Six Interesting Facts about The Columbia Harbour House

When looking for a quick service restaurant for lunch or dinner in the Magic Kingdom, it would be easy to completely miss The Columbia Harbour House. This Liberty Square mainstay has been quietly serving up fish and chicken since the Magic Kingdom opened way back in 1971.

The restaurant really blends into its surroundings, but that doesn’t mean that we should skip by as we rush off to the Haunted Mansion or the Hall Of Presidents. (I still rush off to the Hall Of Presidents sometimes, don’t you?).

Let’s take a look at six interesting facts about the Columbia Harbour House:

1 – Multiple Architectural Styles

The Columbia Harbour House sits at the border between Liberty Square and Fantasyland. If you look at the building’s façade from the Liberty Square side, it looks like it would fit in perfectly with a small New England fishing village.

Columbia Harbour House New England styled architecture.
Columbia Harbour House New England styled architecture.

However, if you look at the building from the walkway leading in from Fantasyland, it has a much more Swiss or German feel complete with window boxes for flowers. This building definitely has multiple personalities!

Columbia Harbour House Swiss styled architecture.
Columbia Harbour House Swiss styled architecture.

2 – Colonial American Interior

There are many great touches inside the building, and most of them help you feel like you have walked straight into Colonial America, from the simple fireplace to the pewter plates and pitchers.

Columbia Harbour House fireplace.
Columbia Harbour House fireplace.

3 – Nautical Touches

This is a “harbour” house after all, so you will see plenty of little touches that build on the seaside theme. From the model of a ship to a ship’s figurehead statue, from the hanging ship’s wheel turned light fixture to the artwork on the walls, there are great sea-faring details to uncover everywhere.

Ship's wheel turned into a huge light fixture.
Ship’s wheel turned into a huge light fixture.
Ship figurehead carving in the ordering area.
Ship figurehead carving in the ordering area.

4 – Hidden Mickey

Even in nautically-themed Colonial America, you can find a hidden Mickey. Check out the design of the circles in this map. Pretty cool, huh?

Hidden Mickey?  You be the judge.
Hidden Mickey? You be the judge.

5 – Hidden Dining Room

Ok, this dining room isn’t technically hidden, but many people overlook it. There is a huge dining area on the second floor of this building. Since many people don’t know about it or don’t look for it, this can be a nice, quiet spot to enjoy your lobster roll or fried shrimp platter. There are lots of wood accents, plenty of large round tables, and windows that let you look down into both Liberty Square and Fantasyland.

You will find plenty of seating upstairs.
You will find plenty of seating upstairs.

6 – Unique Food Choices

Many people think that the Magic Kingdom is only about burgers and fries. While that perception has been changing over time, especially with the opening of the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the new Fantasyland, the Columbia Harbour House has been serving up some unique meals for many years. Yes, you can get fried chicken strips here, but you can also get grilled salmon, a broccoli peppercorn salad, and the Anchors Away sandwich, which includes tuna, lettuce, and tomato. Vegetarians might enjoy the Lighthouse sandwich which is made from hummus, tomato, and broccoli slaw.

Great Food, Great Fun

The next time you are in the Magic Kingdom and are looking for a unique dining experience or something different to eat, head over to the Columbia Harbour House and enjoy an often-overlooked Magic Kingdom classic.

Do you like the Columbia Harbour House?