Best Restaurant For First Time Adult

[Abby Hill]

I'm going to Disney in December with 4 other women (age 28-60). I vacation there often, three other women have been there a few times, but one has never been there. If you were going to introduce her to Disney, what restaurants would you go to?
We will probably do one signature (probably Cali Grill), and will probably do CRT and pay for it, but I'm mostly looking for restaurants with a good balance between awesome theme and good food.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[skramer100]

In Parks or out?
MK- Be or guest. Not great food but far and away best theme
Epcot- Gets a lot of hate, but we love San Angel Inn. If you can get a table buy the water it is awesome. We love the food.
HS- Wife and I ate at Brown Derby and liked it a lot. Have not ate here a bunch.
AK- We love Yak and Yeti. The tuna nachos are awesome, plus theme is great.

Out side parks we love Artist Point, Sanaa, Bluezoo, Geyser Point.

 

[Abby Hill]

We are staying at WL so Geyser Point will definitely be part of the trip! I'm thinking BOG for a breakfast or lunch and use a QS. San Angel Inn by the water, do you mean La Hacienda? I forgot about that one, I haven't eaten there for a couple years. It's a goodie!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm torn between Tusker House and Yak and Yeti in AK.

 

[skramer100]

We are staying at WL so Geyser Point will definitely be part of the trip! I'm thinking BOG for a breakfast or lunch and use a QS. San Angel Inn by the water, do you mean La Hacienda? I forgot about that one, I haven't eaten there for a couple years. It's a goodie!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm torn between Tusker House and Yak and Yeti in AK.

We did BOG for lunch and it was fine. Ordered early and that was nice to just sit down and have food delivered. As for San Angel, you can get lucky and get a table by the river which is the ride with the 3 caballeros. Right next to the volcano. Has great theming. Again, it gets a lot of hate, but it is probably the place we have been to the most.
If you are staying at WL and you don't want another signature, at least go to Territory Lounge one night. Get the mushroom bisque and if it is still there get the fondue. Amazing.
EDIT: Have not been to Tusker but we love Yak and Yeti. Really good food.

 

[supersnoop]

We are staying at WL

Artist Point is my favorite signature.

 

[Abby Hill]

Artist Point is my favorite signature.

I like AP too, but it's not what we are looking for during this particular trip. We want a signature with good views, like Cali Grill and Narcoossees.

 

[supersnoop]

I like AP too, but it's not what we are looking for during this particular trip. We want a signature with good views, like Cali Grill and Narcoossees.

I, personally, didn’t enjoy California Grill. Since I have access to the Top of the World Lounge, I don’t see the point in trying it again. Narcoossees is pretty good. Maybe consider Sanaa with views of the savanna.

 

[Abby Hill]

Oh I forgot about Top of the World! Thanks for the reminder. I personally like Narcoossee better, but I'll be doing that in September, and we aren't doing Cali Grill in Sept. How many guests can a DVC member bring to the Top of the World Lounge? Maybe we will do that and do a signature elsewhere. I haven't had the greatest experienced at Cali Grill the last 2 years, but I love the views (especially during the Holloween party!)!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Our favorite places to bring newbies are:
Ohana, Sanaa, Boma, BOG for lunch (didn't love dinner there), HDDR, Sci Fi and Kona breakfast.

We enjoy both Tusker House and Yak and Yeti - but if you want a character meal then chose TH. Enjoy!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We took my sister for her first time (well, first time in more than 25 years!) a few years ago and I made it a point to do at least one princess meal, one Mickey meal and one signature. Since you are considering TH in AK, I would do that over Y&Y. It's one of the better character buffets - very good food and a nice variety - and it gives them the "Mickey meal" experience. In terms of unique theming in other restaurants, I would consider Sci-Fi at DHS (and even, perhaps, 50's Prime Time), and Spice Road Table in EP (I think the food is better than San Angel or La Hacienda). If you are staying at WL, consider WCC or even take the boat over to Ft. W one evening and go to Trail's End. I think Ft. W is a destination itself and is worth visiting.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Just For theming and full Disney Magic:

MK/Sci-FI- you walk in and you’re transported, they’ve done this so well, the attention to detail, sitting in the cars, you would think ackward but it’s not and food is good, makes for a great lunch.

