Dining advice!

[hellosunshinee]

I am in the middle of planning our last-minute trip to Disney and I need some advice! I am not as familiar with the parks/resorts as most, and we are using Disney transportation our entire trip. Where would you suggest eating and what park would you pair this with?

For example, on Aug 30th, we have reservations at the California Grill so we should go to MK that day? We're thinking we might head back to Pop Century first so it wont matter, but this is what I'm trying to set up for other meals like lunches and earlier dinners (CG isn't until 9 that night). This is the only ADR I have set up and I realize it is a little late to be thinking of this but the trip was just booked last week. I am getting my planning binder together today and was hoping for some help!

ANY ADVICE WELCOME!
Thank you so much in advance!

 

[hellosunshinee]

Also- we're both nineteen if that helps with dining preferences at all.

 

[MariDisney]

I am in the middle of planning our last-minute trip to Disney and I need some advice! I am not as familiar with the parks/resorts as most, and we are using Disney transportation our entire trip. Where would you suggest eating and what park would you pair this with?

For example, on Aug 30th, we have reservations at the California Grill so we should go to MK that day? We're thinking we might head back to Pop Century first so it wont matter, but this is what I'm trying to set up for other meals like lunches and earlier dinners (CG isn't until 9 that night). This is the only ADR I have set up and I realize it is a little late to be thinking of this but the trip was just booked last week. I am getting my planning binder together today and was hoping for some help!

ANY ADVICE WELCOME!
Thank you so much in advance!

I would say that at this point you need to make any other dining plans ASAP. Many are reporting no available times at the restaurants they want. Since it is late, you probably want to get those ADRs made and then work your park plan around them. If having a lot of sit down meals isn't important to you then you don't need to worry about that.

We almost always go back to our resort to shower and change before a dinner reservation. So, we work our evening plans around which restaurants we want to eat at and which parks we want to be at.

 

[Microcell]

If you do happen to make it a MK day, I would suggest breakfast at Crystal Palace if you are okay with buffets and are a big breakfast lover such as myself. It is with Pooh, Eyeore, Tigger and Piglet.

Then you could snack through the day possibly or have a late lunch at Colombia Harbor House (my favorite of QS restaurants).

 

[hellosunshinee]

If you do happen to make it a MK day, I would suggest breakfast at Crystal Palace if you are okay with buffets and are a big breakfast lover such as myself. It is with Pooh, Eyeore, Tigger and Piglet.

Then you could snack through the day possibly or have a late lunch at Colombia Harbor House (my favorite of QS restaurants).

Thank you for this advice! Are buffets considered CS or TS? I have no other ADRs for the entire trip so I am in quite a hurry to try to pull it all together!

 

[Microcell]

Crystal Palace is TS.. big restaurant though so they may still have spots!

 

[shannn]

What are your dates and what kind of places do you want to try? I'll try and help you out with some suggestions.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

What types of food do you guys like? Are you wanting to eat in the parks or go and check out the other resorts' restaurants or are open to whatever?
A few random suggestions for TS may be:
DS day-Sci Fi (to check out the old movies) or 50's diner if you're in the mood for the silliness.
AK day-I don't have any TS favorites, so we always use this day to check out one of the resort restaurants (Ohana, Whispering Canyon Cafe are two of our favorites)
MK day-Cali Grill is a great choice, but we usually like to get a little more dressed up, so we go back to the hotel first. It's a great place to view Wishes! (if you don't have a window seat, ask to go out on the back deck-it's usually quieter and less crowded.
Epcot-we love Biergarten, want to try Coral Reef, or you could check out any of the restaurants on the Boardwalk-it's just a quick walk! (Big River Grille, ESPN Club, Spoodles if it's still open).

Enjoy your trip and planning!!

 

[hellosunshinee]

What are your dates and what kind of places do you want to try? I'll try and help you out with some suggestions.

Thank you! We are up to try ANYTHING, we like all types of food and are always willing to try new things! Our dates are August 26-Sept 1. And Aug 30th is that CG res. Thanks!

 

[hellosunshinee]

What types of food do you guys like? Are you wanting to eat in the parks or go and check out the other resorts' restaurants or are open to whatever?
A few random suggestions for TS may be:
DS day-Sci Fi (to check out the old movies) or 50's diner if you're in the mood for the silliness.
AK day-I don't have any TS favorites, so we always use this day to check out one of the resort restaurants (Ohana, Whispering Canyon Cafe are two of our favorites)
MK day-Cali Grill is a great choice, but we usually like to get a little more dressed up, so we go back to the hotel first. It's a great place to view Wishes! (if you don't have a window seat, ask to go out on the back deck-it's usually quieter and less crowded.
Epcot-we love Biergarten, want to try Coral Reef, or you could check out any of the restaurants on the Boardwalk-it's just a quick walk! (Big River Grille, ESPN Club, Spoodles if it's still open).

