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DFB Reader Questions Answered: Best Disney World Breakfasts Without Characters or Buffets


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We’re tackling another question from the DFB Reader mailbag! And today, it’s all about breakfast.

The Samoan at Kona Cafe

The Samoan at Kona Cafe

Our reader asks:

Where can we get a good breakfast if we are NOT into characters or buffets?

There are lots of spots to enjoy a terrific breakfast at Walt Disney World — even if you prefer not to have characters, and you’d rather order a la carte.

We’ll break down a few of our favorites below, and share why these spots are tops for starting your Disney Day.

Good Counter Service Options

If you are crunched — for time, money, or both — then consider some of Disney’s best Counter Service Breakfast options.

Deluxe resorts are some of my favorite spots for counter service eats. Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers Mickey Waffles with a variety of toppings. We love the Bananas Foster option!

Wilderness Lodge Waffles

Wilderness Lodge Waffles

And at Captain Cook’s, located in the Polynesian Village Resort, you can indulge in an iconic Disney breakfast — Tonga Toast — without paying table service prices!

Tonga Toast with Bacon from Captain Cook's

Tonga Toast with Bacon from Captain Cook’s

BoardWalk Bakery at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is another option for you. Choose from some of the best bakery and pastry items in the World.

Brioche at the BoardWalk Bakery

Brioche at the BoardWalk Bakery

Or if you’re looking for something a little heartier, check out the Breakfast Waffle Cone!

BoardWalk Bakery Breakfast Waffle Cone

BoardWalk Bakery Breakfast Waffle Cone

If you’re looking for a substantial start to your day inside of the parks, you have a few options as well. Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom offers a prix fixe breakfast. You choose your entree, and it’s served with a pastry basket and your choice of drink. It’s a great, less busy time to see this super popular restaurant!

Open-Face Bacon and Egg Sandwich for Breakfast at Be Our Guest

Open-Face Bacon and Egg Sandwich for Breakfast at Be Our Guest

When Epcot is your first stop of the day, skip the resort food court and head to Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie. The authentic French bakery and pastry shop opens at 9:00AM most mornings — a full 2 hours before the rest of World Showcase. It’s a great opportunity to take in a delicious breakfast in a quiet(er) corner of the park.

Pastries in Display Case at Les Halles

Pastries in Display Case at Les Halles

If you’re looking to kick off your day with a spot of shopping, you’ll find hearty breakfast treats at the Earl of Sandwich in Disney Springs. Finally, whether you’re visiting the shopping and entertainment district, or you’re in the parks, there’s always a Starbucks nearby, where you’ll find their familiar line of breakfast sandwiches and pastries — plus a few Disney-specific treats.

Gouda spilling over the side

Gouda and Bacon Breakfast Sandwich at Starbucks

Also, don’t forget that nearly all of the resorts, including the Value Resorts, offer food courts with lots of breakfast options. Some of our favorites are Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation and Port Orleans French Quarter — mmm! Beignets! :-)

If you’re looking for a very light breakfast option, you’ll find fresh fruit, bread for toast, milk, and juice in all of the Disney counter service and food court options, as well as in some locations within the parks.

Cereal and Fruit at Contempo Cafe

Cereal and Fruit at Contempo Cafe

You’ll also find them in the gift and sundries shops.

Table Service Breakfast Choices

But you also have several great table service options for breakfast as well.

Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk serves up breakfast with a Mediterranean twist. Don’t miss their Poached Eggs with Fennel Sausage, Parmesan, and Tomato Gravy served over soft Polenta.

Poached Eggs, Fennel Sausage, and Tomato Gravy with Soft Polenta -- Up Close

Poached Eggs, Fennel Sausage, and Tomato Gravy with Soft Polenta — Up Close

Or if you’re looking for a sweet beginning, give the Waffle with Espresso-Mascarpone Cream and choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage a go.

Amazing Mascarpone topping on Trattoria al Forno Waffles

Amazing Mascarpone topping on Trattoria al Forno Waffles

I also make it a point to visit Kona Cafe nearly every time I’m in town. Who can resist the Samoan, or an order of Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes? You can get Tonga Toast here, too, but it’s a bit more expensive than it is downstairs at Captain Cook’s.

Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes from Kona Cafe

Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes from Kona Cafe

Over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Whispering Canyon Cafe is a flip side to the coin. Here, you can expect bonafide shenanigans from the wait staff and your fellow diners.

All You Care to Enjoy Breakfast Skillet for One at Whispering Canyon Cafe

All You Care to Enjoy Breakfast Skillet for One at Whispering Canyon Cafe

But no worries; if you’re looking for a meal fit for a cowboy, but you aren’t up to the fun and games, just flip your card to red, and you’ll be served in peace and quiet.

Flip Card -- Red "Watch from the Fence!" Side

Flip Card — Red “Watch from the Fence!” Side

Park breakfasts are, for the most part, either counter service or character meals. But there are a few exceptions, like breakfast at Rainforest Cafe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The Best of Both: Buffets and A La Carte

Finally there are a couple of spots that offer a hybrid approach to the morning meal. You can order a la carte items from a menu, or you can indulge in the restaurant’s buffet.

The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is an example. If you aren’t looking to fill up first thing, order house specialties, like Sweet Potato Pancakes, are available on the menu.

The Wave Signature Sweet Potato Pancakes

The Wave Signature Sweet Potato Pancakes

Similarly, Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort also offers both a la carte and buffet options. The Lobster Omelet is the perfect vacation indulgence.

Lobster Omelet

Lobster Omelet at Captain’s Grille

So, if you’re thinking of foregoing breakfast to avoid buffets and characters at Disney World, we can highly recommend that you try out a few of our suggestions instead — you may find they’re the best meals you have the whole time you’re in Disney World!

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Ready for All of Our Best Tips?

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With more than 530 pagesThe DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining E-book — and use code HAPPYPLACE for an extra $4 discount for a limited time!

Now I’d love to hear from you! What is your favorite non-buffet, non-character breakfast in Walt Disney World? Let us know below in comments!

Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and:


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