WhistleWhile You Work

Table service

The Fountain

By Melissa — lives fifteen minutes from Walt Disney World and is in the parks most weeks

Who that is

Writer and presenter, Whistle While You Work

Melissa moved to Celebration, Florida, and stopped treating Disney as a once-a-year sprint. She is in the parks most weeks, films what she finds, and writes the pages here from that — plus the research it takes to check it. Her position, in her own words: Disney does not have to be perfect to be magical, and the goal was never to do everything.

More about Melissa and this site →

The short answer

The diner and ice cream fountain at the Walt Disney World Dolphin: burgers, sandwiches and a serious milkshake list, 11 AM to 11 PM daily. Eight mains average $20.13 on Disney's own menu in September 2026, and milkshakes $16.38. No Disney dining plan, and Disney's $ band understates it.

Where
Ground floor of the Walt Disney World Dolphin, in the EPCOT resort area. Disney says there is a fee to park at the Dolphin, waived for dinner guests with validation. · about the resort
Cuisine
American diner and ice cream fountain
Reservation
Book a few days ahead
Booking
Not through Disney — Disney’s listing takes no reservations for it (Sep 22, 2026). Book with the restaurant or its hotel directly; Disney’s 60-day window does not apply.
Typical spend
about $20 a head · checked Sep 12, 2026
Dress code
Casual
Noise
moderate
Non-resort guests
Yes — you do not need to stay here
Dining plan
Not on Disney’s dining plan · Disney’s own listing, Sep 22, 2026
A main course here is $20.13 — dearer than 2% of the other 54 table-service restaurants whose menus we hold.

$18.75cheapest$29.47median$47.50dearest

Mean main course from Disney’s own menu. Drinks, sides and tip are on top. Read Sep 21, 2026.

Is it worth the money?

Yes, as a casual lunch or a late milkshake — it serves until 11 PM every day. It is not cheap for a diner, and Disney's $ label will set the wrong expectation.

It is easy to get into. Disney Food Blog called it a laid-back table-service meal "that won't be a massive struggle to get a reservation for" in August 2026. Disney does not book it; the Swan and Dolphin takes reservations through OpenTable.

What reviewers liked and didn't: Disney Food Blog, February 2025, liked the banana pudding shake and the diner setting of booths, tables and counter seats. It found the burnt ends melt hard to eat and the fries plain.

It is not Disney. Disney's page says The Fountain takes no Disney dining plan, and no MagicBands, Disney gift cards or Disney dining cards. The hotel adds an 18% service charge for parties of six or more.

Who it’s right for

Swan and Dolphin guests who want an easy lunch or a late dessert. Families after burgers and milkshakes without a reservation fight. Anyone in the EPCOT resort area who wants a sit-down meal after 10 PM.

Who it’s wrong for

Anyone on the Disney dining plan. Vegetarians. Anyone expecting the $ prices Disney's band suggests.

What is actually good

Read from Disney's own dinner menu for The Fountain on 12 September 2026.

Eight mains, $18 to $23, averaging $20.13. Grilled cheese with tomato soup is $18, and "The Footer", a 12-inch kosher hot dog, $19. A Reuben, a burnt ends and pimento melt, a crispy chicken sandwich and a hot Italian beef are $20 each. The Fountain smash burger is $21, and a flounder sandwich $23.

Five appetizers, $12 to $15, averaging $13.40 — disco fries and tomato soup at $12, pretzel with cheese dip and loaded queso tots at $14, and Gulf shrimp rémoulade at $15. Salads run $14 for a Caesar to $24 for salmon and kimchi.

Eight milkshakes, $13 to $18, averaging $16.38. A classic is $13 and banana pudding $15. Cookies and cream is $16. The King, strawberry shortcake with Plant City berries, and a triple chocolate are $17. Blueberry cheesecake and key lime pie are $18.

Sides: fries $7, tots $8, onion rings $8.50. Kids' meals are $13 to $14.

Prices have held since early 2025. Disney Food Blog paid $14 for the pretzel dip, $20 for the melt, $21 for the burger and $15 for the banana pudding shake in February 2025. All are the same today.

Disney's band is wrong for this menu. Disney bands The Fountain $, "$14.99 and under per adult". Not one of the eight mains is under $18.

Portions

Diner portions: a smash burger, big sandwiches and a 12-inch hot dog, with fries, tots or rings extra at $7 to $8.50. The milkshakes are desserts in their own right.

