Can you help us choose?

[angiejg]

We are planning our November trip and want to make sure we try some awesome restaurants. It will be me, DH, DD (6), DS (2). We have all day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We will try for CRT on one of those days, and would also like to try Ohana's, Rainforest Cafe, and Chef Mickey's. Any thoughts on when/if we should do these or do you have other suggestions for "can't miss" restaurants. We do want to do at least a couple fo character meals. Do we just "have" to have Cinderella's for breakfast or would lunch or dinner be just as nice? What about the princess meal in Epcot? I don't know much about that one yet. Can you help us with a tentative meal plan?


Thanks so much!
Angie

Oh, we hope to be staying at the Poly if that helps any.

 

[danny1649]

When you visit MGM I would suggest 50'S PTC or Mama Melsose's.On the day you visit Epcot try Le Cellier our favorite dining in all of WDW.At AK we enjoy RFC,Flame Tree BBQ AND Tusker's.Our two favorite spots at MK are CP and LTT.Have a magical trip.

 

[Rafikifan]

I can't help you with the Princess Breakfast in Norway/Epcot because we haven't been there yet. Do keep in mind that if your dd wants to see the princesses at CRT in the castle that you will need to do breakfast because that is the only character meal that they have. Sometimes Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother are in the foyer at lunch or dinner, but not always. Your choices are good. We love 'Ohana, Chef Mickey's (we always do dinner there), and while the food isn't stellar in my opinion the atmosphere is neat at the Rainforest Cafe. Your children will more than likely want to go to the MK on your first park day so how about breakfast at the castle, then a snack or counter service for lunch, back to the Poly to swim and then dinner at 'Ohana timed with the fireworks or timed to where you can watch the fireworks from the beach. I'm not sure how much time or what days you are thinking of doing the other parks but you can post it here or send me a p.m. and I'll come up with some itineraries for you to consider if you'd like. I love WDW planning!

 

[angiejg]

Thanks for the advice so far! Keep the ideas coming please!

Angie

 

[jpmom97]

We love Ohana's! My DS is also 6 and he loved it too. He did the hula hoop and had a blast, our waiter even took him by the bread warmer to warm his hands b/c he was cold. We also did Chef Mickey's and DS still talks about it!

I have been to the Rainforest Cafe in NJ and since it is so close to me we can pass it up. When my DD is older the Castle breakfast and the Princess one in Norway will be a must for us. We like to eat dinner in the castle and it is very magical, we eat the our last night. If you have any other questions about going with a 6 year old and a baby don't hestitate to ask

 

[Microcell]

We have a Rainforset here in KC and I don't go to that here. Notworth the money for the food and hardly for atmosphere in my opinion. We likes 50's prime time in MGM and Chef Mickeys for breakfast- normal foods there. My Dh got sick of same old same old after like 4 days, so we went to World Showcase in Epcot for ethnic food. Beer Garten was EXCELLENT!! I have not been to Ohana.

 

[wannabee princess]

I would go with the others in saying not to bother with Rainforest. JMHO.

My picks for your group would be -
CRT if you can get it for breakfast.
Storybook Princess in Norway - we did this and the princesses were great. The food was okay. I would say depends on if you get CRT, or if your dd is a huge princess fan. That would make 2 character breakfasts with the princesses in four days.
Chef Mickey - a louder, fun place. Food is a buffet would be a good dinner - maybe on your first night (depending if you are arriving earlier on Tuesday?) or on the day you go to AK (since it closes the earliest).

If you can't get CRT for the day at MK (if only doing one day at MK), do CP - for lunch or breakfast.

Outside of these, I would say Whispering Canyon is a fun place for the kids (and the big kids too). Maybe Cape May also. In Epcot we liked Coral Reef for the kids - get to watch the fish and divers - but I would do a late lunch since prices are higher here. At MGM we like 50' PTC.

 

[denman007]

Skip rainforest and do Boma's at AKL!

Le Celliar at epcot is excellent too.

 

[momof2minnies]

JMHO- If you want to see Cinderella, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, Perla and Susie 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian is a much better meal- dinner buffet, and much easier to get a PS. Mary Poppins is there for bkfst.