HS/50’s Prime Time-Again the decor takes you back to a place and time. It’s done well and the food is delicious

DS/Raglan’s- Great ambiance, dancing and singing, good drinks and a wonderful menu of Irish dishes, done well.

Epcot/Rose & Crown-of you can get the 8-8:30 reservation, its the place to sit, relax with your favorite drink or beer, have your meal while watching Illuminations!

Epcot/Marrakesh-The food, the music and entertainment (belly dancer) makes for a fun nice. If you like things spicy, just ask for a side of harissa.

You’re already doing California Grill, but for a bit more upscale dining experiences, these are a few of our favorites, Jiko, Hollywood Brown Derby,Tiffins, Narcosees to name a few!

And you can take you’re whole party up with you to TOWL, as long as you have your licence and DVC card.

 

[themommy]

I'm going to Disney in December with 4 other women (age 28-60). I vacation there often, three other women have been there a few times, but one has never been there. If you were going to introduce her to Disney, what restaurants would you go to?
We will probably do one signature (probably Cali Grill), and will probably do CRT and pay for it, but I'm mostly looking for restaurants with a good balance between awesome theme and good food.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

I am not sure exactly what kind of an evening you are looking for. Everything mentioned so far is more or less chilled out dining. If you were looking for a fun dining experience for multiple people I think Raglan Road is a great choice. The food and atmosphere make for a great time. Bangers and booze, ker’s bread pudding, Irish music and dancing equals a fun and upbeat evening all ages will enjoy!

 

[dachsie]

I took a friend who had never been a couple of years ago. I feel no matter the age, you have to go to a character dinner with Mickey so we went to Tusker House. Also went to Sanaa for lunch on arrival day to see animals. We also did BOG and HDDR. I would probably take someone to Grand Floridian Cafe as it’s a lovely place.

 

[gharter]

For someone who hasn't been to Disney:
We love California Grill and I would plan to try and do it when you can see the fireworks.

MK - BoG for lunch. consider Skipper Canteen - unique food and a fun atmosphere.
HS - Sci-Fi for lunch. Supper Brown Derby (Its a signature, but really good), Moma Melrose or walk to Board Walk for Flying Fish (another Signature)
AK - lunch flame tree or Satu' Li Canteen. Dinner Tiffins, great food. Or go to AKL for Jiko ( one of our favorites) and you can walk around Animal Kingdom Lodge which is beautiful.
EPCOT - so many choices, dinner consider Chef de France or for something unique Restaurant marrakesh or Spice Road.

Other had mentioned Artist Point, and that is another favorite of ours. You can walk around Wilderness which is beautiful.

 

[Disnsyncey]

My "Disney" like restaurants for your friend.....

Mickey Restaurant (cuz I agree you probably need one): Tusker House, its seriously one of my fav restaurants on property (after the old version of TH, the QS location with the delicious salad)

I agree with CRT.....I used to work there, its not as awesome as it used to be, but its so iconic...

Cali Grill is amazing too, especially for the fireworks! (though I would suggest doing a dessert party for HEA, as even the seasoned veteran like me went for that for my first time viewing HEA as its best from in front of the castle in my mind)

I would say Sci Fi in HS if you NEED one in HS....

Epcot, I would say Rose & Crown is a good staple, but I would go for something more "Epcot-y" like Biergarten, Marrakesh, or even Le Cellier...

I would say Ohana if you are on a party night (also not as good as it used to be, back in the day with the caramel and pineapple for dessert and the lazy Susan, but oh well, its fun), so you can see the fireworks before or after, and not worry about missing any projections, we usually do that and then either head to dinner, or TRADER SAM'S YES DO THAT.......

If you need another signature, I would DEFINITELY say Jiko or Tiffins, all depending on your time schedule, so much love for them both....

I guess I wasn't too much help, but helped you confirm some of your ideas!

 

[CynBeth]

At AKL - Boma breakfast or dinner.
MK - LTT lunch. BOG dinner.
DHS - 50’s PTC dinner.
Epcot - Tutto Italia lunch. Chefs dinner.
AK - Tusker House breakfast.
At WL - Whispering Canyon Cafe breakfast. Along with that the resort is beautifully decorated for the holidays and the geyser in the back.

If you have time to see resorts for holiday decorations go to GF, BC, YC, and BW.

Will you be doing the Candlelight Processional? If so there is a special package but usually that is not released until end of June or beginning of July. We always do dinner at Chefs for the 8:15 pm show.