Allergies and dietary needs

Thin for vegetarians — grilled cheese with tomato soup, the pretzel dip, fries and salads. Disney Food Blog noted limited vegetarian options in 2025. Disney's listing prints no allergy-friendly versions; the Dolphin is not Disney, so ask the restaurant.

55 items from Disney’s own menu for this location, 55 of them priced across 2 meal periods. Disney’s prices exclude tax and gratuity and change without notice. Read 2026-09-22.

Salads

  • Little Gem Caesar$14

    Little Gem Lettuce, Herbed Brioche Croutons, Parmesan Cheese, Creamy Caesar Dressing | Add Grilled or Fried Chicken $10

  • Buffalo Chicken Wedge$22

    Crispy Chicken Tenders, Iceberg Lettuce, Baby Tomatoes, Herbed Buttermilk Dressing, Housemade Buffalo Sauce

  • Sustainable Salmon & Kimchi$24

    Baby Kale Mix, Bean Sprouts, House Pickles, Cashews, Watermelon Radish, Wasabi Peas, Almond Thai Chili Vinaigrette

Appetizers

  • Pretzel & Cheese Dip$14

    Oversized Bavarian Pretzel, Butter & Salt, Warm Cheese Sauce

  • Roasted Tomato Soup$12

    Roasted Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • Loaded Queso Tots$14

    Crispy Tator Tots, Chorizo Sausage, Warm Cheese Sauce, Scallions, Sour Cream

  • Fountain Disco Fries$12

    A Classic Combination of Diner Style Gravy and Homemade Cheese Sauce

  • Gulf Shrimp Remoulade$15

    Poached Gulf Shrimp, Housemade Remoulade Sauce, Pickled Red Onions, Romaine Lettuce, Lemon | Entrée Size add $6

Mains

  • Fountain Smash Burger$21

    Certified Angus Beef, Griddled Onions, Crispy Lettuce, Farmers Tomatoes, American Cheese, Locally Baked Bun | Substitute Beyond Burger +3

  • Flounder Sandwich$23

    Blackened Spiced Seared Flounder, Farmer's Tomatoes, Crispy Lettuce, Dill Pickle Aioli, Toasted Roll

  • Reuben Sandwich$20

    Artisan Corned Beef, Pickled Mustard Seeds & Caraway Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, Russian Dressing, Locally Baked Marbled Rye

  • Burnt Ends & Pimento Melt$20

    Southern Pimento Cheese, Hardwood-Smoked Turkey Burnt Ends, Pickled Red Onions, Jalapeño & Cheddar Toast

  • The "Footer"$19

    12” All-Beef Kosher Hot Dog, Pickle Relish, Onion, House Sauerkraut, House Cheese Sauce, Soft Bun | Add Chili $2

  • Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich$20

    Crispy Hand-Breaded Chicken, Cabbage Slaw, Pickle Chips, Toasted Bun | Substitute Grilled Chicken | Tossed in Housemade Buffalo Sauce $1

  • Hot Italian Beef Sandwich$20

    Thinly Shaved Beef, Caramelized Onions & Mushrooms, Italian Pickled Hot Peppers, Provolone Cheese, Soft Hoagie Roll

  • Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup$18

    Only Question Between These Classics is will You Dip or Not Dip

Sides

  • Fries$7
  • Tots$8
  • Onion Rings$8.50
  • Tomato Soup$9
  • Chili$9
  • Coleslaw$5
  • Grilled Cheese$9

Kids Meals

  • Little Smash Burger$14

    All Kid's Plates Served with Choice of Fresh Fruit or Fries & Soft Drink

  • Chicken Tenders$13
  • Hot Dog$14
  • Mac & Cheese$14
  • Grilled Ham & Cheese$14
  • Little Shake$10

Milkshakes

  • Classic$13

    Choice of Chocolate, Strawberry or Vanilla, Whipped Topping and a Cherry

  • Banana Pudding$15

    Banana Ice Cream, Vanilla Pudding, Whipped Topping, Nilla Wafers, Fresh Banana

  • Blueberry Cheesecake$18

    Cheesecake Ice Cream, Blueberry Jam, Graham Cracker Crumble, Whipped Topping, Fresh Blueberries, Cheesecake Wedge

