First time dining choice

[lllovell]

We are new DVCers so help me out here! Where would you recommend we NOT MISS on our week long trip in April as far as dining experiences OUTSIDE the parks. Talking resort restaurants here. Any suggestions?

It will be hubby, my two boys (who will barely be 3 and 5 on the trip) and another couple and a two year old girl, so I am looking for the family restaurants.

Breakfast?
Dinner?
snack encounters


Help please!!!

 

[Alexander]

Chef Mickey's (Contemporary) if the kids like the characters (I mention this because DS does not).
We like O'hana (Poly).
Both Jiko and Boma at (Animal Kingdom Lodge are good.)

 

[scootert]

California Grill at the Contemporary and Flying Fish on the Boardwalk are two of our favorites.. enjoy!!

 

[Snowgod]

Where to dine can be such a loaded question with many different opinions. Having said that I will tell you some of my Favorites.

Calfornia Grill - This is my 1st choice when money is not an object. Everything is 1st class and in many visit have never had a complaint but have had many memorable meals.

Peper Market - so many choices and they are all good. down sidw is you have to have a car or take a taxi but that is true of any resort you are not staying at.

Boma - this could be the home of overeaters anonimous, as you will want to try everthing. Breakfast is the best, IMHO at WDW and Dinner is one of the best.

Beaches and Cream - Best burgers and the prices are a bargain considering Disney prices. Everything but the Kitchen sink (but they have that too) for Ice Cream treats.

Goods Food to Go _ you will not pay less anywhere at WDW and the food is more than acceptable for counbter service.

Olivias - Great food and wonderful CMs that know how to take care of you. Best non buffet breakfast I have had.

Kona Cafe- Best juice blend with breakfast and you have to try the Tonga Toast.

There are so many more but this is a good start. other possibilities include CRT - in the castle, can you say location and atmosphere don't matter? Ohanas and Whispering Canyon for All you can eat and more. Chef Mickey's as mentioned above but also the Concouse Steakhouse for Sticky Mickys in the AM. Le Cellar at Canada and I just tried this for the First time, L’Orignale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - fresh pasta really makes a difference. Have fun and lots of good food

 

[lllovell]

Thank you everyone! These are exactly the replies I am looking for. Some favorites for everyone and then we can pick a few this trip and make sure we hit and then try a few more next time. We are lucky enough to live close so several short trips a year is possible but I am changing how I look at our vacations and looking to really explore more than just the parks now that we are DVCers.

 

[kathleena]

Another vote for Boma for a restaurant. Great for adults and kids and you can't beat the resort itself for strolling around.

Vote for Beaches N Cream also, but not as a restaurant for that large of a party. It is just a small soda shop.

 

[gopherit]

Our kids always enjoy a character b'fast -- we think Cape May at BCV is quite good. ANd CHef Mickey's is their fave for a dinner.

WCC at WL is SOOOO much fun. A must-do for every trip for us now! It's kinda loud and rowdy -- and we like the food, too!

Gotta love Beaches and Cream at BCV -- but I agree that for larger groups, unless it's a realllllly slow day or odd time, you may end up waiting a long time to be seated. Kids usually balk at that idea!

ESPN on the BW can be fun -- the TVs mesmerize the young'uns (even if they aren't total sports nuts...)

OHANA at the Poly ... DH sez put it in the play book for ALL of our future trips! THe kids have fun, there's music and games, and they bring the food right to your table (no hopping up and down to get kids' plates!) If the kids don't like the menu, note that they can order off the Kona menu. We love this place!

The HoopDeeDoo at FW was very well enjoyed by our gang. SImple food (fried chicken, salad, rolls, and such) but the show was so much fun. My dd and nephew were both 4 on our last trip and they loved it. Even our 8 mos old nephew seemed to have a good time!

Now if your kids are skittish at the sound of thunder or run from gorillas in the mist, do NOT go to RFC at DTD! (On the other hand -- if they like it, it can be quite entertaining!) OUr eldest DS (9) apparently has a primate-phobia we didn't know about until AFTER we sat down... didn't make for a very good meal for him, although the rest of us really enjoyed the food and atmosphere.

