Best CS atmostphere

[tiggspring]

My DD is dancing in the christmas parade and the schedule makes our usual dinners impossible to plan not to mention we are paying rack rate for meals as DDP not allowed with group reservations

We dont just love the food but pick locations for the atmosphere. Any tips/tricks to make counter service more magical? Vacation is the only time we splurg on meals so we are not picky but I do prefer some quiet moments for meals during trips. I seached the dinning thread but atmostphere doesnt tend to be mentioned.

Thanks!

 

[thej]

There are a few neat spots that are worth checking out regardless of the rest of the CS eateries' charms. For example Colombia Harbour House has seating in the bridge that goes over the walkway between Fantasyland and Liberty Square. Casey's has the bleachers, Pinoccio Village Haus has the balcony that overlooks Fantasyland.

But, for the most part the atmosphere in all of the CS places is busy...

 

[TDC Nala]

What do you mean by "atmosphere?" Quietness? Short wait? Restaurant decor?

For decor you may not be able to beat Be Our Guest. Other attractively themed CS restaurants are Tangierine Cafe, you can eat in La Hacienda if you get lunch CS from La Cantina, Katsura Grill may be a little quieter, Pizzafari is big and cafeteria-like but the decor is pretty, eating at Contempo Cafe will let you watch the monorails zoom by, Backlot Express at DHS has a lot of cool prop items (a few are apparently authentic) to look at, if you don't mind eating outside and dealing with begging birds the Flame Tree at AK has a beautiful seating area.

If you want a quieter experience, eat at off times - do NOT try to eat at peak mealtimes. It will probably still be busy at Christmas time, no matter when you eat, though.

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

BOG will be a game-changer as far as CS atmosphere goes! This location is CS at lunch only.

I'd agree with Columbia Harbor House...the upstairs there is nice and cozy.

Tangerine Cafe in Epcot has an outdoor seating area, so you can people watch and enjoy the World Showcase scenery. The indoor seating in pretty nice, too.

 

[tiggspring]

What do you mean by "atmosphere?" Quietness? Short wait? Restaurant decor?

For decor you may not be able to beat Be Our Guest. Other attractively themed CS restaurants are Tangierine Cafe, you can eat in La Hacienda if you get lunch CS from La Cantina, Katsura Grill may be a little quieter, Pizzafari is big and cafeteria-like but the decor is pretty, eating at Contempo Cafe will let you watch the monorails zoom by, Backlot Express at DHS has a lot of cool prop items (a few are apparently authentic) to look at, if you don't mind eating outside and dealing with begging birds the Flame Tree at AK has a beautiful seating area.

If you want a quieter experience, eat at off times - do NOT try to eat at peak mealtimes. It will probably still be busy at Christmas time, no matter when you eat, though.

We prefer to eat what we call lupper. Lunch around 3pm so we dont need to eat supper just a late snack. How has Be our guest been crowd wise late afternoon(I know dinner starts at 430) or right at opening which I believe is 11 am?

 

[tiggspring]

There are a few neat spots that are worth checking out regardless of the rest of the CS eateries' charms. For example Colombia Harbour House has seating in the bridge that goes over the walkway between Fantasyland and Liberty Square. Casey's has the bleachers, Pinoccio Village Haus has the balcony that overlooks Fantasyland.

But, for the most part the atmosphere in all of the CS places is busy...

Thanks for the ideas its just what I'm looking for, something unique or quiet..the walkway sounds great! We have been blessed to get a window seat at Pinoccio before but Christmas time might be really tough to get it again. Hoping for lots of pixie dust this trip since my usual massive planning wont be much help.

 

[TDC Nala]

How has Be our guest been crowd wise late afternoon(I know dinner starts at 430) or right at opening which I believe is 11 am?

Be Our Guest doesn't officially open until November 19 although they've been doing rehearsals. Not sure that question can be answered with any accuracy at this time.

 

[JimmyV]

...you can eat in La Hacienda if you get lunch CS from La Cantina...

I did not know that. Thanks for the tip! Really hate those little tables with odd round seats at La Cantina. Feels like I am sitting on a carnival ride.

