Dinner on MK day... where to go??

[maximom]

Long story short, Dh's Best friend is a pilot with his own plane and is generously flying us to WDW. He's gonna kick back at the hotel all week (even rented his own car so he won't "be in our way") but suggested that we get together for dinner each evening to share our day. That sounds great to me and I'm just trying to figure out how to plan it.

Our other park days are figured out but there are so many things I want to do at MK, I had planned on staying at the park from open til close. Since our friend doesn't plan on doing the parks with us we will need to meet him outside perhaps at a resort for a meal. I had thought about going to Trails end at Fort Wilderness. Does this sound like a good idea. It's hard for me to figure out all the maps but thought it looked like a good place for us to meet for an early dinner then we will be close enough to go back to MK for the evening.

BTW, we are staying at Cypress Pointe Resort if that helps. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

If you want to return to the MK after dinner, I would suggest dinner at one of the resorts on the monorail. That would be the quickest way in and out.

Your choices would be at the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Contempory. My favorite at all of these is Calif Grille, but alot of folks like 'Ohana and Chef Mickey's.

You can take the boat and dine at the Wilderness Lodge, also. But I think using the monorail will be quickest.

 

[Junebugwv]

I like your idea about going to Trail's End at Fort Wilderness. The boat ride would be refreshing for you that time of day. What do you think your friend would enjoy?

 

[maximom]

I thought DS 5 would enjoy the boat ride and it would be an extra break in the day. Our friend is just one of those versatile people that enjoys most everything. He is quite worldly so he appreciates the finer things in life but he is also down to earth and enjoys simplicity as well. I thought this might be a perfect fit for that day. Another day we are going to do something nicer for dinner and letting him choose.

 

[Selket]

I've not eaten there but I think Whispering Canyon sounds like fun - you still get to ride the boat and supposedly the antics at the restaurant are fun and unique and you get to see the beautiful Wilderness Lodge. Perhaps another night O'Hana's would be fun or Chef Mickey's if you want a character meal.

Have fun!

 

[2tinksmom]

Whispering Canyon is a lot of fun. We plan on eating there during our November trip. I thought the boat ride from MK seemed quicker than the monorail...you don't walk as far and there is usually less people in line waiting to get on.
Michele

 

[ugadog99]

Since you are staying offsite, I vote for Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge. Your son will still get a boat ride and the atmosphere at the restaurant is so much fun. For your friend, driving to and parking at WL will be easier than at Ft. Wilderness. At FTW he will have to park at the outpost and take an internal bus to the settlement. No big deal, but at WL you just park and walk in.

 

[HopperFan]

I think going to the WL for dinner is going to be a much nicer experience and SO MUCH easier for your friend to meet you.

Parking at the FW entrance, taking the bus to the opposite end of the campground for dinner will be a total drag for him.

WL is beautiful and worth the visit as well as the nice dinner ! Your son will get his boat ride and he will probably love the "big log cabin", fun dinner, creek coming out of the lobby into the pool and maybe even see the geyser shoot up !

 

[maximom]

I had thought about WCC and it does sound like a better fit, but I have some questions.

WCC is somewhat pricey for "country style" foods, is it worth it?

I looked on Deb's menu pages and can't figure out for the life of me what kind of regular beverages are available. It looks like only specialty drinks and coffee. Can we get tea and soda?

Again, thanks for the help. I probably should have posted this on the Restaurant board.

 

[ugadog99]

Yes, you can get tea and cokes (soda) at WCC. We ate dinner there in June. The food is very good and the atmosphere is wonderful. We are also big fans of FTW and Trail's End. You can't go wrong at either restaurant. I just think that it would be easier for your friend to meet at WL than at FTW.

 

[swilphil]

WCC is fun. We just ate there. Other fun options for your son would be Ohana's (more expensive) and Chef Mickey's.

