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Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants Guide

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I’ve been meaning to write a Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants guide for sometime now. So, here it finally is!

Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants

Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants

Magic Kingdom is one of my favorite theme parks. As such, I’ve spent the most time in this park and have eaten here lots of times. However, I will admit that this park is somewhat lacking in the food department. I’ve often left this park and gone to a nearby resort to enjoy a meal rather than eat in the park. The low number of sit down or table service restaurants makes it easy to visit each location and review. So, here’s a look at what your choices are at MK!

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

I’m going to start with the first sit down restaurant you encounter when you enter the Magic Kingdom – Tony’s Town Square! It’s a Lady and the Tramp themed Italian restaurant! It’s a cute theme for any fan of the movies or dogs in general. I did a Tony’s Town Square Review back in 2023 and I think it’s fair to say that not much has changed since then. It’s very basic Italian food that sometimes lacks seasoning. It’s not as bad as much of the Internet would have you believe, but I can get better quality Italian food at home. You can use 1 dining plan credit here for 1 drink, 1 entree, and a dessert. However, I’d probably use it somewhere else.

The Plaza Restaurant

The next table service restaurant you come to in this park is The Plaza Restaurant. It’s on the right towards the end of Main Street. I’ve eaten here twice, but never done a full review of it. It has a great view of the castle. Although, it’s a small space and can feel cramped. Also, the menu rotates some items pretty regularly. However, it tends to be pretty basic stuff. The food is good, but I’ve just never felt like I had something here that warranted its own review. I mean there’s only so much you can say about a Triple Decker Turkey Club Sandwich. It’s fresh. It tastes good. It’s filling. Ha! Anyways, the food is good but I typically wouldn’t use my table service credit here just because I can’t imagine using 1 for a sandwich or salad.

The Crystal Palace

The next table service restaurant is on the left (and up from Main Street). I’m talking about The Crystal Palace! This is a Winnie the Pooh and Friends character buffet dining! I posted a review of the breakfast my husband and I ate here a few years ago. Back in December, my mom and I ate here for dinner. This is a fun one for any fans of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, or Eeyore! Plus, the buffet features a variety of foods to please many palates. It’s a good use of a dining credit, especially if you pick out a special beverage.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Technically, Cinderella’s Royal Table is considered a signature dining experience. As such, it costs 2 dining credits to eat here. So, I’ve never used the dining plan to eat here. In fact, I’ve eaten here only once! It was back in 2021 when there was a modified experience following Covid. My husband and I enjoyed breakfast here just so that we could say that we’d done it. Plus, it was a slightly lower price back then since it was a modified experience (the princesses didn’t do any meet and greets.). I know lots of people enjoy eating in the castle and meeting the princesses. It’s perfect for little princesses or anyone wanting a nicer meal in this park. My blog image above was taken from inside CRT and is looking out at the park.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

The other signature dining restaurant in Magic Kingdom is Be Our Guest. I haven’t eaten here since before the pandemic, when it offered a terrific quick service value for breakfast! There’s three separate highly themed Beauty and the Beast rooms here. However, it now offers a prix fixe menu with a hefty $72/adult or 2 dining credits price tag! While the food is certainly elevated over the other table service options in this park, I don’t think it’s worth 2 dining credits. It would be good for Beauty and the Beast fans to do once or maybe for a date night.

Liberty Tree Tavern

Over in Liberty Square, there’s the consistently good Liberty Tree Tavern. I wrote a Liberty Tree Tavern review the other year and assume it’s mostly the same as it was then. It’s a colonial themed restaurant with different rooms being themed after founding fathers. What people really like though is the food. If you are craving some Thanksgiving food, then this is the place for you. Just save room for the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake that’s served for dessert! This makes for an ok use of a dining credit if you pick an expensive drink.

The Diamond Horseshoe

Are you craving the tasty menu from Liberty Tree Tavern but can’t grab a reservation? Well, I’ve got good news for you! The Diamond Horseshoe located nearby is serving the exact same menu as Liberty Tree! I’ve actually never eaten here. However, I assume the food is just as good as it is at Liberty Tree. Although, I imagine it feels different to eat it in an Old West themed music hall.

