Woody’s Lunch Box Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
Is Woody’s Lunch Box worth it? Here’s my honest review of the food, Totchos, Lunch Box Tarts, seating, tips, and whether I’d eat here again.
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
If you asked me to pick my favorite quick service restaurant at Hollywood Studios, I wouldn’t even have to think about it.
It’s Woody’s Lunch Box.
Sure, there are a few drawbacks—and we’ll talk about those in a minute—but the food is consistently some of my favorite in the park. Whether I’m stopping for breakfast, lunch, or just grabbing one of the famous Lunch Box Tarts, I almost always find myself making a stop here during a Hollywood Studios day.
In fact, it’s one of the few quick service restaurants at Walt Disney World that I’ll actually plan my day around.
Located inside Toy Story Land, Woody’s Lunch Box is themed as if Andy built a lunch stand out of an old lunch box, a Thermos, and whatever else he could find in his backyard. It’s colorful, playful, and fits perfectly with the oversized toy theme of the land.
The menu isn’t huge.
You won’t find dozens of different sandwiches or burgers to choose from.
Instead, Woody’s Lunch Box focuses on doing a handful of things really, really well.
And honestly?
I think that’s one of the reasons it’s become so popular.
The Food Is Every Bit as Good as Everyone Says
I’ve eaten here several times now, and I honestly haven’t had anything I didn’t enjoy.
The first thing you’ll probably hear people talking about are the Breakfast Totchos.
My friend absolutely loves them.
They’re crispy potato barrels topped with eggs, gravy, and all the breakfast fixings you’d expect. If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast before spending the morning in Toy Story Land, they’re a great choice.
Me?
I actually have a different strategy.
Whenever possible, I like arriving right around the breakfast-to-lunch changeover.
Why?
Because I would much rather order the Lunch Totchos.
I know they sound like one of those meals that’s either going to be amazing or an absolute mess.
Thankfully, they’re amazing.
The crispy potato barrels are piled high with chili, cheese, sour cream, green onions, and corn chips, creating one of the best comfort food meals you’ll find anywhere in Hollywood Studios.
They’re rich.
They’re messy.
They’re definitely not health food.
And they’re absolutely worth ordering.
If someone asked me what single menu item they should try at Woody’s Lunch Box, this would be my answer every time.
Oh, and if you’re rope dropping Toy Story Land, Woody’s Lunch Box is an easy breakfast stop after your first few rides.
Don’t Skip the Grilled Cheese
As much as people talk about the Totchos, I actually think the Grilled Cheese deserves just as much attention.
Served with a side of creamy tomato soup, it’s simple comfort food done really well.
Sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for at Disney.
Not every meal has to be over-the-top or piled high with crazy toppings.
Sometimes a perfectly toasted grilled cheese and a warm bowl of tomato soup just hits the spot after a busy morning walking around Hollywood Studios.
It’s one of those meals that feels familiar while still being noticeably better than what I’d make at home.
I wouldn’t hesitate to order it again.
Save Room for a Lunch Box Tart
Even if you’re eating somewhere else, Woody’s Lunch Box is worth visiting just for dessert.
The Lunch Box Tarts are Disney’s version of a gourmet toaster pastry, and they’re a lot of fun.
Along with the permanent flavors, Disney frequently introduces seasonal versions throughout the year, which gives returning visitors something new to try.
I’ve had both the regular and seasonal varieties, and while they’re definitely sweet, they’re also large enough that sharing one isn’t a bad idea.
Would I call them the best dessert at Walt Disney World?
Probably not.
But they’re unique, they’re photogenic, and they’re one of those snacks that’s become synonymous with Hollywood Studios.
If you’ve never had one before, I’d absolutely recommend trying one at least once.
The Lunch Box Tarts also earned a spot on my list of the best snacks at Hollywood Studios.
The Biggest Drawback: Seating
As much as I love Woody’s Lunch Box, there is one downside.
Actually…
It’s a pretty big downside.
There isn’t any indoor seating.
Everything is outside.
Disney has added umbrellas, covered tables, and fans, which definitely help, but if you’re visiting during the middle of a Florida summer, you’re still eating outside in the heat.
