Roaring Fork Review
Roaring Fork is a Walt Disney World counter service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Wilderness Lodge. This WDW dining review features food photos, thoughts on the quality, our experiences here, and how this quick service eatery compares to other alternatives. (Last updated January 26, 2019.)
In terms of basics, Roaring Fork participates in the Disney Dining Plan as a counter service credit. It does not accept the Tables in Wonderland card for a 20% discount. In terms of the Disney Dining Plan, Roaring Fork is neither a good nor bad value (see our ranking of the best value quick service restaurants here).
Roaring Fork is a rather unassuming restaurant. Tucked away down a corridor in Wilderness Lodge, it doesn’t look at that impressive. However, like most things associated with Wilderness Lodge, Roaring Fork is awesome. (Objectively speaking, of course.)
There’s a bit of cool hunting and fishing theming in the seating area, along with masculine woods, but it mostly looks like a small seating area carved out of the resort, with the intention that most guests will take their meals and eat outside or back in their rooms. This doesn’t particularly bother us, as we almost always do eat outside by the (roaring) waterfall or babbling brooks.
It’s a restaurant you never really hear anyone talk about it, and whenever we go, it doesn’t seem that popular. Unlike other delicious Magic Kingdom area counter service restaurants like Contempo Cafe and Captain Cook’s, no one seems to make a special trip to Wilderness Lodge to visit Roaring Fork.
That relaxed boat ride from Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge is worth it: between the faux ‘natural’ ambiance and the under the radar menu, we are fans of Roaring Fork.
Of course, Wilderness Lodge really shines during the holidays, and you could enjoy a meal with sitting under the glow of the moose antler wreaths that line the hallway outside Roaring Fork.
During Christmas season, plan to stop at Wilderness Lodge on our “Free Self Guided Yuletide Tour” right around lunch time so that you can enjoy the food here and the Christmas decor.
In terms of the menu, everything at Roaring Fork is made to order. Much like at other Deluxe Resorts in the Magic Kingdom area, you place your order and then sit down with a table tracking device and Cast Members locate you (or you locate them when the tracker inevitably doesn’t work) and deliver your food.
Since Roaring Fork is a more intimate location, this preparation style works here, and its relative popularity also allows for menus that include items that take a little more of a personalized touch to prepare.
Let’s start with a quick look at breakfast, as there are a few interesting items. First is the Chicken and Mickey Waffles.
This might seem like a pretty standard dish, but the pecan butter (which is served atop the chicken) makes it really interesting. I’m not a huge fan of “plain” Mickey waffles, but the excellent fried chicken plus that pecan butter turns this into a quality dish that we’d recommend.
Next, the Loaded Mickey-Shaped Waffles: “Mickey-shaped Waffles with Strawberry Sauce, Chocolate-Chips, Banana Foster Sauce, Caramel Sauce, Chocolate Syrup and Whipped Cream.”
If you want a sugar rush first thing in the morning, these are perfect for you. There’s a lot going on here…too much for either of us to eat by ourselves, but it’s a good item to split. Taste-wise, this the best Mickey waffle preparation I’ve had at Walt Disney World.
Our favorite breakfast item at Roaring Fork is the Banana Foster’s French Toast. We’ve had this several times…yet I can’t seem to locate a photo of it. You’ll just have to take our word for it (or not), I guess.
We’ll start our look at the lunch and dinner menu at Roaring Fork with the Gourmet Grilled Cheese.
I really enjoyed this. The cheese was high-quality and balanced nicely with arugula, tomato, and onion jam. I’m not normally a huge fan of multi-grain bread, but it provided a nice texture to offset the other ingredients. I’d highly recommend this, and would definitely get it again myself. (It’s a bit like the old ‘Grown-up Grilled Cheese’ at Captain Cook’s.)
Next, the 10-Hour Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich with Chipotle-Apple Barbecue Sauce, creamy Slaw on a Sweet Brioche Bun.
Don’t mistake this for the phoned-in pulled pork sandwiches in the parks, as this has little in common with them. This is a delicious and generous helping of portion, with a legit smoky flavor. Highly recommended.
Next up is the Warm Roaring Beef Sandwich, with Arugula, Blue Cheese and Buttermilk Chive Dressing with Chips. As I’ve been making a concerted effort to try the new items on the menu, it’s been a while since I’ve had this sandwich, but I love it.
