Where Do Members Like to Dine?

[rinkwide]

In another thread the concept of SSR guests using Downtown Disney as their main dining option was brought up. I'm not a big fan of the restaurants at DD, much prefering those on the monorail loop or in the Epcot area. I'd really like other opinions on which dining/entertainment area you prefer to eat at.

To simplify I've grouped them into Downtown Disney, Epcot and Epcot Resorts and Magic Kingdom and MK Resorts.

Now I know your favorite may not fit into this grouping. Just imagine that you're not sure what kind of food you're in the mood for, where would you go then?

[Cruelladeville]

I voted for Epcot eateries, due to the fact that BWV is my home resort, but I actually go to the restaurants are Beach Club, or Boardwalk, which is in the area. My #1 favorite is actually Boma's.

[DebbieB]

For last minute meals, many times we go offsite. The Crossroads area has many restaurants.

[kathleena]

So, I had to take the joke answer.

We generally eat out at Boma and Pepper Market.

[Bracho]

Out of the normal 8 nights at WDW each trip, most all of our evening meals are at Epcot, a different country every evening.

[dizfanz]

Besides maybe one meal my wife and I like to share at an exceptional restaurant(V&A, Bistro de' Paris, Cit., etc...), which we make a PS for, we consider ourselves on vacation and eat where we like. Maybe just wine and cheese in France, sushi in Dol/Swan, a great salmon at Artist's Point. We never know until the moment arrives. To us, Disney is just as much about the hotels and quality restaurants as it is about the parks. If you haven't tried this approach, I highly recommend it. But don't tread on my favorite breakfast of all. Being a DVC member, I enjoy a bagel with my coffee in the morning, sitting on my balcony, watching the parents corral their children off to see Mickey for the first time. I watch the hustle and bustle in the morning, and then smile at my wife and say "Hey, what do you want to do today?"

[Chuck S]

We do eat several meals at Olivia's, as we have always stayed at OKW...but, we also will "pop" into EPCOT just for a meal. It really depends on what mood we're in. If we're in MK, we eat in MK, and so on.

We also occasionally drive off-site to eat, and if we want a quick and easy meal we go to DtD and get Earl of Sandwich "to go" to eat in our room. We rarely make any PSs more than a day in advance (unless we know the parks will be extremely crowded), the exception being "special" things like CP Dnr Pkg, or dinner shows.

[Zimbubba]

We would not think of a trip to Orlando without a meal at Bahama Breeze and one of Emeril's Restaurants.

[pplasky]

We try to make a ps for a restaurant in close proximity to where we will be for the day. If we are in Epcot, we eat in Epcot, if we are in MK, we eat in MK. Arrival and Departure days are more apt to be DD or a resort.

[eporter66]

I voted for the dont pigeon hole me - as you never know where or when you are going to eat when on vacation. We dont usually plan much...........

but - we do like to eat at the hotel we are staying at a couple times - just for the convience.

Maybe that is a good poll question - best resort for food????

Eric

[JimC]

We enjoy restaurants all over the property. Many planned with PS, many not.

[MJTinNH]

Generally Epcot and the Epcot Resorts. However, we also eat at a light meal at whatever park we happen to be at during the day.

When we travel to DD, we usually eat-out there too.

[doc428]

My Dh always lobbies for the Orlando Ale House, especially during football season.

So, I guess we will be there in 3 weeks, at least 2-3 times.

[jennypenny]

We actually cook most of our meals. We're not big on eating out, and with 3 small kids it's not much fun anyway. We usually plan 3 or 4 meals out during our 10 day vacation (usually epcot countries) and then cook the rest of the time.

So I vote cook, but based on the few meals out we eat my second vote is epcot.

Jenny

[tjkraz]

Honestly, location of a restaurant doesn't play much of a role at all in where we choose to dine. Sure, we'll plan to do Crystal Palace on a day at the Magic Kingdom, but we also don't mind running over to the WL just for Whispering Canyon.

I could better tell you what types of restaurants we like based upon the cuisine, atmosphere and other factors than I could for solely on the basis of location.

