Dinner with a toddler, at or around Epcot

[Cakesy]

I think we might want to do a table service dinner when at Epcot this April. We will have a 2 1/2 year old with us, so need somewhere fairly low key. We're doing character lunch at MK, so I'd rather not pay for another one of those (we're on a bit of a budget). We're staying off property and driving to Epcot, I'd be willing to leave the park though if y'all recommend it. I would probably rather not though.
Any suggestions?
Should we stick with counter service, given the toddler and whatnot?

 

[Cakesy]

Is Biergarten maybe a good idea?

 

[PSULion]

My toddler loved the oompah music (almost as much as the pretzels) at the Biergarten.

 

[Cakesy]

It's a bit expensive (though, she'd be free) and I don't really care for that kind of food. But my DH does, and I think DD would like the entertainment. Is there anywhere else that's so kid friendly at dinner time?

 

[Fabooliss]

We took our 2 1/2 year old to the Coral Reef, and Marakesh. He loved both of them. We also found that the counter service at Sunshine Seasons was very good... much better than most.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

It is a character meal, but we always have a good time at the Garden Grill in the Land, and it's very toddler friendly. The restaurant rotates, so there's always something new to see, and the characters are quite playful. The food is family style, which also is usually good for little ones.

I think all the table service places in Epcot are going to run you some significant cash. Biergarten might be the best in terms of what you get for your money.

Another option is to do a family counter-service-meet-in-the-middle. We do this sometimes around World Showcase: each person will get what they like best from one of the countries' counter service places, and then we'll meet at a table somewhere in the middle to eat together. This gives the more adventurous people and the picky eaters a chance to all get what they'd like.

 

[adtillma1]

I'd second either Biergarten or the Garden Grill. My 2.5 year old loved both of them. What surprized me was that my kiddo also liked Tangerine Cafe and it was a counter service.

 

[Cakesy]

Thanks for the input. What I'm most concerned about is her being cranky around dinner time, so I need something either low key or entertaining or cheap enough that I don't care. Having stuff going on is part of the reason I thought she'd like Biergarten. I've read mixed reviews of coral reef. She'd probably like it if we could sit right by the aquarium. Can you do that?

 

[Fabooliss]

We made sure our ADR was earlier than we normally eat (5pm, rest were 5:30) and then asked to sit by the tank... it was only about a 10 minute wait...shorter than some times that we didn't have a special request!

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks for the input. What I'm most concerned about is her being cranky around dinner time, so I need something either low key or entertaining or cheap enough that I don't care. Having stuff going on is part of the reason I thought she'd like Biergarten. I've read mixed reviews of coral reef. She'd probably like it if we could sit right by the aquarium. Can you do that?

A table by the tank is not guaranteed. When we went, service was impossibly slow there and we sat as far away from the tanks as you can get. All I heard from my DS 2.5 was how he couldn't see the fishies. Conversely, he LOVED Biergarten. He tends to do better at buffets as the food is instantly ready. It is a fairly loud place with entertainment. He loved dancing with his sister. I would vote Biergarten over Coral Reef.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

A table by the tank is not guaranteed. When we went, service was impossibly slow there and we sat as far away from the tanks as you can get. All I heard from my DS 2.5 was how he couldn't see the fishies. Conversely, he LOVED Biergarten. He tends to do better at buffets as the food is instantly ready. It is a fairly loud place with entertainment. He loved dancing with his sister. I would vote Biergarten over Coral Reef.

Ditto. My three year old liked both but Biergarten was the winner for our kids, hands down.

 

[Cakesy]

I was just reading that the entertainment at biergarten is only like 20minutes. Did you feel shortchanged?

 

[gigi1313]

i would avoid coral reef... it was the lonnnnnggggggggggestttttttt meal of our last three trips... and not "good/long" just longgggggg!

my toddler (2.5yo also) loves and has loved for about a year the teppan style restaurants... ergo teppan edo would likely be a perfect choice!! we've been there a few times w/ds and it's always been a success... the restaurant is quiet, but the chef is entertaining, and when ds was sleeping one time, they allowed me to bring the stroller in

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I was just reading that the entertainment at biergarten is only like 20minutes. Did you feel shortchanged?

