All about trying somewhere new...

[KayR]

On our trip to WDW in September, we are not doing the theme parks, but do want to try some of the WDW Resort restaurants. We are up for trying new (to us) restaurants for either lunch or dinner.

We would like your recommendations (or places to avoid). For background, we are a family of 4 : 2A, 2K DS9 & DD almost 5.

From my point of view, we want somewhere with good or reasonably good food and if there is entertainment, for it to be fun. It doesn't have to be 'fancy'.

We have eaten at the Yachtsman Steakhouse and Boma, but I think that is it for our resort dining experience. We have also eaten at Rainforest, Planet Hollywood and Portabello Yacht Club.

Somethings that I have under consideration are Whispering Canyon (heard that there are great antics), Hoop De Doo Review and Mickey's Backyard BBQ. (Probably would do one or other of Hoop DD or Mickey's). Also possibly the new Dinosaur Restaurant, but wonder if it may be too much for DD5.

So, please send me your suggestions, recommendations. Look forward to them!

-Kay

 

[danny1649]

AT DHS good comfort food and interaction with your CM server makes this a fun dining spot.If you have a fun server you become part of the show if you and family are shy this would not be a good choice.We also love House Of Blues at DTD,just for a great meal that is good value for you money.Have a Po-Boy or some VooDoo shrimp or cat fish nuggets with sweet potato fries.

 

[septbaby]

Well since you are not going to the parks I'll assume you won't be getting the dining plan. Try House of Blues at Downtown Disney. There is entertainment on the porch as well as the inside dining room. They also have a gospel brunch on Sunday's, you can buy those tickets online. Check the hob.com site much closer to your trip.

Have you done both dinner and breakfast at Boma? I had only done dinner and just did breakfast on my recent no park trip, absolutely wonderful. Beaches & Cream is another place to consider. There are all kinds of resort character meals (1900 Park Fare at GF, Chef Mickey's, Cape May breakfast, 'Ohana's breakfast).

You are braver than I. I did my trip solo. I could not imagine taking my 7yo nephew near WDW and telling him we were not going inside a park. Heck he never knew I was going and I only talked to him when I returned once I knew he'd received the Mickey Mouse post card I'd sent. Now he's planning OUR next trip to see Mickey. whew escaped that one.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Go to Ohana at the Polynesian resort. It is super fun and the kids will love it. Plus it's buffet/family style so you get a lot of food for your money.

There is "entertainment" but not in the form of a band.

 

[rt1965]

I second the House of Blues! Great fun!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Go to Ohana at the Polynesian resort. It is super fun and the kids will love it. Plus it's buffet/family style so you get a lot of food for your money.

There is "entertainment" but not in the form of a band.

We do O'hana's every time we go---for breakfast w/ Lilo & Stitch AND for dinner during Wishes! We've NEVER had a bad experience there. We also never miss Le Cellier in Canada (worth the price of admission to EPCOT in mho!) We've done Narcoossee's at GF & California Grill at CR, but definitely wouldn't if we hadn't been on the DDP.

Another place we eat at once or twice during our stay is Wolfgang Puck's (not sure which one though???) It's where they have the Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Breast. Oh MY GOODNESS!!!!!! What a wonderful dish! There's no entertainment, but you're at DTD, so you could do some shopping afterwards.

 

[BoomNLeon]

The Cali Grill at CR, Narcoossee's at GF, Whispering Canyon at WL and Flying Fish at BWI would be good options. Beaches and Cream at YC/BC has good ice cream.

We also like The Wave at CR and Jiko at AKL.

 

[KayR]

Love these suggestions, please keep them coming!

HOB / Pucks might be good to tie it in with a trip to Cirque (another place I keep promising that I need to do to!).

Beaches and Cream - is that just ice cream? I plan to spend some time exploring the boardwalk area (never been!) so that sounds like a cunning plan!

Anyone any thoughts on Hoop de Do Review or Mickey's Backyard BBQ? Which is better or is it miss both?

Ohana's sound fun (sounds like the Lilo & Stitch Breakfast in Disneyland). But if I can tie it in with seeing the fireworks it could make a wonderful evening!

--Kay

 

[webray]

Flying Fish, Big River, IL Mulino in the EPCOT resort area

Wave at Contemporary

Jiko in AKL

Artist Point at WL

Raglan Road or House of Blues in DTD

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Ohana's sound fun (sounds like the Lilo & Stitch Breakfast in Disneyland). But if I can tie it in with seeing the fireworks it could make a wonderful evening!

--Kay

O'hana's only offers the characters at breakfast, so you wouldn't get to have Lilo & Stitch + Wishes. (We can't always have our cake & eat it too!!!) But watching the fireworks while sitting in a nice, comfy AC restaurant (while scarfing down bread pudding & bananas foster) just really can't be beat!

 

[septbaby]

Love these suggestions, please keep them coming!

HOB / Pucks might be good to tie it in with a trip to Cirque (another place I keep promising that I need to do to!). HOB is right next to Cirque.

Beaches and Cream - is that just ice cream? I plan to spend some time exploring the boardwalk area (never been!) so that sounds like a cunning plan!Believe it or not it is a TS restaurant, features burgers, etc. for the meal. No reservations taken so just show up.

Anyone any thoughts on Hoop de Do Review or Mickey's Backyard BBQ? Which is better or is it miss both? Lots seem to like HDDR, I can't recall much about MBYBBQ. We are vegetarians so I can't ever see choosing 2TS for HDDR.

Ohana's sounds fun (sounds like the Lilo & Stitch Breakfast in Disneyland). But if I can tie it in with seeing the fireworks it could make a wonderful evening!

--Kay

Hope those help.

 

[eas423]

Definitely try Beaches and Cream! It's like a 50s diner. The burgers are yummy, and dessert is out of this world!

 

[Bookstamper]

Another vote for Hoop de Doo Revue from me! It can't be beat for corny fun, and the food isn't half bad either. We booked category 2 seating and got a table on the lower floor to the side: great view of all the action and excellent strawberry shortcake!

Biergarten can also be fun: massive buffet selection, live music AND the chance to get up and dance Both DP and I thought this was really good value and something a bit different: we certainly don't get many biergartens at home!

Best of luck with your choices, sure you'll all have an excellent time!

 

[septbaby]

Another vote for Hoop de Doo Revue from me! It can't be beat for corny fun, and the food isn't half bad either. We booked category 2 seating and got a table on the lower floor to the side: great view of all the action and excellent strawberry shortcake!

Biergarten can also be fun: massive buffet selection, live music AND the chance to get up and dance Both DP and I thought this was really good value and something a bit different: we certainly don't get many biergartens at home!

Best of luck with your choices, sure you'll all have an excellent time!

That's inside Epcot, OP isn't entering any parks this trip, so no Biergarten.

 

[P.C. Collins]

Me too!

 

[P.C. Collins]

Def try Hoop Dee Doo. Our little one had such a blast there that we went three times.

 

[P.C. Collins]

Def try Hoop Dee Doo. Our little one had such a blast there that we went three times.