Adult only trip to check out all resorts, what are the must dos? And other tips.

[Lumpy1106]

They have lots of good food in our opinion and QS you can also jump in Epcot. Even jump over to RIV for QS.

The downside to those resorts is they don't have the traditional big sitting areas for QS.

Where? They have the place where you can get a coffee and some pastries, a walk-up pizza place and...? All we could find was pre-made sandwiches in very limited supply in the stores (both BWV and BCV). I know now that there are much better options over at Swan/Dolphin, but nothing around the lake at all. You need a valid park ticket to go into EPCOT - not really an option in most scenarios. I was so disappointed when they announced ESPN was getting replaced by Cake Bake. Cake Bake is fine if that's what you want, but what the area really needed was a full-on QS and it still doesn't have one.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

How does everyone feel about California Grill? It has the signature dining attire disclaimer but I feel like it's likely not as fancy as say Narcoossees? But also since its in the resort we are staying at it wont be as hard to go get changed as other restaurants.

They have a reservation at 9:30. Would you try to do a walk in at TOTWL around 9pm (Wicked Wind Down is booked up) or would you do California Grill and hope you can get a table with a good view?

We had a very good meal at CG. It was Prix-Fixe as mentioned above, but each course was quite good. We had a window table, but I think you have to go outside to hear the music and I like the soundtrack to minnie's magical christmas fireworks (or whatever it's actual name is)-- we went outside between dinner and dessert for the show, I think?--the view is very good and not obstructed (though not perfectly lined up), I don't know how it works if your dining time is exactly the start of fireworks though, I vaguely recall being annoyed to mill around the Contemporary lobby area waiting to be called back and let upstairs.

 

[VGCgroupie]

We had a very good meal at CG. It was Prix-Fixe as mentioned above, but each course was quite good. We had a window table, but I think you have to go outside to hear the music and I like the soundtrack to minnie's magical christmas fireworks (or whatever it's actual name is)-- we went outside between dinner and dessert for the show, I think?--the view is very good and not obstructed (though not perfectly lined up), I don't know how it works if your dining time is exactly the start of fireworks though, I vaguely recall being annoyed to mill around the Contemporary lobby area waiting to be called back and let upstairs.

I thought fireworks were at 9:30 but I guess it's 9:20 so Im wondering if they will let us be outside before getting seated.

 

[sethschroeder]

Where? They have the place where you can get a coffee and some pastries, a walk-up pizza place and...? All we could find was pre-made sandwiches in very limited supply in the stores (both BWV and BCV). I know now that there are much better options over at Swan/Dolphin, but nothing around the lake at all. You need a valid park ticket to go into EPCOT - not really an option in most scenarios. I was so disappointed when they announced ESPN was getting replaced by Cake Bake. Cake Bake is fine if that's what you want, but what the area really needed was a full-on QS and it still doesn't have one.

We never seem to have issues find something for when we eat at the resort across 4 adults and 2 young kids.

Ale and Compass - Cuban, Panini, Salads, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches (yes these one can be premade but they are good), Grilled Cheese, Mac Cheese
Crew Cup Lounge - Prime Rib Sliders, salad
Hurricane - Chicken Sandwich, Burger, Shrimp Roll, Salad, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Salad
Beach Club - Chicken Dinner, Hot Dog, Pulled Pork, Meatball Sub, Caprese Sub, Grinder, Chili
Blue Ribbon Corndog - Various corn dogs
Boardwalk Deli - Reuben, Italian, Chicken Wrap, Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup, Salads
Pizza Window - Pizza
Leaping Horse - Ciabatta Pizza, Cuban, Salad, Quinoa Bowl

Jump to RIV for Primo - Croque, Nicose Salad, Flatbread, Chicken Strips, Hamburger, Spicy Italian
Jump in to Epcot - Fish and Chips, then everything else but its a little far then possibly

As I said the big issue I feel is no real sit down quick service with all the menu options all at one spot. Can leave you jumping between 2 spots if people have a hankering for something.

We normally just pick up and take it back to the room when staying here and being around the resort. We are also in a 2br though so have plenty of space to sit down and eat. Ale has some limited seating but thats about it.

 

[sethschroeder]

You need a valid park ticket to go into EPCOT - not really an option in most scenarios

I would say in most scenarios people have tickets for most of their stay and it might be a single day out of their stay they dont have tickets at which point Disney Springs or something else is calling you and you grab a lunch there? For like $60 you get park hoppers and means evenings in Epcot can be a thing.

Having park hoppers and tickets for our lenght of stay are baseline otherwise I would be vacationing to other places if its resort only as we do various other times during the year or during a Disney off year.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I thought fireworks were at 9:30 but I guess it's 9:20 so Im wondering if they will let us be outside before getting seated.

I was able to bump up the reservation to 9pm. Now just to secure that spot for Behind the Seeds for DH!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I was able to bump up the reservation to 9pm. Now just to secure that spot for Behind the Seeds for DH!

Nice work!