hamburger counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

Welcome to the second article in my Where in Walt Disney World Can I Find? series. By now, all of you fine readers should have had a oppportunity to read the first article, Where in Walt Disney World Can I Find? The Drinks & Snacks Parks Edition, that posted on April 28, 2015.  I’m really excited about this series! With all that there is to see and do at Walt Disney World, it’s sure to have a long run. My mind is swirling with ideas for upcoming articles and I can’t wait to share them all with you!

For those of you who are planning your first visit to the Walt Disney World Resort,  I remember those days!  I understand that trying to decide what to do and, just as importantly, what to eat, can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. Even for those of us who have been multiple times.  If you are a seasoned Walt Disney World traveler, you are well aware  that the Walt Disney World Resort is constantly expanding and making additions. Not only their attractions but also to their restaurants.    It is my hope that this series will help both first time visitors and frequent travelers find something that they will want to try on their trip to Walt Disney World.  Today, my goal, is to help you with your counter service a/k/a quick service dining decisions.

If you read the first article (and if you didn’t, just click here), you may notice that I reiterate some of the wording and facts in this the second posting  in the Where in Walt Disney World Can I Find? series.  This is for informational  and clarity purposes only.  Rest assured, the counter service parks edition list includes all new foods and drinks and there are no exact duplications from the snacks and drinks list.     There are some of the more traditional “theme park foods” included because, really, who doesn’t enjoy a good juicy burger?  But, there are also some items that may come as a surprise when you read that they are considered a counter service option.

If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, you”ll be happy to hear that the majority are considered  a counter service credit if you are on the dining plan. Simply look for the purple DP symbol on the menu or ask a Disney cast member if  it is included. They are always willing to answer guest questions.  Paying out-of-pocket? I’ve include some of the more budget friendly options too.  **DIStracted Tip: Many of the counter service meals are large enough that they can be shared.

Members of the Magical DIStractions team often write about our dining experiences in the Walt Disney World theme parks, Resorts, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Downtown Disney.  You  may notice that some of the food choices listed here have pictures and/or links to those articles. All you have to do is simply click on the link and it will take you to the full review.   How much easier could that be?

Without further ado, here’s my list of  twenty-six  counter service options  that you can find at the four theme parks, two water parks and Downtown Disney!

The ABC List of Counter Service Options in the Parks

A:

Allergy friendly menus: Disney Parks answered the call from all food allergy sufferers with the introduction of new allergy-friendly menus.   You can get the full details on this breaking news story  here: Allergy-Friendly Menus Rolling out across Disney Parks

B:

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Sandwich:   Bacon wrapped meatloaf sandwich with smoked mozzarella, garlic aioli and crispy onion strings  This delicious sandwich is served at Wolfgang Puck Express in the Marketplace at Downtown Disney.  For a full review and pictures of additional food items, read the Eat, Love, Live (WELL) at Wolfgang Puck Express  article.

bacon wrapped meatloaf sandwich counter service-wolfgang puck express-Picture by Lisa McBride

C:

Carved Prime Chuck Roast Beef Sandwich: Since it’s opening, Be Our Guest has been one of the most popular restaurants in the Magic Kingdom and there’s been several different “tests” conducted to make it run more efficiently.  The lunch menu offers several entrees to choose from including the carved prime chuck roast beef sandwich.  Juicy prime chuck roast beef is served  on a baguette with horseradish cream and comes with a side of pomme frites.   To see pictures of the inside of the restaurant and to read the lunch review, follow this link: Be Our Guest Lunch Review

carved prime chuck roast beef sandwich counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

D:

Darth Vader Chocolate Cupcake: These moist chocolate cupcakes are served in several of the counter service restaurants at Hollywood Studios during the Star Wars Weekends festivities and sometimes even beyond those dates.  We chose the cupcake as our dessert when we ate at the ABC Commissary.

darth cupcake counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

E:

Eggs Florentine:  Recently,  Be Our Guest started serving breakfast!  Magical DIStractions shared the exciting news with its readers in several articles including the latest one Be Our Guest Breakfast Reservation Test Extended Into the Summer! One of the items on their fixed price menu is Eggs Florentine which is a puff pastry shell with scrambled eggs, cheese, and fresh spinach served with country ham and  roasted plum tomatoes.