[DeeDeeDis]

Well we try at least one new restuarant every time we go.

Actually In August we did three new ones: tried Bomas (loved it) Earl of Sandwich (love it, very affordable) and I can't remember its name but in EPCOT the Japanese Restuarant where they cook in front of you? AWFUL, waste of money. Service friendly and fun, food TASTELESS

And we ALWAYs go to Cape Mays

[mb168]

Man, this is another reason we go to Disney, just to go to a few favorite restaurants and try new ones. We also go on many weekend trips and just one week long trip a year so our nights are generally to go to a favorite one eve and maybe try something new the next. We usually do Olivias for lunch the day we arrive no matter where we are staying. The exception to this is if we're going to EPCOT and then we usually go to the San Angel Inn in Mexico. Generally we do Spoodles for the paella(expensive but excellent), get a PS for lunch at the Liberty Tree if we're in MK(DW loves the pot roast), breakfast at Spoodles, Yacht Club Galley, AKL Rainforest Cafe ,or Olivias(all have DVC discount at breakfast at least), and then maybe try something new and revisit if we like it. We had been trying to get into California Grill for several trips and just finally did in August. Yachtsman has great steaks(did that on a Valentine trip DW and I), and Narcosee's has excellent food too(also Valentines trip). We liked Boma the first time we went and stayed at AKL but went nack again and just didn't care for it(was all I could get a PS for on a last minute Thanksgiving trip). I've kind of gotten away from the "buffet" meals at Disney especially if we have the kids with us. We usually opt for less expensive meals for the kids and even I have trouble justifying a $25 buffet for myself, I'd rather eat something nice cooked for me for that kind of $$.

We are the kind of people though that get in the habit of going to a few places and always ordering the same thing. Once I get a favorite somewhere I'm afraid to try something else. When we do venture out its usually based on recommendation like from here or people we meet at WDW. But we do the same thing even at home.

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by Zimbubba
We would not think of a trip to Orlando without a meal at Bahama Breeze and one of Emeril's Restaurants. That is our pattern, too!

[DrTomorrow]

To be honest, we find dining one of the least enjoyable aspects of a WDW/DVC vacation. Breakfast: in our room; bagels, pastries, etc. with a hot cuppa joe. Lunch: usually a small bite in whatever park we're in. Dinner: except for a few WDW restaurants that we're emotionally attached to ('Ohana, for example), we feel that the on-site restaurants don't give us value, so we eat off-site. (Note: we find that, even at home, most restaurants aren't worth what you pay....). Paying $10 more for the same cut of meat just because we're at the Boardwalk is enough to send us off-site to Outback; that's one of the reasons we love the location of SSR - quick and easy to skip out to the "real world" for a meal then skip back into the magic.

[Peggy Sue]

Our most enjoyable meals are outside of the Parks..at the resorts. We also like DD dining options..Fulton's alaskan king crab claws..yum!!

Interesting comment from DrTomorrow about dining off site due to $$ at Disney. Agree Disney is over priced..but we hate driving off disney property.....just doesn't feel right. Silly, I know....

We tend to have breakfast in our villa every morning...usually on our deck watching the world go by. We enjoy the parks more in the evening hours, so we're in no great rush to get anywhere.

We think Disney had vastly improved their dining options over the past few years, with a lot of options for us who travel sans kids...and enjoy a gourmet meal with fine wines!

[Crissup]

I often like to run down and grab some fish and chips from the UK in Epcot and bring them back up to the room. Still nice and piping hot and enjoy them on our balcony overlooking the Boardwalk and people watch.

[POOH&PIGLET]

We enjoy being able to walk to Epcot from BWV for a nice meal! :cool:

[vernon]

I think the poll needed an "off site" option.
I voted for the "don't pigeon hole" option as it was the only one that roughly covered my prefered option, which is mostly off site. If we spend the whole day in the parks, then obviously we're going to eat at the parks or maybe travel to one of the resorts that are easily accessed from the park we are in ( BW/Y+BC/Swan/Dolphin from Epcot or GF/Poly/Contemp from MK). Of Disney hotels, the only restaurants I'm likely to use with any regularity, even if I'm not at a nearby park, are the Cape May Cafe and Boma's as both offer a great dining option that isn't available nearby for significantly less $$ .

