Hidden Quick Service Dining with Firework Views in Disney World

Are you looking for a place to enjoy a quick bite to eat while you enjoy the Magic Kingdom fireworks? What if we told you we know a place within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom, and the food is pretty good too? Here is what to eat if you visit.

Magic Kingdom Dining

If you have ever visited Walt Disney World, you might know that quick-service dining isn’t the Magic Kingdom’s strongest suit. Sure, there are plenty of amazing snacks to enjoy during your visit, but if you want a full quick-service meal, the options are fairly unimpressive overall.

They will get you through the day, of course, but you won’t dream of them the way you will dream of some Disney foods. Here is a full guide to dining in the Magic Kingdom complete with reviews of everywhere we’ve been!

Many visitors have discovered the culinary options that are easily accessible by Monorail. As a result, dining reservations fill up quickly for popular resort restaurants such as ‘Ohana, Narcoossee’s, and California Grill. But, some Guests forget all about the various delightful quick service options that are also available within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom!

Gasparilla Island Grill

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is immediately recognizable for its aesthetic. When people think of it, they may associate it with some of the finer things Disney has to offer. But, one thing that can go overlooked is its lovely quick service option! It is such a nice amenity for those visiting the resort.

Gasparilla Island Grill is located on the first floor of the main building past Grand Floridian Cafe. It is under Citircos. Here, you will find breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, grab-n-go options, baked goods, and a beverage refill station for your Resort Refillable Mugs.

The primary benefit of dining here is that there is plenty of outdoor seating with phenomenal views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks should you wish to enjoy them from outside of the Magic Kingdom. The music is even piped in for you.

My (Kate) family and I enjoyed the show several times during our recent stay at The Grand Floridian. While I prefer watching from Main Street, some members of my travel party say they prefer the view from the Grand.

While we were there, we also got to try so many menu items from Gasparilla Island Grill. Here is a review so you know what to enjoy!

Breakfast

We ate everything on the breakfast menu. It, like many of the quick service options around Walt Disney World, is currently rather limited in its breakfast options to 5 entrees and oatmeal.

One offering is the breakfast platter that you will find at almost every Disney hotel quick-service restaurant. It is a plate full of bacon, scrambled eggs, and potato barrels. It’s pretty standard, but it’ll do in a pinch.

Next up is the Mickey-shaped Waffles. This is a classic dish, and it is served with bacon or potato barrels. These are the same Mickey Waffles you will find just about everywhere in Walt Disney World.

That said, I have never been upset about eating Mickey Waffles! In fact, I consider them a bit of a staple when I visit.

Another thing that many of the hotel restaurants offer is the Croissant Egg Sandwich. It is Scrambled Egg, American, and Bacon on a Croissant, and it is served with Potato Barrels. It is flakey and buttery and pretty decent.

Gasparilla Island Grill also offers an Egg White Breakfast Wrap. It is Egg Whites, Spinach, Roasted Tomatoes, and Feta on a Flour Tortilla, and it comes served with your choice of one side item.

I tried this wrap, and I liked it pretty well. It is a good option if you want some protein and vegetables. The flavors work well together, and it was certainly a welcome option.

My favorite breakfast menu item is unique to Gasparilla Grill, the Acai Bowl! This plant-based dish is House-made Acai Sorbet, Strawberries, Bananas, Blueberries, and Almond-Pecan Granola topped with Agave.

It is smooth, refreshing, and just sweet enough without being too sweet. Is it like having dessert for breakfast? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Also, absolutely.

The kid’s options are limited to a scrambled egg plate, Mickey Waffles, or yogurt dippers. The egg and waffle plates are smaller portions of the adult versions.

Bakery Items

We also tried some of the bakery items including the blueberry muffins and the pumpkin-cranberry muffins. They were both good, but they won’t compare to fresh home-baked muffins if that is what you are used to.

Gasparilla Island Grill also offers plenty of other pastries, croissants, and danishes. Overall, these same types of items you will find in many of Walt Disney World’s Quick Service bakery sections. They will remind you of something you can find at a Starbucks or a Publix bakery section.

Flatbreads

The lunch and dinner menus have a much wider range of options. And, this is where there are some real standouts. You will notice that nothing is as photogenic as it appears in the mobile ordering app, but there is plenty of good stuff to eat nonetheless.

There are a variety of flatbreads including Broccoli and Roasted Tomato, Pepperoni, and Cheese. We tried the pepperoni flatbread, and it was pretty good! Everyone in the party liked it. If you are craving pizza, it will do in a pinch.

Sandwiches

I also enjoyed the Artisan Burger here. It is a Grilled Signature-blend Burger with Brisket, and Chuck topped with Bacon, Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato, and Onion on a Toasted Brioche Bun served with French Fries.

These burgers are not like the thin greasy Quick-Service burgers you will find over at Cosmic Rays and other QS eateries. They are thicker more substantial and much more flavorful. I would say this burger is more like what you will find at Beaches and Cream. Is it the best burger in Disney? No, but it is substantially better than the standard Quick-Service burgers.

On the coldest part of our trip, my family ordered a round of Gourmet Grilled Cheese sandwiches. And we were so glad we did! These are made with Cheddar, American, and Provolone cheese on Toasted French Bread and served with Tomato Bisque.

I have to say, the Grand Floridian knows how to make a grilled cheese. The sandwiches were creamy, buttery, and melty. The soup was hearty and flavorful. The sandwiches dipped in the soup were a treat on a chilly day! They are easily as good as the ones over at Woody’s Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios.

Another really nice sandwich served at Gasparilla Island Grill is the Caprese Sandwich. It is made with Fire-roasted Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Arugula, Lettuce, Basil, Sherry Vinaigrette, Basil Aïoli, and Balsamic Reduction on a House-made Sub Roll served with choice of Side.

In my opinion, this sandwich is one of the best things on the menu. It is just the right mix of balsamic, acid, and cheese. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy Caprese salad.

Finally, we tried the Cuban. It is made from Mojo-roasted Pork, Ham, Swiss, Pickle, and Mustard on Cuban Bread served with a choice of Side.

The Cuban is good, but not excellent like the other sandwiches we tried. Still, it isn’t bad by any means, and it is nice to have such diverse options.

Kid’s Options

The kids have a variety of options here compared to QS offerings at some of the other Deluxe hotels. They can select a Cheeseburger, a ham and cheese pack, an Uncrustable, a Chicken Wrap, chicken strips, a turkey wrap, or mac n’ cheese. Everything comes with two side items and a beverage.

The burgers and chicken are similar to what is offered elsewhere in Walt Disney World. The chicken wrap is the main stand-out for something a little different. It is teeny though, and an adult ordering it may find it is not filling enough for a full meal.

A Word of Warning

Now and then, if the day is looking very crowded, you might find notifications in your My Disney Experience app letting you know that mobile ordering for these restaurants is only available to Guests of the resort. So from time to time, mobile ordering may not be an option for you.

These days probably coincide with the days when parking is restricted for guests with Advanced Dining Reservations. You can read about that here.

Overall

If you are staying at the Grand Floridian, or if you happen to wander over for a meal, Gasparilla Island Grill is more than adequate in terms of quick service. It has some solidly good options available for you to enjoy.

Have you had anything delicious at Gasparilla Island Grill? What is your favorite thing to eat when you visit a Walt Dinsey World Resort hotel quick-service location? Let us know in the comments. And, be sure to share the review with your Disney-loving pals.