Skipper Canteen

Last but not least is Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. I’ve eaten here exactly once. It was with my husband and we actually enjoyed what we had. We enjoyed how different the menu was with its unique flavor pairings. Unfortunately, my husband ended up not feeling well later on. It probably wasn’t related to eating here, but we just haven’t felt like going back here. So, if you have some adventurous eaters, this is probably a good option for you. It would also be a pretty good use of a 1 table service credit, depending on the exact options you chose.

Magic Kingdom Table Service

There you have it! That’s all of the restaurants in the Magic Kingdom that accepts table service credits! Which one is your go-to?

Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland Review

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It took five trips, but I finally got to eat at the Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland last month! I thought I would do a review to help you determine if it’s worth the hype.

Blue Bayou Restaurant

Blue Bayou Restaurant

For those who don’t know, this is a classic restaurant at Disneyland. In fact, it opened in 1967 and Walt Disney himself was involved in the planning of the restaurant! The restaurant is located inside of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! In fact, people in the boats ride by the restaurant! If you are lucky enough to get a riverside table, you can see the people and wave. It’s this immersive theming and ties to Walt Disney himself that makes the restaurant so popular.

The Ambiance

I believe the best part of this restaurant is the ambiance. It is next level themed to the Louisiana Bayou! You feel like you are dining at night on the bayou. There’s a big tree and balloon lanterns hang above you. Watching the boats on the ride go by adds to the feeling that you are somewhere else. I will also note that there’s something to be said for going into the cool, dark room of this restaurant when it’s hot and sunny outside.

While I didn’t get a riverside table, I still enjoyed the ambiance here. It was a relaxing meal that was much welcomed after running around a theme park that morning. Plus, it was much calmer than a Disneyland character meal.

The Food

I booked this restaurant specifically for lunch (instead of dinner) so that I could get the Monte Cristo. I have a bit of a tradition of enjoying a Monte Cristo during my solo Disneyland trips. Previously, I enjoyed it at Cafe Orleans. So, I didn’t want to give up this tradition and instead was happy to try it at Blue Bayou. I’m happy to say the sandwich tasted the same. Although, I did appreciate a cast member brining me a small plate and dumping the strawberry preserves on it to demonstrate how much easier it is to enjoy versus cramming my sandwich into the tiny container. No one had ever shown me that at Cafe Orleans.

Additionally, instead of the lovely fries that I get at Cafe Orleans, there are other sides here. At Blue Bayou, it comes with truffle potato chips and roasted fruit salad. The chips seemed like regular house-made chips to me. They reminded me of a restaurant back home that makes their own chips. The roasted fruit salad seemed like a regular salad to me too. So, I definitely prefer the fries at Cafe Orleans over these sides.

The real star of this meal was the seasonal Doberge Cake! It had thin layers of pumpkin cake, with caramel buttercream, and chocolate whipped ganache! If you happen to eat here while this cake is available, I highly recommend getting it. It was one of my favorite things I ate on this entire trip! Yummy! The combination of the flavors was the best! I can’t decide if I’m sad it’s seasonal and I won’t get it again or if I’m happy that I won’t have to resist the pull of the cake to eat here again.

Tips for Getting a Reservation

This is probably one of the most popular restaurants at Disneyland and it can be difficult to get a reservation. In fact, I’ve tried on previous trips to get a reservation and came up empty handed. This time, I was able to grab one exactly 60 days out. So, make sure you check right when reservations open up. Also, keep checking back and you can also look into a waiting list on the day you want to dine here. Who knows, you might get lucky!

Is Blue Bayou Restaurant worth it?

I am so glad I was able to finally eat at Blue Bayou Restaurant. It’s a classic for a reason. However, I will probably stick to enjoying my Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans. It’s cheaper ($26 vs $34) and comes with those tasty fries I haven’t had anywhere else. Although, if that cake is there, that does make it harder to decide. I think this restaurant is perfect for any Disney fans or if you want somewhere more romantic or with an immersive indoor theme to eat. However, you can enjoy some of the same foods elsewhere in the park for cheaper.

