Eating with Disney sceptics

[Thegoatfeeder]

We're taking my parents to WDW in December for the first time in about 20 years! We go a couple of times a year, but they've not been since they took me as a 14 year old kid!

They are really looking forward to it but are sceptical about the food, they think it's all going to be standard 'theme park food' despite what I have tried to tell them over the years.

Where would you recommend taking them to show them how good the food can be? In either theme parks, resorts or Disney Springs, it doesn't really matter. They are staying at SSR and we're in WL and Riviera, but we do have a car so can be wherever.

We only have 7 days with them, so I am struggling to come up with a definite list of just a few places because in my mind there are loads of options!

 

[Moliphino]

Tiffins/Nomad Lounge
Wine Bar George

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Go for the nicer sit down restaurants that serve more than theme park foods. Lots of places st DS fit that description (personally, I like Morimoto and Wolfgang Puck). At the parks, go for table service (Jungle Skipper, Royal Table, any of the sit down restaurants in World Showcase, etc)

 

[tetera]

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[Stargazer65]

From my last trip, this month:

But also Sanaa- because amazing food, art and giraffes!

For resort restaurants - Second vote for Sanaa, it's now one of my favorites. Most exotic of the food we tried this trip.

For DS - The Edison was really good. It's American food served in a Steam Punk environment.

TP's - Teppan Edo at EPCOT was good, it's like Benihana with Disney flair. Although, I think we liked 50's Prime TIme the best of the TP restaurants we did this trip.

 

[gmi3804]

Every restaurant will be mentioned in this thread.

 

[ktink]

Jiko or Tiffins

 

[meremac]

What are their favorite foods? Are they open to anything or are there some kinds of food that they don't like? Are you looking for fine dining, casual dining, or a combo?

 

[Micca]

If you like buffets, Boma at AKL is a candidate for the best one on property. At Disney Springs we like Homecomin' and The Boathouse. We find most of the restaurants in the parks pretty underwhelming. Some are a bit better than standard theme park food, but I think the best spots are at Disney Springs and the resorts.

 

[weather_lady]

If you avoid taking them to the "theme park-iest" food places (the CS places that only serve burgers or hot dogs, or TS restaurants with Applebees-style American menus, like T-REX, Rainforest Cafe, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, etc. -- although to be fair, those restaurants have amazing theming and decor to compensate!), their misconceptions will be corrected in no time.

As @meremac suggested, perhaps you can start with something you know they like. Are they into seafood? Take them to the BOATHOUSE or Flying Fish. Do they like steak? Try Yachtsman, Le Cellier, or Steakhouse 71. Do they enjoy food with a slight international influence? Perhaps Skipper Canteen, Yak & Yeti, Tiffins, or Sanaa would be up their alley.

 

[jimmymc]

MK: Jungle Skipper Canteen, Columbia Harbor House

Epcot: Chefs du France, Festival booths, Katsura Grill

Studios: Hollywood Brown Derby, Docking Bay 7, Ronto Roasters, Oga's Cantina

Animal Kingdom: Satuli Canteen, Tiffins/Noman Lounge

Disney Springs: Wine Bar George, Boathouse, Jaleo

MK Resort Area: Citrico's, Narcoosee's, Steakhouse 71, Geyser Point, really anything at Wilderness Lodge

Epcot resort area: Flying Fish, Abracadabar, Flying Fish, Topolino's

AKL: Boma, Jiko, or Sanaa

I tried to include some quick service options too. The one place you might have trouble are the resort food court. They have two or three entrees in addition to burgers and chicken fingers.

 

[chuff88]

Tiffins/Nomad Lounge
Wine Bar George

Definitely second Tiffins/Nomad Lounge. Nomad Lounge is one of my favorite places in all of the WDW property. AK is so spread out, I love popping into Nomad in the afternoon for a drink and a bite to eat.

 

[Genie+]

I’m having a similar struggle with my SIL right now. She thinks if we don’t do table service every meal we’ll be stuck eating hamburgers, pizza and french fries the whole trip. They are joining us 5 nights out of 8.

The plan is doing 1 ADR daily, maybe skipping a day, and a mix of in-park and resort table service. The other meals will be lounges and quick service. I’m actually compiling a list of menus this week to email and put her mind at ease.

 

[Lilsia]

Well obviously there will be theme park food, it is a theme park after all. LOL I would tell them that, but also tell them that there are over 200 restaurants on property and obviously not all of them just server burgers and hot dogs. I would go to Boma, Whispering Canyon, Biergarten, Tiffins, and pretty much whatever DS restaurant that you want. Plus any of the other restaurants that everyone else has mentioned.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Tiffins/Nomad, The Boathouse. Narcoossees is hands down our favorite restaurant on property - food and drinks are amazing, restaurant itself is beautiful, and the staff/service is totally above and beyond.

 

[shpooey]

Toledo and Sanaa would be on my list for sure

 

[Her Dotness]

We rarely eat QS but for Gasparilla's at the GF and WL's Geyser Point. So, if you'd like to prove not all QS is boring theme park fare, try either.

Neither requires a trek through the building. Gaspy's has an outside entrance near the back of the GF main building. GP is an open air lounge.

Sure, each has burgers and chicken sandwiches but with creative flair that raises them way above boring theme park food. Won't usually be many kids at either unless they've discerning tastes.

Geyser Point is a great place for a late snack or meal and watching MK fireworks. Terrific view from there.

 

[Redsred3]

If they like Italian, Trattoria Al Forno. Plus they can check out the Boardwalk.

Also, dinner at Topolinos is super good, and anything but "typical themepark" food. Plus, a view of the fireworks.

 

[StevieB81]

Biergarten, Raglan Road, Sanaa, California Grill, Topolino's, Boathouse, Narcoossee's for dinner. That will get you some very unique WDW experiences and views, along with some great food. I'd also try Nomad Lounge and HBD lounge for lunch. Jock Lindsey's is good too. Food booths and any special treats going on for the holidays might be good. Now, if you really want to prove that it's not just theme park food, there's always Victoria and Alberts.

 

[Anthony1971]

20 years ago the TS food was better than it is currently. Beirgarten was a Buffet costing around 12. Ohana was in the same price range they could not get people to eat there. Kona had and most other TS had a Filet and Strip steak on the menu. Whipsering Canyon was a skillet if you wanted Ranglan road was also an option. Major changes would be the addition of DS places like Boathouse and many others. The CS is improved as back then if you ate CS it was a lot of burgers but EPCOT countries were always the exception and Sunshine seasons served a lot of food with what was grown and produced there-- the pulled pork sandwich was amazing I will add..... No clue how they ate 20 years ago but really there is not much there that could really impress a person that eat at TS I would go as far as to say it would be the exact opposite. With that they should be impressed if you choose the right CS options although I am sure they will not like the pricing as years ago the food was priced with people staying there multiple days not a one night out and see you in ? price. Sorry if this sounds negative as it is not meant to be. I will gladly tell you what what was there if you send me a list of what you decide.