Eating with a small child - which TS restaurant?

[Fionasmommy]

I'm going to call to change some ADR's and I'm hoping to do it all at once so I don't drive the CM's nuts! WHat I have booked is listed first, and then what I'm thinking of changing to.

50's Prime Time or Garden Grille?

Liberty Tree Tavern or Ohana?

Coral Reef or Whispering Canyon Cafe?

Concourse Steakhouse or ... gosh, I don't know. I only wanted to go to get DD the artist palette cookie!

Mickey's Backyard BBQ - at all?? We were thinking of making an event of it - going to FW early to see the animals, having dinner and then staying for the marshmallow roast. But, I've heard some terrible reviews on here so maybe it's not worth the expense?

 

[mjmcca]

My kids are 4 and 5 and they love the 50's PT. We have never been to the Garden grill but they have been to Ohanas LTT and WCC and really loved all of them too.

 

[amarberry]

My DD was 18 months old on our last trip and we had an amazing experience at Garden Grill. The food was decent, but the character interaction and service was outstanding. DD and I are both vegetarians and DD also has a severe egg allergy. The staff really went above and beyond to make her a very nice special meal (especially since she was under three and FREE!). The restaurant wasn't very crowded (I think we had a 5:50 adr), so the characters came by probably half a dozen times each. DD was in heaven!!!!

Also on your list...we had dinner at Coral Reef. Service was bad, but we thought that the food (especially desserts) were very good and DD enjoyed the fish. We were on the first level, but not against the window. DH and I agree that it would be worth the wait for a window seat!

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Some of my kids favorites (when they were your daughter's age too) were LTT, Ohana, and 50's PTC. None of us enjoyed Mickey's Backyard Barbeque. It was so frantic that I thought my kids were going to be run over. I wouldn't waste two credits on it.

 

[AStamm]

I'd say with a young child, choose Garden Grille and Liberty Tree Tavern. At both these restaurants you'll have salad and bread out relatively quickly. I know my DS has a difficult time waiting and enjoys both.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

I would choose Garden Grill, LTT and O'Hana both look good!!(no help there) and Coral Reef. My friend did the BBQ and said she had a great time. Food was regular, but the kids loved it.
Too many choices right?! I always feel the same way when it comes to picking the restaurants. Looks like you'll have to go again soon so you can try all the ones you missed! Whatever you choose, enjoy.

OT: Is Fiona your Dd's name? I just wanted to tell you I love that name!! My last Dd was almost a Fiona too.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

WE think that LTT is the best option for a CM. Good food, family style and great interaction. Service has been only fair but ok. We love ohana all the waay around but not sure the food would apeal to a small child. Lots of fun action going on and snow cone sand buckets are fun. Coral Reef; We love the theme of the place. It is so cool. WE think the food is over priced even for WDW and only fair. Service is not great.
WCC is loud and for most people a lot of fun. It was really too much for our family. The food was good but quite heavy!!
WE recieved rude treatment at GG upon arrival so we chose to eat else were. My sisters family loves it.

Jordan's mom

 

[Wendy31]

50's Prime Time or Garden Grille?

I think your daughter would probably enjoy Garden Grill more - Not only will there be characters, but the restaurant revolves which will be neat. I've read some really good reviews on the Garden Grill recently.

Liberty Tree Tavern or Ohana?

Our favorite character meal is Liberty Tree Tavern. We thought the food (except for the mac & cheese) was very good, and we had excellent interaction w/ the characters. My DD fell in love w/ Minnie Mouse here. I couldn't imagine not going to LTT - it's our first night tradition.

However, w/ that being said, the food will be somewhat similiar to the Garden Grill, and both are served family-style. Mickey, Chip, & Dale are at Garden Grill. Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, & Dale are at LTT.

So, the meal experiences will be probably be similiar which may be a reason for choosing either LTT or GG and then choosing either Prime Time Cafe or 'Ohana... but that's up to you. When we go in June, we have ADR's for both GG & LTT.

Coral Reef or Whispering Canyon Cafe?

