Feeding Your Teenagers: The Best Disney World Restaurants for Big Appetites

One of the largest costs of your trip to Disney World is the food. It can be an even bigger issue when you’re trying to feed your teen kids who have seemingly endless appetites. Let’s take a look at some of the best places for you to chow down to make sure that you’re not getting your wallet out for a snack 20 minutes after dinner.

Find the buffets

There are numerous buffets in Walt Disney World and they’re a great choice to let your teen load up on carbs and protein before a long day in the parks – or after a long day in the parks. Note that these buffets can seem pricey, but when you consider that your teen really can eat as much as they want, and that there’s something at these buffets for everyone, you’ll see that it can be a great value after all.



Crystal Palace is a popular buffet in Magic Kingdom. There you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner served up and even meet the characters from Winnie the Pooh. Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House is another popular buffet where you can meet Mickey, Minnie and friends all dressed for a safari while you sample some interesting African dishes. Don’t worry though – there’s plenty of kid-friendly food on the menu including chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and more.

Head out for all-you-can-eat delights

Similar to buffets, there are numerous all-you-can eat dining options. O’hana, located at the Poly Resort near the Magic Kingdom, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in all-you-can-eat family style portions. Garden Grill in Epcot Center is another great choice, though you can only stop by that popular spot for dinner. Both choices provide plenty of options for both adventurous and picky eaters, and both allow your teens to get their fill.

Find the best value at counter service meals

Of course you don’t always want to take the time to sit down for a table service meal. In that case, check out some great values at counter service restaurants. If you’re in Animal Kingdom head straight for Flame Tree BBQ where you can get a combo that includes half a slab of ribs, half a chicken, beans, coleslaw, bread, and a drink for just over $11. If you’re in Epcot, check out Tangerine Café where an enormous platter with hummus, meats, and all sorts of goodies will set you back just over $10.

At Magic Kingdom Cosmic Ray’s is a great choice. There you can get the same deal described above that you’ll find at Flame Tree BBQ. There’s also Peco’s Bills, where you can get a hamburger and then take advantage of the free toppings bar to add plenty of good eats.