Epcot area resort dinner?

[sconnell]

What's your favorite place to have a bite in the Epcot area resorts that doesn't require an MDR? A lounge? A quick service? A booth on the Boardwalk?
Looking for a hidden gem and I haven't explored this area enough.

My son (20) and I will be having an easy dinner in the Epcot resort area (staying at Dolphin) on Friday night after driving down and a half day at AK. Then maybe watch the Epcot fireworks before turning in to rest up for two fast-paced days at HS and Epcot.

 

[DeeBee3]

Boardwalk pizza? Mobile order from Ale&Compass? Depends on if you are going into epcot to watch fireworks. If so, then I would get something from the France QS

 

[sconnell]

Boardwalk pizza? Mobile order from Ale&Compass? Depends on if you are going into epcot to watch fireworks. If so, then I would get something from the France QS

Good ideas! Not going into the park that evening.

 

[RivGirl]

Skyliner to Riviera and eat at Bar Riva

ETA: or Primo Piatto (QS) or walk up bar seating at Topolino’s (bonus fireworks view)….you can’t go wrong with any of them!

 

[Anthony1971]

Other than the pizza window we have never had a good QS at the Disney resorts in that area, I will keep the details to myself but did give BC and YC another regrettable try. The pizza window is grossly over priced these days. A whole pie which is a smaller six slice pie was I believe 21 the last time they sold it - and we did enjoy it- now is 9.50 a slice 10.50 with pepperoni it is however 1/4 of the old size pie making it about 40 a pie. We stayed at BW for a week in mid August after a 4 year break from the area decided if we stay again it would be split only for the walk to Epcot and HS. My suggestion is look into swan dolphin I have read good things but never tried. If the weather is nice skyliner to RIV the food there is very good but limited, wish they had more options but easily enough for 2-3 trips. I say if the weather is nice as the skyliner does stop when lightning is in the area got stuck twice for maybe 30 minutes after eating. Hopefully just bad timing…. Either way it is about 25-30 minutes to get there and back between the walk and skyliner ride. Disney springs is another great option as well.

 

[Wood Nymph]

What's your favorite place to have a bite in the Epcot area resorts that doesn't require an MDR? A lounge? A quick service? A booth on the Boardwalk?
Looking for a hidden gem and I haven't explored this area enough.

My son (20) and I will be having an easy dinner in the Epcot resort area (staying at Dolphin) on Friday night after driving down and a half day at AK. Then maybe watch the Epcot fireworks before turning in to rest up for two fast-paced days at HS and Epcot.

Crews Cup Lounge located next to the Yachtsman at YC has been one of our go to's. The food options are limited but they do have more food than what is posted on the website. It is a small lounge with a nice atmosphere.

The new Mexican restaurant at the Dolphin is supposed to be very good.

 

[SteveH]

I'll echo what @Anthony1971 said, the Swan/Dolphin has some of the best restaurants on property. If you want something quick and casual The Fountain is a great choice, no ADR needed. If you want a something a bit nicer Rosa Mexicano has received a lot of praise. Be sure to grab the Swan/Dolphin Mobile app, it will list all the restaurants and so much more info.

 

[zackiedawg]

I find the sandwiches at Boardwalk Deli to be pretty decent - the corned beef rueben, Italian, and meatball sub are all pretty good. If I want burgers & fries and such, I go to Fountain at Dolphin. Primo Piatto over at Riviera is a good choice for really nicely made fresh foods. Rosa Mexicano is a full sit-down restaurant and is pretty good - you can usually get in without a reservation. Same goes for Trattoria over at Boardwalk - it's a decent Italian restaurant and is rarely fully booked. And I find the corn dogs at Blue Ribbon to be very good if you like that kind of thing. Of course prices are crazy, but you're at Disney so that's to be expected.

 

[andyDVC]

Blue Zoo at the Swan is really good, and they offer bar/lounge seating, as well as a happy hour menu from 4-6.

 

[sconnell]

Oh, good to hear a few nods for the Riv! He'd probably like to check out the skyliner.

