The Most Hectic Place to Eat in Disney World

in Walt Disney World

Cinderella Castle from Tomorrowland

Credit: Jeff Krause, Flickr

Let’s head to outer space as we explore one of Walt Disney World’s most popular and infamous fast food restaurants.

Parents putting their children at risk represented by a Crowd at Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort
Credit: Christian Lambert on Unsplash

The nearly-25,000 acre Walt Disney World Resort property can be overwhelming and stressful for many first-time guests as well as Disney veterans alike. With dozens of attractions, live shows, and rides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Disney World.

Everyone’s gotta eat, with Disney World offering a daunting selection of both high-class and fast-good options for travelers wanting a deliciously authentic and atmospheric eating experience. But we’re not here to talk about fine dining today; no, we are looking at one of Magic Kingdom’s most popular (some may argue, by default) quick-service restaurants.

Sonny Eclipse playing his Astro-Organ at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom Park
Credit: Disney

There’s a number of places to grab a bite at the Magic Kingdom, but only one features “live” music and an out of this world menu. We’re of course talking about Cosmic Rey’s Starlight Cafe.

The restaurant opened in 1994 as part of Magic Kingdom’s revamped and futuristic (at the time) Tomorrowland expansion project, which included attractions and rides such as Astro Orbiter and the terrifying, long-defunct, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter.

One of the coolest aspects about this restaurant is the animatronic singer and performer Sonny Eclipse, who takes center stage singing and performing for guests who are devouring their BBQ ribs while taking a break from waiting in line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Sonny Eclipse onstage at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in the Magic Kingdom
Credit: Brittany DiCologero

The amount of chicken, burgers, and french fries consumed in Walt Disney World is quite possibly rivaled by no other country on earth, let alone restaurants on property, and Disney World offers many places to indulge your junk food cravings.

But perhaps the cutest, kitschiest, and certainly busiest quick-service restaurants across all Disney parks is that of Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. Featuring a sprawling sitting area, and some wild early-1990’s architecture, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe always seems to be packed to the brim of guests just wanting some simple fried foods.

While the general consensus from guests on this quick-service restaurant tends to lean more towards contempt than loving embrace, there is no doubt that this special restaurant is fast, efficient, and an integral part of Tomorrowland and Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in general.

After all, it’s often stated by guests and cast members alike that Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is the busiest restaurant in the world and, while this fact is not proven, it’s hard to take a look at it during the lunch hour rush and disagree.

Are you a fan of Cosmic Ray’s? Let us know in the comments below!

in Walt Disney World

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