3 nights pre-cruise, no parks - tell me your must eats!

[lilsonicfan]

Hey y'all - we are going to have 3 nights on property prior to our cruise, not planning to do any parks this time around. We'll be arriving in the evening the first day, a Thursday, then will have all of Friday and Saturday, before heading to Port Canaveral on Sunday morning after breakfast.

We'll have a car and will stay one night at the Grand Floridian and two nights at Polynesian. We're a family of 5, my kids are teenagers and not into characters at all. They are adventurous eaters and also big eaters, but DH doesn't think buffet prices are really justifiable at Disney

On my list of want to try restaurants: Kona Cafe for breakfast, Homecomin' for weekend brunch or lunch, then Steakhouse 71 / Yachtsman Steakhouse / STK? - the kids like steak, what would you pick? I'd also love to go to Beaches & Cream for the kitchen sink, maybe it would be good to head there on the Thursday night?

Any other places you might suggest? Resort-only, or Disney Springs? Thanks!

 

[sponica]

If you're not doing parks, I'd venture out to AKL and do Sanaa and/or Jiko.

 

[NYCgrrl]

So many choices but these are some of the current standouts from my POV.

Particularly if you have an AP, Toledo @ Coronado has a special discount available and the food is quite good.
Flying Fish is always a must have on this end. La Creperie @ France in Epcot is a decent bang for the buck and tasty. The Cake Bake Shop is more than dessert (although they are worth the time and money too); take a look at the food menu. Might surprise you.

 

[Marthasor]

Hey y'all - we are going to have 3 nights on property prior to our cruise, not planning to do any parks this time around. We'll be arriving in the evening the first day, a Thursday, then will have all of Friday and Saturday, before heading to Port Canaveral on Sunday morning after breakfast.

We'll have a car and will stay one night at the Grand Floridian and two nights at Polynesian. We're a family of 5, my kids are teenagers and not into characters at all. They are adventurous eaters and also big eaters, but DH doesn't think buffet prices are really justifiable at Disney

On my list of want to try restaurants: Kona Cafe for breakfast, Homecomin' for weekend brunch or lunch, then Steakhouse 71 / Yachtsman Steakhouse / STK? - the kids like steak, what would you pick? I'd also love to go to Beaches & Cream for the kitchen sink, maybe it would be good to head there on the Thursday night?

Any other places you might suggest? Resort-only, or Disney Springs? Thanks!

Consider Whispering Canyon at WL for a meal - the food is delicious, IMHO and the skillets are AYCTE. The pricing is much better than the Disney buffets.

 

[pinkxray]

I would definitely do Kona and Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast. GFC is one of my favorite breakfast options and it’s so convienent for you.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Flying Fish DH said the steak there is better than yachtsman and the seafood is fantastic. I also really like bluezoo at the swalphin. I’m not a beaches and cream fan, ok sandwiches and generic ice cream, I think the fountain at swalphin is better if you are looking for casual sandwiches with ice cream.

I don’t tend tend to eat often on the monorail area, I am not a crowd person and find it chaotic but I do like narcossee

DH loves homecomin’ and the portions are large for big eating teens.

Cake bakery is on my must try for next trip along with Rosa Mexican at swalphin.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Disnsyncey]

I hear must eats and I don't think restaurants, I think dole whip at poly and a visit to Trader Sam's then watching fireworks from the beach

but I also vote one of the AKL restaurants, make an event out of visiting the resort and viewing the animals

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hey y'all - we are going to have 3 nights on property prior to our cruise, not planning to do any parks this time around. We'll be arriving in the evening the first day, a Thursday, then will have all of Friday and Saturday, before heading to Port Canaveral on Sunday morning after breakfast.