Don't forget that DVC members get discounts over at Swan/Dolphin. SOmeone here once said they used to drop in to the Dolphin FOuntain and get ice cream to "consume" on their walk back over to the BWV. Not a bad plan, especially at 20% off.

Ghirardelli's makes some good ice cream over at DTD, too...

Oooo.... now I'm hungry!

Happy Eating!

 

[Tiger926]

Great answers as I have been researching the same thing as we are finally going to try some new restaurants this time since we are purchasing the DDE card. Just wondering, where is Good Food to Go?

Thanks, Tiger aka Piglet's Momma

 

[kweaver]

Definitely try Whispering CAnyon at WL...it's not a terribly relaxing meal...but if you are up for some fun you will love it (especially your boys!).

Chef Mickeys is a lot of fun for the kids...and the food is decent.

Beaches & Cream is a must...even if you just go for ice cream. We do love their burgers though. HUGE portions...split a meal.

We also loved the Pepper Market when we stayed at CSR years ago (when it first opened). Lots of choices for everyone...plenty for the kids to enjoy.

 

[Divamomto3]

As far as resort restaurant choices that I have enjoyed....
Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary
'Ohana at the Poly
Boma at the AKL
Fresh at the Dolphin is not to be missed for breakfast!

We loved the California Grill on our last trip, but I wouldn't bring children there...that's just me. There were a few kids there the night we were there, but it is very expensive and is a very "date night" atmosphere to me. It didn't seem to be kid friendly...even though it's Disney World. And I love my 3 kids but I was very glad that there were no over tired preschoolers there to ruin my enjoyment of my $200 meal!

I know you wanted "out of the park" suggestions, but I think MGM Studios has a lot of fun restaurants...50's Prime Time Cafe and Sci Fi Dine In jump out at me.
Have a great time. That's what I love about DVC...there's always "next time" to try something you've missed.

 

[Snowgod]

Goods Food to Go is at OKW in the hospitallity house near the pool.

 

[vernon]

With kids that age I believe the buffet style restaurants offer the best chance of families getting to eat without too many traumas.The kids can try a little of "new stuff" and it doesn't matter if they don't like it and there are always "old favourites" on the kids buffets that mean they won't go hungry. It also means the kids can eat at their own pace ( usually slowly) and not affect the adults meals. The character meals are obviously a little more expensive, but with little ones (who like to see the characters) it is a very time efficient way to see LOTS of characters and to get their autographs.

Character Breakfasts: Park Fare 1900 at the Grand Floridian and Chip n Dale in the Cape May Cafe are my favourites.

Regular Breakfast: Boatwright's dining hall in the PO,

Dinner: Boma's, Chef Mickey's , Cape May Cafe, Park Fare 1900.

If you visit off WDW the Olive Garden (there are many branches, the nearest is a 1/4 mile north on the SR535 from cross roads.) is a good choice for good food at a good price. My kids always enjoyed Jungle Jim's at Crossroads (IMHO for a cheap night out it's a good option).

If (or when) the little ones are dry there is always the option of letting them go to one of Disney's kids clubs ( the Neverland Club at the Poly was my kids favourites) and the adults getting a night out on their own. We usually went to either Epcot and ate on World Showcase or to the GF and ate at one of their restaurants. You're given a pager, in case of problems, and you're never more than a quick monorail ride away if needed. My girls loved the clubs, they got fed, usually had character visits, sometimes there were animals appeared ( parrots etc), they had free runs on video games, storytime, films to watch.

 

[secox28]

I have so many favorite places to eat.. But here are my top choices...

Boma AKL
California Grill
Rainforest Cafe***
Chef Mickey's
Whispering Canyon WL

Do call ahead seating! Have fun and enjoy! :jumping4:

 

[Frozenfingers]

If/when at Downtown Disney, be sure to try Earl of Sandwhich. Great portions (easily split), and very reasonable! Darn tasty too! Wofgang Puck puts on a nice spread (including the hips), and the express site is family friendly too.

Course, Mickey D's is there if the younguns are starved for familiarity.

 

[mtdewhead]

Cape May Cafe at BCV is our not to be missed site! It's a clam bake every night. The kids don't care for seafood but they have an entire kid bar for them to eat from, while we pig out on King Crab Legs. Don't miss the dessert bar, the kids love it!