A Hermit's Lunch in the Magic Kingdom

Confession: I hate crowds. I hate waiting. I go out of my way to have few crowds and as little waiting as possible. Which in many ways, may be why Magic Kingdom is my least favorite park. In most people's mind it is what comprises Disney World and everything else is unknown or ignored. It's the most attended park of the four. So I feverishly pore over the Extra Magic Hour schedule trying to figure out which day will have the least attendance for Magic Kingdom. I used to go clock-wise around the park, starting with Adventureland and the practically empty Pirates of the Caribbean. Thanks to Johnny, this is no longer to be.

Which is why I love Columbia Harbor House so much. Oh, isn't this the place with no changing table in the restroom? Yes, yes it is. But, compared to Pecos Bill, my formerly beloved but now besieged El Pirata y El Perico in Adventureland or Cosmic Ray's; Columbia Harbor House is a relative oasis of calm.

There isn't much room for a long line at the counters here, but so far, I haven't experienced a terribly long one. Of course, as with everything else in the pursuit of aloneness, I don't do lunch at noon, but either a bit earlier or later. The Harbour House is two stories and I've always easily found seating up the upper level. I've had good luck getting a window which allows for one of those little moments not mentioned in a guidebook: getting to see the street from above. I also feel inspired when leaving to make a nautically themed room in my house. Although, that may be because I want people to think I'm actually saying "naughty" room instead of "nautical" room so they can wonder about me.

There are no hamburgers to be had here, which is usually the number one complaint in online reviews. You can get hamburgers everywhere else though, so that's not really a loss. Here, you can get fish and chips, chicken nuggets or salads. They have a delicious Anchors Aweigh Sandwich which is tuna. I enjoyed the BLT salad as did my toddler. There is also vegetarian chili and clam chowder to be had. If you are tired of beef, this is the place to go.

If you are tired of crowds, this is the place to go....or Epcot. Epcot's big enough to never be insanely crowded. We like Epcot, we do...