Dinner suggestions?

[jbjb93]

We are going in late September. My DH, 5 yo DD, and almost 3 yo DS. First family trip. Any dinner suggestions? I was thinking buffets for 1) choice of food for kids and 2) to not pay for DS. We will be eating the normal grilled cheese/burgers/pizza for lunch at the parks. While my DS won't eat much else (except spaghetti and mac/cheese) my DH and I will want more 'normal' food (vs fastfood).
I planned to do Fantasmic dinner package 1 night with Mamma Melrose's and San Angelo another night. That leaves 3 more dinners. I also thought of doing a character dinner the night we arrive. And maybe a seafood since we are in FL?
Would love your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[catwho]

What about a character buffet at MK? Maybe Crystal Palace? This is great especially if your kids love Pooh. Plus it is one price. Wouldn't be that spendy of a meal either. The characters really make the rounds and pose for pictures. Call now to get your PS and maybe plan on an early dinner so that your kids are dragging too much when they get to see the characters.

Our family has found though that some days we don't want a big meal at dinner and will make lunch our bigger meal (and eat when the crowds are off doing other things) then pick up a light snack in Morocco or China. Last trip we sat under blooming orange trees in Morocco and ate fruit and lychee while watching Tapestry of Nations. Of course we went in the off-season and our view wasn't impeded at all. We had the breeze blowing off the lake and the scent of the orange trees. The cool fruit and the wonderful music and sites of the parade and we thought we were in heaven.

 

[catwho]

Uh, that should have been "so your kids are NOT dragging too much" Hope you realized that

 

[kecall]

My favorites are Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys! The food is very good (wide variety too!), they have a kid's buffet (with everything a kid could ever want!!) and the price is not outrageous....You can't go wrong with either of them! (And having the characters visit your kids is an extra bonus!)

 

[janiejo]

We enjoy the dinner at O'Hana's at the Polynesian. It is steak, chicken, shrimp, and pork skewers and it is all you can eat. I would think your son would not even have to pay as a 3 yr. old. When my kids were that age, they would take the bite size portions of the chicken or steak and make a meal of that. There are other things to eat as well, including pineapple dipped in hot caramel sauce that is awesome! They also have a "show" and ask the children to come out and participate. I think you would have a great time and you and your husband would certainly love the food!

 

[rugrat]

We are taking our dd 3 and dd 5 on their first trip to WDW next month. Do I have to pay for the 3yo meals? Does it make a difference if it's sit down or buffet? Thanks for any info!

 

[MNT568]

I love the character dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern in MK. The characters (Minnie, Chip & Dale, and Pluto) are great and the food is pretty good, too. It is served family style, potatoes, veggies, ham, chicken and steak (and Mac & cheese for the little ones). It is a great break from the park "fast food".

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

If you're looking for seafood, try the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club. They offer a wonderful clam bake (buffet) each evening--chowder, clams, mussels, baked fish, corn on the cob, etc. They also have a kid's buffet. Very Good!

 

[GoneGoofy]

For breakfast he loves Donald's Restaurantosaurus (AK) and Chef Mickey's (contemporary), for lunch any of the Rainforest Cafe and Hollywood & Vine (MGM), for dinner Liberty Tree Tavern (MK) and O'Hanas (PO).

 

[honeymom]

I just went with DD - age 5 and DS - 2 and 1/2, just like you!

Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace were probably the favorites. They also liked San Angel Inn a lot and just eating at our hotel (POFQ) foodcourt was actually a hit.

 

[jbjb93]

Thanks for all the replys! I think we'll go with Chef Mickeys when we arrive and then do Crystal Palace before we go. Love all the tips! Thank you!

 

[michie family]

My kids loved Garden Grille the best. 1) it moves. 2) it's lower key than many character meals so the charcters spent a lot of time at our table and revisted twice. Great way to be able to guarantee to kids that they'll get to meet Mickey.

 

[jwfla422]

I also agree with Garden Grille. We took our 2 1/2 yr old there in June and we'll be returning in September also. That was her first character meal and she really enjoyed it. It's an "all you can eat" family style meal, so you don't have to keep getting up to go to a buffet.

Sometimes it is difficult to do this with our dd, she wants to get up too. The food was very good. Our dd is a limited eater too, only likes chicken fingers, they had those and mac n cheese. This is a good charater meal if your little ones have not yet met any characters. Since it is not as "crazy" as the buffets and more relaxed the children may not be as skiddish with the characters. My dd is slow to warm up to a lot of people so I was concerned that she may not be comfortable with the characters. She loved Mickey, Chip n Dale, she wasn't crazy about Pluto because he tried to kiss her.

I recommend GG for lunch or dinner. Also, we have had good experiences with Cape May Cafe, but that is buffet style so you do have to get up. (it's a little more work and not quite as relaxing). There are many items to choose from for dinner. I like the variety and the desssert bar is just wonderful!