I thought the hardest part of visiting WDW would be arranging affordable travel and lodging. Travel and lodging now seem simple in comparison to meal planning. I don't want to firm up travel and lodging reservations until I have a better handle on meals for a married couple who are older kids at heart.
I have been reading and re-reading these forums looking for practical information. I want to plan several meals with a specific purpose - bragging rights. When the trip is over and you are telling your friends about your trip which Disney Restaurants have the biggest name or wow recognition factor?
- for people who have never visited Disney? I am thinking character meals at MK.
- for people who visited Disney once or maybe twice, who ate at WDW but did not plan their Disney dining experience?
- for people who visited Disney yearly or more, who know how to get the hard reservations?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
I LOVE that~ when I took my mom and dad I thought it was VERY important for them to give me bragging rights over my brother!! I succeeded!
1. CRT for Breakfast - not only do you get the whole castle experience - but the Princesses delighted my mom - and it was her birthday! Bonus getting into MK early and knocking off all those rides before it got crowded, and then back to the resort to meet up with my dad (he could skip the whole Disney thing)
2. Cali Grill - awesome food, awesome view - and Dad didnt have to go into a park to eat!!
3. Boma - now we didnt go with mom and dad on this Buffet - but it is so unique to go to AKL check out the trail for about 15 min prior to your adr - and the buffet does have enough "plain" items to satisfy the pickiest eaters!! (me and DD!!)
4. Character Meals at MK - well that would leave Crystal Palace and Pooh, again another buffet that has simple good food - and the location - we like this for a Dinner - then back to the resort - others like the Breakfast - its larger than the Palace - so more ressies are available..
5. Liberty Tree Tavern USED to have the fun unique characters - and the simple food dd LOVES - we'd do this adr to coincide with the Spectro parade, timing is everything - you want to be done just in time to catch the parade!! AWESOME!!
(I'd stay away from Tony's expensive and non attentive wait staff, food so so but no wine available! but that's just me!!)
EPCOT
Wow Factors all over the place
1. Rose and Crown - timing again, tell the podium you must have an outdoor seating for viewing Illuminations (easier said than done if its hot, I'd go for indoor and a/c)
2. Le Cellier - food is awesome hardest ADR to get - know they have limited seating and are always LATE in dinner seating - 15 min to 45 min late! good steaks -
3. Yachtsman Steakhouse is a 2TS place, better steaks, but you have to go out of epcot and into the Boardwalk - well worth it imho
4. Biergarten - German Food, German Music, OKTOBERFEST seating - atmosphere
5. Japan TepEdo? we dont go here because we have a Japanese place that outshines Benihana - if you dont - this place is good!
For the Quick Service WOW factor in EPCOT
1. Sunshine Seasons - right outside of Soarin - do the Living with the Land boat tour, then eat at Sunshine Seasons! (make sure you head all the way to the end to find the bakery for fresh desserts - dh always picks up a prepackaged chocolate cake because he can never find the bakery!)
2. Mom was also impressed at splitting the CS meals - getting that chicken Rib combo at Tomorrowland and splitting it - so we could split breakfast CS's
3. Columbia Harbor house - deep fried fish - yum - eat upstairs its quieter and you can overlook the line for Haunted Mansion.... also a large portion good for sharing!
