We were so excited to return to the Rose & Crown Dining Room at Epcotâs UK Pavilion this Easter. With its lakeside views and promise of classic British comfort food, it should have been a highlight of our trip. Sadly, it turned out to be one of our biggest dining disappointments.
A âBritishâ menu that misses the mark
The menu felt oddly limited and not really reflective of modern British food. The lone salad came with a madras dressing â whatever that is! It didnât sound remotely appetising.
I heard another diner ask if there were any other salads, and the waitress kindly offered to serve it without the dressing. âSo just lettuce then?â the diner replied, unimpressed â and we couldnât help but agree.
Weâve since noticed that the latest menu now includes an apple chutney and onion bhaji with the salad, which sounds more interesting, if a bit odd (I LOVE Indian food… but with lettuce?!) But when we visited at Easter, those werenât available.
đ Fish and chips (without the magic)
We all ordered the fish and chips, expecting that comforting pub-style meal we love at home. They arrived incredibly quickly â almost too quickly â making us suspect theyâd been sitting for a while.
Thereâs a takeaway fish-and-chips window just a few steps away, so we couldnât help wondering if ours had come straight from there. Unfortunately, they didnât compare well even to a regular UK chippy.
The chips tasted like frozen oven chips rather than proper potatoes, and the fish was dry, with a heavy batter that lacked that crisp, airy texture we were hoping for. For a restaurant charging full table-service prices, it just didnât deliver.
Desserts that didnât delight
Dessert options were also very limited â just two choices when we visited. We tried the English trifle, which was heavy and uninspired. The updated menu now lists more tempting puddings (sticky toffee and gelato), but back then it all felt a bit lacklustre for a Disney dining experience.
The silver linings
There are definitely some positives! The location is beautiful â right on the edge of World Showcase Lagoon with sweeping water views. Itâs a stunning spot, especially at sunset.
Tip: If youâre visiting in warmer months, be aware that the terrace can get extremely hot in the early evening.
The staff were absolutely lovely. All were from the UK, friendly and low-key â none of that overly peppy, slightly pushy service you may come across in the US sometimes! It felt genuinely welcoming, which we appreciated.
And the bar is bustling and brimming with atmosphere. While the drinks choices are a little predictable (Guinness, Strongbow and Old Speckled Hen), you can also order Pimm’s, cocktails or a glass or wine. It’s a fun, if crowded, destination.
Value for money? Not so much.
The biggest disappointment of all was the price. Our three fish-and-chips mains came to around $90 â which felt steep for food that was, at best, average. That didn’t include drinks, desserts or gratuities.
If youâre craving proper fish and chips, weâd recommend skipping the Rose & Crown Dining Room altogether. Either grab a quick meal from the takeaway window next door or head out of Epcot at the entrance next door to the UK and take the five-minute stroll to Ale & Compass at Disneyâs Yacht Club.
There, we had a far better meal â beautifully cooked fish, house-made vinegar and lemon-caper tartar sauce, and crispy waffle fries â all for about $20 per person. Much better value and flavour!
Fireworks dining package
Itâs worth noting that Rose & Crown offers a Fireworks Dining Package, where you can pay extra for a reserved outdoor table with a prime view of the nightly Epcot fireworks over World Showcase Lagoon. Itâs undeniably a beautiful setting, and the package guarantees an unobstructed view â unlike the regular terrace seating (where we sat) which is partly under cover and can block much of the show.
However, at around $92 per adult and $41 per child, itâs a steep price considering youâre getting the same food we had during our meal â which, honestly, wasnât worth it. If the food quality matched the location, it might be a magical experience, but as it stands, youâre mostly paying for the view rather than the dining itself.
Is it worth going to the Rose & Crown despite the food?
Rose & Crown still wins for ambience and location, but the food and value just donât live up to the promise. With a bit more authenticity and care in the kitchen, it could be great â but for now, itâs one to skip if youâre hoping for proper British comfort food.