Tam O’Shanter Walt Disney Table 31 Review

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While in southern California last month, I had the pleasure of doing the Tam O’Shanter Walt’s Table 31 Experience! Since I didn’t see many reviews on it, I thought I would post one.

Tam O'Shanter

Tam O’Shanter

For those who don’t know, Tam O’Shanter is one of Los Angeles’s oldest family owned restaurants! Having been a local favorite for over 100 years, many famous folks have dined here. In fact, Walt Disney was known to eat here with animators and Imagineers prior the the studios having a commissary! Knowing that many Disney fans eat here, a special Walt’s Table 31 Experience was created! Booking this experience is the only way to guarantee you will be able to eat at the specially designated table that Walt Disney supposedly ate at! Plus, you get to eat from a special menu and get a few special keepsakes.

The Ambiance

The Tam is a Scottish themed steakhouse! If you enjoy themed dining, this is a great place to check out in LA. Just eating here, you know you are surrounded by history. Supposedly, the cottage exterior inspired the Disney animators when working on Snow White’s cottage! Not only that, many TV shows have been filmed here! The restaurant appears in The Office’s series finale and in the show Mad Men!

To add to the atmosphere, the restaurant got napkins from the Disney Company with drawings and notes taken at the Tam. Then, they had those messages and pictures etched into this table! So, it was nice to look at the various images and messages while thinking what discussions may have taken place in this very restaurant! For instance, they claim Imagineers worked on the dinosaurs for the Disneyland Railroad here!

The Food

A restaurant wouldn’t stay in business for 100 years if it wasn’t good! Just for the experience, they have created a special menu! Everyone starts out with Deviled Eggs & Pickled Vegetables plus Bacon-Wrapped Dates! The deviled eggs were good, but pickled vegetables aren’t my thing. I don’t even like regular pickles though. Ha! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the bacon-wrapped dates! I enjoyed the combinations of flavors (salty and sweet).

For my first course, I went with The Tam’s Famous Chili. Even though it had been in the 80’s that day, I had to try it. I would say it’s a pretty good chili. The addition of the cheese and onions took it up a notch. Had I had more stomach space and had it been a cooler day, I would have eaten way more of it.

As for the entree, I had to get the Prime Rib! I’d never had prime rib, so I can’t say that I’m a good judge of such things. However, I will admit that it was good. A little salty, but really tasty. Then again, I typically eat turkey or chicken for my protein. I also enjoyed the accompanying mashed potatoes and creamed corn. The Yorkshire pudding was ok. A little dry, but good.

Lastly, for dessert, I ordered the English Trifle. It reminded me of a fancy strawberry shortcake. It was sweet and a great way to end the meal!

The Experience

Throughout the meal, my waiter shared lots of little tidbits about the restaurant as well as stories about Walt Disney. It was surreal to hear stories that had taken place in this very space. It really felt like I was eating in a place of history.

Additionally, at the end of the meal, my waiter brought me some special keepsakes! I got a Tam pin, a re-print of the special drawing from the Disney Company of the restaurant, and a postcard! I also received a punch card for the experience and was told that the gifts change each time you do it. So, I guess that increases repeatability for the experience.

Is the Tam O’Shanter Walt’s Table 31 Experience worth it?

I booked this meal about 2 months in advance. I prepaid $89 for the meal plus tax and a 20% gratuity. So, it ended up being a really expensive meal. However, I reasoned that it’s more than just a meal. It’s an experience. You are getting to dine at a table in a restaurant filled with history! It’s a unique event that you can’t do anywhere else. Plus, the food is plentiful and tasty! I would say this is worth it for any Disney fan. However, if you aren’t a big Disney fan or don’t enjoy history, you can probably just book a regular table here and enjoy the good food!

Have you ever eaten at Tam O’Shanter? What about Walt’s table?

Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Breakfast at Disneyland Review

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On my recent visit to Disneyland, I was able to try Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Breakfast! Here’s a look at that experience!

Goofy's Kitchen Halloween Breakfast

Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Breakfast

Last year, I was able to do the Fall Brunch at this restaurant. So, this trip, I opted to book a breakfast time slot. Breakfast is a few dollars cheaper ($69 vs $74). Plus, I thought this would give everyone a good idea of the differences between the two meals.

