Disney dinner experience

[samandryanmom]

We're going to be in Daytona next week (the 4th to the 10th). On the 6th, my husband and son and my cousin's husband and son are going to the NASCAR race and me and my daughter and cousin and her daughter are driving into Orlando for shopping. They've never been to Disney and I was trying to think of a dinner the four of us could have before driving back that would give them a taste of magic. For me too since no Disney this trip.

Her DD is 16 and mine is 18.

I know it's last minute but I'm open to suggestions!

 

[GoofyRonda]

We did a 4 day beach trip in February, but made a special effort to have dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse!

 

[TravelandLeisure]

Ohana in the Poly always feels very “Disney” to me. You could watch some of the fireworks from the beach afterward.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This could depend on your budget. Yachtsman is a great dinner in the $200+ range for 4

DS has a great assortment of dining options from qs to signature

 

[Timhags]

Depends on what available on the short notice, I would shoot for Disney springs.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would try for the Grand Floridian Cafe. It generally has openings and it is a lovely spot to showcase Disney. It is also affordable. I woudl be sure to make time to take the monorail on the resort loop as well as the trip to Epcot. I love the glimpse you get of Epcot at night, and there is nothing that beats a spin around the resorts complete with a peek at the MK.

I also think Al Forno on the Boardwalk is a nice option for a different viewpoint.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I will second Disney Springs. Unless you are looking for a character meal to make it more Disney. Outside the parks you are fairly limited beyond breakfast for that however. Disney Springs gives me a shot of Disney when I can't get in the parks, great food and if you are there in the early evening, a little entertainment. Some of the best restaurants on property are there as well.
If you want a unique lunch, Disney theming and wonderful food, I recommend Saana at Animal Kingdom lodge, Kidani. Ask for a window seat near the savanna and watch the animals. Then walk over to Jambo house and walk around this incredible hotel. See some more animals. Get a little Disney in your soul and then drive back. Just a few suggestions.

 

[Newsies]

If you're driving into Orlando specifically to shop, I would go to Disney Springs and spend the evening there, allotting the morning half to spend wherever you were planning to go earlier. I recommend Orlando International Premium Outlets and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, as they're both very close to Springs and have some great deals!

At Springs, I recommend Homecomin', Morimoto Asia, and House of Blues. You can have a great dinner and continue your shopping with a shot of Disney included!

 

[sharonabe]

I know it's last minute but I'm open to suggestions!

Disney Springs doesn't say "DISNEY!" to me. The restaurants are all really good, but they're just like restaurants you'd find at home.

Even with the ages of your daughters, I'd shoot for Chef Mickey, Storybook at Artist Point or 1900 Park Fare. If price isn't too high, maybe even Hoop De Doo or Spirit of Aloha. If they want something a little more upscale, there's always the big three: California Grill, Narcoossee, and Citricos.

 

[sharonabe]

OH, and then there is this: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/woodys-roundup/

It's very pricey, but a special event, and if your girls grew up with Woody and Buzz, it could be really fun.

 

[piccolopat]

How about dinner on the Boardwalk or in one of the hotels there followed by a surrey ride? If you can stay late enough, you can also sit on the beach or on the boardwalk and watch some of the higher fireworks from Epcot.

 

[Christine]

I agree with those that say that Disney Springs doesn't scream "Disney magic" to me. I love the area and all the restaurant choices, but it's un-Disney to me.

If they've never been, I agree with the Grand Floridian Cafe. It's a moderately priced place, but you get to go in the GF, and I think you should do a trip around the resorts on the resort monorail. You can also walk around the grounds, see the castle in the distance and so on.

Another option would be a character buffet, but they can be kind of loud and hassled. The girls with you are teens, so not sure how that would be. Again, hearing some good things about the character interaction at 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian) with Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the stepsisters. I hear it can be funny. The teens might enjoy that and then you could get more of a Disney experience.

 

[samandryanmom]

Wow! Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm checking with my cousin to see which of the available choices they're interested in. I went ahead and booked the Grand Floridian Café and we'll cancel if we decide on something else.

I thought about Disney Springs but I feel like several others, it just doesn't feel as Disney as if we ate in one of the hotels. I thought about Hoop Dee Doo but we were just there in December so I was aiming for something that would be new to us as well.

My cousin's daughter is VERY shy so I'm not sure how she would feel about characters. I'm checking on that. Years ago, we ate at Whispering Canyon and it was so fun!! It was at dinner and then on the next trip we did lunch and it just wasn't the same. We haven't been back since. If we did that, we could hang around and go over to Fort Wilderness and watch the water pageant and fireworks, correct? Or would the beach at Poly be better for that?

 

[danikoski]

Wow! Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm checking with my cousin to see which of the available choices they're interested in. I went ahead and booked the Grand Floridian Café and we'll cancel if we decide on something else.

I thought about Disney Springs but I feel like several others, it just doesn't feel as Disney as if we ate in one of the hotels. I thought about Hoop Dee Doo but we were just there in December so I was aiming for something that would be new to us as well.

My cousin's daughter is VERY shy so I'm not sure how she would feel about characters. I'm checking on that. Years ago, we ate at Whispering Canyon and it was so fun!! It was at dinner and then on the next trip we did lunch and it just wasn't the same. We haven't been back since. If we did that, we could hang around and go over to Fort Wilderness and watch the water pageant and fireworks, correct? Or would the beach at Poly be better for that?

Grab a drink at Geyser Point at WL...you can watch the fireworks at MK and the ELWP from there.

 

[danikoski]

Although be forewarned, the MK and Epcot resorts are getting strict about parking. If you have an ADR, you'll be fine...so at GF, you'll be fine. But going to any of the other resorts, you might get hassled. So if you do WC at WL, try out Geyser Point. But if you at GF anyway, stay there and watch fireworks and the ELWP or boat or monorail over to Poly.

Another thing to consider at GF is afternoon tea. My mom and I very much enjoyed it.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Disney Springs doesn't say "DISNEY!" to me. The restaurants are all really good, but they're just like restaurants you'd find at home.

I think the Irish step dancing shows at Raglan Road are unusually good restaurant entertainment. Unless it's St. Patrick's Day or maybe if you live in Ireland, but otherwise I don't know how many people would have a place back home that has that.