Are you wondering how to keep Kosher while at Disney World?
Here’s everything you need to know about keeping Kosher while you’re on your Disney World or Orlando vacation.
First, most of the full-service Disney-owned restaurants and some of the non-Disney owned full service restaurants can provide kosher meals. Kosher meals are also available at some of the quick service restaurants. This allows you to enjoy the ambiance and comfort of the restaurants, and to conveniently enjoy your meals inside the parks.
Also, guests who need Kosher meals can participate in the Disney Dining Plan (when it’s available). For example, if you’re entitled to an appetizer, entree and dessert, you can order a Kosher appetizer, entree and dessert.
Call 407- WDW-DINE (939-3463) to make your Advanced Dining Reservations at full service restaurants.
Call (407) 824-1391 to order your Kosher meals.
Advance notice required for kosher meals at Disney World full service restaurants:
- For most full service restaurants you must order your kosher meals at least 24 hours in advance, and preferably 72 hours in advance.
- At least 48-hours notice is required for full service restaurants at the Swan or Dolphin resorts and at both of the Rainforest Café restaurants.
- Seven days notice is required for Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Animal Kingdom.
More details about Kosher Meals at Disney World
At buffet or family style service restaurants, you’ll be charged the regular buffet or family style meal price but you’ll only be given one kosher meal.
You’ll be required to give a credit card to make orders in advance. It will be charged once you dine, if you don’t show up, or if you cancel within 24 hours of your reservation. Certain restaurants will charge you if you cancel within 48 hours of your reservation. These includoshe Yak & Yeti Restaurant, both Rainforest Café locations, and restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts.
Kosher meals are not currently available at The Garden View Afternoon Tea, Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining. Kosher meals are also not generally available at non-Disney owned restaurants such as Planet Hollywood and Wolfgang Puck. Disney Dining can confirm the restaurants that can make kosher meals available.
Kosher Meals at your Disney World resort
Kosher meals can be ordered for you in advance at your Disney resort restaurant. Some resorts may require your request at least 72 hours in advance.
Disney World owned restaurants that usually carry Kosher meals
Some restaurants always carry kosher meals, so that you can dine there without advance notice. I recommend that you contact the Special Dietary Requests Department at 407-824-5967 or email SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com for the most current listing prior to your trip. At the time of this writing, the restaurants included are (subject to change):
Disney resorts that usually carry kosher meals:
- World Premiere Food Court in the All-Star Movies Resort
- Intermission Food Court in the All-Star Music Resort
- End Zone Food Court in the All-Star Sports Resort
- Everything Pop Shopping and Dining in the Pop Century Resort
- Old Port Royale Food Court in the Caribbean Beach Resort
- Riverside Mill Food Court in the Port Orleans Riverside Resort
- Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory in the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
- Artist’s Palette in the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Gasparilla’s Grill & Games in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- The Mara in the Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Roaring Forks in the Wilderness Lodge
Theme park restaurants that usually carry kosher meals:
- Pizzafari in Animal Kingdom
- ABC Commissary in Hollywood Studios
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Magic Kingdom
- Liberty Inn in Epcot World Showcase
- Electric Umbrella in Epcot theme Future World
More that you need to know about Disney’s Kosher meals
The food comes in a sealed package on a plastic plate with compartments, like a TV dinner meal. It comes with sealed cutlery. The packaging is labeled showing the kosher certification. At this writing we believe that the food is considered Glatt Kosher, and it’s certified by the OK Kosher Certification Organization. We suggest you confirm this in advance if a certain type of certification is essential to you.
As with all Disney restaurants, the kosher menu can be changed at any time. Kosher breakfasts currently come with a dinner roll and may include a cheese blintz with hash browns, and a cheese omelet with home fries. Lunch and dinner, meals currently come with a dinner roll. Choices include brisket with brown gravy; honey glazed chicken, baked salmon and lasagna. You can also get consommé of matzo ball, and garden vegetable soup.
Counter service kosher meals come with potato croquettes and choices include chicken strips, hot dogs, beef burgers or corned beef. Kids meals may include chicken tenders, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and an 8 inch cheese pizza. Dessert choices include chocolate layer cake, apple strudel, non-dairy cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies.
We’ve tried the kosher corned beef meal. The corned beef was fairly tasty but the potato croquettes were not really authentic or to our liking. Although the meal wasn’t the best we’ve ever tasted, we found it to be decent.
Other strategies for keeping kosher during your Disney World or Orlando Vacation
Rent a home or hotel suite with a kitchen to keep Kosher
Friends of ours who keep very strict kosher usually choose to rent a villa, house or condo when they visit Disney World. This allows them to have a kitchen that they can prepare their own meals in. They find that this permits them to eat a healthy diet as they normally do when not on vacation, and it allows them to keep to their normal food budget.
Rather than koshering all of the appliances, they bring an electric griddle for eggs and meats, as well as a burner and a pot. They’re able to cook for their family of six kids this way. Since they live in Florida, they’re able to bring their own frozen meats, foods and snacks with them. They bring junk food such as candy bars and chips that they normally wouldn’t give their kids, but they view this as a vacation treat for them. They find that this keeps the kids from feeling deprived when they see others eating treats in the parks.
Lastly they purchase produce at whatever local grocery store is in the area that they’re staying in. They also may purchase kosher tofu meat substitutes such as tofu hot dogs. (Some may wish to purchase Hebrew National meats and other kosher foods and brands available at most Florida chain supermarkets such as Publix).
Bring your own food wherever you go
Our friends usually bring their own sandwiches and snacks into the parks, and eat in the Disney counter service restaurants to enjoy the atmosphere. They do purchase water in the parks, which cuts down on what they have to carry. Those who are flying may wish to bring their own snacks and foods that don’t require refrigeration.
Additional resources for keeping Kosher at Disney World and in Orlando
For extensive information on Jewish resources in the Orlando area, visit www.Jewishorlando.com/touristinfo. They have information on everything from Orlando area kosher restaurants, groceries, meal deliveries and holiday information to rental suites and villas with kosher kitchens. Chabad of South Orlando runs this site, and Rabbi Yosef Konikov has invited our readers to contact him if they need information on how to manage with staying kosher and handling special dietary needs in the Orlando area. He’s happy to help anyone who is kosher, and you don’t need to be associated with a Chabad synagogue. His number is (407) 354-3660.
For more information from us on Disney World Dining visit here.
For more information on Disney World dining with special dietary needs, visit here.
For more Disney World planning tips, check out this page here:
Easy Steps for Planning Your Trip to Disney World
Join our Facebook Group!!!!
Come meet me there, ask any questions, share your knowledge and just enjoy getting to know other Disney fanatics in our facebook group called Walt Disney World Made Easy for Everyone.
Also join me on Pinterest here.
GET UPDATES, NEWS & TIPS (IT’S FREE!!!)
Sign up below to stay updated on the newest information, tips and tricks to help you plan your perfect Disney World trip!
