DIS Contributors review meals, resort stays, and entertainment that they have paid for during their own vacations. They only utilize discounts and offers if they are available to the general public, such as annual passholder discounts, or DVC membership discounts. They receive no additional compensation for dining experiences or events, so that they may give their honest opinions about price and value.
The struggle is real when it comes to Disney dining! There are so many options that you are often left deciding between the desire to keep trying something new and sticking with your old favorites. As a non-local, I get maybe a week a year to experience Walt Disney World, so trying new things is a priority for my family. We love experiencing new spots, new rides, new shows… and most of all, new restaurants. With that said, the one meal we never skip in Disney is at Columbia Harbour House. Located in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom, this restaurant is easy to miss as you’re walking by, but for us, it’s a main attraction.
When you get inside Columbia Harbour House (CHH), immediately head up the stairs. At the top of the stairs is a seating area that is always less populated than the downstairs main dining room. Our family consistently seeks out one of the tables with a window seat, overlooking the hustle and bustle of Liberty Square. From there, we can relax, enjoy our meal, and cool off for a bit. Without fail this becomes a highlight of the trip for me because it’s one of the rare moments where we can relax and just take it in. I love that we can still see the hustle and bustle, but aren’t part of it.
As far as the food, CHH is always consistent. We have eaten here many times, and each time our meal is hot, quick, and tasty. The last two times we dined here, I mobile ordered, and both times my meal was ready within a minute or two of me selecting that I was in the restaurant. As a fan of mobile order, I know this is not how it always is, often having to wait upwards of 10 minutes for food after selecting that I have arrived. CHH is speedy, which is greatly appreciated when I have a hungry family.
Our favorites are the lobster roll for my husband, the fried shrimp for my son, and the grilled shrimp and hushpuppies for me. Pro tip: Since I sometimes struggle to decide what to order, I often get the kids’ grilled shrimp meal and the kids’ fried shrimp meal for myself! This comes out to 6 shrimp total between the two meals, and I usually pass the kids’ meal fries on to my family while I focus on the rice, green beans, and hushpuppies myself. The seasoning on the grilled shrimp is my favorite. It’s somewhat smokey and full of flavor. The seasonings always compliment the rice well and just make for a nice, light, meal. The hushpuppies are the real star of the show, though. I love those sweet balls of corn goodness. It’s a nice change from the usual side dishes you find around Disney, offering a nice alternative to French fries.
If you’ve never tried Columbia Harbour House, do yourself a favor and give it a shot. Be sure to head upstairs and keep your eyes out for the tables with the window view. You’ll be glad you tried it!
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