We actually saw the show three times. When we got there, the show was just starting. So we got up and got food while the kids danced. Then, the kids ate between sets. As they were finishing up, the band came out again and the kids danced some more. We watched the band and then, when the set was done, we got dessert. As we were getting ready to leave, the band came out AGAIN and my kids made a beeline for the dance floor and danced some more. Plan your ADR so that your kids will have eaten *before* the band comes out or plan on a really long meal (we weren't rushed) because your DD probably won't want to eat with the band playing. You can see the band schedule on Steve Soares' prodigy page.

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks for the input. What I'm most concerned about is her being cranky around dinner time, so I need something either low key or entertaining or cheap enough that I don't care. Having stuff going on is part of the reason I thought she'd like Biergarten. I've read mixed reviews of coral reef. She'd probably like it if we could sit right by the aquarium. Can you do that?

I know you mentioned that you already have a character meal scheduled, but our three boys love Garden Grill and we've always found that to be the best Epcot restaurant for toddlers. I know what you mean about crankiness during dinner time, and I wish I had a definite answer for that. In our experience with each of the boys as toddlers, it was best to have an ADR for something around 5:30 or 6pm. At least we know we'll have somewhere to sit and eat, and we don't have to worry about juggling trays or long lines at a CS location.

Back to Garden Grill - our boys have always been very entertained there from baby age to pre-teenage. Kids under three eat free, so that helps a bit with the cost. (It's the same price as Biergarten, but has Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale and rotating scenes from the land instead of the German band, so GG appeals to our kids more.) The characters come around frequently and the restaurant rotates, so there is always something to see. In all our many visits to Garden Grill with one, two and now three boys, we've only had a crabby little one once. The lower level booths worked well for that - he was able to lay down in my lap while we enjoyed our yummy dinner and Mickey and company greeted his older brothers.

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Any Epcot restaurant should be ok with a toddler. We do love the Coral Reef, San Angle Inn is a fun place for toddlers as well. I would pick the food and budget you like and she will be fine. Also remember that the monorail resort restaurants are a choice. Take monorail from Epcot to them! You have to transfer but it is quick and easy. We love Ohana's at the Polly. Lots of choices at these too.

 

[LoveKermit]

And we took our 20 month old to Flying Fish It was DH's birthday dinner request. We've been dragging her to restaurants since day 1 (okay, more like day 30), but she is pretty good--especially at Disney.

While it's expensive, I may not necessarily be recommending it, but I'd say go with your gut. We avoid Biergarten because a buffet for dinner is not appealing to us and there is such thing as one-too-many character meals. We've started to choose also based on what we want.

I agree with the poster that says to aim for earlier than you might be used to. We also tend to show up about 20 minutes before our time, mostly because we are just plain hungry. But an earlier ADR isn't bad advice either.

I've heard good things about the new pizza place in Italy as well.

 

[Rachie0507]

We are bringing our 2 yo to both Biergarten and Teppan Edo next week. We're hoping it works out well! She is a bit of a cranky little thing, but she also has a big brother and big sister that keep her entertained. I felt the theming and food choices were good for her (and the rest of us!).

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

I second the "go with your gut" response.n If your little one is used to dining out then almost anywhere will be just fine. Also it's your vacation too - so look at the menus and see what you would like to eat. Pick your top 3 or so and then think which ones would be best for your little one.
That being said last yaer we took DD 2.5 and had great experiences at both Nine Dragons and Chefs de France. I know Nine Dragons is not the best food - but we had the best CM waitress who made DD toddler chopsticks and gave her a lesson and her own Big girl bowl of rice. She loved it! Our CM's at chefs also paid a lot of attention to her. We did order her a kids meal... but she loved her burger and fries and ate really well ... so we got to enjoy ourselves for an hour.
Budget wise - Sunshine Seasons is best - but you need to decide if you want that!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

chefs de france is great if you go before 5:30 to see Remy! the kids food is good there as well!