Just got back from WDW yesterday and wanted to post a few reviews of the place we ate. There was 5 of us, my Mother(77), my sister(49), her son(8), my son(9) and myself(39). We were there June 12th through the 18th and were on the basic Disney Dining Plan.
Here's a couple of hints, I've found. If you are traveling with children that are interested in different styles of food check the menus before making your reservations. Most only offer a resort set style Kids menu with the same junk food offered at most restaurants. The Best food we found was at the motorail restaurants. So if you are planning a day at Epcot or especially Magic Kingdom who's sit down dining sucks, check out the California Grill or Kona Cafe. From Epcot you can take the monorail to the Transportation Center and then take the monorail to the resort or the fairy to MK and then boat to the resort. Either way it takes about 30 to 40 minutes. From MK either the boat to the resort or the monorail which takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
Also stay away from the Buffet though it's all you can eat, the food and service is not the best.
June 12th Cap'n Jack's Restaurant in Downtown Disney
One step above Red Lobster. very limited menu and children's menu only had four sellection. The atmosphere was loud and crowded. The view on the Marnia was nothing special.
I had the twin lobster tails they were a little better then Red Lobster but were small and frozen. The steamed veggies were good but the rice was bland and without flavor. My Mother had the Shrimp and Penne Pasta, they sause was good and the shrimp was good size but the pasta was over cooked. My sister had Seared Salmon "Shank" which was a little on the dry side. My nephew had Macaroni and Cheese and I sampled a little. It tasted more like butter then cheese and was rather gross. Not sure what my son had but he wasn't happy and ended up eating more off everyone else plate.
June 13th Lunch - Liberty Inn - World Showcase in Epcot
Basic counter service cafeteria but air conditioned. The staff is dressed 1700 style clothing.
I had the Caesar Chicken Salad which was good. Can't remember what my sis and mother had but they were happy. My son and Nephew had the Chicken Nuggets nothing special.
We had planned on eating at the TANGIERINE CAFE but when my son found out it was standard children menu we headed else where. This was something we ran into at just about ever restaurant. Why there can't put on ethnic item on each children's menu is beyond me. Not every kid wants mac and cheese 7 days a week.
June 13th diner - California Grill at the Comtemporary Resort
This is our second time at California Grill that we set our reservations to see the "Wishes" fire works. This is by far the best restaurant at Disney. Great atmospher, great service and food to equal any fine dining you will find. I understand that it is a signature meal and cost double but it's well worth it. I've seen just about every view of the fireworks at MK and this is by far the best. Do yourself a favor and pay for a counter service meal for diner one night.
Got there a little late but were seated within a few minutes, just in time to see the fire works. I can't remember our servers name but she was top shelf.
We started off with Triple Cheese, Pecorino, Asiago, Provolone Flatbread. Just the right balance of Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil Pesto to set off the cheese. Also the bread was great with olive oil.
I had the Seared veal loin which was cooked prefectly. By far the best cut of meat I had the whole trip and the Potato Galette was amazing. My sis had the Scottish Salmon Fillet and was going on and on about how good it was for the next 3 days. My mom had the Brioche Crusted Halibut and didn't even think it was too spicy. My Nephew had a flatbread Cheese pizza that was gone in a flash and my son had the Oak-fired Filet of Beef which made him very happy. Yes that's right it's one of the few restaurants that didn't offer a children's menu that only offered mac and cheese, hotdogs and P and Js.
June 14th - Sifi Dinner at Studio
Ok this was a long day. It was Star Wars Weekend and my son and I had been there since rope drop but this was my least favorite experience of the whole trip. The server was great, up beat and prefect for the vibe of the place but the rest really killed it for me.
We showed up 20 minutes before our reservation to be told they were running 60 minutes behind. Never have encountered this anywhere else on Disney. The thing that really added to my anger is the fact they were still taking walk-ins.
Started with Spinach and Artichoke Dip which was good but nothing special. I and my sis had Smoked Baby Back Ribs which were ok at best. Mom went with the Shrimp Penne Pasta which she said wasn't as good as the Shrimp and Penne Pasta from Capt'n Jacks and the kids once again had a limited menu and both ended up with the pizza. Neither seemed happy about it. Mother raved about the Warm Apple & Pecan Crisp.
Overall the Drive-In theme is fun for about the first 20 minutes but it wears off and then all you are left with is ok food and good service. I would suggest skipping this place and going with Brown Dreby or Prime Time Dinner. Both are more entertaining with better food.
June 15th Lunch at Yakitori House at Epcot Japan World Showcase
My son really wanted to try Japanese food. Something to do with a Pokemon game he plays but Noodles sounded good.
