Dinner with a Show?

[nurseberta]

Taking my teen/young adults on a trip and they haven't been since they were 3, 4, and 7.
Can anyone tell me what restaurant have more of a show? character dining, music, or dancing? probably won't need a character experience but would like to get an experience out of dinner. I know sci-fi is a good idea. not sure what other places in the world have something different.

also, are they bringing back PPO breakfast buffets?? I loved getting into the parks early

 

[Shula]

It's not a show but my kids (then preteen and teens) loved 50's Prime Time at HS. They still talk about their first visit. We had a great server and we all laughed so much.

 

[nurseberta]

It's not a show but my kids (then preteen and teens) loved 50's Prime Time at HS. They still talk about their first visit. We had a great server and we all laughed so much.

thabks this is what I’m looking for. Different than Sci Fi I’m guessing. What isthe experience like?

 

[BrianL]

I would also recommend Prime Time or Skipper Canteen at MK. Both of them have waiters that do some "schtick" - at Prime Time they act like family and are very old fashioned and will berate you for not finishing your vegetables or something. At Skipper Canteen you get corny jokes like on the ride, but it can be hit of miss. We had a great time at Whispering Canyon, where it is similar too. They aren't really "shows" per se, but they will play along more if you do.

 

[Geomom]

The actual show dinners haven't come back...luau and hoop Dee Doo.

For some show elements:

• Teppan edo in Japan is a hibachi restaurant, so you get a bit of a show while the chef cooks.
• Whispering Canyon at wilderness lodge is supposed to have some antics with the server
• 50s prime time cafe at HS has the servers treating you like family..."don't put your elbow on the table, eat your veggies, etc."
• Skipper canteen at Magic kingdom--jungle skipper type puns

Character meals for older kids

• Garden Grill at Epcot has Chip, Dale, Farmer Mickey, Pluto. Currently they walk around the upper level and you can get pics of them standing above your family. The restaurant rotates above the Land ride.
• Be our guest at magic kingdom--only slightly a character meal...the beast walks thru all the rooms and bows. The dark and moody (thunder sounds) west wing has the magical rose, ballroom is straight out of beauty and the beast with snow falling outside the window, and then the third room is just blah to me. Fixed price 3 course meal, filet mignon is yummy!
• Tusker house at animal kingdom-- we did breakfast there in August. Characters come into middle of room and do some fun poses/dancing. Had safari Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Mickey.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Biergarten has a band that performs. There are a few places at Disney Springs that have live music as well. House of Blues and Raglan Road are a couple.

 

[Shula]

Above posters answered it pretty well. Your server could be your aunt, grandma, uncle, etc. The gist is an old 50's home with rules that have to be followed. The more you play along with them the more fun you will have. My dad likes to tattle on one of us which gets him in trouble. Someone might be put in corner or spoon fed, things like that. Never know what will happen. My tip would be when you check in to let them know it's your first time and would love a fun server. Food is good too! My youngest loves the pbj shake and he's 20 now.

 

[Shula]

Skipper Canteen is also fun, but I'm a picky eater so the food didn't interest me. If none of you are picky I would agree with that too. I'm glad I went tho just bc it was fun.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

thabks this is what I’m looking for. Different than Sci Fi I’m guessing. What isthe experience like?

It REALLY depends on your server. We had some servers that did not get into the role much Hoop Dee Doo is an actual show, if/when it comes back and is fun, but it's at FW.

 

[nurseberta]

Biergarten has a band that performs. There are a few places at Disney Springs that have live music as well. House of Blues and Raglan Road are a couple.

that’s great, I forgot about Raglan Road. That sound like a fun idea

 

[Disneypapa]

My favorites are Hoop De Do, Whispering Canyon and Ragland Road

 

[JCornell]

I know you mentioned Sci-Fi which we enjoy and try to go to every other trip or so. As others have said, in terms of actual show: Raglan Road and Biergarten are great and they have a pub feel but make it fun for all ages. There's some fun interaction at 50s Prime Time, Skipper Canteen, and Whispering Canyon Cafe. We also haven't been back to Rainforest Cafe in many years (or T-Rex ever) but they can be a cool experience for someone who's never been. Sanaa and Boma are cool if you like having wild animals outside that can even come by your window. I might also consider the Coca-Cola store patio on the third floor in Disney Springs. You can get adult beverages and also get a huge selection of tasting samples of sodas from around the world to try together. Not a meal but a nice break with a cool view of the Springs from above.

Like others have mentioned be careful on the interaction ones. It's highly dependent on your server and somewhat on you and how your party interacts and they've been doing a little bit less lately as they slowly open things up more.

 

[Jennasis]

Biergarten. Hands down. Followed by Raglan Road.

 

[ChanaC]

The above answers are great. If you are looking for quick service places that have a little "something", Cosmic Ray's at Magic Kingdom has Sonny Eclipse, which is an animatronic alien who sings as people eat. Pinocchio's at Magic Kingdom also has some tables by a large window that looks into It's A Small World where you can watch people get on the boats. Neither is super exciting, and neither rates high in terms of food (both do pretty generic theme park stuff like burgers, sandwiches, and flat bread pizza) but they still have a fun atmosphere.

Ohana used to have a woman who would play a ukulele and so some games during dinner, but it was geared mostly for younger kids. And all of the character dining seemed to have some kind of extra "entertainment" component. For example, at Chef Mickey's like every half an hour they would have a song come over the restaurant and would encourage everyone to wave their napkins in the air while the characters danced around. I know at 1900 Park Fair when they had dinner with Cinderella they would have Cinderella and the Prince stop and waltz in the restaurant, than dance with some of the kids. I'm not sure if any of that has returned since the pandemic.