Can't decide- Grand Floridian Cafe or Saana or the Wave or Citrico's

[disneymommy78]

We always plan a rest day on our trips where we are totally out of the parks. Our breakfast is always at 1900 Park Faire and then we eat somewhere else out of the parks.

We want to try someplace new this time (March/April 2012 trip).

I eat pretty much anything. I love seafood, ethnic foods, spicy foods, soups, and salads.

DH is your basic meat and potatoes guy but does like seafood.

DD 13 is extremely picky (grilled cheese, chicken, mac and cheese, pasta with marinara, and pizza are her staples-- she still orders off the kid's menus).

DD 8 takes after me and tries pretty much anything and everything. She orders off the kid's menus, but ends up eating off my plate instead.

 

[keypooh90]

I'd say Saana! We love it, plus AKL is such a beautiful resort! Sometimes, you can even see the animals from the dining area!

 

[Pugmalion1]

Of your choices, Sanaa is my favorite.

That being said, given your picky eater and your husband's proclivities, I'd suggest the Grand Floridian Cafe. Their menu will work well for any picky eaters in your group, but still provide a little adventure for you and your youngest, should you so wish to go that route.

It's a vastly under-appreciated restaurant that serves very good food at comparably good prices. In my opinion, they serve signature restaurant quality meals at casual restaurant prices, with the added benefit of a casual restaurant's, well, casual nature.

 

[jakeybake]

I love Citrico's. Probably my favorite dining establishment in all of WDW. The food and atmosphere are fantastic.

If you want a great dining experience but for a bit less $$$ then you can't go wrong with the Grand Floridian Cafe. We have never had a bad meal there and just love the elegant surroundings.

There is nothing better than a great meal at the Grand Floridian and then a nice relaxing walk around the beautiful grounds there. And if you time it just right you can watch the Wishes fireworks from the dock.

J

 

[Pakey]

I've eaten at all of these and since your oldest daughter is not really adventurous, I'd probably pick Saana. Citricos is my favorite but it would probably be a waste of dollars spent for eaters who want to keep it simple; their dishes there are nicely complex.

I like the Wave better than the GF Cafe.

 

[focusondisney]

Of your 4 options, we have only eaten at GF Cafe. We really like their food. My DH is a beef & potatoes guy & they have a good steak.

But do you mean your trip is really in 2013, not 2012? If you are still almost 2 years away, I wouldn't worry too much about meals yet. Anything can happen in that time. Your kids might change their tastes. Happens as they get older.

And Disney can & does change their menus. They also close restaurants or change the atmospheres & "focus", often with little notice. So I wouldn't get my mind set on anyplace this far out.

 

[JZCubed]

If your on the Monorail (I assume because you eat at 1900 Park Fare), then maybe you should try Citrico's - top notch food and service, with a hint of romance.

Grand Floridian Cafe - most pedestrian of your choices, but also inside Grand Floridian. The menu has a bit of this and that - with a lobster/hamburger combination.

The Wave is lovely and on the Monorail too. My wife is really into the 'Sustainability' aspect of this place; I like the organic food too.

Saana - I've not been yet (when we stay at Animal Kingdom in 2012), but I do love Indian-inspired food and look forward to going here. However, folks say Jiko is better.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I said Sanaa as my girls love to see the animals and we stay there for a bit oftime after our meal outside looking at them. The chicken for children is very good too. My Dds had that and I tried a piece and it was moist. Not dry at all.

Dh is meat and patato guy and like it too.

 

[disneymommy78]

Of your 4 options, we have only eaten at GF Cafe. We really like their food. My DH is a beef & potatoes guy & they have a good steak.

But do you mean your trip is really in 2013, not 2012? If you are still almost 2 years away, I wouldn't worry too much about meals yet. Anything can happen in that time. Your kids might change their tastes. Happens as they get older.

And Disney can & does change their menus. They also close restaurants or change the atmospheres & "focus", often with little notice. So I wouldn't get my mind set on anyplace this far out.

Thanks for input!

It's 2012...I mistyped! Thanks for pointing that out.

This trip is for celebrating my DD's journey/battle with leukemia, so I'm really planning way out because we want to make this trip extra special for her.

 

[focusondisney]

Thanks for input!

It's 2012...I mistyped! Thanks for pointing that out.

This trip is for celebrating my DD's journey/battle with leukemia, so I'm really planning way out because we want to make this trip extra special for her.

Well, for 2012, it's not too early then! Your 180 days will be here before you know it!

Sorry I can't help with any of your other choices. Have you already done California Grill? We've only been there once, but I was blown away by the view. Your girls would love seeing the Magic Kingdom from up there.

Have fun planning. Best wishes for a magical trip & your DD's recovery.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Since you don't mention Boma, I'll assume you've been there already and looking for something new.

I really like the GFC. As a PP mentioned this is a vastly underappreciated place. Great prices and excellent food. Lovely place to dine also. Citrico's is pricer and more complex signature dining spot. Delicious but more formal.

Saana wouldn't be my choice for a picky eater and we have an excellent Indian restaurant in town so it wouldn't be something "new" for us.

The Wave hasn't gotten good reviews.

 

[disneymommy78]

Well, for 2012, it's not too early then! Your 180 days will be here before you know it!

Sorry I can't help with any of your other choices. Have you already done California Grill? We've only been there once, but I was blown away by the view. Your girls would love seeing the Magic Kingdom from up there.

Have fun planning. Best wishes for a magical trip & your DD's recovery.

Thanks!

We've done CG twice and loved it, but because we are trying to plan a few special events (like a Fireworks cruise), we want to keep most of our meals at less expensive places than CG.)

 

[Uncleromulus]

Which would probably eliminate Citricos.
Never eaten at the other 3, so I can't be of much help.

 

[Eeyorerocks!]

We had lunch at Saana last August and it was our favorite meal of the trip!

I like their lunch menu better than the dinner menu. If all else fails, they have a burger which was done really nicely on naan with mixed greens and raita - it was one of the best burgers I've ever had.

We also had the bread and dip sampler, which was wonderful. And DH, who I thought would be really picky, had the tandoori chicken and enjoyed it.

Plus we love AKL, so it's a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the resort since you are taking a break from the parks that day.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I would suggest you give Saana a try. It has become one of our favorite places to dine at WDW.

 

[disneychic]

Sanaa!!! I LOVE Sanaa! It is my new favorite. The decor, the food, the service -- all are fantastic. And lets not forget the view!

 

[AndyFL]

We have eaten several times at the GF Cafe in the mid-afternoon and have yet to have a bad experience. It's beautiful, quiet, and great service everytime.

 

[disneymommy78]

At this point, I'm leaning towards Saana or The Grand Floridian Cafe.

Both menus look great.

 

[sandieb]

I just posted the other day that the 2 restaurants that are my least favorite are Grand Floridean Cafe and Citrocos. Especially the GFC - this used to be a favorite, but the last meal was awful. Citrocos was OK, but the portions were skimpy and the food artful, but nondescript. We loved Saana.