I think your daughter would love the atmosphere at Coral Reef & watching the fish in the aquarium. I think they have a special kids' dessert here too. I'd definitely keep Coral Reef - I wish I could fit it into our dining plans!

Like w/ the PTC, your daughter may be too young to fully appreciate the antics of the servers at WCC. And I've read reports that WCC can get quite loud - but it does look like a very fun restaurant. She may really like the pony races.

Concourse Steakhouse or ... gosh, I don't know. I only wanted to go to get DD the artist palette cookie!

Since you also have an ADR at Chef Mickey's (I think), I'd cancel Concourse & do 'Ohana here.

Mickey's Backyard BBQ - at all?? We were thinking of making an event of it - going to FW early to see the animals, having dinner and then staying for the marshmallow roast. But, I've heard some terrible reviews on here so maybe it's not worth the expense?

Can you get Hoop Dee Doo instead of Mickey's Backyard BBQ? Both are 2 TS credits. If you decide not to do Mickey's Backyard BBQ, you could do WCC instead. The WL is right next to FW. You could eat at WCC & then ride the boat over to FW for the campfire & marshmallow roast - so you could still make an event of it.

So, if I were you, I'd keep Garden Grill, Liberty Tree Tavern, & Coral Reef. And I would trade Concourse Steakhouse for 'Ohana & trade Mickey's Backyard BBQ for either Hoop Dee Doo or WCC.

Let us know what you decide!!

 

[Fionasmommy]

Looks like you'll have to go again soon so you can try all the ones you missed! Whatever you choose, enjoy.

OT: Is Fiona your Dd's name? I just wanted to tell you I love that name!! My last Dd was almost a Fiona too.

I know!! Part of the reason I'm already thinking about trip #2 is to fit in all of the great restaurants we won't get to try the first time around!

Yep, DD is our Fiona. It's actually a family name for us, but she was born right before Shrek came out so everyone always assumes that the name came from the movie.

What name did you end up chosing for your DD?

 

[Fionasmommy]

Wow, Wendy!! Thanks so much for all the great information and advice!!

I think your daughter would probably enjoy Garden Grill more - Not only will there be characters, but the restaurant revolves which will be neat. I've read some really good reviews on the Garden Grill recently.

I was thinking the same thing!

Can you get Hoop Dee Doo instead of Mickey's Backyard BBQ? Both are 2 TS credits. If you decide not to do Mickey's Backyard BBQ, you could do WCC instead. The WL is right next to FW. You could eat at WCC & then ride the boat over to FW for the campfire & marshmallow roast - so you could still make an event of it.

I had thought that Fiona would enjoy the characters more at the barbeque, but the more I read it sounds like HDDR is better all around.

But, your suggestion of going to WCC and getting the boat to FW is GREAT!! Thanks so much for suggesting it, I never would've thought of it myself! If the boat ride isn't too long, we could probably fit the animals in first and then go back again for the marshmallows.

I think your daughter would love the atmosphere at Coral Reef & watching the fish in the aquarium. I think they have a special kids' dessert here too. I'd definitely keep Coral Reef - I wish I could fit it into our dining plans!

Are the fish there really cool or could we get a similar experience just by seeing Living Seas? I really only booked it for DD to see the fish, so if we can get our fill of that elsewhere I could swap that out for a different restaurant.

Since you also have an ADR at Chef Mickey's (I think), I'd cancel Concourse & do 'Ohana here.

We are doing Chef Mickey's, on our first night! I really can't decide about Ohana because of the menu change, but now that I've read your glowing review of LTT, I think we'll have to make that our final night meal!

So, if I were you, I'd keep Garden Grill, Liberty Tree Tavern, & Coral Reef. And I would trade Concourse Steakhouse for 'Ohana & trade Mickey's Backyard BBQ for either Hoop Dee Doo or WCC.

Thanks! I'm going to compare all of these suggestions, and the other posts, with what I have now and see if I can come up with a schedule I like!

Thanks so much for all the help!!

 

[Mike N Kathy]

50's Prime Time or Garden Grille?

i would go with 50's PTC

Liberty Tree Tavern or Ohana?

Hard choice both are great fun

Coral Reef or Whispering Canyon Cafe?

Def WCC