[Scoootch]

I voted on the "don't pigeon-hole" option also since our pattern really wasn't there either. We pretty much go by "what are we in the mood for" at any given time. If we're in the mood for characters we try to get a PS for a breakfast or dinner with which characters we want to see near where we think we'll be(i.e. - Crystal palace if we think we'll be at MK and want to see Winnie the pooh or O'hana or Chef Mickey's if we want to see Mickey and will be at MK or if it's dinner we'll try for LTT -- same goes for if we think we'll be at Epcot in the Morning and want to see Chip-n-dale - we'll go to BC). If we are in the mood for Japanese or German for dinner we'll plan on heading to Epcot for the evening. If we'd rather have a nicer sit-down meal, we'll plan on either Citrico's at GF or Yachtsman at YC. So we really go by what we think we feel like having at any particular time. Since we don't always plan ahead of time (we do occassionally for the hard to get PS like Chef Mickey's) we usually try and come up with a back up or 2 as a 2nd choice when we call to get a seating (or do a walk-up). But for the most part, we're all over the Disney map;)

[living la vida mickey]

I voted for don't pigeon hole me because we tend to eat off-site more than on-site. We go to the Crossroads area and over to Bahama Breeze, etc. We always eat at Olivia's once and if we go to the parks then we'll eat there. We stay at OKW but when we go over to Boardwalk we'll eat there too. Even when we were going to the parks a lot, we still would go offsite to eat.

[jx3smom]

We hang around EPCOT and EPCOT area.

[klmnluvdis]

we love the espn wings and this past week us yankee fans were way out numbered there:cool:
we still enjoyed the wings and won the games we watched :cheer2: :cheer2:

lori

[calypso*a*go-go]

We're not very picky and normally eat at whatever restaurant is the closest when we get hungry. I don't make PS's so if we can get into a sit-down that's fine. If not, counter-service, suits us as well.

Our trip in just a few days will be our first as DVC owners so we plan to do breakfast in the villa with the exception of one buffet-type breakfast the morning we leave. We will have a late lunch/early dinner in the parks (our main meal of the day) and have a light dinner when we get back to the room.

[WDWLVR]

I picked the "don't pigeon hole" choice as we do a wide variety.

We'll usually do breakfast in the room and grab a quick lunch at whatever park we are at. We do like to try different places and will usually have one PS made before we go. The rest of the time we just kind of play it by ear. We don't go offsite much.

[poohnpiglet3]

Lori, I can't tell you how much I agree with your ESPN hot wings comment..... We just keep talking about them all the time since we've come back!

Too bad the game we watched there (Ohio State) was bad. :( But I think we ate our weight in wings!

I love the Crossroads area, too. Two of our favs: Golden Corrall (not at Crossroads but up the street on 535) and Chevy's Mexican rest. Yummmy!

Sherri :)

[JLS]

Our MUST do every trip is Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Love that place. We also like the Epcot restaurants - we try to go somewhere new each time. We like Beaches and Cream for burgers and ice cream. We are generally open to anything. Off site we have tried the new Emeril's restaurant at the Royal Pacific Hotel at Universal - very good! The restaurant options at universal city walk are better than Downtown Disney, IMO. I think that the Earl of Sanwich was a good addition, though.

[thelobstershanty]

Paying $10 more for the same cut of meat just because we're at the Boardwalk is enough to send us off-site to Outback;
If you are speaking of the Outback chain restaurant near WDW, I just have to point out that nothing could be farther from the truth. The Boardwalk restaurants that are known to serve an excellent steak: Yachtsman's Steakhouse, Shula's and Flying Fish serve a much, much, better cut of beef than what you can get at any Outback. True, the boardwalk restaurants are more pricey than a chain restaurant but their quality of food and service is also far above that of a chain restaurant.
I enjoy Outback steakhouses also, but do not find these restaurants to be anywhere near the same league, as the boardwalk area restaurants are.
If you are speaking of the Outback restaurant, which is not part of the chain and is located in a DTD hotel--their prices are basically the same for the same mea, as the boardwalk restaurants.

