4: Toy Story Pizza Planet – Located in Disney Studios, the Toy Story Pizza Planet offers middle of the road pizza, but the atmosphere, especially for Toy Story fans, should not be missed. Kids of all ages love eating here, so make sure you arrive early.

#3: Yorkshire County Fish Shop – Located in the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop has only a few items on their menu (Fish and Chips to be exact), but they quality is top notch. Everything is hand made inside the little shop, right in front of you. Great place to stop for dinner while you are waiting for Illuminations.

#2: Cantina de San Angel – Located in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot, Cantina de San Angel features decent Mexican food with a great seating area overlooking the World Showcase. Just watch out for the birds, they are overly aggressive, you can’t leave your food along for even a second.

#1: Tangierine Cafe – Located in the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot, the Tangierine Cafe is our top choice for counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World. Featuring high quality food, huge portions and great seating areas, the Tangierine Cafe should not be missed on your trip. The portions are so large, you can easily share an entree. Don’t bother even looking at the menu, head straight for the chicken and lamb Shawarma Platters. I prefer the lamb, very moist, huge amounts of meat and as fresh as can be.

You may have noticed, we excluded a few counter service restaurants that probably should be included (Cosmic Rays, for example), but a hamburger is a hamburger, and there are a half dozen places that serve the same hamburger, and personally, I would rather try something else from time to time.

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