It was well into dinner time but felt more like half past midnight when my son and I finally walked into Tokyo Dining at Epcot’s Japan Pavillion.

This was June 30th, opening day for the new Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.

It had been a harried day of grand opening crowds, rain and lines. The line just to get into Toy Story Land was 1.5 hours long when we got there -- and it would grow to a 3-hour wait later that day. We eventually retreated from the crowds and hopped over to Epcot, where the rain did what it was supposed to do: send people home.

Rain in the rain. Note the raccoon eyes beginning to form.

After rubbing elbows with millions in Toy Story Land, we were exhausted and hungry. A sit-down dinner was in order, and I don’t mean the kind where you carry your tray to the table. We were ready to be served, and after the heavy fare from Woody’s Lunchbox earlier that day, we needed something fresh. Sushi, anyone?

Trying to Save Money at Tokyo Dining

After being seated at Tokyo Dining, I grimaced behind the menu. The last time we’d eaten here was on a dining plan. Picture what you’d pay for the most basic of sushi rolls, the California roll, at your local sushi joint.

Here, it was $14.00.

For a California roll.

Determined to make this a nice dinner without a lot of budget regret, we went with the California roll, a bowl of seafood ramen ($9.00), and two hot green teas ($5.90) to counter our rain-soaked clothes.

Altogether, our meal was $28.90 sans tip/tax. Not too shabby for two eating a sit-down dinner at Disney, with drinks. The seafood ramen was enough to share, and the California roll actually contained crab (not krab), so, while I’m still not a big fan of that roll type, it was easily one of the best I’ve had.

Of course, the service was excellent, even by Disney standards. After such a crazy over-the-top day at Toy Story Land, with only “totchos” and grilled cheese as our main sustenance, we needed an experience like this to reset and relax before our drive back to St. Pete.

I am “meh” about the tatchos, tbh, but the grilled cheese saved my LIFE.

If you’re looking for a not-so-quick bite to escape the rain, noise and crowds, I suggest placing my order at Tokyo Dining. It’ll cost a bit more than a quick-service, but includes hot drinks, a quiet, respectful atmosphere, and excellent service.