[rinkwide]

I enjoy Outback steakhouses also...
Really? I sure don't.

Does anyone else happen to think that Outback may be the single most overrated restaurant chain? Maybe in other parts of the country you get a better experience but here in Southern California my meals have left a lot to be desired. Been there three times with no luck.

[klmnluvdis]

love the outback wings too:tongue:

lori:wave2:
not as good as espn's

[klmnluvdis]

sorry about ohio state sherri :) better luck this week

lori:wave2:

[poohnpiglet3]

Thx, Lori... sorry about the Yankees tonight, that is, of course, unless you're a Mets fan. :)

And yes, I loooooove Outback. Mmmmmm

Sherri :)

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by thelobstershanty
If you are speaking of the Outback chain restaurant near WDW, I just have to point out that nothing could be farther from the truth. I did mean the Outback chain, and, of course, that's in your (humble) opinion ;) . To be honest, I long ago realized that I'm just not one of those folks who feels that there's value in the most expensive of meals. For example: Outback's Victoria Filet (9oz): $18.99 - Shula's Filet(12oz): $38.95. I've had both, and I just can't taste whatever others taste that justifies it costing more than twice as much for 3 oz more. Recently had dinner in Las Vegas with epicurian friends (American Bar and Grill, Rio) and the menu offered two kinds of steaks - Black Angus, and something called "Dry Aged" (news to me, my friend had heard of it) - "Dry Aged" cost $10-15 more for the same size of the same cut. We paid the premium, and while my friend waxed poetically that this was the best steak he'd ever had, to me it didn't taste that much better than Outback (or Lone Star, or Logan's Roadhouse, etc....) [Note: Had KOBE beef on that trip, too - also highly over-rated]. So when the entrees start hitting the heights of $30, $40, $50 and up, I head the other way.

Bringing this back on topic a bit, my feelings are the same - but even stronger - when it comes to WDW restaurants. With very few exceptions (for example, 'Ohana, which offers a fairly unique - and, IMHO, quite fun - dining experience, and Le Cellier - mmmm, cheese soup), I find Disney overpriced for what is offered. I feel that, by going off-site, I can find a meal that's just as satisfying for less money - and given resort.to.resort transportation, I might even get back to our room quicker afterwards.

IMHO - YMMV

[jmminarik]

After about 1.5 days of Disney food, we're sick of it. We'll eat in the parks when it is convenient, but we also like to eat many meals in the room.

The only exception is Fish and Chips at the Rose and Crown...we don't do PS's but we do go there at least once per trip. Oddly, in a city of great restaurants, Philly doesn't have a good version of the most plebian of English cuisine.

-Joe

[QuiltTeddy]

I think our favorite place is Rainforest at Animal Kingdom.

We also love China, Germany, Mexico in Epcot. Love Whispering Canon Cafe (I think that's the proper name) in Wilderness Lodge. Beaches & Cream has great burger. Loved the Hoop de Doo Revue dinner.

Geeze, there are so many great places in Disney....we virtually only have breakfast in the room and then skip lunch and go straight to dinner.

[vernon]

Oddly, in a city of great restaurants, Philly doesn't have a good version of the most plebian of English cuisine. There are PLENTY of English dishes that are definately a lot more plebian than fish and chips LOL

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by vernon
There are PLENTY of English dishes that are definately a lot more plebian than fish and chips LOL

Not the way I'd cook'm. :crazy:

-Joe

[rinkwide]

...more plebian than fish and chips...I think I'll have the shepherd's pie, thank you.

