Disney Resort Hopping using the Monorail
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Get your Magic Bands ready—today, we’re doing more than just visiting Magic Kingdom. Once again, I teamed up with Disney travel agent Karli Keene for another unforgettable Disney adventure.
Now, let’s be real: while the rides and attractions are a huge draw, the real reason I keep coming back to Magic Kingdom is for the food. Whether it’s a classic Disney treat or something new to try, Magic Kingdom’s culinary offerings never disappoint. From nostalgic bites that take you back to childhood to unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else, the food here is as much a part of the magic as the castle itself.
With empty stomachs and big appetites, we set out to explore all the delicious options Magic Kingdom—and a few nearby resorts—had to offer. So, grab a snack and settle in, because this adventure is all about the flavors that make Disney truly magical.
We kicked off our morning in the sweltering humidity of Florida, with the looming threat of rain always on our minds. Despite the weather, we managed to squeeze in a few classic rides before lunchtime.
Starting the Day at Pinocchio’s Village Haus
For our first food stop of the day, we found ourselves famished outside of Pinocchio’s Village Haus, which conveniently doubles as the entrance to “It’s A Small World.” While we started the day with a quick bite of flatbread—perhaps not the most adventurous choice—it hit the spot.
Pinocchio’s Village Haus offers a family-friendly menu with something for everyone. I paired my flatbread with a Blue Fairy slushy, which was the perfect way to cool down on a humid Florida morning.
After brunch, we explored more of the park and even caught my first-ever Disney parade—a magical experience that added a bit of extra Disney charm to our day. But as the dark clouds gathered, threatening to dampen our spirits, we decided to change up our game plan and hop on the monorail to do some resort hopping.
Resort Hopping: The Contemporary and Steakhouse 71
Our first stop was the Contemporary Resort, but as soon as we arrived, the monorail shut down due to the weather!
We took the opportunity to explore the main lobby, where the enticing smells from Chef Mickey’s and the Contempo Café filled the air. While we didn’t stop to eat, we were tempted by all the delicious options.
With the rain still coming down, we decided to head over to the hotel lounge, Steakhouse 71.
I started off with a vodka gimlet, featuring green chartreuse, lime, lemonade, and Seedlip Garden for an herby aftertaste. Karli opted for the bourbon cold brew with vanilla bean cream—perfect for a rainy day.
Realizing I shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, I ordered some PB&J wings as an appetizer. The wings, with their Thai peanut sauce-like flavor, were fantastic and exactly what I needed.
Since the monorail was still down, we decided to move to the main dining room for a proper meal. For my appetizer, I indulged in a lump crab cake on a bed of corn hash with Old Bay remoulade, and because I was both hungry and feeling adventurous, I also ordered a citrus-poached shrimp cocktail.
Karli went for the Stack Burger, Steakhouse 71’s signature blend of beef, chargrilled and topped with lemon aioli, cheese, and pickles.
And for dessert, we went all out with the tallest slice of chocolate cake I’ve ever seen.
The Polynesian and the Grand Floridian: A Tropical and Elegant Escape
By the time we finished, the monorail was back up and running, but we were having too much fun to head back to Magic Kingdom just yet. Instead, we continued our resort-hopping adventure with a stop at the Polynesian Resort.
The Polynesian is a tropical oasis, decked out in exotic décor and lush greenery, complete with a few swanky restaurants. It’s also one of the few places outside of the parks where you can grab a genuine Dole Whip from the Pineapple Lanai.
Did you know there’s a limeade Dole Whip? You can even order it glitterfied for Disney’s 50th anniversary!
Our next stop was the Grand Floridian, where we checked out the Enchanted Rose lounge—a gorgeous space inspired by Belle’s library from Beauty and the Beast. We cooled off with a few more drinks—I’m pretty sure I ordered the Grand Cosmopolitan, though by this point, I was enjoying myself a little too much to be certain. Karli likely had the espresso martini, which paired perfectly with the elegant surroundings.
Back to Magic Kingdom: A Magical Evening
After sobering up on our way back to Magic Kingdom, we rode a few more rides before making our way to the foot of Cinderella’s castle to camp out for the fireworks show.
Somehow, we found ourselves hungry again after the show, so we made our way to the Liberty Tree Tavern for one final meal. I wasn’t expecting to end my evening with a full Thanksgiving dinner, but it was exactly what I needed after a long day at Disney. We wrapped up the meal with an ice cream-topped chocolate chip cookie—a dessert so good that I still dream about it.
There’s so much more to see and do at Disney! Don’t forget to look back on the rest of my trip where I ate around the world at Epcot and joined the Resistance at Galaxy’s Edge. You won’t want to miss out.
Magic Kingdom never fails to serve up some incredible eats, and this trip was no exception. From starting the day with flatbread and slushies at Pinocchio’s Village Haus to indulging in wings and crab cakes at Steakhouse 71, every bite was a highlight. Whether it’s resort hopping during a rainstorm or capping off the night with a Thanksgiving feast at Liberty Tree Tavern, there’s always something new and delicious to try. Until the next adventure, keep those appetites ready for more Disney magic. Let me know in the comments where I should head next!