 

[RC Fan]

Hello!

I was at Crystal Palace last Monday and I would highly recommend it! The food and service were both great!

I also went to Ohana's and it was good as well.

I did not find the Rainforest Cafe to be that great. We had went to RC in our previous visit and it was much better.

Next time I want to try Boma's.

 

[SAntonelli]

Me, my husband & our 6 year old daughter went in April. I made reservations for all dinners & a couple breakfasts & lunches. I found it was nice to not have to wait in long lines or run around last minute. If we were too tired or wanted to do something else, I just cancelled.

We did both CRT & Epcot Princess breakfasts. We liked CRT MUCH better. The room is beautiful. The service was great and the food was better (fresher too). The castle location adds to the magic. Definitely too much doing both.

We were very disappointed in Rainforest Cafe. I made a reservation ahead of time. When we arrived we were moved around like cattle from line to line (3 in all). The process took at least 45 minutes! Expensive too!

We loved California Grill (at the Contemporary). The service was amazing! I made a reservation 1 -1/2 hours before MK fireworks and requested a window seat. We got one! They pipe in music and dim the lights - it was so magical! What a way to end our first day at Disney! They were great with our daughter. The table was covered with paper so she could draw all over it. They brought her goldfish crackers to munch on. And, for dessert... rice krispie sushi!!

We went to O'hana's and were disappointed. The meat was either dry or fatty. The shrimp was good but you had to peel them so that was a pain! Half our pineapple wasn't ripe. The kids games are cute but not worth the expensive price of the meal.

We liked Sci-Fi at MGM for lunch. My daughter loved sitting in the driver's seat. We ordered burgers, fries and shakes. They were very good -large portions too! The movies were more funny than scary.

For a quick lunch, try Columbia Harbour House at MK. The tuna sandwich on grain bread with carrots was really good (and a nice change from all the fried food!).

Have a great trip!

 

[marcyinPA]

My kids (boys 5 & 9) loved the Sci Fi at MGM. They also love Chef Mickey's for dinner which is a must do on our first night, Teppanyaki in Japan (they LOVE this and are so good and quiet and entertained that we can actually enjoy our meal!), BOMA, and their absolute favorite of all....

Trails End buffet in FW for Breakfast! Great breakfast, they love the atmosphere...they love the playground right outside, and the petting zoo...and best of all, for mom and dad, it's the best value in WDW. 9.99 for adults, 5.99 for kids, All you can eat! No characters, but if you catch them at other meals, it really doesn't matter! (BTW, I understand that the Trails End rocks for other meals too...it's on our list for next time for lunch or dinner!)

 

[MrsJ Henry]

After reading lots of reviews etc. on the boards here and talking to others we have decided on Chef Mickey's as well, Cape May for a character Breakfast as well as the evening clam bake, Whispering Canyon ( I can't wait for this one.... I have a few tricks ready for DH.. hee hee) Also Sci Fi ( for DH... I"m not a big fan)

Then for some counter service etc. we want to go to Beaches and Cream, Tusker house, Flame tree BBQ, Pecos bill........And then WS we are going to play it by ear.

I personally would not go to Rainforest Cafe since I have not heard a whole lot of great things about it and I could go there on another trip somewhere since there are so many around.

Also take a look on Allears.net for menus of the restaurants and check out some GREAT restaurant reviews here on the board.

 

[kdibattista]

Our all time favorite meal in WDW is the Crystal Palace breakfast..... great food, beautiful atmosphere and the best character interaction around!!! We always go at least twice each trip.

 

[disneychick05]

Another vote for the Crystal Palace Breakfast!! I highly recommend that you try this. Your kids will love it. We never go to WDW without a breakfast at CP!!

 

[Terk-1]

For character meals I would recommend the Crystal Palace for any meal or Chef Mickey's for breakfast only (dinner is awful).

Cindy's is one of my favorite places to dine for lunch or dinner. There are no characters at these meals, but usually one of the princesses are in the lobby for pictures and autographs.

O'Hana's is a great place to dine.

Whispering Canyon Cafe is also good and they have games and stuff for the kids.