We booked our trip this morning and I'm trying to wade through the massive list of restaurants.
Got suggestions for restaurants?
Got suggestions for restaurants?
Disney Dining Advice
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Not sure where you are staying, but there are family friendly buffets all along I-4. Shoney's, Ponderossa (everyone eat there for lunch....get a meal with the free buffet, take meal back to room for late snack or dinner if you all aren't big eaters)
It is really easy to eat very cheap at disney....jusst don't let the kids try to eat in the parks...lol.
It is really easy to eat very cheap at disney....jusst don't let the kids try to eat in the parks...lol.
We have the dining plan because we are staying on site but you need to make dinner reservations ahead of time and there are like a bazillion restaurants in Disney and I have NO clue which are good/bad-lol.
Yep, disney allows you to book 90 days out plus 10 extra days (perk for people staying on site) or something like that.
It's impossible just to walk up to restaurants and be seated. Doesn't work that way.
It's impossible just to walk up to restaurants and be seated. Doesn't work that way.
Are you staying on Disney property? If so, what hotel? What kind of food do you like? Kids? Are you doing one of the dining plans?
Some places are fair values, some places we have been hugely disappointed with and wouldn't go near again. Anyway, we usually go once a year or so...and my inlaws go 2-3 times...so I can probably give a couple recommendations. We always stay in a room with a kitchen, and we've found that the best plan for us is to eat out once a day, usually for an early dinner. We save by eating in for bfast and lunch and then use that to splurge on dinner at one of the nicer places. We tried doing mid range places for a while, but really felt like we were getting ripped off. We spend more to go to the places we do, but, for us, we feel like we are getting better value for our dollar.
Some places are fair values, some places we have been hugely disappointed with and wouldn't go near again. Anyway, we usually go once a year or so...and my inlaws go 2-3 times...so I can probably give a couple recommendations. We always stay in a room with a kitchen, and we've found that the best plan for us is to eat out once a day, usually for an early dinner. We save by eating in for bfast and lunch and then use that to splurge on dinner at one of the nicer places. We tried doing mid range places for a while, but really felt like we were getting ripped off. We spend more to go to the places we do, but, for us, we feel like we are getting better value for our dollar.
I suggest the bakery on Main St. :lol: Oh and if you go to Epcot, go to the Kringla bakery and try the school bread.
Yeah, I'm a fatty. And? :lol: Then hit Italy and get their chocolates.
Yeah, I'm a fatty. And? :lol: Then hit Italy and get their chocolates.
We're staying at the French Quarter At Port Orleans. We have the the quick service plus one snack plus on sit down dinner.
I figure that we'll do quick service for lunch and save the sit down for dinner.
Dh is diabetic so I want dinner to be relatively nice and have options so that he can eat more than a salad. I want to eat in Epcot once, I know that but am open to everything else.
I figure that we'll do quick service for lunch and save the sit down for dinner.
Dh is diabetic so I want dinner to be relatively nice and have options so that he can eat more than a salad. I want to eat in Epcot once, I know that but am open to everything else.
We stayed at Port Orleans about 10 years ago when we went without the kids. I thought the grounds were beautiful. It's one of my favorites.
We've never done a dining plan, mostly because the places we like to go would count as 2 dinner tickets. After my husband costed it out, it was cheaper for us to set aside cash and just do our own thing. My absolute favorite restaurant on Disney property is Flying Fish. It's on the Boardwalk. Been there tons of times, never once had a bad meal. It's high end dining but without snobbery. The staff is great...we love to eat at the bar and chat with the bartenders (sometimes get extra wine tastings that way!). I am positive they would be very accommodating to any dietary requests. California Grill is another good splurge 2 ticket spot, though we had a waiter trying to upsell us very aggressively there last time. Heard the same thing from a couple other diners, as well. Left a bad taste in our mouth...but the food is always excellent. Fantastic sushi. We've been there many times, too...great view of the Magic Kingdom and fireworks if you time it right.
In Epcot, the restaurant in Canada gets great reviews, but I've not been. Known for their steak and cheddar cheese soup. Really hard to get reservations, so if you think you like it, make them soon. France has 2 restaurants....never been to the fancier one, but the cheaper one was awful. It is pretty inside, but really and truly, the food was terrible. NOT cheap...we felt completely ripped off. The German one is good, but since you're already in the land of brats here in Jewel-land, I don't know that I'd spend a 'ticket' on it. Also, communal tables, so you'd be eating with strangers if that bothers you. They do a nice dinner show and the theming is really nice. On second thought, though, it might be a good place for your husband...my FIL is diabetic and he likes that it's buffet style and he can pick and choose what works for him. As an aside, he finds that his sugars tend to be better at Disney, I think b/c he does SO much walking there.
