Why I’m Saying Goodbye to Rose & Crown Dining Room

There are some Disney restaurants that just feel like old friends—places you’ve returned to time and again, places that are part of your Disney DNA. For me and my mom, Rose & Crown Dining Room in the United Kingdom pavilion at EPCOT has always been one of those places.

We’ve dined there during family trips, with friends, during festivals, even during my wedding weekend. It’s charming, familiar, and perfectly located for viewing the evening fireworks. But on our most recent visit in May 2025… things felt different.

And not in a good way.

The Nostalgia Was Strong… But the Menu Was Not

This meal was meant to be a sweet return to one of our old favorites. We hadn’t eaten at Rose & Crown in a few years—mostly because we’ve had so many other dining adventures during our recent trips, especially with the EPCOT festivals offering such tempting options.

But I made an ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) for dinner, thinking it would be a cozy, relaxing way to end our evening. And I’ll be honest: we were both looking forward to it.

Rose & Crown Dining Room at EPCOT — Photo Disney Parks

We were seated promptly, which was great. But as we walked through the dining room—during what should have been the height of dinner hour—we noticed something odd: the restaurant was more than half empty. That had never happened before. Rose & Crown has always been bustling, sometimes even requiring a short wait despite a reservation.

Then we looked at the menu… and the disappointment hit.

A Four-Entrée Menu?

You read that right: the entire entrée section had just four options—fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and a vegetarian option (Savory Impossible Hot Pot–which, if you read the description, is basically shepherd’s pie but with a meat substitute). That’s it. SO, basically two versions of shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and bangers and mash.

Now, I completely understand that Disney has been tightening up menus across many locations. It’s likely a cost-saving measure to reduce food waste and kitchen complexity. But this felt extreme. Even at a casual pub-style restaurant, four entrées is just not enough to serve a variety of tastes. And how do you not have a pub-burger on your pub menu?

And unfortunately, it meant neither of us was truly happy with the options.

I went with the shepherd’s pie, which was flavorful and well-prepared, but absolutely not worth the $29 price tag.
My mom doesn’t like fried food and eats pretty clean. But with no lighter entrée options available, she reluctantly ordered the fish and chips, which arrived thickly breaded, greasy, dried-out and heavy. She was disappointed, and I could tell. And at $31? We felt a little ripped off.

We weren’t feeding any children this trip, but I have to mention the Kid’s Menu at Rose & Crown. Two options: Grilled chicken with brown rice, and fish and chips. That’s it! And kid’s dessert options? Fruit salad or plant based gelato. I didn’t think it was possible to be MORE disappointed in the Rose & Crown menu than I already was, but looking at the Kid’s Menu section, I am.

Rose & Crown offers two appetizers: a coronation salad and a scotch egg. Again, the options are way too limited. The experience felt more like settling than savoring.

We did not do dessert this time, but I will say the sticky toffee pudding offered at the Rose & Crown is excellent.

rose-and-crown-pub-and-dining-room-gallery11 - WDW Magical Castles Travel — Rose Crown Dining Room Sticky Toffee Pudding Photo Disney Parks

The Service: Okay… But Forgettable

Our server was… fine. Pleasant enough, checked in occasionally, but didn’t stand out in any way. Definitely not the warm, engaging Cast Members we’ve had at Rose & Crown in the past.

And you know what? If the food had been amazing or the menu more robust, I probably wouldn’t have even noticed. But when the meal is already off to a lackluster start, mediocre service doesn’t help.

We lingered for about an hour—mostly to relax in the air conditioning—but the restaurant never filled up. I can’t help but think the drastically reduced menu is keeping guests away, and that’s a shame.

A Missed Opportunity for a Milestone Meal

This was our annual Mother’s Day and birthday trip, something I plan with care each year. I try to choose restaurants and experiences that I know my mom will enjoy–I always want these trips to fun and memorable.

And sitting there, watching her try to pick at a plate she didn’t really want, I felt bad. I felt like I’d made a poor choice—and if I’d looked at the updated menu beforehand, I would’ve chosen somewhere else. La Crêperie, Chefs de France, even one of the Italy pavilion spots would’ve made her happier.

I’m not saying I’ll never eat at Rose & Crown again. But it’s officially off our go-to list until the menu improves.

The Bottom Line

Rose & Crown Dining Room still has:

A prime location for EPCOT fireworks and concert seating packages
A charming pub atmosphere with lovely views over World Showcase Lagoon
And a special place in my Disney memories…

But sadly, it’s no longer a restaurant I can recommend for dinner.

With only four entrées and very limited variety, there’s a good chance someone in your party won’t find anything appealing. And while the food was decent, it was overpriced for the quality and experience we received.

If you love shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, or fish and chips—and you’re primarily interested in a British pub environment or a great view of the fireworks—then it might still be worth it for you. But for us? It’s time to explore better options around World Showcase.