Group posing in front of a Te Fiti-shaped topiary in Moana's Journey of Water
  • On Jun 11, 2026
    William from UT Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm taking my wife and 2 kids to Disney World for their first time and my first time in 10+ years. How many days should we plan for the parks in September and what quick service food options should we try? One kid is kind of a picky eater.

    Howdy William!

    Welcome back to planDisney. I’m excited to hear that you will soon be visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth again. A lot has happened to the parks since the last visit. I would love to share some of that with you. Let’s get to your question and get your planning on the way. 

    September is one of my favorite times of the year to visit the Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts. I would plan on at least 4 full days in order to be able to spend 1 day per park at a minimum. This should give you ample time to explore all of the park’s experiences, including rides, shows, and nighttime spectaculars. I would also recommend getting the park hopper option added to your tickets. This allows you to hop between parks at your leisure. This is great because you might start at one park and want to return to another to repeat a ride or experience you missed. You can also take advantage of early theme park entry by staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. You can find The Build Your Vacation on the Walt Disney World website and look at all of your options for resorts, tickets and add-ons. 

    One of the great things about dining at Walt Disney World is all of the options available, especially for picky eaters. Every park offers multiple quick service options, so let me recommend some of my favorites. At the Magic Kingdom, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe have a great variety of options. We usually have pizza at Pinocchio and a cupcake for dessert at Gaston’s Tavern. Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I really like Satu’li Canteen and Flame Tree Barbecue. You can’t go wrong with Backlot Express or the ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I saved the best for last at EPCOT. Connections Eatery and Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue are amazing options. One of the best things about all of these is that you can mobile order using the My Disney Experience app. This is super convenient to maximize your time instead of waiting in line to order.

    Since we’re talking about food, I have to tell you about one of the best festivals of the year, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. You can embark on a culinary adventure across 6 continents, experiencing unique food, drinks, and desserts at kiosks all throughout the World Showcase. You can also experience the Eat to the Beat Concert series with performers you know and love. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for updated information.

    William, I hope this helps with all of your planning and that you and your family have a magical time visiting Walt Disney World. If you have any further questions, please stop back by, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

    See ya real soon,
    Robert
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Meet the Panelist: Robert, Texas

Howdy from Texas! I'm Robert, a husband and Dad of two Mouseketeers.  When I'm not practicing martial arts, I love spending time with my family and, of course, vacationing at the Happiest Place on Earth.  I'm excited to help you by sharing my unique insights and tips to make your trip a magical one! Learn More About Robert

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