Disney/Other restaurant suggestions for upcoming post-Chrimbo visit ?

[Beejayjay]

Myself, my lass, and her two boys 10 & 12 will be arriving in Orlando on Boxing day, staying for 16 days at the Windsor Palms Resort on US192.

Our plan for New Years is to go to Universal or IOA around lunchtime/early afternoon and set up camp for the day - we'll probably just eat from burger stands and the like - the kids will be more than happy with that.

I'm a veteran of some 15 - 20 visits to Disneyville, so I know a lot of very good places to eat. We'll be using places like Ponderosa, Golden Corral, Sizzler etc, for breakfast and supper on non-park or shorter park days, with visits to Charlies, Bill Wongs, Key W Kools, Carabbas and such mixed in. Gotta take them to Bahama Breeze too, if only just to prove my stories about the gargantuan portions aren't me razzing them ! I can eat but that place was just ridiculous...

Anyway, surprisingly, even to myself, I've only ever eaten at a few of the full service restauarants at the parks or resorts that I can recall - California Grille, fantastic, Prime Time Diner, very nice, Fultons Crabhouse at DTD, very nice but pricey, Polynesian Luau, waste of money IMO.

As it's the kids first trip to WDW, I thought it might be nice to try a few of the recommended Disney chow houses. Most important factor is food quality of course, closely followed by entertainment value/wow factor for the boys.

The younger lad, Lewis, is a finnicky eater - ever known a 10 yr old who doesn't like ice cream ? We'll be trying to get him to expand his palate a bit, but dont I hold out much hope - I see regular visits to Rotten Ronnies and Subway being part of our agenda ! As long as he eats I guess.... Places that give a reasonably wide selection of dishes might be a good bet with this in mind however.

So, what/where would my esteemed DIS UK colleagues recommend ?

Budget isn't a major concern, but equally I'd like to keep things sensible - we won't be doing too many 3 figure bills...

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated mes amis...

Oh, and if there is anywhere at Universal that we really should try for New Years, please pass that on too !

Thanks !

 

[juliebro]

We wanted to see Fantasmic at MGM on our last trip (missed it on our previous one) and decided that the Dinner Package sounded a good idea. We went for the Hollywood and Vine option - it was an all you can eat buffet for about $20 each, I think. The food was excellent - we have a faddy 14 year old - and he just loved it.

We all enjoyed it so much, that we actually went back again on another day.

The menu can be found on line at

http://www.themeparks.com/wdw/menus/h&v03.htm

Not sure how up-to-date the site is, but the menu looks like what we had.

I hope you like it!

Julie

 

[metalguru]

Well Beejayjay I know an ace place to eat......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................TGI Fridays, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha. :hyp

 

[Disney owl]

Stayed at Winsor Palms in August , Great villa. Our kids 2 x 16, 12 & 11 enjoyed the games room with pool table & table tennis.
There was also a larger pool at the club house but they didn't use that as a lot of the time they went during rain showers.

anyway back to your question!!!!!!!

I'd also recommend a buffet with kids. We did the MGM fantasmic package & I thought the Hollywood & Vine represented the best value . It also catered to eveyones taste, our youngest DS ate several hotdogs!!

For a more special meal we ate at Boma at the Animal KIngdom Lodge. Again a buffet, so some thing for everyone with lots of dishes with an African flavour none of which our 4 tried!!!!!! But they ate loads & asked to go again. It was busy so I would recommend a PS. I phoned before we left the UK.
Also got a chance to look around the hotel & to seeing the animals outside at night was great.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I've been doing research on this same thing for when we travel with my nephews next year the eldest will be 17 but also VERY picky but he does like to eat in a restaurant :

So we're going with one buffet, probably Chef Mickeys from looking at the meny - it's good as far as buffets go but very busy and buzzy.

For sit down meals at Disney moderate $$$ and fun meals I'm thinking:

Whispering Canyon as the servers really entertain you and the food sounds suitable for teens and picky eaters, but I've not eaten there myself.

Olivias at Old Key West looks good to as it seems moderately priced and sort of home cooked food again not eaten here yet.

Tony's Town Square or Mama Melrose because he likes pasta and pizza - I like both of these restaurants the ambience and the food has always been good.


But even though I'm a Disney restaurant fan I don't think any of those come near to Bahama Breeze - I love that place

 

[Beejayjay]

Thnaks so far guys and gals.

Keep them coming folks !

