Normally I am not a breakfast person, but all that changes when I am vacationing at Walt Disney World and many days it’s my favorite meal of the day.

I love getting to the parks prior to rope drop, for those Disney newbies that means EARLY (prior to park opening) and I love taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours (EMH) in the morning (which means even earlier than rope drop).  It is amazing how much fun you can have before 10 am and how hungry you can get because of it.  Once the crowd builds later in the morning, I like to take a break and splurge a little (okay a lot) on a delicious breakfast.

A Mickey Waffle is certainly a must for at least 1 Disney vacation breakfast because who can resist smiling back at that smile?

But there are so many other tempting yummies that also must be showcased (devoured).  So, let’s start the day off right at Walt Disney World with my 5 of my “Best Thing I Ever Ate at Walt Disney World” Breakfasts…

If I am headed to the Magic Kingdom for the morning my pick is a pre-rope drop meal inside the Magic Kingdom with Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace, where every day you get to celebrate Friendship Day.  My favorite dish at the Crystal Palace is the Breakfast Lasagna…

 

 

Layers of Waffles, Pancakes, Pound Cake, Strawberries, and Banana Topped with Pastry Cream and Caramelized Sugar.  How is such yumminess even possible?  Trust me it is worth every calorie!

My next two favorite dishes are just a couple monorail stops away from the Magic Kingdom and make great choices for when you are park hopping or just need a break from the park altogether.  First, catch the monorail and go two stops to the Polynesian Resort and when you exit the monorail you will find the Kona Café to your left, home of the Tonga Toast…

 

2 slices of thick sourdough bread that is stuffed with bananas and then deep fried and coated with cinnamon sugar, served with a strawberry compote (and a side of bacon, you need a little protein). This sweet breakfast treat is certainly worth the extra steps you must take to exit the Magic Kingdom. Take the monorail one more stop to the Grand Floridian and the Grand Floridian Café for something a little savory, Lobster Eggs Benedict…

 

two poached eggs, lobster hash, asparagus and hollandaise sauce. This is as elegant as the surroundings it is served in.

But what if you decided to get up with the animals and you spent your morning at the Animal Kingdom?  My first choice would be to dine with “Safari” Mickey and the gang for my favorite character meal at the Tusker House.  Here you will find a buffet full of both American breakfast favorites and African inspired dishes.  Want a pro-tip?  Book your ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) at around 10: 30 am you will get both breakfast and lunch selections. Back to my favorite dish here, Mealie Pap…

A South African porridge made from ground maize (or other grains).  Shocked you didn’t I with this choice because basically I am proclaiming my love for Grits.  I honestly don’t know what it is about this dish but I love it…of course I do doctor it up with brown sugar, lots of butter and raisins.  For a bonus at Tusker House make sure you have a glass (or several) of Jambo Juice.  Just a short 5-minute bus ride from Animal Kingdom you will find Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jambo House and Boma for even more flavors of Africa (and American for my less adventurous friends).  I love the warm rich colors of Boma, decorated to resemble a lively African marketplace.  On the buffet is my ultimate go to comfort food, bread pudding but this is not your ordinary bread pudding instead you get

 

 

French Toast Bread Pudding with Pecan Praline Sauce.  Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast? After all, it’s vacation, right?

I am looking forward to my next trip to Walt Disney World in the fall as I have 2 new breakfast locations picked out, who knows maybe one these places will be home to my next “Best Thing I Ever Ate at Walt Disney World”, breakfast.

There is a huge variety of breakfast options you can enjoy all over Disney World. No matter where you choose to start your day, here’s hoping it’s a magical one!

Want more great dining ideas?  Book your Disney vacation with me and I will help you navigate your way through the word one dish at a time.  Remember all my services are complimentary.