If you are expecting the dining scene at Disney World to be the same as it was during your last trip, you’ll be in for some big surprises.

Not only have tons of Disney World restaurants been hit with price increases and menu changes, but special limited-time dining events have been announced, new restaurants may have opened since your last trip, and you might not realize that some spots are still CLOSED. So today we’re going through some restaurant news and updates to make sure you aren’t caught by surprise during your next vacation.

New Restaurants Have Opened

First, let’s tackle some of the newer restaurants that have opened over the past several months.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the long-awaited Roundup Rodeo BBQ is now OPEN. This spot is a Table Service restaurant serving all-you-care-to-enjoy eats family-style with a Toy Story theme. The entire place is a feast for the eyes first and foremost since there are details EVERYWHERE to look for. Plus, you just might catch a special “Andy’s Coming” moment while there.

In terms of the food, it is served family-style and includes some classic BBQ fare like smoked meats, side items (like mac and cheese), and mini desserts. You can check out our thoughts about EVERY SINGLE THING on the menu here.

Reservations are recommended, so get those soon. Overall, Disney nailed the theme of a backyard barbecue here, in terms of atmosphere and food. We loved the family-style service (and the fact that you can order multiple sides and desserts). The atmosphere is fun and it can be a good value if you’re looking to get a hearty meal.

Watch our video below to see if this spot is right for you.

Energy Bytes

At Magic Kingdom, there’s a new snack stand near the TRON Lightcycle / Run ride called Energy Bytes.

This is a snack kiosk that serves up doughnuts, sweets, cold brew coffee, and some other drinks.

It originally featured some dumplings too but those have since been removed from the menu, so it’s possible that more menu changes will hit this spot in the future. Overall, we’ve enjoyed the chocolate doughnuts (moist with a fun texture difference from the popping candies included), Strawberry IceOform (a great blend of cheesecake and ice cream), Watermelon Refresher (reminded us of sweet candy but was a pleasant drink), and Pina Colada Slushy (just be sure to mix it!).

You’ll want to check that menu when you visit to see what’s available and then fill up on the snacks and drinks you desire after racing around the Grid.

See ALL of our reviews of the snacks at Energy Bytes to see what YOU want to try

Rosa Mexicano

For this next restaurant, you’ll need to travel to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts. That’s where you’ll find a new Mexican eatery called Rosa Mexicano. The restaurant offers an “elevated fiesta dining experience” with signature menu items, award-winning margaritas, and a contemporary take on Mexican cuisine.

For breakfast, there’s a buffet in addition to an a la carte menu. Lunch and dinner are traditional Table Service offerings.

Overall, we enjoyed our dinner experience at Rosa Mexicano. The setting was great, with beautiful windows, unique artwork, and upbeat music. Plus the food was tasty, and the Roasted Chicken Suizas were a real highlight.

Check out our full dinner review here to see what we thought of each item we tried!

BoardWalk Deli and Carousel Coffee

Finally, two spots opened at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2022 — BoardWalk Deli (the replacement for the BoardWalk Bakery) and Carousel Coffee. At BoardWalk Deli, the menu is meant to capture the flavors of spots like New York, the Jersey Shore, and places in between. You can grab a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner here.

At breakfast, look for savory and sweet options. Some of our favorites include the Everything Bagel Sandwich and Cinnamon Yummy (this is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING).

For lunch/dinner, you’ll find lots of sandwiches, a few salads, and some other options. Some of our favorites include the Tomato-Basil Soup (perfect for dipping their Grilled Cheese) and the Roasted Chicken Sandwich.

Whether you need a full meal, a quick snack, or a sweet treat, BoardWalk Deli is a good spot to stop by along the BoardWalk.

See more about BoardWalk Deli here

Carousel Coffee is located within the BoardWalk Inn (just off the lobby) and is mainly a coffee spot (as you might have guessed) with a few snacks.

Here, you’ll find coffee (Joffrey’s Coffee generally), with some specialty options like a Frozen Blended Coffee.

There’s also tea, on-the-go snacks, and some pastries (like a NJ Crumb Cake, Mickey cookie, and more).

Everything we’ve tried there has been pretty sweet, but we enjoyed most of it (except that the sugar cookie, while adorable, wasn’t our favorite). If you’re staying at the BoardWalk or another nearby resort, or if you find yourself walking on Disney’s BoardWalk, it’s a nice place to stop by for a quick bite and drink.

See our review of Carousel Coffee here!

Some New Spots Are Opening SOON!

Now, let’s take a look into the future and what spots will be opening soon throughout Disney World.

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya

In the summer of 2023, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is set to open in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT.

This new Table Service restaurant will feature sushi, teppan items, dishes from the grill, and Japanese Izakaya — a type of casual restaurant style that focuses on drinks, small dishes, and conversations with friends.

PLUS the restaurant will have celebrations that change each month to represent Japan’s seasonal festivals.

That might come in the form of seasonal dishes or decor, so there will be reasons to return over and over again!

Learn more about this new restaurant here!

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

Over at Disney’s BoardWalk, fans will be getting a NEW corn dog kiosk from the folks at Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs (they already operate a kiosk at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney).

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs is known for their UNIQUE corn dog creations, including a Mexican Street Corn Dog, a Christmas Corn Dog, a Golden Dragon Corn Dog, and even a PICKLE corn dog!

This spot is set to open later in 2023, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates about its menu and opening date.

See more about Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

The Cake Bake Shop

Also at the BoardWalk, 2023 will mark the opening of The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers. This spot will truly have it all. There will be a Table Service side with brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring both sweet and savory menus. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy an afternoon tea service. Prefer a quick snack? You’ll be able to visit the to-go section for a snack from the bakery case.

Though the exact menu has not yet been shared for the BoardWalk location, other Cake Bake Shop restaurants feature savory items like Truffle Pommes Frites, Quiche, Sandwiches, and more…

…as well as cakes, pies, and other sweet treats like French pastries and cheesecake.

We can’t wait to see all of the special goodies the Disney World location will serve up!

Click HERE to read our EXCLUSIVE interview with Gwendolyn Rogers of The Cake Bake Shop!

Summer House on the Lake and The Cookie Jar

For this last spot, you’ll need to head to Disney Springs. In late 2023, a NEW restaurant is set to open in Disney Springs called Summer House on the Lake.

This restaurant already has other locations in Chicago and Maryland. Those spots feature pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wood-grilled dishes, and more, but we’ll have to wait and see exactly what the Disney Springs restaurant serves up.

This location will have indoor seating, outdoor patios, a large selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks, and even a dessert-focused market inside called The Cookie Jar which will feature freshly baked cookies and other pastries.

Click here to get a preview of what this new location could be like!