The Smart Order at Frontera Cocina: Splurging Right at Disney Springs

Published June 24, 2026 · Updated September 9, 2026

Frontera Cocina at Disney Springs delivers one of the best sit-down Mexican meals at Walt Disney World. Helmed by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, the kitchen here is genuinely excellent.

But there is a catch you need to know before you book: this is a third-party restaurant, and the Disney Dining Plan does not apply here.

Because you cannot use a table-service credit, you need to treat Frontera Cocina as a planned, out-of-pocket cash splurge. The food is absolutely worth it, but you need to budget your other park meals around it so you don’t overspend your daily food allowance.

To make sure your money goes to the right places on the menu, you need a strategy. Here is exactly what you should order, what to skip, and how to approach the meal.

The Smart Order: What to Get

The move here is simple: build your meal around the Cochinita Pibil and the chips and guacamole, and treat the rest of the menu as optional.

The Slow-Roasted Pork

The slow-roasted pork dishes are where this kitchen actually shows off. The Cochinita Pibil (slow-roasted pork) is tender, deeply flavorful, and routinely the most consistent value on the entire menu. If you are going to spend the money, this is where you want to spend it.

The Chips and Guacamole

Do not skip the guacamole. It is fresh, well-seasoned, and a necessary start to the meal. While you might be used to complimentary chips and salsa at your local Mexican spot, you will pay for them here. Budget for it, order it, and enjoy it.

What to Skip

Since every dollar here comes out of pocket, you want to avoid filler.

Skip the generic items you can get anywhere. Don’t default to basic tacos or standard chicken dishes just because they are familiar. You are paying a premium for a Rick Bayless menu, so order the dishes the kitchen is actually built to execute at a high level.

The Booking Strategy

Frontera Cocina is a popular spot in Disney Springs, especially for dinner. While it doesn’t book up quite as ferociously as some neighboring spots, you still want an Advance Dining Reservation.

If you decide last minute that you want slow-roasted pork and a margarita, and you don’t have a table, set up a Drop Watch in SupaPark. We will monitor the restaurant for cancellations and ping you the exact second a table frees up, so you can grab it in My Disney Experience.

The One Thing to Remember

Frontera Cocina is an out-of-pocket splurge since the Disney Dining Plan isn’t accepted. Make it count by sticking to what the kitchen does best: start with the chips and guacamole, and make the Cochinita Pibil the star of your meal.

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.

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