I feel like I'm writing too much! Do you want me to tell you about some of the other places? I don't want to seem pushy!
We've never done a dining plan, mostly because the places we like to go would count as 2 dinner tickets. After my husband costed it out, it was cheaper for us to set aside cash and just do our own thing. My absolute favorite restaurant on Disney property is Flying Fish. It's on the Boardwalk. Been there tons of times, never once had a bad meal. It's high end dining but without snobbery. The staff is great...we love to eat at the bar and chat with the bartenders (sometimes get extra wine tastings that way!). I am positive they would be very accommodating to any dietary requests. California Grill is another good splurge 2 ticket spot, though we had a waiter trying to upsell us very aggressively there last time. Heard the same thing from a couple other diners, as well. Left a bad taste in our mouth...but the food is always excellent. Fantastic sushi. We've been there many times, too...great view of the Magic Kingdom and fireworks if you time it right.
In Epcot, the restaurant in Canada gets great reviews, but I've not been. Known for their steak and cheddar cheese soup. Really hard to get reservations, so if you think you like it, make them soon. France has 2 restaurants....never been to the fancier one, but the cheaper one was awful. It is pretty inside, but really and truly, the food was terrible. NOT cheap...we felt completely ripped off. The German one is good, but since you're already in the land of brats here in Jewel-land, I don't know that I'd spend a 'ticket' on it. Also, communal tables, so you'd be eating with strangers if that bothers you. They do a nice dinner show and the theming is really nice. On second thought, though, it might be a good place for your husband...my FIL is diabetic and he likes that it's buffet style and he can pick and choose what works for him. As an aside, he finds that his sugars tend to be better at Disney, I think b/c he does SO much walking there.
I feel like I'm writing too much! Do you want me to tell you about some of the other places? I don't want to seem pushy!
www.disboards.com also has great forums.
We're going next month, but are not on the dining plan. I still made reservations at Chef Mickey's @ Contempory so we could have a character meal. We're super excited!
ETA: The hoedown, the hibachi place @ Japan in Epcot and the Luau at the Polynesian all look really good in my browsing.
We're going next month, but are not on the dining plan. I still made reservations at Chef Mickey's @ Contempory so we could have a character meal. We're super excited!
ETA: The hoedown, the hibachi place @ Japan in Epcot and the Luau at the Polynesian all look really good in my browsing.
Oh, just thought of one of my favorite favorite places....Boma at Animal Kingdom. They do a breakfast and dinner buffet that are both fantastic. I especially like the breakfast...they have a great fruit juice blend they serve. Again, lots of choices, carved meats...can definitely stay away from carbs and still have a great meal. There are so many good places to eat at Disney!
I have Boma on my list of places that I want to try.
I also have also heard that the French places were not that great... My neighbor gave me a book with some advice but I was looking for some personal experience as well.
I also have also heard that the French places were not that great... My neighbor gave me a book with some advice but I was looking for some personal experience as well.
I love WDW!!
We went Sept 08- We did the dining plan (b/c it was free)- Not sure if I'd do it again. I did like that the food was already "covered" and I didn't get a "bill"... but it was kinda annoying keeping track of the snacks etc etc.
Anyway- you have to check out 50's Prime Time Cafe @ Hollywood Studios! They had the BEST food!
allears.com is awesome!
Have fun!
We went Sept 08- We did the dining plan (b/c it was free)- Not sure if I'd do it again. I did like that the food was already "covered" and I didn't get a "bill"... but it was kinda annoying keeping track of the snacks etc etc.
Anyway- you have to check out 50's Prime Time Cafe @ Hollywood Studios! They had the BEST food!
allears.com is awesome!
Have fun!
I second the disboards! Great site tons of info
Try the ****ins/cupcakes at Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios. They count as a snack credit and are AMAZING!!! Go early because they are very popular but worth the wait in line.
