Dining at a resort if you're not staying there!

[Andy_B]

Hello all

A simple question (probably) - if you are not staying at a Disney resort, can you still make reservations to eat at the restaurants in the resorts?

We will be staying at the Bahama Bay resort for our holiday, but as it's our fourth Disney trip, we want to find some different places for table service meals. If you can do this, where does everyone recommend we eat, bearing in mind how difficult it can be to get reservations, and our trip is two months away?

Thanks

Andy, Leeds, UK

 

[Planogirl]

You can certainly eat anywhere on Disney property no matter where you're staying. You can also use Disney transportation to get there.

Where you eat depends on what kind of food you like and who is in your party. You'll get plenty of advice.

 

[AJKMOM]

You definitely can eat at a resort restaurant. Some of the best are located in the GF, Poly, YC/BC, AKL. When you make reservations, keep the number handy, as some places will ask for that number befoe you can get into the parking lot. Some places will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

You might find it easier to get reservations at a resort restaurant. You can check out the menu's and reviews at www.allearsnet.com.

 

[onelilspark]

I'd try Kona, the Wave, Grand Floridian Cafe, Cape May Cafe, Kouzzina...etc. You can self-park at all the resorts for free, at the Deluxes you can also opt to valet the car for a price.

 

[stacy6552]

Ok ok...resort dining....

Whispering Canyon @ WL (near MK) awesome.
@Poly, we like Kona over Ohana's.

Cape May Cafe @ BC (near Epcot) has a great seafood buffet for dinner.

Sanaa @ AKV (near AK) is our new must do for dinner at a day at the AK. Excellent.

The Hoop Dee Doo Revue @FW (near MK) is fabulous.

 

[B-Ride]

Resort restaurants are a great way to get away from the crowds and relax for a meal. It is also a great way to check out the resorts. Who knows, you may end up staying there some day. We have a visit to 'Ohana to thank for making the Poly our permanent WDW home.

 

[JDUCKY]

Fine dining: California Grill, Citrico's, Flying Fish
Fun dining: Chef Mickey's, Cape May Cafe, 1900 Park Fare
Cheaper dining: Beaches and Cream

 

[FLDisneyFan]

Ohana's at the Polynesian Resort is awesome! Although I had my car with me, I took a bus from Port Orleans to Magic Kingdom, then boat over to the Poly. It didn't take long at all and was very scenic.

After dinner, we joined some folks over at the Contemporary Resort to watch the MK fireworks. This was a bit tricky, since they were at capacity at the bar at California Grill. At first they wouldn't let us go up, but after some pleading that we were joining our party who were already there were we able to go up.

The view was magnificent! And we heard the same music for the fireworks that is played in the park.

 

[lustergirl]

I do this all the time to be able check out the different resorts.

 

[grandpaof3]

You may have a great deal of trouble making reservations.

Most of the more popular restaurants are booked months in advanced. I would call as soon as possible and keep trying if they tell you reservations are not available. There are cancellations.