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Some of my favorite dining experiences at Walt Disney World are the ones where it’s not just eating – there’s entertainment, too. Whether it’s feeling like you’re in outer space like at Space 220, watching animatronics like at T-Rex Cafe, or a character meal, there’s something truly special about it.
Unfortunately, those are usually sit down, or table service, meals, and they can get pretty expensive. Especially when you add in the tip!
That’s what I love about eating at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. This is a counter service restaurant at Magic Kingdom. That means you order at the counter (or using mobile ordering), pick up your meal, and then find your own table. While it’s not cheap (nothing at Disney World is!), it is still more affordable than some of the other restaurants with entertainment.
And what is that entertainment, you might be asking?
Well, we’re going to go over that! In this dining review, we’ll talk about both the entertainment and food at Cosmic Ray’s. And then you’ll have a better idea of whether you should eat there on your next Disney World vacation!
Entertainment
The headliner (and, well, only act) at Cosmic Ray’s is a lounge singer named Sonny Eclipse. In fitting with the restaurant’s Tomorrowland location, he’s not just any lounge singer. He’s actually an alien from the planet Zork. And throughout the day, you can enjoy his 27 minute long act inside the large dining area at Cosmic Ray’s.
Because he’s an animatronic, you’re not going to get a lot of variety. It’s the same act every time. However, if you’re like me, the jokes never get old. And what I mean by that is that I happen to LOVE corny jokes. He doesn’t just tell jokes, though. Sonny performs a number of original songs, too, along with his backup singers. (His backup singers, a trio called the Space Angels, happen to be invisible, though, so no animatronics for them!)
@greenvacationdeals Love Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. This restaurant is in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida). #waltdisneyworld #orlandoflorida #orlando #disneyworld #tomorrowland #magickingdom #magickingdompark #disneyfood #wdw #disneydining #disneyrestaurant #disneyvacation
Food
But as fun as the entertainment at Cosmic Ray’s may be, it’s still not worth it if the food isn’t any good, right?
Luckily, there are some delicious options for lunch or dinner!
Our family really likes the footlong all-beef hot dogs at Cosmic Ray’s. They work well as a main entree. If you’re not that hungry – or want to save room for a dessert or a snack later – you can also split one hot dog between two people. The hot dog is delicious, and the bread is soft and good as well. There are also a number of condiments available to add to your hot dog. And if you’d like, there’s a version of the hot dog on the menu that comes with Walt’s favorite chili recipe and cheese.
Note: The hot dogs are not currently on the menu, but we hope to see it return in the future.
Another popular dish when our family eats at Cosmic Ray’s is the Greek Salad. The feta cheese is the real standout of the salad. The delicious olives are great, too, and the greens are nice and fresh. The dressing is good and is enough for the salad. In fact, perhaps the main negative is that the container can be a little too small, causing parts of the salad to fall out. Being given almost too much of something isn’t really the worst problem to have at a restaurant!
Other menu options include chicken strips, a spicy fried chicken sandwich, and cheeseburgers (including a Triple-B Burger with Coca-Cola Cherry-Barbecue Sauce). You can also order a version of the Greek Salad we mentioned earlier that comes with grilled chicken.
Currently, the dessert offered at Cosmic Ray’s is a Stitch themed blueberry-lemonade mousse cake. You can sometimes choose other specialty offerings for dessert, including treats themed to various holidays, so be sure to check the menu when you visit.
Location
Cosmic Ray’s restaurant is located in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, across from the Tomorrowland Speedway. It’s actually very close to Fantasyland and the Mad Tea Party ride. When you enter the theme park, head towards Cinderella Castle. Once you get to the hub in front of the Castle, choose the pathway to the right of the Castle, with Tomorrowland on the right and Fantasyland on the left. It will take you to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.
Conclusion
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is a great dining option on a Disney World trip. You can listen to an animatronic alien sing and crack jokes while you eat, making for a special dining experience you probably can’t have back home. It’s among the more affordable places to eat inside the Disney World theme parks. And the food is delicious!
More Ways to Save at Disney World
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could make your entire Disney trip more affordable, not just a meal?
Well, at Green Vacation Deals, we are always looking for more ways to save money at Walt Disney World.
We recommend that you use one of these methods to buy Disney World tickets at a discount.
And we have saved so much money over the years by staying at DVC hotels (even though we aren’t Disney Vacation Club members!). A great way to do this is by going through David’s Vacation Club Rentals.
Other Magic Kingdom Restaurants
For more ideas on where to eat at the Magic Kingdom, check out some of our other dining reviews:
- Casey’s Corner, a fun restaurant with a baseball theme on Main Street USA
- Columbia Harbour House, a restaurant in Liberty Square with several seafood options
- Pinocchio Village Haus, which actually overlooks part of the It’s A Small World ride
- The Plaza Restaurant, another great place to eat in the Main Street USA area
- Storybook Treats, a great option for snacks or desserts
