Where to Find a Quick Breakfast at the Walt Disney World DVC Resorts

One of the great things about renting a Disney Vacation Club room is the ability to enjoy meals in the room. Each of the Vacation Club villas has either a kitchenette (Studio villas) or a full kitchen (all other villas). Many of our guests stretch their dining dollars by eating one or more meals in their room. Some people bring food from home or stop at a grocery store on their way to the resorts. The merchandise stores at the resorts have some easy to cook food options. There are even businesses that will deliver groceries to the resorts. But let’s say you don’t really feel like having breakfast in your room. Is there someplace at the resorts to get a quick, light breakfast before heading to the parks? The answer is “Yes!” Here’s a list of the Quick Service options for breakfast at each of the DVC resorts. A couple of these spots may even be a surprise to some of our seasoned guests.

Animal Kingdom Villas – The Mara

The Mara is a quick service restaurant on the ground floor of Jambo House, near the pool. Breakfast options include an African-inspired breakfast platter, scrambled eggs, Mickey waffles, potatoes, bacon, sausage, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, cereals, juices and smoothies.

Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort – Contempo Café

Contempo Café is in the lobby of the Contemporary Resort, a quick walk from Bay Lake Tower. A nice thing about this quick-service restaurant is that it is open 24-hours. For breakfast they offer waffles, eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, potatoes, French toast, biscuits, bakery items, fruit, breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches.

Beach Club Villas – Beach Club Marketplace

I think the Beach Club Marketplace is a little hidden gem. I often stop in there for a quick bowl of soup – one of the best values on property. It’s a little tricky to find though because the Marketplace is the general store for the resort, with a food counter located inside. The breakfast menu here is truly grab and go – breakfast sandwiches, French toast sticks, yogurt parfait, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, and espresso. You’ll find a few tables just outside of the Marketplace, on the walkway between the Villas and the main resort.

Boardwalk Villas – Belle Vue Lounge and Boardwalk Bakery

At the Boardwalk Villas there are actually two choices for quick-serve breakfast. It turns out that my favorite place to partake in a refreshing adult beverage in the evening, the Belle Vue Lounge, also serves up a continental breakfast in the morning. Located between the lobby and the Inn, the Belle Vue is a comfy lounge tucked into the alcove above the steps leading down to the Boardwalk. Along with milk, juice, coffee and tea you can get cereal, a bagel, muffin, Danish, croissant, yogurt parfait and fruit.

As I said, I do love the Belle Vue, but for breakfast my choice would have to be the Boardwalk Bakery. Located between Kouzzina and the ESPN Club, the bakery is a perfect place to stop on your way to Epcot. There are the usual breakfast sandwiches, bagels and yogurt parfaits, but the stars of the show are the fresh baked pastries. Dessert for breakfast – a genius came up with that idea!

Grand Floridian – Gasparilla Island Grill

If you’re really hungry, try the Bounty Platter at Gasparilla Island Grill. It comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, small waffle, pancake, and biscuit! They also have Mickey waffles, croissant sandwiches, pastries, oatmeal and all the regular breakfast offerings. You enter the restaurant through doors located outside the main lobby of the resort. Not surprisingly, this quick service restaurant at the Grand Floridian feels just a little more upscale than most. One of the best parts is the lovely terrace seating.

Old Key West – Good’s Food to Go

Next stop, Old Key West, where Good’s Food to Go counter service adds grits and cinnamon sticky buns to its menu of the usual quick serve items. Good’s can be found outside of the Hospitality House, near the pool.

Saratoga Springs – Artist’s Palette and Paddock Grill

At Saratoga Springs, Artist’s Palette is the quick service option. Closer to a café than a counter service, Artist’s Palette has more to offer than just pastries and breakfast sandwiches. Along with the usual baked goods and fruits you’ll find waffles, omelets, breakfast platters and breakfast flatbread. Artist’s Palette resides inside the Carriage House, near the Turf Club Bar and Grill.

Few people realize that you can also grab a quick breakfast at The Paddock Grill, located at the pool in the Paddock section of the resort. They serve assorted pastries, danish, muffins and bagels. They also have a breakfast burrito; a croissant sandwich with ham, egg and cheese; an Egg Florentine wrap; and a fruit cup. To drink you’ll find coffee, hot cocoa, juice, and water.

Wilderness Lodge Villas – Roaring Fork

Located near the Silver Creek Springs pool, Roaring Fork serves up waffles with a variety of delicious toppings – like maple butter with candied pecans and warm bananas in a buttered rum-flavored sauce. This counter service restaurant also adds pancakes, grits, and bacon to its menu of breakfast staples like pastries and breakfast sandwiches.

So there you have it. If you’re in a hurry to get to the parks and you just want something quick and light for breakfast, you can always find something good to eat at your resort. I haven’t listed every single item available at each one but, hopefully, I’ve given you enough of a sampling to get a feel for the place. Our friends at AllEars.net do have up-to-date menus for all of the restaurants at Walt Disney World though.

~ Barrie Brewer, Social Media Director