While Walt Disney World of Orlando, Florida, is a popular family vacation spot, it’s also ideal for honeymoons and anniversaries. My husband and I took an anniversary trip to Walt Disney World last summer. We were most impressed with the dining options and the meal plans available from Walt Disney World. Five days and five pounds later, I made the following list of favorite Disney dining date spots.
My favorite food in Disney is served at Tony’s, an Italian restaurant in Magic Kingdom. We ate here on our first night in Disney. Our dinner ended just in time for the parade and light show.
Tony’s is a representation of the restaurant featured in “Lady and the Tramp.” In the waiting area, this animated feature plays continually. Tony’s serves phenomenal Italian food, on par with what I’ve eaten in New York’s Little Italy. We loved the delicious tiramisu and ice cream bomb desserts.
For a romantic touch, you can share some spaghetti and meatballs as the characters do in the movie’s classic date scene.
Rose & Crown Dining Room (EPCOT Center)
We visited Disney in August, and it was hot! Looking for a refreshing lunch, we were able to secure last-minute reservations at the Rose & Crown, a pub located in the United Kingdom section of EPCOT. On the dining plan, I felt that I got the best value for the money here. Talking to the wait staff (who hailed from Ireland and the U.K.) was also a pleasant surprise.
I enjoyed the fast service despite the crowds and had the beer-battered cod. My husband enjoyed bangers and mash. Even though it was hot outside, the air conditioning was on full blast, so we were able to enjoy our hot meals and alcoholic beverages.
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater was a perfect date spot for my husband and me — we’re both major sci-fi geeks. We enjoyed diner food here while snuggled up in one of the “cars,” as that’s how the tables are designed. While we ate, we were able to watch clips from various 1950s-era sci-fi movies about aliens and monsters.
We had burgers, fries, and milkshakes at this low-key date spot. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is one of the slower restaurants in Disney, so plan accordingly.
The Crystal Palace is the best character breakfast spot. We enjoyed frequent coffee refills while Disney characters greeted us. Instead of having to hunt all over the park to get photos with a few characters, we were able to meet them all in one location.
While we enjoyed our breakfast, space was a bit tight and there were a lot of loud children. Our table for two was still intimate and service was speedy.
Raglan Road (Downtown Disney)
While I love Disney World, my favorite vacation spot is actually Ireland. On our last day in Disney, my husband and I explored Downtown Disney and had the pleasure of dining at Raglan Road, an authentic Irish pub.
Having explored Irish pubs in Ireland, Boston, New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia, I’m frequently disappointed by establishments that falsely claim authenticity. Fortunately, Raglan Road is the real deal. This pub includes ample seafood offerings, traditional bevvies, and delicious dessert drinks. Irish bands often stop at Raglan Road while on tour. Service is fast, and the food was fresh.
When you book your vacation and dining plan, let your agent know that you’re looking for great dining experiences for couples. Our service agent provided us with a perfect list of suggestions ranging from intimate and romantic to quirky and fun.