[Lesley]

I voted Epcot/Epcot area since if we have no other plans and just want a meal that's where we're likely to head. But in reality, we're more likely to pick an option from where we are....like when we ended up at Mama Melrose, or H&V or Prime Time during a day at MGM....or the time we tried The Plaza (now a favorite) at the spur of the moment at the MK...or tried Olivia's because we got back to OKW and decided it was the thing to do...but we've also ended up at Nine Dragons more than once and if we're looking for good counter service WS is our first thought (besides Pecos Bill's at MK or Flame Tree at AK)

We also love Bahama Breeze and can't wait to go back....but we seem to have a hard time dragging ourselves off property for a meal. We have eaten there on our way in to WDW though.

[mb168]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
I did mean the Outback chain, and, of course, that's in your (humble) opinion ;) . To be honest, I long ago realized that I'm just not one of those folks who feels that there's value in the most expensive of meals. For example: Outback's Victoria Filet (9oz): $18.99 - Shula's Filet(12oz): $38.95. I've had both, and I just can't taste whatever others taste that justifies it costing more than twice as much for 3 oz more. Recently had dinner in Las Vegas with epicurian friends (American Bar and Grill, Rio) and the menu offered two kinds of steaks - Black Angus, and something called "Dry Aged" (news to me, my friend had heard of it) - "Dry Aged" cost $10-15 more for the same size of the same cut. We paid the premium, and while my friend waxed poetically that this was the best steak he'd ever had, to me it didn't taste that much better than Outback (or Lone Star, or Logan's Roadhouse, etc....) [Note: Had KOBE beef on that trip, too - also highly over-rated]. So when the entrees start hitting the heights of $30, $40, $50 and up, I head the other way.

IMHO - YMMV

I caan do you one better. My ex in laws couldn't even justify Outback or Longhorns. They can't see why anyone would pay anymore than you do for a Sizzler or Golden Corral steak, even if I was the one paying. As a matter of fact, I took them one time and MIL wouldn't even order steak because it cost too much at Longhorn, she was totally uncomfortable being in the place like it was some swanky joint:D . Now take her to the Golden corral with a salad bar and she'll order the best $7.99 steak they have and an all you can eat salad bar. At Longhorns I kept waiting for her to ask "Which fork do I use for my salad?"

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by mb168
They can't see why anyone would pay anymore than you do for a Sizzler or Golden Corral steak, even if I was the one paying.

Some people can't see paying what we do for Disney...Great Adventure is good enough or maybe the Boardwalk rides....some people can't see paying for DVC resorts, the All Stars are good enough....some people can't see paying to stay on site...the notell motels out on 192 are good enough...

Everyone's tastes are different and there is a business person to cater to them.

-Joe

[CRSNDSNY]

This was a difficult one to vote for, but I chose the DTD choice. We like Wetzel's pretzels, Ghiradelli, and Wolfgang Puck's. These can really be 'snacky' places for us. BUT, if we're closer to Magic Kingdom at the time, we like to go to Columbia Harbour House for some chili and/or a Lighthouse sandwich. If we're closer to Epcot, it's a toss up between Beaches 'n Cream, fish n chips or the San Angel Cantina.

[PinMan]

sorry yankee's fan but this red sox fan has got to gloat a little yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! red sox ! we always say we'll beat them next yearbut this is great ! and now for the world series. we eat where ever we'er at. but we love the castle at mk.we try a lot of dif. rest. in disneyand will continue to




RED SOX RULE !!!

[Par8hed]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by mb168
They can't see why anyone would pay anymore than you do for a Sizzler or Golden Corral steak, even if I was the one paying.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's just not fine dining if you can't carry it to your table on a plastic tray!

Sorry but that Golden Corral joint is nothing less than a dump. Better cuisine can be found on Fear Factor.

[Deesknee]

at the end of our "disney" day (aka leaving the parks completely for the evening) we usually go to crossroads or eat back in the villa for our large meal. We do miss having breakfast at Tonys though. generally lunch is fruit somewhere or a break back at the room. Always atleast one character meal. Last trip we found Liberty tavern during spectro that was great.

ps usually we go during off season (parks close early.)

[Maistre Gracey]

We are in the group that plans all our dinners well ahead of our trip.

