The Disney Springs Tapas Strategy: What to Actually Order at Jaleo

Published June 25, 2026 · Updated September 9, 2026

Jaleo by José Andrés at Disney Springs is arguably one of the most authentic, high-quality dining experiences at Walt Disney World. But walking into a high-end Spanish tapas joint with a hungry group can be intimidating—and expensive if you order without a plan.

The move here is not to order individual entrées. Tapas are built for sharing, which means you need a strategic spread. Here is exactly what to order, what to skip, and the timing trick you need to know before you sit down.

The Paella Strategy (Order This First)

Jaleo is famous for its massive, authentic paellas cooked over a live wood fire. But because they are made to order in traditional shallow pans, they take about 45 minutes to prepare.

The smart move: The second you sit down, before you even look at the cocktail menu, ask your server to put in an order for the paella. (The Paella Valenciana with chicken and rabbit is traditional, but the seafood options are fantastic). Let that cook while you eat your tapas. If you wait to order it with the rest of your food, you will be sitting around with empty plates waiting for your main course.

The Must-Order Tapas

Build the rest of your meal around a few staple small plates:

Pan de Cristal con Tomate: It sounds simple—bread with tomato—but it is imported Spanish glass bread rubbed with fresh tomato, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. It is incredibly light, crispy, and the perfect base for the meal.
Croquetas de Pollo: These traditional chicken fritters are creamy on the inside and perfectly fried on the outside. They are famously served in a clear plastic shoe, which is a fun conversation starter. Pro tip: This is the safest bet for picky kids who usually just want standard theme-park chicken nuggets.
Patatas Bravas: Fried potatoes topped with a spicy tomato sauce and creamy alioli. It’s a Spanish staple for a reason and highly shareable.

The Big Splurge

If you have room in the budget, order the Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. This is premium, acorn-fed pork that is hand-carved right in the dining room. It literally melts in your mouth. Yes, it is pricey for a small plate, but it is the signature ingredient of the restaurant and offers a quality you will rarely find anywhere else in Florida.

What to Skip

Skip ordering like you are at a standard American restaurant. Do not order one main dish per person. You will spend too much and miss the entire point of the kitchen’s design.

Also, just like we recommend when hacking barbecue platters at EPCOT’s Regal Eagle, don’t double up on heavy, bready sides. If you order the Pan de Cristal and the Patatas Bravas, you have enough starch. Let the meats, cheeses, and the paella do the heavy lifting.

How to Get a Table

Because Jaleo’s footprint is massive (you can’t miss the giant artichoke-shaped building), it is often one of the easier high-end Disney Springs restaurants to grab a walk-up table for lunch or a late dinner.

However, prime 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM slots on weekends still vanish quickly. If you are locked out of the exact time you want, set up a SupaPark dining Drop Watch. We monitor the restaurant’s availability 24/7 and will ping you the instant someone cancels. The second you get the alert, you just grab the table directly in My Disney Experience.

The One Thing to Remember

Jaleo is best for adventurous eaters and groups willing to share. Order the paella the moment you sit down, balance your tapas so you aren’t filling up on bread, and use this spot as your high-quality escape from standard theme-park food.

Go deeper — the full guides: The Insider’s Guide to EPCOT’s Regal Eagle Smokehouse: What to Eat, Skip, and Share · The Insider’s Menu and Booking Guide to California Grill · The Insider Guide to Vegetarian Dining in EPCOT’s World Showcase

SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.

Keep planning: Jaleo · live dining reservation drops · is Lightning Lane worth it