If I could choose only one word to describe this sandwich, I would have to make up a new word, because the current dictionary wouldn’t suffice. It’s simply mouthwateringlyawesomemagicsaucebeefgreatbreadlyness. (I’m not sure if smashing together a bunch of existing words counts as making a new one, but it should.)
Above is a modified version of the House-smoked Turkey Sandwich served with Chipotle Aïoli, Bibb Lettuce, and Tomato. Instead of being on Multigrain Bread like normal, it’s pictured on pita.
Sarah’s mom ordered this while visiting with us. She seemed pretty indifferent towards it, which was roughly my reaction to its appearance. Neither of us tried it, so we have no opinion one way or the other on it. I’m in no rush to order the “normal” version, though.
For our last entree, we’ll take a look at the Holiday Turkey Sandwich. This only appears on the menu in November and December (and even then, I haven’t seen it on the online menu.)
It’s fantastic. When we do the Yuletide Tour, this is what I get, and it’s like the cherry on top of a full sensory holiday-time experience. The sandwich is juicy, sweet, savory, a glorious mess that somehow works spectacularly well. If you visit while this is on the menu, you can’t go wrong giving it a try.
Roaring Fork also has a rotating selection of desserts. The Campfire Cupcake is consistently available, so let’s take a look at that.
The marshmallow filling was a bit much for me; overly dominant and artificial tasting. This is probably a YMMV dessert, but it just didn’t work for me. I wouldn’t necessarily discourage others from ordering it, but I wouldn’t get it again.
Overall, Roaring Fork may be a bit out of the way for some guests, and it’s certainly not worth a two hour roundtrip commute to visit, but if you’re able to quickly hop a boat from the Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge, or make eating here a part of your already-planned trip to Wilderness Lodge, you will be rewarded with much deliciousness. The made to order menu here shines, as does the ambiance of the resort, which compensates for the relatively plain seating area. It’s one of the best counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World, and one that you absolutely should visit when you have a chance!
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Your Thoughts…
Do you agree with us that Roaring Fork is one of Walt Disney World’s hidden gems, or do you think it’s only so-so (or worse)? Planning on going now? Share your thoughts in the comments!
We’re staying at the WL in December 2021, and I was stoked to try this QS restaurant based on your review! Such a bummer to see that many of the reviewed menu items have been removed from the current menu. The existing meal options sound pretty lackluster.
We stayed at Wilderness lodge and this restaurant was one reason why we were unimpressed. Ambiance is nice, but the size and the way it works is awful. Everyone who wants to eat here stands in one long line to order and the food is brought to you in the tiny dining space. If you really want to eat before touring, this is not the place to eat or stay. It was the longest wait for food ever. We were looking for something quick for a midnight type snack so we didn’t try anything too ambitious so I can’t comment on the food. Sure took a really long time to get chicken nuggets. Was not my happiest experience.
Considering this place for dinner one night. We really wanted to try Artist Point, but two dining plan credits just isn’t going to work for us. A better value for our dining plan would be Whispering Canyon Cafe, but the gimmick of rude servers isn’t really our style. It’s our first trip, so I want to see as many resorts as possible and I’ve heard this one is a must see. So counter service dining it is!
Love this little food place! We are staying at the lodge and have had breakfast almost every morning and the banana mickey waffles are great,lunch has great build your own hamburgers and we also loved the roast beef sandwhich. Its not high end just good basic food which was fairly priced and always taste best seated outside looking at the waterfall.
If the roast beef and blue sandwich is the same as the one at Caribbean then it’s the best sandwich on property by far. And the house made chips are delicious, too!!
DH and I are planning our next adults only trip. There are some great QS locations in MK but DH and I are wanting to try something new. I’d been thinking about eating at a MK area resort instead. Looks like this will be perfect!
Just returned from a 5 day stay at Wilderness Lodge and Roaring forks is awesome. We ate there at least once per day. The flatbreads were made fresh to order and were dynamite (especially the buffalo chicken) and the Wilderness Salad with chicken, apples, walnuts, and other goodies was excellent as well. And the cranberry Scones….Oh My! Staff very friendly and efficient. Didn’t have breakfast so can’t comment but lunch/dinner is the best resort counter service I’ve tried to date.