I had the Kaki-Age Udon which was as good as I remembered it being. My son had the Teriyaki Chicken but ended up scaming about half my Udon. They really should add it to the childrens Menu. Everyone else had the Teriyaki Chicken and were really happy. The Ginger Cake was great.
June 15th diner at Kona Cafe at the POLYNESIAN
Atmospher is great, it is a bit open to the lobby which makes it a little noisy but overall really nice. Our server was on it, attentive and I never had to ask for a refill once. It was a great expierence.
I had Filet Mignon which was right as it should be. Though the veal from California Grill was a little better. Mom had Shrimp and Scallops whaich was great. My sis had Tuna Oscar which she said was the best fish she had on the trip. My son had mai mai Which he was very excited about. This was one of the few that didn't have the standard children's menu.
June 16th Flame Tree BBQ At Animal Kingdom
This is one of my favorite counter service restaurants. The food is great but it's outside seating.
The adults all had the Smoked 1/2 Chicken which was tender and moist. BBQ with a dry rub and not heavy on the sause. The kids had the Baked Chicken Wings and were both happy. Though my son wanted ribs. They should add more sellection other then two. The Keylime Pie was good too.
June 16th at Tusker House at Animal Kingdom
I've never had agood experience with buffet at Disney World, this one was a little better but you really got the vibe that they were more interested in clearing the table to giving good service. It took 1/2 an hour to get my second glass of Ice Tea. The tables are piled one on top of the other and there is little if no elbow room.
The Carved Top Sirloin Roast and Pork Loin was good but a little on the tough and dry side. Rotisserie Chicken was good. Some of the side dishes were really interesting but nothing special. It is nice to have a sit down resturant in Animal Kingdom but it wasn't that great.
June 17th Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe In Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
The place is Air Condictioned but the robot singing thing was boring. Even the kids found it a bit sad.
The best meal is the 1/2 Chicken and BBQ Rib Combination. Lots of food for a counter service meal. Tender and moist just like it should be. My sis like the fixing bar. The only thing is that they only offer the standard Children's Menu which seems to be offered at all Magic Kingdom Counter Service restaurants.
June 17th Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom
Best fried fish I've had in a long time. Though same Children's menu as every other restaurant in MK. It is Air Condictioned and plenty of room.
One suggestion from a past trip go to Coral Reef. Great atmospher, service and food. Which we would have had time to go back this time around.
Here's a couple of hints, I've found. If you are traveling with children that are interested in different styles of food check the menus before making your reservations. Most only offer a resort set style Kids menu with the same junk food offered at most restaurants. The Best food we found was at the motorail restaurants. So if you are planning a day at Epcot or especially Magic Kingdom who's sit down dining sucks, check out the California Grill or Kona Cafe. From Epcot you can take the monorail to the Transportation Center and then take the monorail to the resort or the fairy to MK and then boat to the resort. Either way it takes about 30 to 40 minutes. From MK either the boat to the resort or the monorail which takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
Also stay away from the Buffet though it's all you can eat, the food and service is not the best.
June 12th Cap'n Jack's Restaurant in Downtown Disney
One step above Red Lobster. very limited menu and children's menu only had four sellection. The atmosphere was loud and crowded. The view on the Marnia was nothing special.
I had the twin lobster tails they were a little better then Red Lobster but were small and frozen. The steamed veggies were good but the rice was bland and without flavor. My Mother had the Shrimp and Penne Pasta, they sause was good and the shrimp was good size but the pasta was over cooked. My sister had Seared Salmon "Shank" which was a little on the dry side. My nephew had Macaroni and Cheese and I sampled a little. It tasted more like butter then cheese and was rather gross. Not sure what my son had but he wasn't happy and ended up eating more off everyone else plate.
June 13th Lunch - Liberty Inn - World Showcase in Epcot
Basic counter service cafeteria but air conditioned. The staff is dressed 1700 style clothing.
I had the Caesar Chicken Salad which was good. Can't remember what my sis and mother had but they were happy. My son and Nephew had the Chicken Nuggets nothing special.
We had planned on eating at the TANGIERINE CAFE but when my son found out it was standard children menu we headed else where. This was something we ran into at just about ever restaurant. Why there can't put on ethnic item on each children's menu is beyond me. Not every kid wants mac and cheese 7 days a week.
June 13th diner - California Grill at the Comtemporary Resort
This is our second time at California Grill that we set our reservations to see the "Wishes" fire works. This is by far the best restaurant at Disney. Great atmospher, great service and food to equal any fine dining you will find. I understand that it is a signature meal and cost double but it's well worth it. I've seen just about every view of the fireworks at MK and this is by far the best. Do yourself a favor and pay for a counter service meal for diner one night.
