Capt Cooks or somewhere else in/near MK?

[McFlea]

We've never been to Capt Cooks - how is it? I'm thinking of putting it on our list of possibilities for one of our MK days. I thought it might be a nice break in the day to take the boat over to the Poly and check this place out. The menu looks pretty good. What do you all think of it? Food, crowds, seating?

Or, any other suggestions besides BOG or CHH? Would you recommend something else in MK, on the monorail or at WL?

TIA

 

[NicoleLarson]

I think all of the monorail CS are pretty good. Capt. Cooks is probably our favorite but it can get really crowded and they took my favorite meal at WDW away...RIP adult grilled cheese. Do you have more than 1 day at MK? I'm not sure it's worth the time to go over there if you only have 1 MK day.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

We enjoy the food here quite a bit and find lunch to be the least crowded time. Not to say it doesn't get crowded; just not as crazy as breakfast and dinner. If you're spending all day in the MK I think it would make a nice break to head across the lagoon for lunch there.
ETA- you also have the added bonus of getting dole whips with the vanilla twist right around the corner at pineapple lanai

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm not so sure I'd take the time to leave MK to go to Poly for Captain Cooks. It's certainly an option, just not sure it's something I would do, mainly because I think there are 'better' options. I'd probably rather take the time to do something like Kona Cafe, Geyser Point, or another sit down-type restaurant if that is an option for you.

 

[heather913]

Captain Cooks is delicious!

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you want to take the time and check out the poly go for it. Allow 3 hours for lunch between getting there, eating and getting back

 

[allsaintsatx]

I recommend it. I might even recommend the boat ride even more! Love the boat! Very magical and an amazing view.

The Poly has great TS restaurants but they are a bit pricey and in our experience even with reservations we've had multiple half hour waits to be seated at both Kona and Ohana.

Capt Cook has a great mix of normal food and interesting food. Our DS loves the burger and fries, I love the curry meatballs and rice. There's also some nice patio seating near a water feature and the pools.

The Poly is great for looking around- lush expansive grounds with many tiki statues, a beach, a tiki bar (all ages til 8pm), a Dole Whip stand and some good shopping. There's also a nice path along the water to the Grand Floridian. It's maybe a 10 minute walk. So you may even be able to see 2 resorts if you wanted to.

I will say, like I always say: be warned! After experiencing the Poly you will want to stay there!!

 

[Chrelaine]

I think it's a great idea. The boat ride from MK was one of our favorite things when we stayed at the Poly. If what you want is to wind down a little and catch something quick to eat...I think it's a great idea.

 

[robndani]

I agree about the boat! We love the food there! It does get crowded but so does everywhere else... maybe aim for a little later lunch to avoid that. Enjoy!!!

 

[McFlea]

OP here - I should learn to provide more details when I post. But then I think, who wants to read all that? Anyway, we have 2 days plus one evening at MK this trip. We have "free" QS dining plan, and a BOG lunch on one MK day, and BOG breakfast another. We've eaten at every MK QS at least once in previous trips, so I'm looking for something new. We have stayed at the Poly (years ago, before kids) and ate at Ohana 2 years ago. So, because we've seen the Poly, I also considered the boat to WL, but we're more drawn to the menu at Capt Cooks over the QS at WL.

If you want to take the time and check out the poly go for it. Allow 3 hours for lunch between getting there, eating and getting back

But, this gave me pause. 3 hours sounds like a lot of time, but the break might be just what we need.

Thank you all for your replies and encouragement - I'll keep this idea in my back pocket and see how we feel that day!

 

[Hopefully]

I recommend it. I might even recommend the boat ride even more! Love the boat! Very magical and an amazing view.

The Poly has great TS restaurants but they are a bit pricey and in our experience even with reservations we've had multiple half hour waits to be seated at both Kona and Ohana.

Capt Cook has a great mix of normal food and interesting food. Our DS loves the burger and fries, I love the curry meatballs and rice. There's also some nice patio seating near a water feature and the pools.

The Poly is great for looking around- lush expansive grounds with many tiki statues, a beach, a tiki bar (all ages til 8pm), a Dole Whip stand and some good shopping. There's also a nice path along the water to the Grand Floridian. It's maybe a 10 minute walk. So you may even be able to see 2 resorts if you wanted to.

I will say, like I always say: be warned! After experiencing the Poly you will want to stay there!!

To clarify:
'OHana doesn't serve lunch
Trader Sam's Tiki Bar doesn't open until 4
Neither of these apply to OP's lunch plans

ETA. Corrected error

 

[Skippyboo]

What about the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary? It's a short walk from MK.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

To clarify:
Neither Kona nor 'OHana serve lunch
Trader Sam's Tiki Bar doesn't open until 4
Neither of these apply to OP's lunch plans

Are you sure about Kona not serving lunch? Admittedly it's been awhile since I've eaten there but I could have sworn it was lunch when I did.

I've only walked through there during the day a ton of times in the past year, you'd think I'd have a clearer memory!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP, three hours for lunch seems like a lot to me. A trip from MK to Poly for a Capt Cooks lunch should not take that long unless you are incredibly unlucky with your monorail or boat timing. I'd be thinking more in the two range all in.

 

[Hopefully]

Are you sure about Kona not serving lunch? Admittedly it's been awhile since I've eaten there but I could have sworn it was lunch when I did.

I've only walked through there during the day a ton of times in the past year, you'd think I'd have a clearer memory!

You are absolutely correct. I was wrong. Sorry for the misinformation. I'll edit my post.

 

[allsaintsatx]

To clarify:
'OHana doesn't serve lunch
Trader Sam's Tiki Bar doesn't open until 4
Neither of these apply to OP's lunch plans

ETA. Corrected error

OP said mid day break in original post, not lunch.

Did not mean to imply or say in my post that OP go to Ohanas. I was referring that they go to Capt Cooks.
Trader Sam's is all ages from 4pm till 8pm, so the OP could dip in there after a nice late lunch at Capt Cook's, and maybe after some grounds strolling and Boutiki shopping!

EDITED to remove all traces of snark