Booked Free Dining Plan - Please Help with Restaurant Choices!

[c&m]

Hi everyone, we're heading back to WDW for 7 nights on the free dining plan this summer -- sooo excited!!! We are 2 adults and 2 DDs (ages 9 and 13), who are not picky eaters. So we are open to everything and anything. (We also do not need to have any character dining since my DDs are now out of the princess stage. They have done CRT before, and during spring break, we took them to Disneyland's Goofy's Kitchen already.) Where we want to go are to the restaurants that make WDW so special.

We haven't been since 2005, so I'm sure things have changed since. Please advise us on where to have our TS. We have some ideas, based on what we enjoyed when we were there. Here are what we have tentatively come up with:

1. Boma
2. Ohana's
3. Kona Cafe
4. California Grill
5. Whispering Canyon
6. Le Cellier
7. Garden Grill

What do you all think? Should we replace anything on our list with something else that's a "must-do"? Please give me your opinions.

BTW, my youngest DD and I really enjoyed the Teppanyaki Grill at Epcot when we were there in 2005. But it doesn't seem to be there anymore. What replaced it? And is it any good?

Thank you so much in advance and really looking forward to hearing from everyone!!!

 

[Mommyto2boys]

The ADR's look great...the only other thing I would suggest is CRT....Your dd's might be out of the princess thing though...

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[vcgirl925]

1. Boma
2. Ohana's
3. Kona Cafe
4. California Grill
5. Whispering Canyon
6. Le Cellier
7. Garden Grill

What do you all think? Should we replace anything on our list with something else that's a "must-do"? Please give me your opinions.

BTW, my youngest DD and I really enjoyed the Teppanyaki Grill at Epcot when we were there in 2005. But it doesn't seem to be there anymore. What replaced it? And is it any good?

I think you've made GREAT choices. The only thing is if you don't want to pay out of pocket then you'll have to remove one of the TS's because the california grill is woth 2 TS credits. Or skip that one. I'd also advice against the garden grill. It was by far the worst restaurant i've ever eaten at, food was inedible.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Tedden Edo replaced Teppenyaki .. same kind of food though.

Love your choices except Whispering Canyon ... we just did not enjoy our dinner there! But I know many people love it so we may have had an off night. I definitely think that everyone needs to try something at least once to make their own decision.

We haven't eaten at Garden Grill so I can't comment on that one. DS12 and I loved Coral Reef last year. I know it is getting very mixed reviews here lately but we had a great meal & the aquarium is so fun.

If you all aren't picky, I would also recommend The Wave. The food is a bit different from the 'norm'. We almost cancelled our reservation last year & were so glad we didn't. It was one of the best meals of our trip! (Followed closely by Kona, Le Cellier & Cali Grille! )

 

[hannahon]

Well I am not an expert, but we there last September and I can give you our experience with different restaurants. We really enjoyed going to some of the restaurants at the resorts, but traveling to and from them really cut into our day. Here's our list of TS restaurants that we ate at and what we thought:
Ohana's Lilo and Stitch Breakfast- This was probably one of our favorite meals. Our kids our younger though. We liked that it was family style and not buffet. We talked to a few people that said their evening meal is very good as well.
Whispering Canyon Cafe- We also loved this!!! It is definitely not a quiet meal, but very fun and great food. The lodge is beautiful!!!
50's Prime Time Cafe- We were not impressed at all. We waited over an hour past our Reservation time, and our service and food was horrible.
Teppan Edo Epcot Japan- I believe this may have replace the restaurant you were mentioning. It was fabulous, the food was great and having it prepared right in front of us was amazing!!!
Boma- WE enjoyed this, but I don't know if we would go back again. The buffet line was very conjested and you spent a lot of time waiting. Seeing the lodge was awesome though.
Coral Reef- We enjoyed the atmosphere, but the food was just okay.
Chef Mickeys- This was a fun buffet, but I don't think it is what you are looking for.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions, let me know!!! I so wish we were going back this year!!! Have fun!!!

 

[tinka-belle]

Teppan Edo replaced it, and yes it is good. That's in the back section, the front is now Tokyo Dining with sushi, tempura, and a few grilled items. Japan now has 2 TS restaurants. They share the same check in desk and waiting area.

 

[c&m]

Wow! Thanks for your quick responses!

I didn't know California Grill requires 2 TS. I think I'd have to check that one off my list then. We want to stay within our budget. Any suggestions to replace that one?

It's too bad about Garden Grill. My DH has good memories of that place and really wanted to go there. Has anyone had a GOOD meal there, or has it really just gone downhill?? (Yes, I'm desperate to keep this one because of DH's good memories and I want him to be happy since he does spoil me so much!)

 

[c&m]

Thanks for letting me know about Teppan-Edo. I'll replace Cali Grill with this one.

 

[squirrel]

If you're looking for a princess meal go with Akershus or 1900 Park Fare (D) has Cinderella, Prince Charming, Step-Sisters and Step-Mother.

Both are one TS credit. CRT is two credits. Akershus also includes tip and photo package.

 

[dogodisney]

You are going to get good and bad reviews from everything you pick, so you might as well go with what sounds good to you.

 

[mdetloff]

We went to the Garden Grill in 2007 and loved it. DH and the kids actually requested it again for this year. We missed going last year on a trip but will be heading back during free dining also. We are trying to do new restaurant this year but will be repeating Garden Grill.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

You are going to get good and bad reviews from everything you pick, so you might as well go with what sounds good to you.

This is absolutely correct. That being said, here are my 2 cents: The only thing on your list we really did not like was Garden Grill - the food, in our opinion, was average at best. I would replace Garden Grill with Coral Reef - we've had excellent food there & love the atmosphere with the aquarium view.

 

[bluesky225]

I have a couple friends who went to Disney in the last couple of months. They both said that Garden Grill was one of their favorite restaurants and told us to book there. It's funny how different everyone's opinions can be on some places...

 

[c&m]

Coral Reef sounds intriguing. I don't think it was there when we last went...or was it, and we just didn't notice it. I read the menu on Allears.net. It sounds good. But how was the food? What are some good picks from that menu?

We are happy with 6 out of our 7 choices, except for Garden Grill because of the mixed reviews. For the last one, I guess it's a toss-up between Garden Grill, Coral Reef, Chef Mickey's, or Wolfgang Puck's. Or is there something else we should try?

 

[JoePa4Ever]

Coral Reef sounds intriguing. I don't think it was there when we last went...or was it, and we just didn't notice it. I read the menu on Allears.net. It sounds good. But how was the food? What are some good picks from that menu?

I've gotten the steak at Coral Reef the past 2 years - both years it has been excellent!

 

[daisy2jae]

Le Cellier....I loved this place. We went there December 2007 just the two of us. The food was good and I really enjoyed everything there!

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Coral Reef sounds intriguing. I don't think it was there when we last went...or was it, and we just didn't notice it. I read the menu on Allears.net. It sounds good. But how was the food? What are some good picks from that menu?

We are happy with 6 out of our 7 choices, except for Garden Grill because of the mixed reviews. For the last one, I guess it's a toss-up between Garden Grill, Coral Reef, Chef Mickey's, or Wolfgang Puck's. Or is there something else we should try?

We loved Coral Reef. We got these neat free menus made up with the kids pictures on them! I even surprised DH with one for our anniversary with our wedding pics! I LOVED the food and so did DH and all the kids! Never been to Garden Grill though! We have 9 TS meals and I am trying to do something for everyone. Little one loves Chef Mickeys... DDs will like Askerhus for the Princesses... oldest DS.. not sure... he hasnt requested anything yet!