Our main choices for almost every trip-

Jiko
'Ohana
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Narcoossee
Cindy's
California Grill
Shula's
Restaurant Marrakesh
Artist Point


I'm getting hungry just typing the names! :teeth:

MG

[sgtdisney]

After going to Disney for over 25 years, every year and more specifically OKW for 12 years I find myself looking more forward to eating off property than on. I have a few favorites like Hollywood Brown Derby or Rose and Crown and now that kids are involved a character meal or two, but other than that we really enjoy experiencing some of the other interesting places that Orlando has to offer.

[Luvmyfam3]

I chose your silly option simply because we schedule our days around our PS's!:teeth: We have our places that we "have" to go to, but we mainly we go according to which park we're in. I don't have to see the parks commando-style, but my girls do!!:jumping1:

P.S. Poohnpiglet3 - I LOVE your tag picture of your babies! I have twin girls and I have pictures just like that of them! Now they're 13 and that picture reminded me how little they were long, long ago! It goes SO fast!:(

Kim:earsgirl: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[DVCcollector]

We love to go to Chef Mickeys. We usually go off property to different places like Sizzlers and Shoneys and Olive garden. Other than that we eat in our room.

[dianeschlicht]

We definitely have our favorites. We will always have at least one PS at Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki, and one at Artist Point. We also like Akershus, Bomas, Olivias, O'Hana, and this time we are trying the steak house in Canada and the pub in England.

[deerh]

I voted the generic answer. We kind of eat at a conglomeration of places:
1- in the room
2- Espn club
3-Cal. Grill
4-Sci FI
5-Prime Time Cafe
6-Cape May Cafe for Char. B'Fast
7-Pizza place next to BWV (take out)

So, we eat at diff. places when we are there..
Would like to try the Epcot places (now if we buy AP's we can do that!!)..

DeerH

[Pa@okw95]

It is California Grill, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Artist Point are the 3 that we make every trip.

[Laurajean1014]

Prior to departing for the trip, DH and I sit down and go over where we are eating. Each night it is a different WDW eatery.

Our favorites are:


California Grill
Japan Hibachi (can't remember name)
France lower restaurant (can't remember name)
Olivia's (OKW)
Ohana's (Poly)
GF Breakfast Buffet with Characters
Mexico (San Angelina's inside)
Jiko (Animal Kingdom)
Rainforest Cafe


PS do not cost anything, so if we cannot go for any reason, we will call or plan something else.

[Cyndy]

I voted don't pigeon hole me but I must say we do a combination of the choices, except for the off site dining. We save those choices for other travel or at home. We just like staying in WDW and treating ourselves to less driving.

Now that we have DVC we are trying one or two new choices each visit. Thanks to posts on this thread, I've added Boma's for our March trip, since next week is full of our favorites repeated to share with our best friends who are new DVC members.

We have favorites in several areas:

Top Tier: Flying Fish
California Grill

Parks: England - Rose & Crown
France- ???
Prime Time
Brown Derby

Resort Areas
ESPN
Cape May
Beaches & Cream
Olivia's

Many more that were favorites and have closed or changed enough not to be mentioned as favorites but worth a visit again to see if things have improved.

[BCVOwner2002]

Wolfgang Puck's for butternut squash soup!! Yummm

Of course, we recently ate at Boma's and enjoyed it there too. Annmarie

[sandieb]

We especially love the restaurants at the resorts...it is fun to walk around and enjoy the ambiance too. I really like making PS in advance, and then if we change our mind, we can cancel them. I hate waiting in line - this is one of the reasons we don't go offsite very often...the exception is the Orlando Ale House. Sandie B

[beequeen]

I know it's not that popular, but my favorite is the Prime Time Cafe in MGM. It's so much fun - I think the food is good (S'mores for dessert!) and you get light up ice cubes in your drink!

[Jacksmom99]

When we don't have any specific plans or PS's we ususally end up at the ESPN club DH's favorite place. :rolleyes: So, I chose Epcot/Epcot resorts. However, once we get our AP's with the new discount, I'm sure we'll be taking in more of the Epcot restaurants.