The Characters

Even though I technically ate here last year, I got to see the characters in different costumes! Disney is continuing to use last year’s Halloween costumes at this meal. That’s great for anyone who didn’t visit last year or for anyone (like me) who didn’t get to see everyone in their costumes last year. Once again, I got to meet Goofy, Minnie, Chip, and Dale in last year’s costumes! Unfortunately, I missed out on seeing Pluto.

You get a picture with Goofy when you first arrive and it’s uploaded to your Disney account. Then, you see the other characters during the meal. I had several great interactions with the characters at this meal. In fact, I wore last year’s Disneyland Halloween shirt to this meal, which matched this meal’s vibe and costumes! Minnie actually noticed my shirt and was excited about it!

The Food

As I stated above, I booked a breakfast time slot. However, I have to admit I was a touch disappointed with the food this time. The waffles were as hard as a rock! I tried to cut an ear off and it was almost too hard to cut! The pizza was also tough and hard to cut or bite. I don’t remember what it was called, but there’s also a Mickey shaped egg thing. It tasted ok enough but was also tough. I’m guessing the food was left sitting out too long and got hard/tough.

The dessert spread was plentiful. Although, it’s still odd to me that they serve dessert at breakfast. The beignets/donuts were pretty good. I also liked the cinnamon roll.

Is Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Breakfast worth it?

At $69, it’s a pretty pricey meal! Personally, given the quality of the food, I was disappointed in this meal. I think from now on I will just stick with brunch as I prefer those types of foods. Plus, it seems like that food might be fresher.

Clarabelle’s Enchanted Halloween Dinner Review

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I’ve just returned from another solo trip to Disneyland where I got to experience the new Clarabelle’s Enchanted Halloween Dinner! So, here’s a review of that experience.

Clarabelle's Enchanted Halloween Dinner

Clarabelle’s Enchanted Halloween Dinner

Clarabelle’s Enchanted Halloween Dinner is the newest seasonal character dinner meal at Disneyland Resort. It’s held at Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel during dinner only. During the morning hours right now, you can experience Mickey’s Autumn Adventures Brunch or Breakfast, which I was lucky enough to do last year. You can click that link to read my review of that meal.

I will start by saying that this turned into a really long meal. For whatever reason, they were running behind schedule. I wasn’t seated until 20 minutes after my reservation time. An hour later, I had seen only two characters! It took right at two hours to see everyone! I don’t know that I’ve had a character meal last that long since they are usually pushing you out the door. However, I did notice several people approaching the characters before they came to their table. If you are reading this, please don’t do that. The whole point of a character meal is that the characters come to your table while you are eating.

The Characters

The best part of this meal has to be the special characters! Let’s start with the fact that it’s headliner is Clarabelle Cow! I actually had never met her, so it was exciting to finally meet her. Also, I’m a sucker for Donald. So, I am happy to see Disneyland adding more Donald to the character meals. Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto are also at this meal.

Plus, I loved that the characters are wearing Halloween costumes! It was the perfect way to begin my Halloween trip to Disneyland!

The Food

Given the high price tag for this meal, I appreciated the various food options here. The standout items to me were the lobster ravioli and pumpkin bread pudding. The ravioli was the only thing I went back for for seconds. The salmon was also pretty good as were the mashed potatoes. The apple cider pork chop didn’t have as much of an apple cider flavor as I was hoping for. The chicken was a little dry. The vegetable medley was good but basic. The pumpkin cookie was fine. I actually liked the bat macaron. It features a peanut butter cream that I really liked. The chocolate cake thing was meh for me. A little one note.

Overall, it’s an elevated buffet meal. I think there’s something for everyone at this meal.

Is Clarabelle’s Enchanted Halloween Dinner worth it?

It costs $79 per adult, plus tax and gratuity to eat this meal (Kids are $42). So, it’s a really expensive meal. Plus, this experience ended up running long. So, I think those are important pieces of information to know before declaring this meal worth it or not. Personally, I enjoyed the food and loved meeting the characters in their unique costumes. So, it was worth it for me. However, it’s definitely a budget buster and time suck. I can see other folks determining it’s not worth it.