Best counter service at each park?

[halssister]

I am excitedly planning our first trip for two months from today (woohoo!) We are on a pretty tight budget and don't think we can swing a single table service meal, so we're going to have to stick to counter service meals for everything. We plan to spend one day at each park and eat breakfast in our room each morning. I think we'll do Flame Tree Barbecue at AK (and go to Downtown Disney to hit Earl of Sandwich for dinner that day). I'm struggling with where to eat at Epcot, because DH is very picky (and DS9 has autism so we're safer if there's "normal" kids meals available!) And totally unsure about about Hollywood Studios. What are your favorite counter service places in each park? Thanks!

 

[GBBTomorrow]

At Epcot, you might like Sunshine Seasons, which is a food court in the lower level of the Land pavilion. You can get a great variety of foods there, and I always find the food to be very tasty.

If you are back in World Showcase, you might try what we do. We have a vegetarian, a picky eater, and some adventurous eaters in our family, so what we'll do is send runners to various countries and then meet somewhere in the middle to eat. One wants basic chicken nuggets, so we'll grab those at the USA pavilion, and I love the shwarma platter at Morocco, and others love the Japanese CS. We will spot a table to meet at, and everybody is happy.

No good news for CS at Studios, as far as I'm concerned. It all seems about the same to me.

At MK, if you want a "real" meal (not just a burger), the chicken at Cosmic Rays is pretty good. We also like the atmosphere at Columbia Harbor House, where you can go sit upstairs for a nice break. The hummus sandwich there is good, if you want something a little different.

At AK, we love Flame Tree too, and also we like the Picnic in the Park.

Have fun!!

 

[KSBelle]

AK- Definitely Flametree

EPCOT- I second Sunshine Seasons

DHS- Backlot Express

MK- Another vote for CHH or Cosmic Rays

 

[eelkmj01]

MK - Main Street Bakery
Epcot - Sunshine Seasons or Boulangerie
AK - Flame Tree BBQ
HS- Starring Rolls
DTD - Earl of Sandwich

 

[KatMark]

Best is a matter of personal opinion. Our favorites are:

Magic Kingdom -- Cosmic Rays
Epcot -- Sunshine Seasons
AK -- Flame Tree Barbecue
Studios -- None (we leave the park and eat elsewhere; although this year we are going to try Starring Rolls which is supposed to be very good and we've never tried it)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Magic Kingdom: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.

Epcot: Electric Umbrella.

Hollywood Studios: ABC Commissary.

Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree Barbecue & Pizzafari.

 

[geogat]

Magic Kingdon- Casey's

EPCOT- Sunshine Seasons

DHS- If I had to go.. it would be Backlot Express

Animal Kingdom--Flame Tree Barbacue

 

[halssister]

Thanks for the advice! These line up with some of what I was thinking. Someone mentioned leaving HS to eat. We will be driving our car and plan on using that (instead of any park transportation) to get around since my DS is afraid of public transportation; is it a hassle to leave and eat elsewhere, and then return later?
I may have DH convinced that we can swing one sit down meal and try out Biergarten for lunch, so hopefully that will solve my Epcot dilemma (making Yorkshire County our dinner spot for some fish and chips, YUM). Thanks again!

 

[saintfan]

1. A K - Flametree
2. H S- Backlot Express
3. E - Sunshine Seasons
4. M K - Cosmic Ray's (chicken & rib combo)
   

 

[SilverSynchro919]

MK: Cosmic Ray's would probably be easiest with your DS9, but we like Pecos Bill's as well.

EPCOT: Sunshine Seasons, Electric Umbrella (LOVE the turkey sandwich), or ANYWHERE in World Showcase (for your non-picky ones)

HS: Starring Rolls

AK: Flametree BBQ

 

[dtripli]

Sunshine Seasons seems to be pretty popular! We have never even eaten a CS meal at Epcot....I don't know why.....What type of food is served at Sunshine Seasons? I think we will try it this time. We pretty much use all our TS meals for dinner, but we decided on doing some breakfast's this time; so Im really interested in the good CS this trip!

