Family of 4, staying off prop. Best resort to eat at?

[mamahauldren]

We are newbies to wdw, we are staying off property due to a time share we have traded for the Orlando area. Anyway, we have to pick up our tickets since we have just a day or two to spend at WDW

Someone gave me the idea to eat dinner at one of the WDW resorts for the family and pick up our tickets at the guest services the night prior to going to the parks.

We thought this was a wonderful idea but we have no idea which resort to eat at.

Any ideas? Is reservations needed?

I dont want to spend mucho bucks however I am willing to pay more than normal for a nice dinner. I also would like one my family would feel comfortable in...kids ages are 8 & 9

Thanks, Kim

 

[Kaycee]

Hi Kim! There are so many great resort restaurants, it's hard to decide which ones to recommend! Here are a few choices:

Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort: This is a buffet character meal, and many people eat here for their first night's dinner to get in the WDW spirit. It's a lot of fun for kids with great character interaction.

'Ohana at the Polynesian: If you have meat-lovers in your family, this would be a great choice. All-you-can-eat portions of steak, shrimp, pork and turkey are served at your table from long skewers. You can see the meat being grilled on the fire pit. There is also a tray at each table filled with salad, green beans, wantons, etc. There are games for the kids, and you could walk out to the Polynesian beach after dinner to watch the MK fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant go by.

Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge: This place gets pretty loud and rowdy, but kids (and many adults!) love it. They also have lots of games and activities for the kids.

There are other good choices too, something at almost every resort you can name. If you can't choose which one to go to, maybe you can just pick a resort that you think you'd like to stay at on future trips to WDW. That way you can have a good meal and plan for future visits at the same time!

As far as ressies go, WDW calls them Priority Seating, which means you show up at the designated time and you will be seated at the next available table, ahead of those without PS's. And yes, you'll probably want to make a PS at the restaurant you choose. Otherwise, it can be quite a wait, or you may not get in at all. Most PS's can be made 90 days ahead of the date you want to make the PS for. To check the date you need to call, go to www.wdwinfo.com and in the bottom left corner click on the PS Calculator button.

Happy planning!

 

[wannabee princess]

I would suggest Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. It would require a PS (priority seating) which is similiar to a reservation, but not the exact same (you check-in at the desk and are seated as soon as possible, but no table sitting with your name to be waiting for you).

Chef Mickey's is a buffet dinner - be sure to try their mashed potatoes - that has characters coming up to your table. THis is a "fun" meal - with napkin waving. You are able to take a special family photo (don't have to purchase if you don't want!), and the characters come to your table to sign autographs and take pictures. The characters are Chip & Dale, Goofy, Donald, Mickey and Minnie.

It is not outrageously expensive, but more so than the buffets you eat off-property. You are within walking distance of MK, so you could go to the resort, walk over - or take the monorail (which goes right through the hotel!) - to get your tickets at Guest services. After dinner, depending on what time you are going to eat, you may be able to view the fireworks at MK (check time they are having them that night).

 

[iloveeeyore]

Chef Mickey's or 'Ohana, depending whether you want buffet and character interaction, or sit-down (somewhat) exotic dinner served family-style with fun games for kids. My family's favorite resort restaurants.

Here's another thought: try Boma at AKL. It's wonderful, and you can take some time to explore that resort.