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Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Tweens and Teens

Finding the best restaurants for teens and tweens at Walt Disney World doesn’t have to be a challenge!  It is fun to plan dining with your teens, and allow them to have some input in where you eat and what you experience!  If you are looking for a unique dining experience, and something that will please the teenagers in your family, I have a great list for you!  

We have traveled to Walt Disney World with our children at all ages and stages. The last few years, our trips to Disney have turned to my daughter and I taking a special “mommy / me” trip every year. While I miss those days of all things princess, and making sure we had EVERY character dining experience possible, it’s now fun to add some non character dining experiences. We still work in a character meal or two, such as our traditional meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table, but we have found some great options for her as a tween / teen as well!

Dining for Tweens and Teens Outside the Disney Parks

First on the list of best Disney restaurants for teens and tweens is Splitsville at Disney Springs.  Splitsville makes the list for many reasons. First, the menu is huge. Of the restaurants on Walt Disney World property, I think it has one of the larger menus and variety to choose from. Also, the menu is sort of eclectic. While you do have your typical pizzas and burgers you’d find at a bowling alley, you can also find unique offerings. Sushi, edamame, grilled tuna, salads, and salmon are all on the menu!  I also love Splitsville when you have teens and tweens because you can go bowling!  Kids love something to do, and this fits that description!  Good food and fun!

Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Teens and Tweens

Over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you’ll find Whispering Canyon Cafe. I think that this location makes my list no matter what group of people I am traveling with! I really appreciate that Whispering Canyon serves all 3 meals  of the day.  So whether your teens are breakfast eaters or prefer lunch/dinner you have great options!  Not only is the atmosphere and theming of Wilderness Lodge stellar, but the food at Whispering Canyon Cafe is “normal”.  The BBQ meats, potatoes, corn, and teen friendly foods are served all you can eat.  They bring a big skillet of delicious food to your table!  This fun experience makes it one of the best Disney restaurants for teens and tweens!

Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is relatively new to the property. The food is AMAZING! My daughter and I enjoyed a delicious breakfast here, and can’t wait to go back and try lunch or dinner. The nostalgic theming, and the open space to dine are fantastic. They offer seasonal offerings as well, which makes it a unique experience each time. Dining at Steakhouse 71 also gives you a fun reason to hop on the monorail!

Dining for Tweens and Teens Inside the Disney Parks

Next on the list is Sci Fi Dine In at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Teens are all about unique experiences and a fun atmosphere.  I think they notice those things as they get older, and they’ll love it at Sci Fi!  The outdoor atmosphere indoors is so fun. You feel as if you are in a drive in movie theater, in the dark night, with fun cars for tables.  The 1950s horror clips and cartoons playing on the big screen add to the fun!  The menu is great.  Classic burgers, fun milkshakes, and family friendly foods to please everyone.  

When considering a teen/tween friendly meal at EPCOT, Via Napoli is ideal.  What teenager doesn’t love pizza, and pasta?  You can find both, and plenty to share at Via Napoli. Since the portions are so large, it also makes it an economical option!  The pizzas at Via Napoli are wood fired, authentic Napolenta pizzas.  Guests can even watch the pizzas being fired in the mouths of the giant brick ovens!  Not only does Via offer great pizza, but also plenty of pasta and authentic Italian options for everyone in your family.

While not table service, Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park must be on the list of a favorite restaurant for teens and tweens.  When kids are older, they tend to be a bit more adventurous, so Satu’li is a great option!  They offer the ability to customize your bowls with several bases, proteins, and toppings.  Plus, if your teens are looking for an “IG worthy” food, you can find it here!  The food is all unique, to keep with the theming of the planet of Pandora.  

Keeping along the lines of theming, Jungle Navigation Skipper’s Canteen at Magic Kingdom is one of those locations for teens that is worth it for the theming.  The menu is a tad adventurous.  However, the witty Skipper’s and classic Jungle Cruise humor we all love make this a fantastic option for families with teens!  The theming is just incredible. I appreciate that Skipper’s Canteen offers an eclectic menu for families, and not just standard theme park food.

My last “favorite” for teens and tweens is also at Magic Kingdom, Liberty Tree Tavern.  If you have teens like mine, they love history.  Liberty Tree puts them in different eras of colonial times, depending on where you are seated.  The service is always great here, so less stress on the parents!  The huge platters of Thanksgiving-type foods is perfect for the teens in your family.  My teens, while they have certainly expanded their palates, still like a traditional meal every once in a while.  The turkey, green beans, potatoes, rolls, etc are always a hit with them at Liberty Tree.  And really, we all just go there for the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake, right?!

With so many great options on all of Walt Disney World property, I hope these have helped you narrow down your options for your next trip with your favorite teens and tweens!  

Carrie Hurst

Not only do I love sharing all my vacation tips and ideas here on A Princess and Her Pirates, but I also work alongside families to create magical vacation memories year after year! Email me at carrie@destinationsinflorida.com to begin the planning process, and join hundreds of families on my current guest list.

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