Ohana and Tusker House have great breakfasts with characters. Cape May cafe had great food and service. Whispering Canyon is fun, not to mention wild and crazy. Chef Mickeys characters were great, but I didn't like the dinner food. Ditto for 1900 Park Fare. Pretty much everything in Epcot is good and I am not much of an ethnic eater. The Japanese hibachi restaurant is just ok. The ones around here are much better and cheaper. It's good, but not worth the money or dining credits IMO
Have you eaten at the San Angel Inn or Nine Dragons in Epcot? I guess I'm looking at more moderate than expensive-lol.
Also, have you (or anyone else) done the tea at the Grand FLoridian? I thought that this would be fun to do wiht DD5yr. Heck. I would get a kick out of it.
Yup, been to San Angel Inn. It's a very pretty, romantic restaurant. We went a lot when we lived in NY. I probably wouldn't go back now that we live in Chi, but that's not b/c San Angel is bad. More that there are lots of great Mexican places to choose from here in Chi/suburbs and they are way cheaper than Disney. Of course, they can't match the ambience. San Angel is such a pretty restaurant, and a nice, quiet break since Disney can sometimes be hectic. The only negative I can come up with about it is that the tables are packed in a little tight. Btw, it fills up fast, too.
I took our oldest daughter to the GF tea when she was 5 or 6. I loved it...I don't think she liked it as much as I'd hoped she would have, though. DD2, who is 5 now, would like it way better than her older sister did. So, I guess it depends on the child. DD1 would like it way better now that she's 12. They'll serve chocolate milk to the little ones...it's very cute.
Were you thinking of doing a princess breakfast with your daughter? We've done the one at the castle and at the Norway pavilion. If you want to do the castle, where Cinderella comes, you need to make reservations asap. I think I remember my husband saying you can do dining reservations on line now--not positive--but back when you could only do them on the phone, you'd have to have the # on speed dial and call RIGHT at opening to even have a prayer of getting in there. Crazy. One of the toughest reservations in all Disneyworld. We've been to that one twice, but prefer the Norway princess breakfast. Easier to get a reservation, better food selection and I think maybe a little cheaper? Though maybe that wouldn't matter to you with the dining plan. Only drawback is that Cinderella doesn't visit that one.
The Chinese places...they used to have a terrible reputation. I think Disney may have tried to revamp them, but I'm not certain. We last went in Oct. 09 for the food and wine festival...great time to go, b/c they have little food booths set up all around Epcot. It's like a street fair. Tried something Chinese then...terrible. You can get better take out here. I know the cultures/cuisines aren't interchangeable, but I think the restaurants in Japan are more reliably good.
Ok, will tell you about one more place and then leave you alone!!
Check into the restaurant in the Morocco pavilion at Epcot. I find the nationals who work there to be among the nicest in all of Epcot. Incredibly warm and very welcoming of our children (we have 5). One time our waiter sat down with us for a while and showed all the kids how their names would look written in Arabic. Morocco seems to be one of the least crowded pavilions, which makes me a little sad...I consider a little treasure in Epcot. There's a fast food restaurant right up in front...if you go in and walk in the back, there's a bakery counter filled with different kinds of fantastic baklava. They ship it in from a bakery outside Detroit. They have a couple of small tables in a corner. I go there to read and drink espresso (one of the few places that has espresso in Disney). Way in the back is the Moroccan restaurant. Can't recall the name...the food is basic, but nice. Warm spices, like cinnamon, so it's not intimidating to the kids. And the decor is just beautiful...mosaics everywhere. They also have a bellydancing show. It's a unique restaurant.
Check into the restaurant in the Morocco pavilion at Epcot. I find the nationals who work there to be among the nicest in all of Epcot. Incredibly warm and very welcoming of our children (we have 5). One time our waiter sat down with us for a while and showed all the kids how their names would look written in Arabic. Morocco seems to be one of the least crowded pavilions, which makes me a little sad...I consider a little treasure in Epcot. There's a fast food restaurant right up in front...if you go in and walk in the back, there's a bakery counter filled with different kinds of fantastic baklava. They ship it in from a bakery outside Detroit. They have a couple of small tables in a corner. I go there to read and drink espresso (one of the few places that has espresso in Disney). Way in the back is the Moroccan restaurant. Can't recall the name...the food is basic, but nice. Warm spices, like cinnamon, so it's not intimidating to the kids. And the decor is just beautiful...mosaics everywhere. They also have a bellydancing show. It's a unique restaurant.
