Dining Through Disney Part 2
This might be a controversial opinion to Disney World lovers out there, but my favorite park has to be Hollywood Studios. I have such fond memories of my dad surprising us with fast passes (yes, they used to be in paper form) to ride Rock N Roller Coaster, and my sister becoming obsessed with Tower of Terror at the ripe young age of eight. While other kids her age were terrified, she was begging to ride it over and over again. Now there is even more to love with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. There are also amazing shows like Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Beauty and the Beast, but I know the main reason we are all here is for the food.
As a reminder, Disney has different levels of dining experiences that come at varying levels of price points. For the cheapest and quickest options, there are quick service restaurants and food stands. These stands may or may not have seating and you can also mobile order your food for pick up on the app. If you want to guarantee a seat or have a nicer meal then table service would be the way to go. You will need reservations for these sit down options and you can make them online or on the My Disney Experience app up to sixty days out from visiting the parks.
Hollywood Studios Quick Service:
Starting off the morning, I like to head over to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge right when the park opens to beat the line for Rise of the Resistance. This interactive ride is truly incredible. After trying to get away from the First Order you can find breakfast at Ronto Roasters. The breakfast wraps include eggs, sausage, and cheese but the afternoon options are delicious as well. If you need a caffeine pick-me-up, try the cold brew black caf at Kat Saka’s Kettle. This cold brew is topped with sweet cream cheese, which is basically frothy cold foam, and cocoa puffs. We were brave enough to try the infamous blue milk at the Milk Stand and were pleasantly surprised to find it was a citrus slushy drink that can beat the Florida heat.
Woody’s Lunch Box is one of my all time favorite quick service options, and we had a fantastic time trying it with our friends Nick and Natalie when we crashed their Disney vacation. The grilled cheese is pretty famous with several copycat recipes online, but the totchos are pretty fantastic as well. There are several allergy friendly options along with some shaded seating in the area. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, don’t forget to grab a lunch box tart, which is essentially a fancy pop-tart. The raspberry flavor is a staple, but other flavors switch out including peanut butter banana, hazelnut chocolate, lemon blueberry, and even sweet potato.
If you are looking for another kind of sweet treat, the Neighborhood Bakery or Market has a, dare I say, Incredible option. Jack Jack’s Num-Num Cookie is one of my favorite sweet treats, and I really want to try and make an at home recipe of this thick, chewy, and chocolatey cookie soon.
Hollywood Studios Table Service- Casual:
During our first family Disney trip, I remember the first place (and park) we went to was the 50’s Prime Time Cafe. I don’t know if it was the theming that stuck out to me or just the excitement of finally being at Disney World. Regardless, this restaurant has the type of meals that “stick to your bones”, so I would suggest having it for dinner. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is also a great option and opened not long after Hollywood Studios did in 1991. This area of the park really gives me feelings of nostalgia with the Muppets and faux Hollywood sets.
Hollywood Studios Table Service- Fancy:
Hollywood and Vine is one of the nicer buffet options in Hollywood studios coming in at $42 per adult for breakfast and $59 per adult for lunch and dinner. During breakfast hours, Disney Junior characters such as Doc McStuffins parade through the eating area, but more classic characters like Mickey, Minney, Goofy, and Pluto are seen at the lunch and dinner hours. The theming and costumes also change throughout the year, so I am sure the characters are all dressed up for the spooky season at this time.
Budget Bites:
One way that you can stay on a budget in the parks is by splitting a meal. At 50’s Prime Time Cafe, there is a sampler platter of “Mom’s Favorite Recipes” for $28 that includes fried chicken, pot roast, meatloaf, and sides that can easily be split between two people. Mama Melrose entrees come with plenty of bread on the side, so splitting the spaghetti and meatballs or chicken parmesan can leave you plenty satisfied.
I hope you enjoyed this stroll through Hollywood and memory lane as much as I did. Hollywood Studios is a special park for me, and nothing says glamor more than ending the night in this park watching Fantasmic! Stay tuned because more Disney dining recommendations will be coming to a blog near you. Next time, the options may be a little more wild than what we experienced in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.