 

[dtripli]

Thanks for the advice! These line up with some of what I was thinking. Someone mentioned leaving HS to eat. We will be driving our car and plan on using that (instead of any park transportation) to get around since my DS is afraid of public transportation; is it a hassle to leave and eat elsewhere, and then return later?
I may have DH convinced that we can swing one sit down meal and try out Biergarten for lunch, so hopefully that will solve my Epcot dilemma (making Yorkshire County our dinner spot for some fish and chips, YUM). Thanks again!

We've never tried Yorkshire County for the fish & chips. Is this CS or TS? Is it the pub looking place in England? And is there ample seating inside?

 

[mjp12831]

and if they're under 10, they have to eat off of the kid's menu which is VERY limited (1 to 3 choices max) in all CS restaurants.

Make sure you go to the menu link on the wdwinfo.com site to review the choices you have for your kids at the CS you want to go to. Walking around the park to find one that satisfies everyone is pretty difficult, so would be good to know some acceptable options for your family in advance.

We found the world showcase CS to be the best with kids - unless you like choosing between chicken fingers and a pb&j.

 

[mjp12831]

We've never tried Yorkshire County for the fish & chips. Is this CS or TS? Is it the pub looking place in England? And is there ample seating inside?

No, it's CS next to the pub looking place going toward France and does not have inside seating. It has some tables and chairs that are outside of it.

the Pub has inside seating and is TS.

 

[BuzzBiteyear]

Mine:

MK - Columbia Harbour House
EP - Yorkshire County Fish Shop
HS - Backlot Express
AK - Pizzafari (probably would be Flame Tree, but have never ate there)
DTD - Wolfgang Puck Express

Rest of the family:

MK - Casey's
EP - Liberty Inn
HS - Toy Story Pizza Planet
AK - Pizzafari
DTD - Wolfgang Puck Express

 

[Barron513]

Our family has tried many of the counter services and although food is definetly a personal opinion....here are the counter services we have choosen as our favorites:

MK-El Pirata Y el Perico Restaurante (Taco Salads are a favorite item, you can add as much lettuce and toppings as you wish from the toppings bar)

AK- Flame Tree BBQ

EP- Yakitori House (Japan Pavilion)

DS- Min and Bills (Great snack shop near the Dinosaur at the lake...took a stop here last year and discovered a family favorite)

 

[ilovejsparrow]

MK- Cosmic Ray's
EPCOT- Sunshine Seasons
DHS- Backlot Express
AK- Flame Tree BBQ

 

[dismichael]

AK- Flame Tree BBQ
HS- Pizza Planet (atmosphere is cool from the movie)
Epcot- Sunshine Seasons (in the Land Pavilion)
MK- Cosmic Ray's (TS type food at CS prices, and it's good)
Resorts- Captain Cook's in Poly (the pulled pork sandwich makes me drool )
DTD- Cookes of Dublin (Same fish 'n chips as Raglan Road, just cheaper, and awesome whole filets of fried white fish)

 

[hpygrll]

MK - Pinocchio's Village Haus
EPCOT - Liberty Inn
AK - Restaurantosaurus
HS - Pizza Planet!

Jenny

 

[MusiqChic99]

and if they're under 10, they have to eat off of the kid's menu which is VERY limited (1 to 3 choices max) in all CS restaurants.

Make sure you go to the menu link on the wdwinfo.com site to review the choices you have for your kids at the CS you want to go to. Walking around the park to find one that satisfies everyone is pretty difficult, so would be good to know some acceptable options for your family in advance.

We found the world showcase CS to be the best with kids - unless you like choosing between chicken fingers and a pb&j.

Agreed!

Flame tree in AK has grilled chicken leg as a choice for kids. My son got it last year and it was really good. I would have eaten myself!