Disney Dining - places not to miss!

[WedWayPilot]

Sci-Fi
Via Napoli
Geyser Point
Sleepy hollow
Satuli Canteen
Yak and Yeti
Garden Grill

 

[Dee McGee]

Is sleepy Hollow on the list of DDP restaurants?

 

[JessicaW1234]

For the experience of the Fab Five characters, Chef Mickeys

Be Our Guest PPO breakfast or lunch

We also like Teppan Edo in Epcot

 

[crabbygal902]

‘Ohana: grilled meats, delicious wontons and dessert. Fun atmosphere, entertainment during dinner.

Biergarten: good buffet meal with lots of meat and potato-type options, great beer, fun atmosphere, live entertainment.

California Grill: best view at WDW, upscale food, fabulous wine list.

Sci-Fi Dine-In: perhaps the most unique restaurant on property (diners eat in “cars” or at picnic tables like at a drive-in movie), good burgers/fries/shakes.

Chef Mickey’s: Dine with the Fab 5 coming around to your tables to visit with you, great Parmesan potatoes on the dinner buffet, wonderful atmosphere with the monorail whizzing by. It doesn’t get more Disney than this.

Sanaa: that bread service—amazing!, book a meal during daylight hours to see the animals on the savannah.

 

[pickers1982]

we visit every few years from the uk and these are the restaurants we will be returning to this year

beaches and cream (for the theming)
jiko (our must do)
la hacienda
via napoli
trattoria al forno
trppan edo (great all round experience)

looking forward to trying for the first time

ohana
skippers canteen
yak and yeti

will also go back to be our guest although on my one previous visit i really didnt get the fuss

 

[Spencer Wright]

I would highly recommend Ohana and Boma.

Boma is a wonderful buffet in the AKL and there is great animal viewing areas available right off of the main lobby.

Whispering Canyon in the Wilderness Lodge is also great for big eaters.

 

[Colleen27]

A few of my teens' favorites:

Ohana dinner at the Polynesian. All-you-can-eat meat on skewers, and bread pudding that is to die for.

Yak & Yeti at Animal Kingdom. Asian-inspired food, good portions.

50s Prime Time at Studios. American comfort food, in-character wait staff that make you set the table and nag about eating your veggies. Great milkshakes.

Sci-fi at Studios. Wings and burgers style bar food, crazy fun atmosphere where you sit in "cars" and watch B-movie trailers "under the stars".

Raglan Road at Disney Springs. Excellent Irish food, live music and Irish dancers in the evenings.

California Grill at the Contemporary. Incredible and uniquely Disney views, excellent sushi, wonderful service. We're trying brunch for the first time this trip after years of dinner being a must-do.

Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge. African-inspired dishes, beautiful setting, good excuse to explore the Lodge.

Something else to think about - depending on how long you're going to be on property at WDW, if you're able to get free dining you may want to consider upgrading to the deluxe plan to be able to focus mainly on sit-down meals rather than being tied to having quick service for half your credits. The DxDDP in a nutshell is three dining credits, per person, per night, but since signature restaurants like California Grill and Jiko take two credits that doesn't necessarily mean three meals per day; we generally use it for either breakfast OR lunch and a signature dinner most days. During free dining you only pay the upgrade cost between the two plans so it is far more affordable then than it is at full price. It also gives you appetizers that aren't included on the basic plan. The downside of the plan is that you do spend more time dining, which can cut into park time on a shorter trip or if you're very go-go-go but can also be nice if you use meals as a break in the parks and prefer being waited on over getting your own food at quick service locations.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We really liked nine dragons in Epcot and beaches and cream at the beach club resort.

Those are 2 of our faves also. And DH has been to China many times, so his hopes were high (but based on reviews we'd read, our expectations were low). Also enjoy Sanaa, Boma's breakfast buffet, and the Grand Floridian Cafe. However, not sure if your teens would enjoy GFC-it's kind of frilly.

