Dining Advice (Firework Question Added)

[nicknamy1996]

Hi all, my name is Nick, and I live on the budget board, nice to meet you all. I'm looking for opinions on our upcoming trip. We have me, DW, and 2 DSs (5 & 7) We have 7 days to do 8 TS meals... not looking for the highest dollar value, but rather the best time/food for the family.

Right now we have, in order of must do at the top, to convince me to change as we get towards the bottom...

Chef Mickey's for Dinner (can't budge on that, it's a tradition at this point)
Epcot Japan (forgive my ignorance on the name) we have a local Japanese place love, and we can't wait to see it Disney style.
Crystal Palace for breakfast (used to be a tradition, my wife misses it, hope to get ADR before park opens, that was fun back in '02)
Coral Reef (for the kids?)
Ohana (good choice?, recommended by a friend at work, fun for the kids too?)
La Cellier (this one's for mom and dad, many trips and have never tried it... a don't miss? right?)
Whispering Canyon (know nothing about this really, good choice for us and kids?)
Sci Fi (for the kids?, I think we can do better on this one, but it's the only one my DW suggested, so I kinda feel obligated)

On the outside looking in right now are...

Character meal at Liberty Tree (if I suggest it out loud to my wife something will get bumped, should I?)

Boma (I'm out voted 3 to 1 at this point!)

Thanks in avance for any advice! I will take it all in to account!

 

[Luv4Disney]

Japan's restaurant is Teppanyaki. We've always enjoyed it there but the last time we went our chef was American. Blonde hair and blue eyes. It kind of took away from the experience. Never been to Coral Reef. We'll be trying Ohana's for the first time this trip. We love Le Cellier and Sci-Fi, along with Chef Mickey's. We didn't like WCC, but your kids probably will. Also, LTT is a must for us!

 

[nicknamy1996]

Japan's restaurant is Teppanyaki. We've always enjoyed it there but the last time we went our chef was American. Blonde hair and blue eyes. It kind of took away from the experience. Never been to Coral Reef. We'll be trying Ohana's for the first time this trip. We love Le Cellier and Sci-Fi, along with Chef Mickey's. We didn't like WCC, but your kids probably will. Also, LTT is a must for us!

Bump up LTT and down WCC? I think I'm good with that! Our kids will like it and it keeps us in MK for at least one dinner.

 

[Elisa]

That being said, I think your choices are great and I hope they all work out for you if they're the ones you stick with.
This is what I thought when I read your plan...
Chef Mickey's - Great breakfast
Teppanyaki - We're trying it for our 1st time in Sept. Can't wait
Crystal Palace breakfast - We had a fabulous dinner there and now we've booked our 1st breakfast too.
Coral Reef - Be Aware that this gets a lot of iffy reviews. Don't do it for the aquarium as you might not be seated anywhere close. Check reviews.
'Ohanas - Love it!!!! Must do it every trip.
Le Cellier - Great choice. Kids love it too. Nice atmosphere and wonderful food.
Whispering canyon- I was so excited to go here our 1st time and partake in all the antics, but we were stuck in a back room with a dull waiter. Insure you get a seat in the main room even if you have to wait longer. Just get there early enough.
Sci fi - Another one for good atmoshere but we got stuck with the tables ( not cars) in the back which destroyed it for my kids. The food is average if not below par as well. I didn't enjoy it. What my kids loved in MGM was the 50's PTC. Great food and they loved seeing mom and dad get teased. Think about it.
Good luck and have a great trip. Elisa

 

[Luv4Disney]

Bump up LTT and down WCC? I think I'm good with that! Our kids will like it and it keeps us in MK for at least one dinner.

Not sure if you know, but when they say WHISPERING cc, they're being sarcastic. We didn't know that! Lots of banging and stuff. We like LTT because the character interaction is great and we like the food, although some will say that it tastes like a Stouffer's frozen dinner, we don't think so. Plus, like you said, we like being in MK!

 

[PatsGirl]

Gotta do Whispering Canyon I think -- this is one of my kids favorites. We also like Ohanas but check the menu to be sure everyone will like it -- it's alot of meat and few veggies so the boys I know put it at #1. We enjoyed Teppanyaki for the show but the food was mediocre. Chef Mickey's -- I know, we have to go there too and I'd pay the kids to skip it but... We like LeCellier so that's always on the list and we'll be trying Coral Reef for the 1st time in August (maybe, because this is the first time I've heard they have "iffy" reviews -- oh boy, more research for me too )

Happy Eating!

 

[rlrx]

Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier, and Crystal Palace-great choices!

We did Coral Reef with DS8 and DS4 last year and they liked it but it's not on our "must do" list this year. It is neat to look at the fish while you're eating.

We liked the Sci Fi but we waited so long for our table (even with an ADR) that it took a lot of time away from the park that day. We enjoyed the atmosphere but definitely won't be doing it again this year. It was a difficult wait with 2 tired boys.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Gotta do Whispering Canyon I think -- this is one of my kids favorites. ........ Chef Mickey's -- I know, we have to go there too and I'd pay the kids to skip it but... .........we'll be trying Coral Reef for the 1st time in August (maybe, because this is the first time I've heard they have "iffy" reviews -- oh boy, more research for me too )

Happy Eating!

Thanks!

I've got to figure out the WCC thing... Now I wish I could ditch the Sci Fi thing and do WCC and LTT.

On the Chef Mickeys thing... not only do we have to go, we have to buy the photo every year... and as of two years ago they changed it so you have to buy the photo package (not just one 5 x 7 if you wanted) so that adds like $30 to the cost. Although about a month ago I took the 5- 5 x 7's we have so far and made a really cool "boarder" above our kitchen door with them.

As for Coral Reef, we did it on our Honeymoon in '96, we sat right against the glass, and I still remember the food being great, had the Lobster Bisque and to this day, one of the best things I've ever tasted. Hope it's still the same. I recall seeing a lot of iffy reviews on it too, but I think the kids will LOVE the atmosphere.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Hoping to make all my ADRs today. As of now I plan to make them all a little earlier so we can be done before any fireworks start. BUT before I do that I wanted to see if I should instead try to time some to see the fireworks from dinner?

As far as I know this may not even be possible. We've seen the fireworks from Chef Mickeys before, and would not really be interested in that one.

What about Japan, Canada, Ohana?

Thanks again!