Eggs Florentine- Just one of the amazing adult meals to choose from.

F:

Fried shrimp: A day at Typhoon Lagoon means swimming with the sharks, riding Crush n Gusher, going down body slides and working up a hunger!  Typhoon Tilly’s serves nice crunchy fried shrimp and fries.  Other food items are available as well as was posted in Typhoon Lagoon – A Water Park that’s worth Gushin’ about!

fried shrimp counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

G:

Gluten Free Brownies:  Walt Disney World Resort recognized the need for gluten free products many years ago. Guests now have the option of choosing gluten free (and sugar free) products as their dessert choices.  One of those dessert options are the gluten free brownies. These delicious brownies were served when we dined at Electric Umbrella in the Future World area of Epcot.

gluten free brownie italian sandwich counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

H:

Hamburgers:  The hamburgers and cheeseburgers  that are served at the Walt Disney World Resort come in all shapes and sizes and include all sorts of different “additions” such as the big juicy burger topped with onion rings shown in the picture at the top of this article.  We had that burger at Pecos Bill’s Tall Inn and Cafe at the Magic Kingdom.   The Disney Company knows that burgers are a fan favorite so they made sure that guests can find them in all of the parks.

burger counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

I:

Italian Sandwich:   The Hot Italian Sandwich is my husband’s go-to entree when we visit Pizzafari at the Animal Kingdom park.  The sandwich is served fresh and comes with a bag of chips.

***DIStracted Tip: Hidden Mickeys can be found all over the restaurant, especially in the camouflage room.

italian sandwich counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

J:

Just for Kids:  If you have a child who is a picky eater or they eat like a bird, Disney has a variety of choices for the kids to enjoy.  Like the macaroni & cheese and fries served at the Electric Umbrella in the Future World area of Epcot.

Epcot – Electric Umbrella Kid’s meal-Picture by Christen Francis

K:

Kosher meals: As is posted on the Walt Disney World website, guests who request kosher meals will most certainly be accommodated.  There is at least one location at each theme park that do not require advance notice.  At the present time, those locations are  Pizzafari at the Animal Kingdom, ABC Commissary at Hollywood Studios, Liberty Inn at Epcot and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at the Magic Kingdom. Should you wish to talk with a Disney cast member prior to your visit, please call (407) 939-3463 at least 48 hours in advance.

L:

Lobster roll: “The bread was light and fluffy, there was the perfect mix of veggies, mayonnaise, and huge chunks of lobster!” That’s a direct quote from the Columbia Harbour House review posted to the Magical DIStraction site.  Sounds like a visit to the Columbia Harbour House in the Liberty Square area of the Magic Kingdom is in order!

M:

Montagu:   The Earl of Sandwich is located in the Marketplace section of Downtown Disney and has a drool-worthy menu.  Included on the menu is the Full Montagu sandwich with roasted beef and turkey with cheddar and swiss, lettuce, roma tomato and mustard sauce.

N:

New York Strip Steak: If you are at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and are looking for an out-of-the-ordinary counter service meal, pop into ABC Commissary for the New York Strip Steak served with blue cheese butter, steamed broccoli and french fries.

O:

Open Face bacon and Egg Sandwich:  Another entree that’s served on the Be Our Guest fixed priced breakfast is the open face bacon and egg sandwich .  The sandwich of poached eggs, applewood smoked bacon, brie cheese and arugula is on toasted bread and is served with fresh fruit.