We stayed at Wilderness Lodge over Canadian Thanksgiving and had the Bananas Foster Mickey Waffles. They were by far the best breakfast treat I’ve ever had at WDW. While Tonga Toast is uniquely WDW too, there is something special about eating Mickey waffles at least once per trip, and these took it to an entirely different level. The kids liked theirs covered in choc chips, choc sauce and whipped cream as well…
I seems as though they have some variation of a roast beef and blue cheese sandwich all over property. My father really liked one he had at Caribbean Beach last year. And my young son and I raved over one we had at All Star Movies this past May. We LOVED the glazed onions on that one! So much so, that I made a pretty close copycat of the sandwich for the family when we returned from our trip. Yum!
Really? I haven’t seen it anywhere else. That’s good to know, though! Thanks!
Anyone know if the Roast Beef n Bleu is the same as the one they sell (or atleast, used to sell…haven’t been in two years) at the ESPN Grill at WWoS? That was one of the best QS foods I’ve had on property!! If RF is even close, I will have to make a stop when I’m down later this month.
We love Roaring Forks! We have had breakfast and dinner several times and every meal was excellent. Our favorite resort quick service (happy this is now our DVC home).
However, we do have one complaint. The seating area is so small. We usually are unable to stay and eat for breakfast. It is so overly crowded with such little space. Most of the time we would take our food back to our room. However, now that it is our home resort, when we return this Dec, we have a much further walk to our room and our food will get cold.
My husband is anxious to try the Bananas Foster Waffles when we return this Dec. As for me, I must try the Magic Cookie Bar. How I missed this before, I do not know but from the pictures and reviews I have seen and read of this bar, I must try one!!
Although it might be a little cold for this in December, the absolute best place to eat food from Roaring Forks is outside! There’s more seating near (but not too close to) the pool, and the views and ambiance are great. We always eat our food outside.
We ate dinner at RF last night and had breakfast there this morning. Dinner was awful. The three of us ha the bbq nachos – they are deep fried wontons and potato slices but it was all cold and excessively oily – gross really. No one could finish them. Breakfast was good.
We ate in the MK park today and I noticed something similar. The food was served cold – but it was supposed to be hot and the deep fried taco shells were oily. The quality of food they are serving at Disney is subpar. Like bad ball park food. For what they charge, it should be at a minimum hot and safe.
My husband and I made a special boat trip just to eat at Roaring Fork on our honeymoon based on your review. We were on the dining plan so the one thing I was very impressed with was the assortment of “snacks” you could get with your meal. It was our last full day in Disney so we opted for the Mickey Ice Cream Bar because we hadn’t had one yet and it was our last chance. It was nice to be offered a dessert other than a cup of chocolate mousse or a strawberry parfait. I had their ‘flatbread of the day’ which was buffalo chicken…mmmm…and my hubby had the Turkey sandwich with dill and havarti (sp?). Both were sooooo yummy! Definitely worth the trip over there!
I love Roaring Fork. When I first stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, I was surprised at how good it was because I had not heard anything leading up to that visit. Even when I am not staying at the Wilderness Lodge, I still take the boat over in the afternoon for lunch at Roaring Fork and to hang out in the lobby a bit.
I also hadn’t heard anything about it until eating there. Now it’s a must do just about every trip. It doesn’t hurt that it’s so nice to just hang around Wilderness Lodge.
Am staying at the Wilderness Lodge at the moment and we absolutely love the roaring fork! Tried the beed and blue cheese sandwich for the first time and it’s amazing, the tuna sandwich is also amazing and the flatbreads are really good. Some of the breakfast options also look great, like mickey waffles with bananas and a rum flavoured sauce – yum!
Ohhh, breakfast. We definitely need to try THAT next time we stay at Wilderness Lodge!
After spending over 80 days at WDW in the past 6 years, I can hardly believe I have never been to Roaring Fork. I can see from your review that will have to change. Thanks so much for your gorgeous photos and continuing great reviews of all things Disney!!
Christi Bunn
I got to enjoy roaring form for the first time this past May.. I had the roastbeef Blue cheese sandwish.. delish! I loved the great obtions they had.. hope to eat there again in the near future!
oh my gosh! sorry about the spelling mistakes above.. I am typing in the dark
I absolutely love Roaring Fork! I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for one night at the end of a trip earlier this year, and I got the Wilderness Salad. It might have been the first salad I ever had in Disney (I was craving “healthy” food by the end of my trip) and it was amazing. I can’t wait to try it again!
Oh…and their famous magic cookie bar is delicious!
Thanks for the great review! We have dinner planned here this fall during our first stay at Wilderness….that roast beef sandwich looks incredible. Thanks for sharing!