Here in the land of dining entertainment, there's a lot to be said for a meal that is a lot of fun. Our nominee for the most fun dining experience at Walt Disney World is the Prime Time Diner at Disney-MGM Studios. This cute eatery will take you back to the 1950s. Every table at the Prime Time looks like your mother's (or grandmother's) kitchen. While you dine, you'll get to watch snippets of vintage 50's television: "I Married Joan," "I Love Lucy," "Our Miss Brooks," and even some pretty dated predictions of what the future will bring. Food at the Prime Time includes all the classic American standards you'd expect, from fried chicken to meat loaf, and it's all well prepared and tasty: sandwiches, soup, milk shakes, and even "s'mores" for dessert. The Prime Time service staff is your Cousin Bob and Aunt Lois, and if you know what's good for you, you'll keep your elbows off the table!
Spoodles at Disney's BoardWalk
The BoardWalk is Disney's fanciful "recreation" of a turn-of-the-century Atlantic seaside resort town and it features deluxe lodgings and a world of nighttime entertainment, nightclubs, shops, recreation, and two great dining destinations. Spoodles features the cuisine of the Mediterranean and its large and imaginative menu has everything from wood-fired pizzas to Moroccan spiced tuna. Our favorite way to dine at Spoodles is to sample their selection of "tapas," the appetizer-sized portions that include crispy fried calamari, grilled lamb skewers, a Spoodles sampler platter, and more. And if you're looking for the best breakfast at Disney, you'll find it right here at Spoodles.
Flying Fish Cafe at Disney's BoardWalk
Also here at Disney's BoardWalk is the Flying Fish Cafe. We've dined here numerous times and have never been disappointed. With new chef Robert Curry, "The Fish" continues to offer a menu that will make your dinner selection a tough choice. The char-crusted New York strip and potato-wrapped red snapper are this restaurant's signature dishes, but there's much more, including the Chef's Thunder, each day's special offerings. One of our Disney favorites, this is a great place for seafood. From openers to the Fish's tantalizing selection of desserts, the Flying Fish doesn't miss a beat.
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort
When it comes to garnering awards, the California Grill has been at the top of the Disney food chain for years. World-class dining at Walt Disney World began here, high atop Disney's Contemporary Resort. Cutting-edge California cuisine is the star in this restaurant's open kitchen and the day's menu depends on what is freshest and best in the marketplace. Brick-oven flatbreads, sushi, and a great assortment of entrees and desserts should put the California Grill on everyone's not-to-miss list.
Wolfgang Puck Cafe at Downtown Disney's West Side
We're going to cheat a little bit with our selection of the Wolfgang Puck Cafe at number 13. We'll count it as a single choice but Wolf's is really three restaurants in one, and we love them all. Chef Puck is one of the inventors of California Cuisine and his signature is combining ingredients in new and exciting ways. Downstairs at Wolfgang's is The Cafe, featuring a menu that includes some of Orlando's best sushi and such Puck standards as pumpkin raviolis and salmon pizza. We've never had anything here we didn't love. The Café is not expensive and we think it's the choice for great food at a moderate price.Upstairs, you'll find the upscale (and pricier) Dining Room. You never know what discoveries are to be made on this market-driven menu but you can be sure they will be fresh and delicious. This is fine dining a la Puck. And if you're looking for a quick bite of something original and well-prepared, drop in at the Wolfgang Puck Express (there are two: one downstairs, next to the café and another at the Downtown Disney Marketplace). With entrees all under $10, you'll find Puck's pastas, pizzas, rotisserie chicken, and the wonderful Chinois Chicken Salad. It's the best fast food anywhere.