Enjoy your trip and planning!!

Thanks for these suggestions! I really appreciate pairing the parks with the restaurants. I see you've stayed at the pop century a few times, I'm assuming you like it there? That's where we'll be staying

 

[lupp2217]

We just got back from a week long trip and these were some of the more enjoyable meals that you may like.

Whispering Canyon Cafe @ wilderness lodge--hard to get into though, just keep trying

Cape May Cafe for clambake @ Beach club---have to bus to Epcot or HS and boat over...FYI need to get into Epcot to get boat so if you don't have hopper and went somewhere else, you must go to HS

Ohana for breakfast at Poly

Hoop Dee Doo Dinner show---2TS credits but worth it!

Good luck!

 

[shannn]

So, here's a start on a plan. (I'm not sure if any of your days are travel days. I'm going to assume not?) Of course, I'm just suggesting TS restaurants. I don't know your budget and whether you're on a dining plan. I didn't suggest any other signatures, but of course, they're great choices too.

Wed. 8/26 MK suggestions for TS restaurants:
Plaza (in MK)
Ohana (at Poly)
Chef Mickey's (at CR)

Thursday 8/27 EP suggestions for TS restaurants:
Le Cellier (doubtful that you can get a ressie, but you can try)
Teppen Edo (
Akershus (if you think you'd like to eat w/ the princesses)
Biergarten
Rose & Crown

Friday 8/28 AK suggestions for TS:
Tusker House breakfast
Yak & Yeti
Boma (at AKL)

Saturday 8/29 DHS suggestions for TS:
50s PT

Sunday 8/30 rest day, sleep in maybe Downtown Disney or water park
California Grill 9:00

Monday 8/31 EP (see above for suggestions)

Tuesday 9/1 repeat your favorite & see above for suggestions

I looked at the entertainment schedules to plan your days thinking about staying away from the crowds. I try and stay away from EMHs if I can help it. Hope this helps you some -- at least maybe a start?

 

[hellosunshinee]

So, here's a start on a plan. (I'm not sure if any of your days are travel days. I'm going to assume not?) Of course, I'm just suggesting TS restaurants. I don't know your budget and whether you're on a dining plan. I didn't suggest any other signatures, but of course, they're great choices too.

Wed. 8/26 MK suggestions for TS restaurants:
Plaza (in MK)
Ohana (at Poly)
Chef Mickey's (at CR)

Thursday 8/27 EP suggestions for TS restaurants:
Le Cellier (doubtful that you can get a ressie, but you can try)
Teppen Edo (
Akershus (if you think you'd like to eat w/ the princesses)
Biergarten
Rose & Crown

Friday 8/28 AK suggestions for TS:
Tusker House breakfast
Yak & Yeti
Boma (at AKL)

Saturday 8/29 DHS suggestions for TS:
50s PT

Sunday 8/30 rest day, sleep in maybe Downtown Disney or water park
California Grill 9:00

Monday 8/31 EP (see above for suggestions)

Tuesday 9/1 repeat your favorite & see above for suggestions

I looked at the entertainment schedules to plan your days thinking about staying away from the crowds. I try and stay away from EMHs if I can help it. Hope this helps you some -- at least maybe a start?

Thank you, you've been so, so helpful! It was hard trying to get a start on this, we do have the dining plan which sort of makes things both easier and more difficult. Thank you so much, and any further suggestions are always appreciated

 

[hellosunshinee]

Do you think it would be wiser to avoid a weekend at MK or a day with EMH in the morning?

 

[Lynne G]

I'd think MK would be more crowded at the ends and beginnings of weeks. We're going to MK on Aug 29, as DD's bday, and that's where she wants to be. We're doing CM for dinner. Also, if you check the schedule, that seems the best night to see the Spectro parade. My kids have never seen it, so after dinner, we're heading back to MK to watch parade and fireworks. We'll be at Pop too, so somehow in the mass of people, maybe we'll cross paths.
Excitement is starting at our house! It's a great time to visit, we did same time last year, and thought most was fine. Just some lines were crazy without FPs.

 

[kamikazecat]

We ate at The Wave twice on our last trip and loved it. It is also in the Contemporary resort so could be paired with Epcot or MK.