Best CS on the Monorail

amycakes

DIS Veteran
Joined
Nov 3, 2006
Messages
595
Looking to get out of the Magic Kingdom for a break from the crowds and get some lunch/dinner. I only want to use a cs credit. Which cs is best....Captain Cook's, Contempo Cafe or Gasparilla Island Grill?
 
I've been to all three & from my experience, they are pretty equal as far as quality goes. Nothing that blew me away but pretty good food. I'd say pick the one with the most appealing menu to you &/or go by what you're in the mood for that day. :)
 
I like the sandwiches at the Contempo Cafe best. They are quite large so we usually order different ones and swap for a half and half type deal. But all of the QS are decent. Gasparilla Grill is probably my least favorite unless I'm in the mood for a salad. Their make your own salad bowl is pretty good.
 
I would say my favorite was the Centempo cafe. they seemed to have the best selection for what i was looking for. Last trip we went there a couple times since we were staying at BLT
 

We liked Contempo Cafe pretty well when we stayed at Bay Lake Tower. Though Captain Cooks, you could get a dole whip after lunch (not sure if CC sells the Dole Whips or the pool or where over there at the Poly).
 
I'd go for Captain Cooks simply because I like the atmosphere at the Poly better.
 
It's six of one or half dozen the other. Very few CS's really stand out like Columbia Harbour House (MK), Sunshine Seasons (Epcot) or Flame Tree BBQ do (AK). Pick which resort you want to visit and go there. Either way, none of the CS's on the monorail are really worth the effort unless you want to visit the resort and walk around a bit.
 
I prefer Contempo Cafe or Gasparilla Grill. We ate at Captain Cooks in April and didn't care for it at all. Though, in their defense, that kind of menu just doesn't appeal to us. If you like that kind of food then you may like it there.
 
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We are going to Columbia Harbour House one day (yum:upsidedow) but I would like to visit the resorts around the Magic Kingdom and get a little break. I am surprised by the recommendations for Contempo Cafe over Captain Cooks. Glad I asked! Although that Dole Whip is tempting! :love:

Guess we will see what the troops are in the mood for and go from there.

Thanks Everyone!

PS I wish Flame Tree had air conditioned seating area... love it there but it is so hot even in the shade in August. Might do dinner there since AK is open late:dogdance: and have our TS at TH for lunch.
 
It's six of one or half dozen the other. Very few CS's really stand out like Columbia Harbour House (MK), Sunshine Seasons (Epcot) or Flame Tree BBQ do (AK). Pick which resort you want to visit and go there. Either way, none of the CS's on the monorail are really worth the effort unless you want to visit the resort and walk around a bit.

I have actually done this many times over the years - left the MK for a couple hours to just get away from the crowds. It really revived me!

I used to take the kids to the GF and we'd get some food, I'd have a glass of wine (can't get that in the MK) at Gasparilla and then maybe they'd play a video game.

My girlfriend and I did this also but went to the Poly with all our kids. Her youngest was having a meltdown, so we went to CC's, got the kids (6 of them) food, got us food and wine, let the kids walk around the beach a bit, and felt so refreshed!

It is so nice to escape the crowds, then go back and sometimes it's less crowded.

To the OP, I'd say they're all good. Next trip I may visit the CR's CS place - never have even though I've stayed there!
 
That's what I was hoping would happen... just a chance to revive everyone and relax without having to go too far. Glad it worked for you happymommy! Hope it works for us!
 
Lately I've made a habit of heading over to an MK resort for a break and like the food best at Contempo, feels more grown-up if that makes sense, but prefer the outside tables at Captain Cook's.
 
This is a great thread. I always plan the main meals of the day, but always forget to plan for some break time! Hope to find a thread like this for Epcot/HS area restaurants, although those parks don't get as crazy as MK.
 


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