2 Nights at MK...which would you choose?

[melbiel]

We have 2 nights to eat dinner at MK, or outside of MK, I should say. Since I've heard nothing great about any restaurants inside of MK, I am choosing from Kona Cafe, Whispering Canyon Cafe, and The Wave, and possibly Crystal Palace, although I think it's really expensive. We will have our 3 girls with us, ages 8, 6, and 3, as well as my parents. We do enjoy good food, and we don't have very timid tastes. Which two would you choose if you had two dinners??? Thanks so much! I love hearing everyone's opinions on here. It's so helpful!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

well... out of those.... i would choose kona for sure.

not a fan of the others (never tried the wave), but you may want to look into Tony's or Liberty Tree Tavern.

have a great time!

 

[figment_jii]

I like Whispering Canyon Cafe. We usually have the canyon skillet, which has lots of good options (mostly all meat). If you prefer quiet dining, then ask to be seated in the library, but if you want to be in the thick of the antics then the main room is the best.

Getting over to Wilderness Lodge involves taking the ferry from the MK dock to Wilderness Lodge. It takes about 20 minutes (I think), and is very easy to find.

 

[Nadjalu]

Of the ones you mentioned, it would be Whispering Canyon and Crystal Palace.

Although I have wanted to try The Wave for a while now.

Haven't been to Kona, as Ohana wins out for us. Love the skewers and the dessert...and don't get me started on the wings. LOL

 

[momtwoboys]

we love the food at the Crystal Palace, and it is convenient because it is right in the park...but like you we are looking for our second place to dine when at the MK!!!! I am considering the Wave, but not sure yet. Kona seems ok, but when visiting the Poly, we saw the restaurant and it is kinda right in the open. Hmmmm, I'll be watching the responses

 

[melbiel]

I had heard that the food at Crystal Palace was just so-so. Interesting to hear from someone who loves it - but of course, not this is more difficult. I just can't decide...especially if the food at CP is decent.

 

[momtwoboys]

we really have never had a bad meal there, and we have been going every year since 1997! Some years 2x! Our sons love the fruit, rolls, chicken legs, nuggets, mashed potatoes, salad...and the desserts!!! My husband even said let's just go there 2x and not look around for another spot! I don't want to eat with Pooh 2x!!! We love the curry noodles, there was a pasta dish that had chicken in it, and the salmon was incredible. We can't wait to be there in 57 days

 

[Ella's Mom]

I would definitely choose Whispering Canyon Cafe with the kids. I've never been to The Wave because the menu doesn't appeal to me. I also like Kona.

Would you consider switching one of your MK dinners to a lunch? We really like the lunches at LTT and the Plaza.

 

[momtwoboys]

so maybe Crystal Palace dinner one night and Whispering Canyon Cafe for dinner the second???

 

[melbiel]

Do you think that the CP is really expensive though? I kind of feel like $36 for adults is a lot!

I was thinking to do just counter service for lunch. We're trying to keep the spending in check and stay on a budget. I think that counter service will help. But for dinner, we'd like to have a nice meal each night.

Still undecided. CP sounds nice, but I also heard great things about The Wave and Kona, plus Whispering Canyon sounds good for the kids. I am thinking that we may not feel like having to travel 20 minutes or so to get to WC though, so maybe we'll skip it this time around.

So many decisions - I just wish I could make one!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I last ate at the CP around NYE with my DDiL and 3 DGC, 6, 7 and 8. Everyone found something yummy to eat and the characters were very friendly. I hadn't realized that there would be peel and eat shrimp.

I've never tried the Wave, but hope to. Those would be my picks.

Bobbi

 

[momtwoboys]

well if not on the dining plan then I guess yeah its expensive. Maybe do counter service instead? Not sure what your plan is. We love Columbia Harbour House and Pecos bill for counter service...my boys also love the hot dogs from Casey's corner. the boat ride to Wilderness lodge really felt quick..plus to the kids it was exciting to take that boat ride across the lake.

 

[mlm5l]

I never thought the food inside the MK was very good. Of the restaurants mentioned I likeThe wave and Canyon. Honestly I prefer Epcot and the Boardwalk.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I agree with OP if you can switch one dinner to a lunch, I would definitely go with luch at Liberty Tree Tavern. As far as MK goes, I personally have not had a good experience with dinner at Crystal Palace. It was an absolute mob scene and a couple of the characters skipped us. The food was very good though. Tony's Town Square is also good at MK, but if I had the choice, I would definitely take the monorail over to the Poly and eat at Kona. It is one of my absolute faves. The food is fantastic and the service is excellent. I have never tried The Wave but I hear it is very good. However, since you will have 3 kids with you, I would go with Whispering Canyon Cafe at the WL. The ferry ride over is great and the resort itself is gorgeous. The restaurant is so much fun, especially for kids. The skillet and the s'mores cheesecake are great! You will love it! Make sure if you go that you ask for ketchup!

 

[Main Street Matilda]

Unfortunately, I haven't really been too impressed with the food in MK. Having said that, not being impressed is not the same thing as saying I had a bad meal. We've eaten at every MK restaurant at one point or another and they all had something appealing and we enjoyed our meals.

I would say, however, that Kona and Whispering Canyon are two of our favorites for atmosphere and fun food.

 

[melbiel]

OK, so I am thinking definitely Whispering Canyon and am now torn between The Wave and Kona. I would like to do CP, but I think that it is too expensive for us, plus my girls really won't care about the characters there, so it wouldn't be worth it. I am assuming LIberty Tree Tavern is not good for dinner? I did just make a lunch reservation, as suggested.

Question for those of you who have eaten at WC...what would be a good reservation time if we want to make it back for the 9pm parade?

Thanks for all of the help. I think I am almost there...but not quite. LOL

 

[Ella's Mom]

At lunch, Liberty Tree Tavern has a menu and at dinner, it is a family style meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese - Thanksgiving dinner food.

As for a WCC ADR, I would say 6:00 would be good. You don't want to feel rushed, especially if you get seated late. You want to make it back to MK to find a good seat.

 

[melbiel]

OK, so here's what I think we've decided. We're going to eat one night at Crystal Palace and one night at Whispering Canyon. As for the price at CP, when I looked at the menus at The Wave and Kona, by the time we ordered drinks, an appetizer and an entree, we'll be paying as much as we will for the buffet at CP, so my husband said to just do it. BUT, I was hoping you helpful people could tell me what you think about times. Right now I have a 7pm for CP and a 6:40 for Whispering Canyon. If we want to see the parade at 9, I think that the 7 at CP will be OK since it's right in MK. I would have liked a 6pm at WC, but there isn't one available. Do you think we'll be OK with the 6:40? (I am trying to avoid making a whole other post about the times so thought I would mention it here.) Thanks for your thoughts!

Melissa

 

[Ella's Mom]

I think 7:00 at CP will be fine, even if you get in a little late. You don't have to go far from the restaurant to find a seat for the parade.

As for 6:40 at WCC, I think it is doable if everything goes smoothly - get seated on time, don't have to wait too long for boat back to MK. I'm afraid you might not get very good seats for the parade when you get back to MK. I'd keep checking for an earlier ADR...check several times a day if you can because times do open up. I'd also check in early.

Are you planning to watch the parade both nights?

 

[tzeitel]

If you want a little earlier time for dinner at WC I would check in at the podium earlier than your ressie. Sometimes it says there are no spots avail. at that time but if the restaurant is not full they will seat you