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

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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!