I find the sandwiches at Boardwalk Deli to be pretty decent - the corned beef rueben, Italian, and meatball sub are all pretty good. If I want burgers & fries and such, I go to Fountain at Dolphin. Primo Piatto over at Riviera is a good choice for really nicely made fresh foods. Rosa Mexicano is a full sit-down restaurant and is pretty good - you can usually get in without a reservation. Same goes for Trattoria over at Boardwalk - it's a decent Italian restaurant and is rarely fully booked. And I find the corn dogs at Blue Ribbon to be very good if you like that kind of thing. Of course prices are crazy, but you're at Disney so that's to be expected.

Thanks for the breakdown! It'll help when we're deciding.

I'll echo what @Anthony1971 said, the Swan/Dolphin has some of the best restaurants on property. If you want something quick and casual The Fountain is a great choice, no ADR needed. If you want a something a bit nicer Rosa Mexicano has received a lot of praise. Be sure to grab the Swan/Dolphin Mobile app, it will list all the restaurants and so much more info.

We are staying at Dolphin, so that is good news. I haven't downloaded the app; I'll do that!

 

[kylenne]

Oh, good to hear a few nods for the Riv! He'd probably like to check out the skyliner.

Hot take that will probably get me crucified but other than the pool bar/QS nothing at Riv is worth getting on the Skyliner for when you’re staying at the Dolphin because everything there and Swan is better tbqh. I would not bother with the deeply mediocre fare at Trattoria al Forno either when you’ve got the best Italian on property steps away at Il Mulino inside the Swan (and yes, I rate it over Topolino too).

Having stayed in the area a lot, and everywhere there but the Swan Reserve at this point, in general I find most people on here overrate Disney resort restaurants in the Crescent Lake area and sleep on the Swan/Dolphin ones. Likely because other than Swolphin diehards most people are relatively unfamiliar with them. Even when staying at a Disney resort over there 9 times out of 10 we’re heading over to Swolphin to eat lol. I just got back from Swan last Tuesday and didn’t eat at a single Disney restaurant over there except the corn dog stand. The food is just better.

 

[OtherFigment]

You may also have luck with bar seating. DH and I have been able to do the bar at topolinos and flying fish with no reservation. Same menu and much more fun to sit at the bar anyway.

 

[Mouseforward]

best Italian on property steps away at Il Mulino inside the Swan (and yes, I rate it over Topolino too).

Il Mulino is the only place I have ever had to return food - the veal was not even edible.
I am not a huge Topolino fan, as I would go flying fish ,but at least the food was not overcooked at Topolino.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Hot take that will probably get me crucified but other than the pool bar/QS nothing at Riv is worth getting on the Skyliner for when you’re staying at the Dolphin because everything there and Swan is better tbqh. I would not bother with the deeply mediocre fare at Trattoria al Forno either when you’ve got the best Italian on property steps away at Il Mulino inside the Swan (and yes, I rate it over Topolino too).

Having stayed in the area a lot, and everywhere there but the Swan Reserve at this point, in general I find most people on here overrate Disney resort restaurants in the Crescent Lake area and sleep on the Swan/Dolphin ones. Likely because other than Swolphin diehards most people are relatively unfamiliar with them. Even when staying at a Disney resort over there 9 times out of 10 we’re heading over to Swolphin to eat lol. I just got back from Swan last Tuesday and didn’t eat at a single Disney restaurant over there except the corn dog stand. The food is just better.

I disagree on the RIV point but can’t argue the rest. Swolphin food is all around better (we regularly visit Java in the mornings for breakfast sandwiches when staying at BWV). Il Mulino is consistently fantastic.

 

[Pens Fan]

We love Crew's Cup Lounge at the Yacht Club. Those prime rib sliders live up to the hype and no ADR required.

But I do agree with a lot of the above posts that you've got some fabulous options right at Swan/Dolphin. Il Mulino is the our favorite Italian restaurant on property, and Rosa Mexicano blows anything in the Mexican pavilion at Epcot out of the water. Both require ADR's but aren't that hard to come by - check Open Table if you don't see anything on MDE. I would pick either of those over any of the other table service options in the Crescent Lake area except maybe Flying Fish which is also a good choice (though I don't necessarily think it quite lives up to the $$$$ they charge).