 

[pplmover4]

We are staying at all star movies, and have reserved trattoria at the beach club. Only using busses as transportation, how would we get there?

 

[dedesmith32]

Thank you all so much - this has been so helpful for me as I start planning! I appreciate it so much! Keep suggestions coming - this is amazing!

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

A lot of mine are the same but I’ll give you my list

Ohana
1900 PF
Sci Fi
Chef Mickey (we were there for breakfast and I really enjoyed it)
Boma
Liberty Tree Tavern
Tusker House
Tutto Italia
Akershus

 

[Lola10]

I would definitely say you should look at Ohana and Boma, they are ones that stood out for me on my first visit as tasty and memorable (with an added bonus of being buffet/all you can eat!).
I also think that all the many snacks and treats which are all over WDW added to the Disney magic, particularly everything in Goofy Treats, but I do have a massive sweet tooth

 

[Haley R]

Those are 2 of our faves also. And DH has been to China many times, so his hopes were high (but based on reviews we'd read, our expectations were low). Also enjoy Sanaa, Boma's breakfast buffet, and the Grand Floridian Cafe. However, not sure if your teens would enjoy GFC-it's kind of frilly.

We heard terrible things about nine dragons but were pleasantly surprised!

 

[clutter]

I'm planning dd's and my return trip - her first after turning 21!

But we've got such a long list of favorites - not enough time/money. However, for you - more theming, hearty food my suggestions:

50s Prime Time (we like Sci Fi, but LOVE 50s. My dream retirement job is to be a hostess there)
Crystal Palace - because it's Pooh
Yak and Yeti - because it's so good. The appetizers/sides are to die for - the green beans
Coral Reef - atmosphere
Boma - just so cool in so many ways. (Or Sanaa - you can't go wrong, but you need to go to one of the AKL/AKV properties)
Whispering Canyon - is it still as fun as it used to be?
O'hana - we preferred the breakfast, didn't really love the dinner. plus - Mickey!


And don't forget a visit to Winter/Summerland mini golf.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[tannerandcatesmom]

First and only trip? Definitely California Grill, dinner during fireworks is truly magical! The servers are quite skilled at serving your courses around viewing on the outdoor balcony. If you prefer brunch you can save your receipt and come back prior to the show to go up and view as well.

My very picky 16 year old must eat at Liberty Tree Tavern in MK for dinner every visit, all you can eat Thanksgiving! O’Hana is another favorite. We always have breakfast at Kona Cafe on our last morning. We never miss Sunshine Seasons, the QS in the Land Pavillion in Epcot. Our 14 year old daughter loves 1900 Park Fare’s Cinderella dinner at GF. Not too “princessy” and your boys might enjoy the hysterical interaction with Lady Tremaine and the step sisters, Prince Charming and Cinderella are there too.

Other than CG, my hubby and I loved Citricos at GF for dinner! Enjoy!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Is lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern strictly order off the menu or is the buffet an option?

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Must Do:
Liberty Tree (but lately it's been the Skipper Canteen - we love it!)
Boma
Coral Reef
1900 Park Fare
Trattoria al Forno breakfast (very good plus characters)
Garden Grill

 

[North of Mouse]

Our favorites are not in the parks, but at the resorts. Do you like crab legs, clams, or seafood in general? Our favorite is in Beach Club - Cape May Clambake. It is a buffet with great seafood dishes, clam chowder, salads, plus lots of other foods that aren't seafood - something for everybody.

'Ohana at the Polynesian - a great feast, family style.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

Is lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern strictly order off the menu or is the buffet an option?

There’s the pilgrim platter (I think that’s what it’s called) which is the lunch version of dinner.

 

[ariane37]

We are staying at all star movies, and have reserved trattoria at the beach club. Only using busses as transportation, how would we get there?

If you HAVE to use the busses, your best bet is a bus from sports to HS, then walk or boat to the BW. However if your reservation is for breakfast and it's early you may want to consider taking a taxi or Uber