Epcot Dining

[AVanstraten]

We are making a return trip to Disney in end of January! Only two days in both parks so doing DHS (STAR WARS!!)/Epcot and Animal Kingdom (AVATAR!!)/Magic Kingdom (fitting in time for Universal and Kennedy). Can you tell I'm excited?! Anyways, looking for some dining advice at Epcot. We would like to see the Epcot night time show as I know it's limited time showing and we will be finishing out our day there anyway. My kids actually really like Epcot and we love it, so would like to find a nice place to dine that night to allow us to rest and get a good meal. Have looked into some of the dining/show packages but not sure if worth it or if better to do a dinner reservation and then just find a spot to view the show? Kids are 10 and 12 when we go. Any ideas/recommendations/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[KMarston]

My kids loved Tepan Edo at that age if they like that sort of thing. It’s a nice rest and a fun show, though you would be seated with other people the cooking show makes it not so awkward.

 

[linny172]

I would suggest Via Napoli, great pizza, or Biergarten

 

[gharter]

If you don't have a retaurant like Tepan Edo at home, it is a fun one to do. Lots for the kids to watch.
It really depends how picky they or are not. Our kids were not picky eaters at that age, and we went to all the restaurants and they enjoyed them.

 

[AVanstraten]

Thank you for the responses already! We do have a similar restaurant at home and the kids have only gone 1 and did like it so that is a good idea. So would those of you that responded already say that the dining package for the night show and the English restaurant is not worth it? The food didn't strike me as anything that great for the price, but the included drinks would be nice. I'm sure your paying for the great seating spot but if we can get a good seating spot for the show anyway, than I'm not sure it's worth it.

 

[WDW Queen]

Personally I like to eat and then just find a spot to watch the shows.

I'd recommend Garden Grill if you're looking for a relaxed meal that also happens to have characters.

Space 220 is supposed to open late this year so if that is something that interests you I'd try to make a reservation for there whenever they become available.

 

[gharter]

We are eating at Rose and Crown for the first time next week.
For entertainment, Biergarten is another good suggestion.
Our kids enjoyed Chef de France because we had nothing like it at home.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It really isn't hard to find a good spot to see the EP nighttime show. Our favorite area is along the lagoon at the Italy pavilion. I would pick a restaurant that interests you and try to make an ADR about 2 hours prior to the show. That gives you ample time to find a good viewing area around the lagoon. IMHO, there is zero need to book Rose and Crown for this.

 

[AVanstraten]

It really isn't hard to find a good spot to see the EP nighttime show. Our favorite area is along the lagoon at the Italy pavilion. I would pick a restaurant that interests you and try to make an ADR about 2 hours prior to the show. That gives you ample time to find a good viewing area around the lagoon. IMHO, there is zero need to book Rose and Crown for this.

Thank you, that is what I was looking for in regards to information. Do I need to "force" our dinner choice to get the good seating or is there plenty of good viewing available that we can then pick where we all want to go for dinner and find seating after. So it sounds like seating for the show shouldn't be a problem. Now I just need to narrow down where we want to go for dinner and go fro there. Of the parks, I feel like Epcot is going to have the best options for a truly good meal so would like to make this a nicer sit down meal where my husband and I can have some drinks and relax with the kids and maybe try some food/atmosphere that we couldn't get at home. As the kids are getting older, they really aren't into characters anymore and are pretty good about trying new foods!

 

[kiramay]

My kids love the Biergarten! They request it every trip. Buffet, entertainment, and beer.
I’ve also heard good things about Via Napoli and Teppan Edo but we have similar restaurants at home.

We usually sit in Germany or France for the fireworks.

 

[B-Ride]

IMHO no visit to WDW is complete without a visit to Chefs de France.

 

[Hopefully]

Thank you, that is what I was looking for in regards to information. Do I need to "force" our dinner choice to get the good seating or is there plenty of good viewing available that we can then pick where we all want to go for dinner and find seating after. So it sounds like seating for the show shouldn't be a problem. Now I just need to narrow down where we want to go for dinner and go fro there. Of the parks, I feel like Epcot is going to have the best options for a truly good meal so would like to make this a nicer sit down meal where my husband and I can have some drinks and relax with the kids and maybe try some food/atmosphere that we couldn't get at home. As the kids are getting older, they really aren't into characters anymore and are pretty good about trying new foods!

There is NO SEATING for the”show”. You stand

 

[Twoscoops81]

I would suggest Via Napoli, great pizza, or Biergarten

I second your opinion!!!!

 

[tstein12]

When I go with my 9-year daughter, she really likes Teppan Edo (actually, I like it too!)

 

[gharter]

There is NO SEATING for the”show”. You stand

There are a few places you can sit on walls, unless they are reserved for provate events. Most of the time you stand.

 

[Hopefully]

There are a few places you can sit on walls, unless they are reserved for provate events. Most of the time you stand.

True. But I didn’t consider sitting on walls etc “seating” in the sense the PP seemed to be thinking.

 

[Oneanne]

Another recommendation for Biergarten... it's buffet, so lots of choices, the decor is totally immersive (a German village at nighttime), there's the band, and dancing for the kiddos.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Lots of great choices in EP. We really like Spice Road Table. Lovely atmosphere, good food, friendly staff and some really interesting cocktails!

 

[AVanstraten]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback and tips! I think we have it narrowed down to a couple now need to look at what is even available and go from there. Thank you for the heads up on the show and seating as well. So, it sounds similar to the MK show at night, find a "good" spot and watch. So, having some time off our feet for dinner will be even nicer!