  • Plant City Strawberry Shortcake$17

    Strawberry Ice Cream, Strawberry Drizzle, Fresh Cut Strawberries, Chantilly Cream, Streusel Crumble, Angel Food Cake

  • The King$17

    Peanut Butter Ice Cream, Toasted Marshmallow Fluff, Chocolate Whipped Topping, Banana, Reese’s Cup

  • Chocolate³$17

    Chocolate Ice Cream, Hot Fudge Syrup, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Icing, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Whipped Topping, Hershey's Chocolate Bar

  • Cookies & Cream$16

    Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Sandwich Cookie Filling, Whipped Topping, Chocolate Drizzle

  • Key Lime Pie$18

    Key Lime Ice Cream, Lime Curd, Graham Cracker Crumble, Slice of Key Lime Pie, Whipped Topping, Candied Lime

Beverages

  • Boylan Craft Soda$6

    Root Beer | Crème Soda | Black Cherry | Orange | Cherry Limeade | Grape

  • Fountain Soda$4.50

    Coke | Diet Coke | Coke Zero | Sprite | Hi-C Pink Lemonade | Ginger Ale

  • Iced Tea$4
  • Milk$4
  • Juice$5
  • Perrier$4.50
  • Smartwater$4.50

Alcoholic Beverages

  • Fat Tire Amber Ale$11

    Tastes of sweet light malt, with mild fruitiness and light hops flavor

  • Phins and Feathers Pale Ale$10

    Light tropical fruit meets peppery spice

  • Not Your Father’s Root Beer$11

    Hard root beer

  • Founders All Day IPA$11

    Nice bitterness with slight hint of sweet honey

  • Stella Cidre$10

    Blend of fruity sweetness and crisp dryness

  • Maui Pineapple ManaWheat$11

    Smooth-bodied tropical brew with a sweet aroma

  • Suncreek Sun Squishy IPA$11

    Subtly bitter with citrus and hints of strawberry

  • High Noon$12

    Refreshing seltzer with vodka and soda

  • Domestic Beer$9

    Budweiser | Bud Light | Miller Lite | Michelob Ultra | Samuel Adams

  • Import Beer$10

    Heineken | Corona Extra

  • Wine - (375mL Half Bottle)$16

    Chardonnay | Cabernet Sauvignon

Menu from Walt Disney World’s own dining menu data, read 2026-09-22.

Common questions

Does The Fountain at the Dolphin take the Disney Dining Plan?
No. Disney's own page says The Fountain does not participate in any Disney dining plan and does not accept MagicBands or Disney gift cards.
How much are the milkshakes at The Fountain?
Eight milkshakes average $16.38 on Disney's own menu in September 2026, from $13 for a classic to $18 for blueberry cheesecake or key lime pie.
What are The Fountain's hours?
11:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily, on both Disney's page and the Swan and Dolphin's.
Do you need a reservation for The Fountain?
Disney does not take reservations for it; the Swan and Dolphin books it through OpenTable. Disney Food Blog found it easy to get a table in 2026.
Drawn, not photographed — a photograph of this one is on our shot list.

Sources

  1. Walt Disney World official — The Fountain dinner menu, read in a browser on 12 September 2026. Eight mains $18–$23; five appetizers $12–$15; three salads $14–$24; eight milkshakes $13–$18; sides $7–$8.50; kids' meals $13–$14. — Disney official · checked
  2. Walt Disney World official — The Fountain restaurant page: American, Casual Dining; 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM; banded "$ ($14.99 and under per adult)"; "Dining Plan Meals Not Accepted"; no MagicBands or Disney gift cards; Dolphin parking fee waived for dinner guests. — Disney official · checked
  3. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin — The Fountain page, read in a browser on 12 September 2026: daily 11:00am–11:00pm; hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream, malts and shakes; an 18% staff service charge for parties of six or more. — official source · checked
  4. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin — dining reservations page, through OpenTable. — official source · checked
  5. Disney Food Blog, 4 February 2025 — The Fountain review: pretzel and cheese dip $14, burnt ends and pimento melt $20, smash burger $21, banana pudding milkshake $15; the melt hard to eat, the fries plain, limited vegetarian options. — reported by · checked
  6. Disney Food Blog, 25 August 2026 — Swan and Dolphin meals tested: The Fountain "won't be a massive struggle to get a reservation for"; the same four items at the same prices. — reported by · checked

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