Are You a Foodie Traveller? Let's Talk About Orlando and Disney Dining
- MagicalAdventuresBlog
- Dec 7
- 5 min read
Here's a question for you: when you think back to your Florida holidays, what do you remember most vividly? Is it the rides you went on? The characters you met? Or is it that incredible meal you had at that themed restaurant in Disney, or that amazing brunch spot you discovered in Orlando?
If you're nodding along to the latter, you're absolutely a foodie traveller. And trust me, you're not alone.
Orlando Isn't Just Theme Parks – It's a Food Destination
For many of us, food is so much more than just something to keep us going between rides. It's an experience. It's part of the magic. And here's something that might surprise you: Orlando has become a genuinely exciting food destination in its own right.
Yes, really.
Beyond the theme parks, Orlando has a thriving restaurant scene with incredible international cuisine, award-winning chefs, and dining experiences you simply won't find anywhere else. And inside the Disney parks? The food has evolved massively over the years. We're talking proper culinary experiences now, not just burgers and chips.
Some of my clients' favourite Orlando memories have nothing to do with meeting Mickey or riding Space Mountain. They're about that unforgettable dinner at California Grill watching the fireworks over Cinderella Castle, or discovering an incredible Vietnamese restaurant on International Drive, or spending an evening at Victoria & Albert's (Disney's only AAA Five Diamond restaurant).
Planning an Orlando Holiday Around Food (Yes, Really)
When I'm working with clients who identify as foodies heading to Orlando, the conversation shifts entirely. We're not just booking a hotel and some park tickets. We're thinking strategically.
Which Disney restaurants require reservations 60 days in advance? Are there any food festivals happening during your dates (hello, Epcot's Food & Wine Festival)? Do you want to experience character dining, fine dining, or both? What about restaurants outside the parks – are you interested in exploring Orlando's wider food scene?
And here's the thing – sometimes the accommodation choice changes completely. Instead of staying on Disney property for convenience, maybe we're looking at a resort near International Drive or Winter Park where you'll have easier access to Orlando's fantastic independent restaurant scene. Or perhaps we're booking a Disney Deluxe resort specifically because of its signature restaurants.
Disney Dining: It's Not What You Think
Now, when I say "Disney dining," I know what you might be thinking. Overpriced theme park food, right? Chicken nuggets and pizza?
Not anymore.
Disney has seriously upped its culinary game. You've got everything from Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot's Canada Pavilion to Tiffins in Animal Kingdom (their pan-Asian and African-inspired menu is genuinely excellent). There's Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs if you fancy Japanese cuisine from an Iron Chef. 'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort for that incredible family-style breakfast. Space 220 where you "dine in space" with views of Earth below you.
And don't even get me started on Epcot's World Showcase – it's basically a food lover's paradise. You can eat your way around eleven countries in an afternoon. Proper French cuisine in France. Incredible tacos in Mexico. Fish and chips in the UK (though you might want to skip that one and save room for something you can't get at home).
Beyond the Mouse: Orlando's Hidden Food Scene
But here's what I always tell my foodie clients: don't spend every single meal inside the Disney bubble. Orlando itself has so much to offer.
International Drive has incredible international restaurants – proper authentic cuisine from all over the world. Winter Park (just 20 minutes from the theme parks) has a charming downtown area full of fantastic independent restaurants. There's a thriving Vietnamese food scene. Amazing Cuban food. Fresh seafood. Farm-to-table restaurants that would hold their own in any major city.
Some of the best meals my clients have had in Orlando have been at places they'd never have found without a bit of local knowledge.
Reservations Are CRUCIAL
Here's the thing about dining in Orlando, especially at Disney: you cannot just rock up. The popular restaurants book out months in advance. Literally months.
Guests can book restaurants 60 days in advance - which is definitely worth considering to help you secure those sought after spots.
The Disney Dining Plan: Yes or No?
Ah, the eternal question. Should you get the Disney Dining Plan?
The honest answer? It depends entirely on how you eat and where you want to dine. For some families, it's brilliant value and takes away the stress of budgeting for meals. For others, especially foodies who want to dine at signature restaurants or explore beyond Disney, it can feel restrictive.
Food Festivals and Special Events
If you're a proper foodie, timing your Orlando trip around Epcot's food festivals is an absolute must. The International Food & Wine Festival (usually July to November) is the big one – dozens of outdoor kitchens serving small plates from around the world, plus seminars, tastings, and celebrity chef appearances.
There's also the International Flower & Garden Festival (spring) which has equally excellent food offerings, and the International Festival of the Arts (winter) with food studios showcasing creative cuisine.
These festivals genuinely transform Epcot into a world-class food destination.
The Bottom Line
Orlando and Disney have evolved into genuine food destinations, and if you're a foodie, that changes everything about how you should plan your trip.
Yes, the rides are incredible. Yes, meeting the characters is magical. But don't underestimate how much a brilliant meal can elevate your entire holiday experience. That dinner watching fireworks over the castle, that perfect brunch before hitting the parks, that hidden gem restaurant you discovered off International Drive – these moments become just as memorable as any attraction.
So if food matters to you, make it a priority when you're planning. Do your research. Book those reservations early. Leave room in your schedule (and your budget) for proper dining experiences. And don't be afraid to venture beyond the theme park gates to see what Orlando itself has to offer.
Because at the end of the day, the best holidays aren't just about what you see and do. They're about what you taste, savour, and remember long after you've come home.
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