I'm planning a trip to WDW and I've been browsing some Disney specific websites. There is so much love for the food at Disney. There are threads devoted to posting pictures and reviews. But some that I look at, it just looks like chain food. So is it really that good? Or is the "Disney magic"?

Don't get me wrong....I LOVE the ham and cheese croissant in France at Epcot. And I LOVE Dole Whip. But they aren't amazing culinary experiences either.

Almost all of it is equivalent to chain food. But, remember, there are a lot of people that eat chain food voluntarily on a regular basis..

There are several restaurants where the food is not bad - but you need to search carefully - and do realize prices will not be low. For instance, consider the Grand Floridian for a decent meal.

I am sorry but I would NOT in any way shape or form call the food at Chefs de France in EPCOT "mostly chain food" but what do I know, I'm not from "the big city."

And there is certainly no chain food at the California Grill on top of the Contemporary

dukey - California Grill will be closed while we are there...would have grabbed a dinner there one night.

I said nothing about Chefs de France - I said most places are equivalent to chain food - and most places are. There are some better restaurants - but most meals served are of the fast food variety.

I really like a lot of the Disney Food. And then some of them are for the experience. I don't think I could go to Disney without doing a character meal. Just seems obligatory. While most are fast food type, there is a lot that is very good.

Perhaps the OP should be specific on certain restaurants.

Well, here is my dining plan...with two young boys.

Arrival: Late, so dinner on plan, grab a quick service dessert at hotel when we arrive.

Day 2: Animal Kingdom day. Tusker House breakfast, Flame Tree BBQ for lunch, pizza by pool for dinner. Maybe Flippers delivery?

Day 3: quick breakfast that we bought at grocery store. Epcot Day. Gorge around the world...brats and pretzels from Sommerfest, hummus platter at Tangierine Cafe, school bread at Kringla, potstickers at Lotus in China, maybe a pizza in Italy if we are hungry enough. We won't need dinner with all that food.

Day 4: MK day. quick breakfast at hotel again. maybe grab a cinnamon roll to share upon arrival. bring in sandwiches and snacks for one meal (either lunch or dinner). maybe do be our guest for lunch if we can get a ressie. or maybe liberty tree tavern.

Day 5: breakfast at Kona and then leave for the airport.

No fancy sit downs with the boys but I would love to try Boma...maybe next time when they are older.

Inlaws are coming with us and they are doing Flying Fish, Le Cellier, Monsieur Paul. I just can't spend that kind of cash on preschoolers and I wonder if it's really worth it.

The food at Disney World is markedly better than it should be. With a minimal amount of effort, you can eat exceptionally well there.