 

[2ndstar to the right]

We have tried WCC three times but sadly will not be going back anytime soon. While we love the atmosphere and the view around the hotel, the food is not worth the money you spend to eat there. The meats have always been dry and overcooked. Just not a tasty meal at all.
FortWilderness Buffet is a MUCH better deal. The price is very reasonable (the cheapest buffet on Disney property) and the food quality is excellent! Never had to wait for a table, the staff is very attentive and the fried chicken is the best I've ever had.
We give this place an A+. Your friend could always park at the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary and take the monorail over to the MK and meet you there so you could all enjoy the boat ride over together!
Our other favorite is 1900 Park Fair at the GF. The food quality at this buffet is outstanding. They have a very large variety of entrees, a fresh pasta station, excellent side dishes (love the cold Strawberry Soup!) and very tasty desserts. It's more expensive than the Fort Wilderness buffet, but worth the extra money.
Ohana's is tasty but the variety is limited and Chef Mickey's is just too noisy and busy for a nice quiet dinner.
Just my frequent flyer 2 cents...

 

[maximom]

Originally posted by 2ndstar to the right
We have tried WCC three times but sadly will not be going back anytime soon. While we love the atmosphere and the view around the hotel, the food is not worth the money you spend to eat there. The meats have always been dry and overcooked. Just not a tasty meal at all.
FortWilderness Buffet is a MUCH better deal. The price is very reasonable (the cheapest buffet on Disney property) and the food quality is excellent! Never had to wait for a table, the staff is very attentive and the fried chicken is the best I've ever had.
We give this place an A+. Your friend could always park at the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary and take the monorail over to the MK and meet you there so you could all enjoy the boat ride over together!
Our other favorite is 1900 Park Fair at the GF. The food quality at this buffet is outstanding. They have a very large variety of entrees, a fresh pasta station, excellent side dishes (love the cold Strawberry Soup!) and very tasty desserts. It's more expensive than the Fort Wilderness buffet, but worth the extra money.
Ohana's is tasty but the variety is limited and Chef Mickey's is just too noisy and busy for a nice quiet dinner.
Just my frequent flyer 2 cents...

Your 2 cents is much appreciated and this is what I'm afraid of as DH is kinda picky which is why I've shy'ed away from making many PS for Disney meals. Don't mind paying a little extra but if we get just "so so" food DH probably won't be thrilled. As for your suggestion about our friend, would he have any trouble with riding the monorail and boat since he doesn't have a park ticket?

Thanks

 

[2ndstar to the right]

Your friend should have no problem at all. When he is driving to the MK resorts area, he will have to go through the guard booths where you are charged for parking. Tell him to stay to the booths on the right and he will tell them that he is meeting friends at the Contemporary for dinner. (there will be no charge for the parking). There is a seperate road off to the right that will lead to the MK resort area. The best place to park would be either the contemporary or the Grand Floridian. Here again he just needs to tell them that he is meeting friends for dinner and they will let him park. They do not ask for park passes or room cards. Don't forget that many locals frequent the California Grill at the Contemporary, so there is no problem parking there.
If you decide to try 1900 Park Fare for dinner, he should just park at the Grand Floridian.
If you decide on the Fort Wilderness place, the best parking spot would be the Contemporary. He can either take the monorail from the contemporary to the MK (he has to go inside the hotel to catch it) or he could actually walk to the MK from there, it's just a stones throw away. (accross the street!)
They will not ask for any passes or any room cards to ride the monorail or the boat to Fort Wilderness. People use these monorails to get to and from the TTC and they are not all staying on site. Folks use the boats to get to FW for dinner, it's not a problem.
Anyway, as far as the food goes, if you are looking for good food at a very decent price go with the FW buffet. If you're willing to spend a bit more, we think the food at 1900 Park Fare is outstanding. Dinner there is also a character meal with the Princess and prince charming and the little mice and the fairy godmother.
If you're not into buffets, there are other restaurants in the MK hotels that offer a more traditional type of menu. The Concourse steakhouse at the contemporary and the kona cafe at the polynesian have gotten good reviews in the books I've read.

 

[disneyfanintn]

We ate at the Trails End Buffeteria on our trip in June, it was one of the best dinners. I would definately recommend Trails End.

Also, Whispering Canyon is another good choice.

 

[maximom]

Okay scenario.... if our friend who doesn't have a ticket, parks at GF or Contempory then takes the Monorail and meets us at MK we all ride the boat to FW eat at Trails End then take the boat back to MK is it possible that we could time it right and catch the fireworks while we are on the boat returning from FW????

Keep in mind that I've never been to WDW so I'm pretty green about exactly where things are so just let me know if this would be possible. If so it would be a great thing to try and work out so we could all share it!

Thanks