And finding a table?
That can sometimes be a challenge too.
Cast Members do a nice job making sure people aren’t camping at tables before ordering, but because Woody’s Lunch Box is so popular, seats tend to disappear quickly during lunch.
For that reason alone, I almost always recommend using Mobile Order.
Not only does it save time, but it also lets you focus on finding a table instead of standing in another line.
If it’s 95 degrees outside, I’ll admit there are days when I choose ABC Commissary instead simply because I want to sit in the air conditioning.
That doesn’t mean I think ABC has better food.
It doesn’t.
It just has better seating.
For me, Woody’s Lunch Box is still the better restaurant overall—it just requires a little more planning.
Atmosphere and Seating
I think Disney absolutely nailed the theming here.
The whole restaurant is designed to look like Andy built it himself out of his lunch box and random things he found lying around the backyard. There are toy blocks, Popsicle sticks, a giant Thermos, and all kinds of little details that are fun to notice while you’re waiting for your food.
That said…this isn’t the place I’d come if I wanted to sit and relax for an hour.
Honestly, the seating is probably my biggest complaint about Woody’s Lunch Box.
There just isn’t enough of it.
Everything is outside, and while Disney has done the best they can with umbrellas, covered tables, and fans, you’re still eating outside in Florida.
If you’re visiting in January, that’s probably not a big deal.
If you’re visiting in July…
Well…you’ll understand why ABC Commissary ranks so highly on my list.
The other challenge is simply finding a table.
Cast Members do a really good job making sure people aren’t sitting there before they’ve actually ordered food, but Woody’s Lunch Box is popular for a reason. Tables open up pretty quickly, but you may have to circle for a few minutes before you find one.
It’s not enough to keep me from eating here.
It’s just something to know going in.
My Tips for Eating at Woody’s Lunch Box
If you’re planning to eat here, I have a couple of suggestions.
First, absolutely use Mobile Order.
I know I say that a lot in these restaurant reviews, but this is one of the places where it really makes a difference.
Second, don’t automatically come at noon.
If you can eat a little earlier or a little later, you’ll usually have a much easier time finding a table.
And finally…
This is probably my favorite little Woody’s Lunch Box tip.
Try to get here right when breakfast switches over to lunch.
I know the Breakfast Totchos have a lot of fans.
My friend absolutely loves them.
But I’d take the Lunch Totchos every single time.
That’s usually when I plan my stop in Toy Story Land, and it’s worked out really well for me over the years.
Is Woody’s Lunch Box Worth It?
Without question.
As a matter of fact, if someone told me they only had time for one quick service meal at Hollywood Studios and asked where they should eat, this would be my answer.
Every time.
The menu isn’t huge, but I’d rather have a small menu that does everything well than a giant menu where half the items are forgettable.
Everything I’ve ordered here has been good.
Some of it has been really good.
And the Lunch Totchos?
Those are one of my favorite quick service meals anywhere in Disney World.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- My favorite quick service restaurant at Hollywood Studios
- The Lunch Totchos are fantastic
- Great grilled cheese and tomato soup
- Fun Lunch Box Tarts
- Excellent Toy Story theming
- Mobile Order available
Cons
- Not nearly enough seating
- Everything is outdoors
- Can get brutally hot in the summer
- One of the busiest quick service restaurants in the park
Final Thoughts
I think what I like most about Woody’s Lunch Box is that it knows exactly what it is.
It isn’t trying to have a giant menu.
It isn’t trying to serve gourmet food.
It’s just really good comfort food in a fun setting.
Would I love to see Disney add an indoor dining room someday?
Absolutely.
Would that move this place from a 9.5 out of 10 to a perfect 10 for me?
Probably.
But even without air conditioning, I still find myself coming back almost every trip.
That’s really the best endorsement I can give.
There are plenty of restaurants at Disney World where I’ve eaten once and thought, “Well…I’m glad I tried it.”
Woody’s Lunch Box isn’t one of those places.
It’s one of the restaurants I actually look forward to visiting before I even leave home.
And if you’ve never had the Lunch Totchos…
Do yourself a favor.
Skip breakfast, show up right as they switch over to lunch, and thank me later.