Got there a little late but were seated within a few minutes, just in time to see the fire works. I can't remember our servers name but she was top shelf.
We started off with Triple Cheese, Pecorino, Asiago, Provolone Flatbread. Just the right balance of Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil Pesto to set off the cheese. Also the bread was great with olive oil.
I had the Seared veal loin which was cooked prefectly. By far the best cut of meat I had the whole trip and the Potato Galette was amazing. My sis had the Scottish Salmon Fillet and was going on and on about how good it was for the next 3 days. My mom had the Brioche Crusted Halibut and didn't even think it was too spicy. My Nephew had a flatbread Cheese pizza that was gone in a flash and my son had the Oak-fired Filet of Beef which made him very happy. Yes that's right it's one of the few restaurants that didn't offer a children's menu that only offered mac and cheese, hotdogs and P and Js.
June 14th - Sifi Dinner at Studio
Ok this was a long day. It was Star Wars Weekend and my son and I had been there since rope drop but this was my least favorite experience of the whole trip. The server was great, up beat and prefect for the vibe of the place but the rest really killed it for me.
We showed up 20 minutes before our reservation to be told they were running 60 minutes behind. Never have encountered this anywhere else on Disney. The thing that really added to my anger is the fact they were still taking walk-ins.
Started with Spinach and Artichoke Dip which was good but nothing special. I and my sis had Smoked Baby Back Ribs which were ok at best. Mom went with the Shrimp Penne Pasta which she said wasn't as good as the Shrimp and Penne Pasta from Capt'n Jacks and the kids once again had a limited menu and both ended up with the pizza. Neither seemed happy about it. Mother raved about the Warm Apple & Pecan Crisp.
Overall the Drive-In theme is fun for about the first 20 minutes but it wears off and then all you are left with is ok food and good service. I would suggest skipping this place and going with Brown Dreby or Prime Time Dinner. Both are more entertaining with better food.
June 15th Lunch at Yakitori House at Epcot Japan World Showcase
My son really wanted to try Japanese food. Something to do with a Pokemon game he plays but Noodles sounded good.
I had the Kaki-Age Udon which was as good as I remembered it being. My son had the Teriyaki Chicken but ended up scaming about half my Udon. They really should add it to the childrens Menu. Everyone else had the Teriyaki Chicken and were really happy. The Ginger Cake was great.
June 15th diner at Kona Cafe at the POLYNESIAN
Atmospher is great, it is a bit open to the lobby which makes it a little noisy but overall really nice. Our server was on it, attentive and I never had to ask for a refill once. It was a great expierence.
I had Filet Mignon which was right as it should be. Though the veal from California Grill was a little better. Mom had Shrimp and Scallops whaich was great. My sis had Tuna Oscar which she said was the best fish she had on the trip. My son had mai mai Which he was very excited about. This was one of the few that didn't have the standard children's menu.
June 16th Flame Tree BBQ At Animal Kingdom
This is one of my favorite counter service restaurants. The food is great but it's outside seating.
The adults all had the Smoked 1/2 Chicken which was tender and moist. BBQ with a dry rub and not heavy on the sause. The kids had the Baked Chicken Wings and were both happy. Though my son wanted ribs. They should add more sellection other then two. The Keylime Pie was good too.
June 16th at Tusker House at Animal Kingdom
I've never had agood experience with buffet at Disney World, this one was a little better but you really got the vibe that they were more interested in clearing the table to giving good service. It took 1/2 an hour to get my second glass of Ice Tea. The tables are piled one on top of the other and there is little if no elbow room.
The Carved Top Sirloin Roast and Pork Loin was good but a little on the tough and dry side. Rotisserie Chicken was good. Some of the side dishes were really interesting but nothing special. It is nice to have a sit down resturant in Animal Kingdom but it wasn't that great.
June 17th Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe In Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
The place is Air Condictioned but the robot singing thing was boring. Even the kids found it a bit sad.
The best meal is the 1/2 Chicken and BBQ Rib Combination. Lots of food for a counter service meal. Tender and moist just like it should be. My sis like the fixing bar. The only thing is that they only offer the standard Children's Menu which seems to be offered at all Magic Kingdom Counter Service restaurants.
June 17th Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom
Best fried fish I've had in a long time. Though same Children's menu as every other restaurant in MK. It is Air Condictioned and plenty of room.
One suggestion from a past trip go to Coral Reef. Great atmospher, service and food. Which we would have had time to go back this time around.