I agree with what has been said so far. CS is tolerable at best, with some unique settings to break the monotony. Contempo Cafe for the monorail. Flame Tree for the long-beaked birds who will pester you. Columbia Harbor House for the second floor. Tangerine for the decor. But I imagine that BoG will blow everything else out of the water. As far as crowds go, you may need to line up at 2:15 if you want to eat lupper at 3:00.

 

[tiggspring]

Be Our Guest doesn't officially open until November 19 although they've been doing rehearsals. Not sure that question can be answered with any accuracy at this time.

So they have started the soft opning? I'll keep an eye out for it. I've been a bit preoccupied with rehersals etc and this trip has really gotten away from me especially being off the Dis so much lately.

 

[tiggspring]

I did not know that. Thanks for the tip! Really hate those little tables with odd round seats at La Cantina. Feels like I am sitting on a carnival ride.

I agree with what has been said so far. CS is tolerable at best, with some unique settings to break the monotony. Contempo Cafe for the monorail. Flame Tree for the long-beaked birds who will pester you. Columbia Harbor House for the second floor. Tangerine for the decor. But I imagine that BoG will blow everything else out of the water. As far as crowds go, you may need to line up at 2:15 if you want to eat lupper at 3:00.

Good Point! Oh I miss my may crowds, DDP ressies and my ability to get great discounts! We waited in very few lines more than 10 min on our trips. Ridmax and ressies took care of that. We are trying to focus on the experience of Dancing insted of WDW magic. Leaving older kids behind just because it will be nothing like our last two trips. Great for us and DD8 for the Dancing magic but not a MAGICAL Family vacation. Will grab pixie dust where we can!

I didnT know you could buy CS and go into La hacienda either! DD loves mexican.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Hmmm, best QS eateries?
In our opinion . . .
. . . Epcot: Sunshine Seasons (maybe the best QS in WDW)
. . . MK: Be Our Guest (Columbia House a close second)
. . . AK: Flame Tree (good ribs)
. . . DHS: Backlot Epress
. . . DTD: Earl of Sandwich
. . . BB: Lottawatta Lodge
. . . TL: Typhoon Tilly's
. . . Deluxe Resorts: Capt Cook's at Poly
. . . Moderate Resorts: Sassagoula Flatworks at POFQ
. . . Value Resorts: Landscapes of Flavor at AoA

 

[TDC Nala]

I agree Sunshine Seasons may have the best food in the parks (I think it gets edged out by Wolfgang Puck Express if you go outside the parks) but I don't recommend it for atmosphere. It is big, loud and not particularly themed or attractively decorated.

 

[rznhal]

Pizza Planet at DHS? Really cool pizza joint/game room theming (for kids...kinda hectic for me as an adult)

Our food wasn't very good when we went in 2009, but I've seen some positive reviews recently...so maybe it's improved!!!!

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

 

[wiigirl]

Pizza Planet at DHS? Really cool pizza joint/game room theming (for kids...kinda hectic for me as an adult)

Our food wasn't very good when we went in 2009, but I've seen some positive reviews recently...so maybe it's improved!!!!

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

We ate there 2 years ago....food was excellent....agree though, hectic

 

[thesupersmartguy]

BOG without a doubt. It's unbelievable.

 

[tiggspring]

BOG without a doubt. It's unbelievable.

Have you been? It at the top of our list!

 

[Ro Z]

Flame tree bbq. You sit behind it in the wooded area with fountains birds ducks. It is very peaceful!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I am often scouting out some quiet spots and usually eat counter service. I definitely want to try BOG - haven't been there yet.

AK - Flame Tree BBQ - get a seat down by the water and you can look across at EE. Very peaceful esp. with nice weather.

EP - I do love the ambiance at Tangierine Cafe - I love to get an outside table and watch Morockin play.

MK - Another vote for upstairs at CHH - very peaceful and quiet without the mad rush CS can often be.

HS - hmmm - not as easy - I like to get a sandwich at Min and Bill's dockside diner - (very limited menu) but you can sit outside and watch the world go by and view the goings on at the hat from afar.

 

[andrea2289]

Columbia Harbor House is our fav! We always sit by the window upstairs. I am SUPER excited to try Be Our Guest!! My daughter is there doing the college program and got a sneak peek - she sent me pics and it is soooo pretty inside