Hi, Renee! Congratulations on your first trip to Walt Disney World (WDW)! Yes, there are so many dining choices at WDW that it can be overwhelming to choose. From parks to resorts, from quick and yummy snacks to five-star dining, the restaurants can be as much of an attraction as any other aspect of a Disney vacation. I'll help you navigate...that's why I'm here!
First of all, take a look at the various choices on the
WDW site. You'll notice that these options are most of the table-service restaurants located on the property -- buffets, cafes, signature dining, character meals, dinner shows, and more. Plus, there are many counter service or quick service restaurants, too, which are not listed. It really depends on how you like to eat, how you like to spend your park days and what your budget will allow.
For our family, we usually spend anywhere from 5-7 days at WDW at a time, and we like to schedule a table-service meal everyday -- breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sometimes, we like to start our day with a character meal such as Chef Mickey's, or we'll grab a quick bite in favor of a favorite lunch restaurant at one of the countries of Epcot such as Le Cellier at the Canada pavilion. Sometimes, we'll save our money (and calories) for a extended dining experience such as Citricos at The Grand Floridian or Artist Point at The Wilderness Lodge. Then, we'll fill in our days by snacking at some of favorite places or eating a few counter service quick meals in the parks.
If you can write back and give a few more details such as the time of year you're planning and if you're on the Disney Dining Plan or not, that will help narrow down your selections. Plus, make sure you tell us if you like fine dining or if you would rather spend your vacation budget on other aspects of your budget. Thanks for the question. Have a wonderful day and a magical vacation!