 

[Disney owl]

had another thought

Race Rock on international Drive great food & full of cars / racing stuff!!!! which should appeal to the boys. My kids enjoyed it on our 1st visit in 2001.

it isn't a buffet but does kids meals & pizzas which may help.

 

[UKDEB]

Universal has an excellent selection of places to eat (the parks, the hotels and CityWalk all have notable eateries), but I don't think you can go far wrong with the Hard Rock Cafe - fantastic venue (I defy anyone, any age, not be be impressed) and good, safe American fayre at a reasonable price.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Originally posted by Disney owl
had another thought

Race Rock on international Drive great food & full of cars / racing stuff!!!! which should appeal to the boys. My kids enjoyed it on our 1st visit in 2001.

it isn't a buffet but does kids meals & pizzas which may help.

Oh Sue I'm glad you posted this one I'd completely forgotten about it - this would be excellent for my nephews.

 

[Beejayjay]

Ok, this is good...

Baham Breeze is already on our list - if only so the kids can see those gargantuan portions !

Never eaten at Race Rock, always admired the cars on the side/roof while driving by - now I have an excuse to go there, being a bit of a petrol head !

CityWalk is also a good idea, I've yet to eat there either. Hard Rock aside, any recommendations ? Emerils? NAscar ?

DisneyOwl,

Glad to hear you liked the Windsor Palms, we're really looking forward to our stay - we've never stayed in a Condo before, only hotels - should be good to have some privacy/extra room, and all the convenient facilities.

I'm curious about the Fantasmic package you mentioned, I've not come across that before - could you give me a little more info ? It sounds like the kind of thing that would suit the boys, hot dogs for Lew, anthing not bolted down for Steven... man that kid can eat !!

Thanks again, and keep them coming peeps, all help happily accepted !

 

[richard3330]

Emeril's is fantastic, probably my favourite restaurant in Orlando. They've also opened a new restaurant, Thoup Chop in The Royal pacific Resort - but I haven't been here yet.
I'm not sure about Emeril's for fussy eaters though...
You can check out the menus here-
http://www.emerils.com/restaurants/orlando/index.htm
and
http://www.emerils.com/restaurants/tchoup_chop/index.htm

WDW -

The Fantasmic Dinner Package is great! Forget queueing for hours on end! You can choose between The Brown Derby, Mama Melrose, and Hollywood and Vine. By booking this package you get a PS for dinner at one of the restaurants and you will receive a ticket that allows you access to the special reserved section of Fantasmic, which is less busy. You need to pay via a CC when you make a reservation for the package. The buffet at Hollywood & Vine was, as others have said, wonderful. We have also tried Mama Melrose's which is great for Italian. It's more expensive but the desserts were delicious! Brown Derby is the most expensive at about $45 per person.


Richard

 

[Disney owl]

Fantasmic package

We booked it the morning we were at MGM, for the same evening. booked it a little booth just before the big blue hat, the booth is on the right hand side of the street , when you have your back to the enterance.

We originally asked for Mama Melrose but we couldn't get in. The package for Hollywood & Vine was cheaper and after going, in our opinion much better value. Our eldest DS is 16 so you can imagine how much he ate.

We did enjoy Mama Melrose on our last visit, great food but less choice for your "picky" eater.

The only drawback with the package is, that if Fantasmic is cancelled due to bad weather , You miss out . they don't reissue you with tickets.

Whilst at Windsor Palms we had pizza delivered twice. Highly recommend Papa Johns. got a leaflet from the small shop on site, next to the pool.

 

[Camac]

Bahama Breeze sounds good - Where is it?

Thanks

 

[Homer Timpson]

2 locations, one at 8849 I-Drive - the other at 8735 Vineland Avenue.

Vineland Ave is on the 'other side' of I4 from the Crossroads area in Lake Buna Vista.

We went to the I-Drive BB 2001 & 2002 and tried the other this year - we stay very near it at Vistana - and this is now our favourite.

Brian

 

[Beejayjay]

Thanks again folks, lets keep them coming !

 

[Tony Bush]

A vote for Tony Romas on I-Drive.
If you enjoy ribs do not miss it. My kids swear by it - it's always first on the list to visit. Not expensive and the usual excellent service. Lots of locals in there which is always a good sign.

Tony

 

[juliebro]

I've just remembered - we had a very nice meal - good steaks - at Steak & Ale on our last visit back in April. It was our last night there - so we didn't get chance to go back again and check whether it was as good on a second visit. Reasonable prices - and an excellent salad bar - good service too, I seem to remember.

Anyone else been?

Julie