Arrival day, dinner in MK? The Plaza or Skipper Canteen?

[Farro]

I think that's the name, Skipper Canteen?

We will hopefully be arriving at Polynesian early afternoon. We will have dining plan. We figure to eat counter service at hotel (maybe at Polynesian, maybe at Contemporary) and then head over to MK around 4 or so to ride what we can, dinner about 6:30 or 7:00. Two adults.

We are saving some table credits for signatures, so first dinner will be OOP, but we aren't worried about cost.

Which restaurant would you choose as a fun kick off to our trip? We haven't been to either. Or do you have another suggestion? We are not picky eaters.

Thanks!!!

 

[PK Disney Dork]

Skipper Canteen!

The menu is varied enough that you can get as traditional or adventurous as you like and the cast members working there are top notch!

 

[Farro]

Thank you!

 

[Hopefully]

I love the Plaza and would choose that.
That said, I would not make an ADR for arrival night if I expected to arrive early afternoon. Travel delays are frequent and out of your control. If you make an ADR at a TS restaurant and are delayed and can't make it, you will be charged $10/person no show fee.

 

[Farro]

We always make ADR's our arrival night - the flight we are looking at is 6:05 am from O'Hare - if it's late (god forbid) I will cancel and if we are still charged, those are the breaks! But thanks!

 

[Tigger's ally]

I would choose Skipper's but my wife would choose the Plaza. I would lose that battle. Did have a really good lunch at the Plaza a couple weeks ago though so I have no problem losing.

 

[NuJoy]

Skipper Canteen is fun and uniquely themed. I think it's a great choice to kick off your vacation.

 

[Farro]

Thanks everyone! So far Skipper Canteen is winning by a hair!

 

[Micca]

I would choose Skipper's but my wife would choose the Plaza

I'm with Tigger's ally on this one. I'd never convince DW or anyone else in my family to risk the Skipper's menu. @Farro would you consider exiting the park to try a meal at one of the monorail resorts? I think they are superior to what MK has to offer. If you're def. staying in the park, and you'd like something fairly quick & easy I'd go to Columbia Harbour House. Just about everything there is pretty good.

 

[Farro]

I'm with Tigger's ally on this one. I'd never convince DW or anyone else in my family to risk the Skipper's menu. @Farro would you consider exiting the park to try a meal at one of the monorail resorts? I think they are superior to what MK has to offer. If you're def. staying in the park, and you'd like something fairly quick & easy I'd go to Columbia Harbour House. Just about everything there is pretty good.

Hi! We are staying at Polynesian for 9 nights and have dining plan, so we will have a chance to eat most everywhere!
All the times we go, Epcot is usually our first park because we normally stay at Beach Club. So this time at Polynesian, MK will be first since its closest on arrival day and we have never done table service there!

So all that to say we would like to eat dinner at Magic Kingdom.

 

[Micca]

Hi! We are staying at Polynesian for 9 nights and have dining plan, so we will have a chance to eat most everywhere!
All the times we go, Epcot is usually our first park because we normally stay at Beach Club. So this time at Polynesian, MK will be first since its closest on arrival day and we have never done table service there!

So all that to say we would like to eat dinner at Magic Kingdom.

Makes total sense! I'd love to try SC, if you decide on it, please let us know your thoughts.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I vote for Skipper Canteen. I haven't dined at the Plaza, because I wasn't interested in their menu. Before my first visit to Skipper Canteen, I thought its menu was too weird, but I tried it anyway because of the interesting theming. Well, it instantly became my new Magic Kingdom favorite restaurant, and I've now been there three times in two trips, with a fourth visit coming up soon. Food there was better than I expected, and the atmosphere is fun. If you enjoy the type of corny jokes from the Jungle Cruise ride, you'll be right at home, as it's more of the same.

 

[Alice777]

@DaisyDuck001, what do you usually eat from Skipper Canteen? I have ADR for November and can't wait.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

@DaisyDuck001, what do you usually eat from Skipper Canteen? I have ADR for November and can't wait.

My favorites so far include the Baladi salad as appetizer, Skip's Beefy Baked Pasta as entrée, and Kungaloosh as dessert. I'm going back later this month! Enjoy your meal and your whole trip.

 

[HopperFan]

Has Plaza gone back to ADRs? There was test policy did not allow dinner ADRs only walk up if that helps you choose.

That said I would still go to Skipper Canteen, something new and different than burgers and sandwiches.

 

[Farro]

Thanks everyone! Of course my mind may change a million times - but my plan is to decide on one restaurant a month until it's time to book ADR's....in six months. Plan, plan, I like to plan....

Skipper Canteen it is!!! We just both looked at the menu and even though it may change some, we are excited by it.

Okay, next month we will decide on our first Signature of the trip....

 

[Alice777]

My favorites so far include the Baladi salad as appetizer, Skip's Beefy Baked Pasta as entrée, and Kungaloosh as dessert. I'm going back later this month! Enjoy your meal and your whole trip.

Did you try the Skip's Beefy Baked Pasta before they changed it? I was very tempted when I first saw the picture, and then they changed it few month ago? and now it doesn't look good as before.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Skippers canteen! I've been to both. I found the plaza menu to be very boring. That's just me though. The skippers canteen had so many things I wanted to try I had 3 appetizers. I highly recommend the ginger soup. It's got great heat and so much flavor!! I'm literally drooling right now.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Did you try the Skip's Beefy Baked Pasta before they changed it? I was very tempted when I first saw the picture, and then they changed it few month ago? and now it doesn't look good as before.

Yes, I tried it back when they called it Macaroni and Cheese, but even then it actually resembled pastitsio. I was glad they eventually changed the name, as the original name didn't seem to match the dish. But I was not aware of any change to the recipe. If it's a new picture but the same recipe, that wouldn't matter to me.

 

[WDmommyof4]

Plaza is one of my favorites. I tried Skipper's Canteen our last trip. I am a very adventurous eater so it isn't a matter of not being open to different dishes. We honestly did not care for any of the dishes we had. I don't think we would go back. I didn't however go with my gut and get the mac and cheese, so I might return to try that one day. If a choice between the two though, it would be Plaza for us.