Enough restaurants around BC to avoid ADR's

[M likes the mouse]

Hello!

I'm a newbie on the boards and I've got 2 questions for you this morning. We're planning our second trip to the world. Last year we went in August for free dinning at the POP. We planned accordingly and booked all our restaurants.

This time around, we're staying at the BC and we won't have the DDP. We already booked some adr's like Cape May, Jiko and CRT, but we were wondering if we needed to book more adr's or if there was enough selection close by to avoid doing that. We plan on staying near BC and Boardwalk area a lot of the time.

Also, since we are going to spend a lot of time by the pool, I was wondering if it was possible to get iced water anywhere at the resort without buying the refillable mug. I don't drink sodas and it would really be only for water. Would it be possible to carry a water bottle to fill up or would it be better if I'd just order a case of 1 liter water bottles from the grocery store?

Thanks a lot!

 

[TDC Nala]

Two words...Swan and Dolphin. Their restaurants are not on the dining plan and much easier to get into without a reservation. Some of them are quite expensive though.

 

[M likes the mouse]

Thanks TDC Nala for that quick answer!

Are there any restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin that would be worthy of a first anniversary dinner? I reserved jiko because we really liked it last year, but we would prefer to stay close to the resort. I know shula is supposed to be quite good, but I saw pictures and I don't find it overly romantic for an anniversary.

Do they have some casual eateries or CS that would offer some more selection?

 

[TDC Nala]

The upscale restaurants are Shula's (steakhouse), Bluezoo (seafood) and Il Mulino (Italian). If you like sushi or Japanese food, Kimonos is a good spot. Fresh has a breakfast buffet, not sure if they still do the lunch buffet. As for possible CS styles, Picabu at the Dolphin is a cafeteria-style and I believe it is open 24 hours. The Dolphin Fountain is a very good alternative to Beaches & Cream (burgers and ice cream). Garden Grove at the Swan has a character buffet nightly, buffet breakfast daily (characters are at breakfast on weekends). Plus, I have been reading good reviews of the food offerings at the pool bar.

If you are a DVC member or have Tables in Wonderland you can get discounts at many of these places.

 

[M likes the mouse]

Really, thanks a lot for all that info!

It is really helpfull as we sort off want to go with the flow but at the same time we want to have options other than burgers. It doesn't have to be fancy just maybe..... lighter... like a salad or something. But by the look of it, we're going to be just fine with the options around the hotel.

 

[vitamingirl]

the counter service at BC is hurricaine hannahs and you canget chicken pita sandwich for lunch, ( and burgers too), which is good. You can probably get any of the BC/YC restaurants without adr's (beaches and creams), captains grill, cape may buffet. also garden grove at swan (check out the menu) each night is a different character buffet and bf too. Boardwalk, always get pizza, the bakery has sandwiches (espn you can usually get in).
plus you can always do the four minute walk to epcot and eat anywhere there. it is probably closer to walk to england or france then to walk across some of the other larger hotels!!

 

[LovintheLodge]

The Swan and Dolphin restaurants are good. The 'casual' and 'quick service' dining restaurants there give a 20% discount if you have AAA and show your card.

 

[JohnnyB2]

ESPN and the Big River Grill don't accept reservations.We always have a dinner at each of these resturants.

 

[M likes the mouse]

Thanks guys for your help.

I'll think we'll keep the reservations we have for now and leave it that way. It looks we won't need that many reservations.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I've been to Todd English's Bluezoo in the Dolphin. It is rated by AAA with four Diamonds, which puts it above everything else on WDW except V&A. And it is definitely worth it.

Another consideration would be going into Epcot and go to the Bistro de Paris, which is the fine dining restaurant in France (upstqairs on the second floor). It does not take any Dining Plan (although it does acept TiW) and does not have a children's menu. The only downside is they tend to get unhappy if you stay more than two hours after Park closing. And it is very close to the Beach Club.