Open-face bacon and egg sandwich on millet bread. Photo by Joyce Smith

P:

Pepperoni Pizza:  Just like hamburgers, pizzas are always a fan favorite.   The designers of Disney’s Blizzard Beach knew that their guests would be hungry after all of the things there are to do at the water park.  I’m sure that’s why there are several counter service restaurants to choose from.  During our 2014 trip to Blizzard Beach, pepperoni pizza and burgers were on the menu at Lottawatta Lodge.

pepperoni pizza counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

Q:

Quiona:  If you are in the Marketplace at Downtown Disney and are looking for a tasty salad, Wolfgang Puck Express serves a Baby Spinach & Quinoa salad with golden raisins, apples, shaved fennel and a lemon vinaigrette.

R:

Ribs: Now that the recent refurbishment of Flame Tree BBQ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is complete, guests are once again able to dine on the finger-licking goodness served there.  I’m talking about the 1/2 slab of St. Louis Ribs that come with a side of beans and coleslaw.

Flame Tree BBQ ribs-Picture by Stephanie Goehring

S:

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake:  These delectable  dishes of cheesecake are a treat to the taste buds.  Strawberry Swirl Cheesecakes are offered a a dessert option at many of the counter service restaurants and, at the resorts too.

strawberry cheesecake counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

T:

Teriyaki:  While the menu at Yak & Yeti does change from time to time, you may find beef teriyaki on the menu just like one of our Magical DIStractions members did in December, 2014: Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe.   At the present time, Teriyaki Mahi-Mahi is on the menu but you could always check the menu to see if the beef is back.

yak and yeti cafe, terriyaki beef

U:

Udon Noodles:  Katsura Grill, located in the Japan pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase, serves up udon noodles or udon beef noodles.  The seating area for Katsura Grill is situated on a hillside and is away from the hustle and bustle.  It’s a nice spot to eat your meal and people watch.

W:

Wraps:  If you are looking for healthy food options, look no further than Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Future World.  The Southwest Chicken Wrap is in the grab-and-go refrigerated case of the food court style eatery.  For a full description and a full review of the wrap and other options available to guests, you’ll want to read Eating Healthy at Walt Disney World: Sunshine Seasons.

X:

eXtra Toppings: Many of the counter service restaurants that serve burgers and taco salads have a toppings bar.  These bars have an assortment of toppings to choose from.  My favorite  is the one at Pecos Bill’s in the Magic Kingdom. It has sautéed mushrooms and onions, salsa, chopped onions and pickles.  My very favorite thing on the bar? The piping hot cheese that’s a perfect dip for your fries.  The toppings bars have everything you need to take your ordinary burger to the extraordinary level.

extra toppings counter service-Picture by Lisa McBride

Y:

Yak & Yeti’s Sweet n Sour Chicken:  Okay, so the actual name of the dish is not Yak & Yeti’s sweet n sour chicken but, hey, it’s tough coming up with something that begins with a Y.   There are two sweet n sour dishes to choose from on the Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafe menu. One is sweet n sour chicken and the other is sweet n sour pork.  Both are served with ginger, garlic, bell peppers, pineapple with jasmine or brown rice.

yak and yeti cafe, sweet n sour chicken

Z:

Zinfandel: Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has several wines on their menu including a white Zinfandel.  Other wines offered are Beso Del Sol Sangria, Chardonnay or Merlot and Moscato.

There you go!  There’s the ABC List of  Where in Walt Disney World Can I Find? The Counter Service Parks Edition!  Keep in mind that this is just an inkling of what you can find in the way of counter service dining options.  Walt Disney World has oodles and oodles of food items for you to choose from!

The team here at Magical DIStractions is dedicated to providing our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information that we can. As I said earlier, however, Walt Disney World constantly expands and changes. There is a possibility that you might not find some of the items listed when you arrive at Walt Disney World but I’d venture to say that you will find another delectable alternative.

Don’t forget that this is the second article in a series of many.  If you didn’t use of the links above to the first post in the series, click here to go there now.  You’ll want to stay tuned for more of the Where in Walt Disney World Can I Find? series. Be sure to sign up for the Magical DIStractions newsletter, like us on Facebook , and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+, so that you can be kept up to date on all the latest news and articles! Oh and our YouTube channel is under development too! Lots of new and exciting things happening on the Magical DIStractions site and you don’t want to miss a single thing!