Feed Me!

[lolobug]

Hello fellow dis-lovers!
Our family of four, Me, DH, DD7 and DD4, are returning to Disney April 2016! We will be staying at BC for the first 3 nights and then the Poly for the last 4. Our schedule will look something like the following, please make suggestions for fun, delicious food. We don't mind spending a little more for a great meal but aren't interested in any of the really nice restaurants with our two girls. Great meals at a great price are a bonus! I'd love suggested times for ADRs, too. We will try to see fireworks or the electrical water pageant, whenever possible. We enjoy a "grab and go" breakfast, CS lunch and a TS for dinner. I'd also love a great pizza take-out option for both locations. Thanks!
Saturday- (BC) arrive at 2:00, pool/relaxing evening (maybe a boardwalk dinner?) or 1/2 day park.
Sunday- (BC) EP
Monday- (BC) HS
Tuesday- (Poly) AK
Wednesday- (Poly)MK
Thursday- (Poly) DTD and 1/2 day parks?
Friday- (Poly)MK
Saturday- 1/2 day MK, leave after lunch

I'm not really sure what days we will be at each park yet, we will probably do 5 full park days and 3 half days.
Planning on Ohana, Raglan Road and looking for a princess meal with Ariel.

 

[Quin]

Since you are paying OOP I would recommend you consider TS lunches a few days and CS dinners. With younger kids I think this gives you more flexibility, too. You can tour in the morning, have a nice big lunch break, then tour a little more but break it off whenever somebody is melting down and spend as long as you need at your resort for pool time/nap time without having to push them to dry off/wake up to make it back to a park in time for a dinner ADR. Locations where this would be particularly advantageous would be lunch at Akershus (which ticks the box for Ariel) and at Biergarten (almost exactly the same food, plus the entertainment, for a good bit less $). One evening, consider spending time at Ft. Wilderness. Have dinner at Trails End, tour the big horse barn, and take the horse-drawn wagon ride (bonus points if they're running it during the fireworks). In the MK, lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern is a good idea and the only time you can get the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake dessert, which is to die for; even better than bread pudding at Ohana.

 

[lolobug]

Great suggestions! Thank you for your input. I hadn't thought about TS lunch options but I think that may be a better option, we tend to head back to our room mid-day, sometimes we don't go back out!

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

I would suggest a meal at Crystal Palace (I like the lunch suggestion of PP for a break). Our DD's have loved Pooh and Friends for years - it's our must do restaurant every trip.
DTD- you could become a Landry card member. You pay $25 and get a membership with $25 credit and if the trip is during your birthday month (or any member of your party - put the membership in their name) you get another $25 credit. So, you get $50 for $25 - great when you are paying OOP. I would use this at T-Rex (a Landry restaurant). It's a fun place to eat. There is a dig site as well.
Since you are staying at BC, I would suggest Beaches and Cream for an ice cream lunch. We always eat an 'ice cream lunch' each trip - the kids love it!
Agree with PP re: Akershus for Ariel. We like an 11:00am breakfast sitting (breakfast is the cheapest of all meals). You can do rides from 9-11am and then break at 11:00 for breakfast/brunch.
Have a great trip.

 

[sophiasapientia]

I second Beaches and Cream. My family ate there on our arrival day while staying at the YC in February and my family put it on our request list for our upcoming trip. My family loved the grilled cheese and tomato soup and it is fairly inexpensive too. We also had a couple of breakfasts at the Captain's Grille at the YC and enjoyed that.

I don't think you can go wrong with either Akershus or Cinderella's Royal Table to see Ariel and the other princesses. We pay OOP for everything and always opt for a breakfast with the princesses. So fun!

Via Napoli in Epcot is my husband's "must do" every trip. Dinner at Ohana is the number one "must do" for our entire family. Staying at Poly is on our Disney bucket list and I think I'd want to schedule a meal at Kona and maybe a character breakfast at Ohana when we finally do. We like 1900 Park Fare at GF too.

At MK, Be Our Guest is very popular. We had a CS lunch there and thought it was just OK but a lot of people love the TS dinner with the chance to meet the Beast. A new CS/TS restaurant is scheduled to open up in Adventureland at the end of the year so that may be one to keep an eye out for for your trip. Like Quin, we like the lunches at LTT.

Happy Planning!

 

[winthropf]

You will be there for the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. I recommend an afternoon/evening of eating at the F&G food booths rather than a formal lunch/dinner.

 

[lolobug]

I would suggest a meal at Crystal Palace (I like the lunch suggestion of PP for a break). Our DD's have loved Pooh and Friends for years - it's our must do restaurant every trip.
DTD- you could become a Landry card member. You pay $25 and get a membership with $25 credit and if the trip is during your birthday month (or any member of your party - put the membership in their name) you get another $25 credit. So, you get $50 for $25 - great when you are paying OOP. I would use this at T-Rex (a Landry restaurant). It's a fun place to eat. There is a dig site as well.
Since you are staying at BC, I would suggest Beaches and Cream for an ice cream lunch. We always eat an 'ice cream lunch' each trip - the kids love it!
Agree with PP re: Akershus for Ariel. We like an 11:00am breakfast sitting (breakfast is the cheapest of all meals). You can do rides from 9-11am and then break at 11:00 for breakfast/brunch.
Have a great trip.