We'll have a car and will stay one night at the Grand Floridian and two nights at Polynesian. We're a family of 5, my kids are teenagers and not into characters at all. They are adventurous eaters and also big eaters, but DH doesn't think buffet prices are really justifiable at Disney

On my list of want to try restaurants: Kona Cafe for breakfast, Homecomin' for weekend brunch or lunch, then Steakhouse 71 / Yachtsman Steakhouse / STK? - the kids like steak, what would you pick? I'd also love to go to Beaches & Cream for the kitchen sink, maybe it would be good to head there on the Thursday night?

Any other places you might suggest? Resort-only, or Disney Springs? Thanks!

If you can reserve Ohana, do it. The bread there looks amazing and they have a nice selection of grilled items. Meega nala kweesta!

 

[ZerasPride]

Another vote for Cake Bake! The food is delicious and the portions are quite large. Of course the dessert options are wonderful. If you are chocolate lovers try the million dollar brownie. It was so good we went twice!

As an alternate to Beaches and Cream if you cannot get in try the Fountain at the Dolphin. We enjoyed the food and milkshakes much better there and it is easier to get in as you do not need a reservation.

Rosa Mexicana at the Dolphin is delicious as well. The drinks are strong even if a bit small.

Also if you are looking for a good reasonably priced breakfast (sit down - not a buffet or characters) try Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk. It was wonderful and such a calming atmosphere.

 

[Rory607]

Flying Fish or Cake Bake

 

[lilsonicfan]

Thank you all so much, I am adding to my list!!

 

[CynBeth]

Boma at AKL.

 

[NickC]

HDDR and Polite Pig.

 

[minniebeth]

So many options, so many favorites of everyone!
Homecomin' is awesome for brunch~ so is Wine Bar George!
Also, some of our favorites are The Boat House and Summerhouse on the Lake for dinner.
Kona dinner is underrated, we think it is good, but also Wailulu at the new Polynesian DVC tower is great for the smashburger for lunch. The portions aren't huge and it's a little pricey, but the drinks are also good.
We love Rosa Mexicano, I think it depends on what you order, but most of it has been very good when we've gone. Their chips and salsa and tableside guac is worth a trip alone.
Also agree with Cake Bake~ I would do treats there over Beaches and Cream if you like cake and treats. One slice of cake could feed a fam!
If you feel like venturing out, Columbia in Celebration is good if you are tired of being on property.
As far as steak, lots of good steak, like someone mentioned, it doesn't have to be a specific steak place, restaurants like Flying Fish have a great one too. Of all of the ones you mentioned, Steakhouse 71 was our least favorite, but a little more budget friendly if you have teenagers. (We have adult kids that love steak so we know how it adds up lol)
Just sharing some of our favs!

 

[lilsonicfan]

Thank you to everyone who replied! I will think about Cake Bake Shop, the pricing was a little shocking for the desserts but the cakes do look yummy. Added Boma to our list as I'd love to visit AKL.

 

[Woodview]

Think outside of Disney
You have a car so go to Hwy 192 Via A.K

Turn Right onto 192 and you have many choices LOOK THEM UP

Or proceed onto Hwy 27 turn South and as you enter Haines

City look out for Manny's Chop House ( on your right )

 

[Rory607]

Thank you to everyone who replied! I will think about Cake Bake Shop, the pricing was a little shocking for the desserts but the cakes do look yummy. Added Boma to our list as I'd love to visit AKL.

Their cake slices are huge and easily shareable!

 

[lilsonicfan]

Think outside of Disney

Thanks for this! I should have added that in several trips to Disneyland and a couple to WDW, we've actually never dined at a table service at Disney, except for Oga's Cantina. Every other time I've made reservations and cancelled when we were too busy at the parks. So I thought for this visit we might try some of what Disney has to offer - esp since we aren't actually doing the parks at all. Bit of a Disney fix for a much lower price.

 

[jimmymc]

Quick service: Morimoto Street Food, Pepe by Jose Andreas, The Polite Pig, Gasparilla Island Grill

Table service: Geyser Point, Wailulu Bar and Grill, Boatwright's Dining Hall, Wine Bar George lunch, Homecomin

Signature: Jiko, Flying Fish, Jaleo, Wine Bar George dinner