I love the landrys membership idea, that sounds great! We live raglan road and tend to do that on our DTD day but it looks like we could use it at yak and yeti! Do you know if it could be used at either the TS or CS location?
Trying to figure out the best princess option, my DD is dying to see Ariel in her princess gown but I don't know how much they would eat there

 

[lolobug]

I second Beaches and Cream. My family ate there on our arrival day while staying at the YC in February and my family put it on our request list for our upcoming trip. My family loved the grilled cheese and tomato soup and it is fairly inexpensive too. We also had a couple of breakfasts at the Captain's Grille at the YC and enjoyed that.

I don't think you can go wrong with either Akershus or Cinderella's Royal Table to see Ariel and the other princesses. We pay OOP for everything and always opt for a breakfast with the princesses. So fun!

Via Napoli in Epcot is my husband's "must do" every trip. Dinner at Ohana is the number one "must do" for our entire family. Staying at Poly is on our Disney bucket list and I think I'd want to schedule a meal at Kona and maybe a character breakfast at Ohana when we finally do. We like 1900 Park Fare at GF too.

At MK, Be Our Guest is very popular. We had a CS lunch there and thought it was just OK but a lot of people love the TS dinner with the chance to meet the Beast. A new CS/TS restaurant is scheduled to open up in Adventureland at the end of the year so that may be one to keep an eye out for for your trip. Like Quin, we like the lunches at LTT.

Happy Planning!

Thank you, great ideas!

 

[lolobug]

You will be there for the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. I recommend an afternoon/evening of eating at the F&G food booths rather than a formal lunch/dinner.

Yes, we will! There are booths for the festival? How can I learn more about this event?

 

[happymommy]

If you're in the mood for pizza take out, the Boardwalk pizza window has whole pies for a reasonable price (and they're pretty decent too!). Last trip I got one, and we all hung out in the room and ate it. It's less expensive than by the slice I think.

Also there are some tasty options at the hot dog cart on the Boardwalk for a quick snack (not healthy but a treat, like onion rings or *gasp* fried macaroni and cheese, which although probably the most unhealthy thing were amazing).

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

I love the landrys membership idea, that sounds great! We live raglan road and tend to do that on our DTD day but it looks like we could use it at yak and yeti! Do you know if it could be used at either the TS or CS location?
Trying to figure out the best princess option, my DD is dying to see Ariel in her princess gown but I don't know how much they would eat there

I know that you can use the Landry card at T-Rex and Rainforest and I've heard of people using it at AK @ Yak and Yeti, but I have no personal experience with this - maybe someone who knows will chime in?
At Akershus, if you go for breakfast meal (even at 11:00am they serve breakfast), the food is more 'American' (bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, cheesy potato casserole and a small appetizer buffet with fruit, pastries). The lunch and dinner are more 'Norwegian' type foods. Breakfast is likely the best if you are worried about them eating the food (and at the price you are paying, you want them to eat too )
Happy Dining

 

[winthropf]

Yes, we will! There are booths for the festival? How can I learn more about this event?

There will be information on Disney's website about the festival. On the Disney World website you can find information under Event&Tours>Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The information on this year's festival is there now.

There is also information about the food booths at disneyfoodblog.com.

 

[lolobug]

I know that you can use the Landry card at T-Rex and Rainforest and I've heard of people using it at AK @ Yak and Yeti, but I have no personal experience with this - maybe someone who knows will chime in?
At Akershus, if you go for breakfast meal (even at 11:00am they serve breakfast), the food is more 'American' (bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, cheesy potato casserole and a small appetizer buffet with fruit, pastries). The lunch and dinner are more 'Norwegian' type foods. Breakfast is likely the best if you are worried about them eating the food (and at the price you are paying, you want them to eat too )
Happy Dining

You are not kidding! My kids will eat bacon but not sausage. They don't eat eggs, although they will eat French toast. I'll check, hopefully those are options?

 

[lolobug]

There will be information on Disney's website about the festival. On the Disney World website you can find information under Event&Tours>Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The information on this year's festival is there now.

There is also information about the food booths at disneyfoodblog.com.

Thank you!

 

[BalooFan]

I know that Beaches & Cream gets a lot of love, but on our last trip we had lunch at The Fountain at the Dolphin. This might be an option for the Beach Club portion of your stay, since it is walking distance from your resort. It's table service with the same type of food as B&C and, of course, ice cream. ADRs are not available for this restaurant, but there were plenty of tables and booths available when we went at lunchtime in May. Even with ADR, we had to wait half an hour for a table for dinner at B&C. I thought the food was pretty good and it wasn't as cramped as B&C.

 

[honeybunches]

We tend to eat like you do (quick bf, CS lunch, and TS dinner) but this year we're going to mix it up a bit and rotate our TS for breakfast and lunches, too. We'll see how it works!

I love the landrys membership idea, that sounds great! We live raglan road and tend to do that on our DTD day but it looks like we could use it at yak and yeti! Do you know if it could be used at either the TS or CS location?

I know you can use it for TS. Don't think you can use it for CS, though.

On your arrival day, we'd go for a park since you are going to be there early enough. My kids want to hit the park as soon as we get there, if it's open! This would be a CS night for us.
EP -- Akershus is a great choice. Ariel really took her time with our DD there, and sang with her...it was precious. They have a cold buffet (as well as your meal) so even if your kids are a little hesitant to try the entree, they're sure to find something on the buffet. For CS, people are always raving about Sunshine Seasons! I haven't tried it, though.
HS -- we like Backlot Express for CS. Haven't found a TS we like here -- we usually go to Cape May Buffet for dinner on our HS night.
AK -- Yak & Yeti... we're trying lunch this time, which is the same menu but we can leave afterwards, instead of having to wait until dinner! I'd head back to the hotel for swimming (or nap for DH....my family is ready for a break by day 3) and have dinner at 'Ohana or Kona.
MK --- BOG would be a great CS option for your MK day!! Affordable, great food, and such a beautiful setting. For TS dinner, head to one of the monorail resorts for dinner. Our favorite is The Wave but you'd want to check and see if your DDs would like it.
DTD and 1/2 day parks? -- We'd probably start at the parks, then go to DTD for CS lunch at WPE. Do some DTD shopping and enjoy Raglan Road just before heading back to the hotel.

 

[lolobug]

We tend to eat like you do (quick bf, CS lunch, and TS dinner) but this year we're going to mix it up a bit and rotate our TS for breakfast and lunches, too. We'll see how it works!


I know you can use it for TS. Don't think you can use it for CS, though.

On your arrival day, we'd go for a park since you are going to be there early enough. My kids want to hit the park as soon as we get there, if it's open! This would be a CS night for us.
EP -- Akershus is a great choice. Ariel really took her time with our DD there, and sang with her...it was precious. They have a cold buffet (as well as your meal) so even if your kids are a little hesitant to try the entree, they're sure to find something on the buffet. For CS, people are always raving about Sunshine Seasons! I haven't tried it, though.
HS -- we like Backlot Express for CS. Haven't found a TS we like here -- we usually go to Cape May Buffet for dinner on our HS night.
AK -- Yak & Yeti... we're trying lunch this time, which is the same menu but we can leave afterwards, instead of having to wait until dinner! I'd head back to the hotel for swimming (or nap for DH....my family is ready for a break by day 3) and have dinner at 'Ohana or Kona.
MK --- BOG would be a great CS option for your MK day!! Affordable, great food, and such a beautiful setting. For TS dinner, head to one of the monorail resorts for dinner. Our favorite is The Wave but you'd want to check and see if your DDs would like it.
DTD and 1/2 day parks? -- We'd probably start at the parks, then go to DTD for CS lunch at WPE. Do some DTD shopping and enjoy Raglan Road just before heading back to the hotel.

Thank you for the suggestions! Looking into options!

 

[jimmytammy]

I will throw out several in some cases

Saturday- (BC) arrive at 2:00, pool/relaxing evening (maybe a boardwalk dinner?) or 1/2 day park. Since you are so close to Epcot, there are many nice choices here. I will throw in Beaches N Cream and ESPN since you are at BC. Epcot, Biergarten, San Angel lunch, Rose N Crown lunch, Via Napoli(you mentioned pizza, best on property IMO, the order in from resorts, not real good)
Sunday- (BC) EP Same as above
Monday- (BC) HS 50s Prime Time
Tuesday- (Poly) AK Yak N Yeti is good, but this park is such a big place, sitdown may not be as good an option to cover more ground. Maybe go for Yak N Yeti CS or Flame Tree BBQ. Another option since you are so close, Boma at AKL
Wednesday- (Poly)MK Liberty Tree Tavern lunch, The Plaza, also lots of great places around the resorts here, Ohana dinner, Kona, The Wave, Grand FL. Cafe
Thursday- (Poly) DTD and 1/2 day parks? Same as above, if Epcot is the park, refer above, DTD, Raglan Rd.
Friday- (Poly)MK Same as above
Saturday- 1/2 day MK, leave after lunch

For the sake of time, maybe go for QS, Pecos Bills or Cosmic Rays

 

[lolobug]

I will throw out several in some cases For the sake of time, maybe go for QS, Pecos Bills or Cosmic Rays

Thank you!

 

[lolobug]

So...I think we will try to do Raglan road and Ohana, we really enjoyed them last trip.
Still trying to decide between Akershus and CRT, CRT seems more practical as she will have her makeover at the MK.
Yak and Yeti sounds like a good option if we can come up with a time for a late lunch? Or should we just grab QS at flame tree?
BOG for dinner may be fun.
Maybe Sci Fi for HS?
Maybe Teppan Edo for EP?
Biergarten sounds like fun but not that appealing for our personal tastes. Still looking for other ideas for two little girls