First Timer with dining question

[krock607]

I'm going to WDW for the first time in May 2012 I'm going with DD 5, DD 6, BF, Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, BIL, niece and nephew, a LOT of people, I know! : We are staying offsite, as my mom has a time-share, but that means we can't get the Dining Plan We are planning on bringing a cooler, with sandwiches and drinks, and also eating at the condo. I do anticipate, however, we will be eating in the parks on at least one occasion.....so I'm looking for suggestions for good Table Service at budget friendly prices. Thanks for any help you can give me :

 

[CowboyCO]

I'm going to WDW for the first time in May 2012 I'm going with DD 5, DD 6, BF, Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, BIL, niece and nephew, a LOT of people, I know! : We are staying offsite, as my mom has a time-share, but that means we can't get the Dining Plan We are planning on bringing a cooler, with sandwiches and drinks, and also eating at the condo. I do anticipate, however, we will be eating in the parks on at least one occasion.....so I'm looking for suggestions for good Table Service at budget friendly prices. Thanks for any help you can give me :

You don't have to have the dining plan in order to enjoy the restaurants at DW (Unless you are talking about free dining). Be aware that large coolers aren't allowed in Disney Parks. I always take in a soft-sided collapsible cooler for water bottles and candy bars and other snacks. I think that Pecos Bill's in Magic Kingdom is a good value because they have a huge condiments bar so you can really make the most out of the items on the menu.

The Flame Tree barbecue in Animal Kingdom has good portion sizes and the big meals can be shared.

To get the best advice, post this on the restaurants board and you will get loads of info.

 

[lilpig]

Very Exciting! We are taking our kids for the first time in March. So I am not very helpful in first hand knowledge. BUT I have read a lot of posts. Here are some places I am itching to try..

Earl of Sandwhich - Downtown Disney
Eggroll Wagon - Magic Kingdom ( I really like eggrolls )
Coral Reef -
Bistro De Paris

I think from what I have read they sound yummy..

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Lunch is more budget-friendly than dinner at table-service restaurants. We particularly like Liberty Tree Tavern at MK, and The Plaza there is good too. At DHS you have a couple of options: Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre, 50's Prime Time Cafe (my choice) or Mama Melrose (another good option).

My favorite quick-service (fast food) choices in each park would be:

MK: Cosmic Ray's or Pecos Bill's
EP: Sunshine Seasons
DHS: Backlot Express
AK: Pizzafari or Flame Tree BBQ

You can check prices at AllEarsNet.com or here at the DIS, to get an idea of the cost of food. Remember that for a large group at a TS restaurant, you'll have an automatic gratuity of 18%.

 

[LJSquishy]

My first trip is in 30 days so I have not personally eaten at any of the restaurants yet, but I do know that The Plaza in Magic Kingdom is one of the more reasonably priced table service restaurants in Disney World. I also think Sci-Fi is a less expensive table service option at Hollywood Studios.

 

[Seahunt]

If you haven't already, you might read through this from allears and look at the menus (with prices) to see if any place appeals to you:

http://allears.net/din/dining.htm

You might want to read this review of the Trail's End (dinner) buffet also:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/11/28/review-trails-end-dinner-buffet-and-new-baked-potato-bar/

It might be a splurge but the nice thing about a buffet is that everyone could get exactly what they want.

Then maybe you could all walk over to Chip and Dale’s Campfire and Sing-a-long, followed by a Disney movie {kids love it and that's free).

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Edited: Oh nevermind, DH corrected me.

OP, if its your (and I'm assuming the kids') first time, you'll probably want your one table service to be a character event. Most of those are reasonable. I'd suggest Crystal Palace in MK, with the Pooh characters.

 

[Marionnette]

Edited: Oh nevermind, DH corrected me.

OP, if its your (and I'm assuming the kids') first time, you'll probably want your one table service to be a character event. Most of those are reasonable. I'd suggest Crystal Palace in MK, with the Pooh characters.

Reasonable? I consider the character meals to be most overpriced dining that Disney offers! Lunch at CP is $30.88 for adults and $17.03 for children; before taxes and tip! Unless you have a diehard Pooh fan in your group and your trip will not be complete without meeting him and his pals, skip CP and eat at one of the counterservice locations close to where you are when you get hungry.

 

[ekatiel]

If you're only going to eat one table service meal on your trip, I'd suggest a character meal, too. They are pricey, but seeing the characters make it worth it! You need to think about which kind of characters you'd like to see: Mickey and the Gang? Winnie the Pooh and Friends? Princesses? Character meals are cheaper at breakfast. A trick we've used before is to eat breakfast in the room before we leave for the parks, but then book a late character breakfast-- sometimes you can get them as late as 11 or 11:30am-- especially if it's a breakfast in a resort rather than in the parks. Then we can have a nice meal at lunch for less than the cost of a Character lunch or dinner. We love eating breakfast foods at all times of the day, so it works for us once or twice on our trip! Let us know which characters you'd like to eat with, and we can give some restaurant suggestions! --Katie

 

[LilyWDW]

Reasonable? I consider the character meals to be most overpriced dining that Disney offers! Lunch at CP is $30.88 for adults and $17.03 for children; before taxes and tip! Unless you have a diehard Pooh fan in your group and your trip will not be complete without meeting him and his pals, skip CP and eat at one of the counterservice locations close to where you are when you get hungry.

While they are not reasonable for a meal outside of the world that you might go to on a normal day, I don't believe they are all that bad. This is Disney and it is a character meal. I find it "reasonable" for the situation and location.

 

[Marionnette]

While they are not reasonable for a meal outside of the world that you might go to on a normal day, I don't believe they are all that bad. This is Disney and it is a character meal. I find it "reasonable" for the situation and location.

The OP asked for good table service at reasonable prices. There are plenty of table service locations within the parks that are more reasonable in price and have better food. You are paying the higher price for the character interaction, which I stated is worth it if you are a die-hard Pooh fan. The food is adequate at best.

 

[Fire14]

I'll give you my fav places to eat in each park:

MK: Crystal Palace is great for Eeyore and crew Meet and Greet but a bit pricy, It is Buffet.
Plaza has yummy food and some things that are not normal park chow. I personally love French Dip and Chix Sandwich.

If want Counter Service: I like Cosmic Rays- has topping bar, burgers, Chicken. Pinonchios Village house- Has pizza, Salads, Chix Strips. Columbia Harbor House is good if want fish/ chicken.
I personally Didn't care for Selection at Pecos Bill

Epcot: I personally don't have any favs here but love Beaches and Cream at beach Club which is short walk/boat ride from International Gateway.
Counter Service: Liberty Inn or Place on way to Canada that sells fries and Chix strips. Sunshine Seasons has nice Variety of food choices.

AK: Yak and Yeti was nice change of pace and has some fun foods, They also have a rainforest Cafe but I wouldn't call it budget. Tusker House had nice dinner buffet when we ate there few years back.
CS: Flame Tree BBQ my personal first choice, Restruantasus was pretty good also. Pizzafari was ok but it's pizza not much else.

DHS: Prime Time 50's is always a good meal IMO, Sci Fi was ok for lunch but wouldn't do dinner there myself, both these places have yummy milk shakes.

CS: Love Studio Catering Co. Toy Story Pizza planet is ok if pizza is on your mind but it seems like Slowest service on planet to me. AVOID ABC Commisary at all costs IMO and a coworkers.


If outside parks:
DTD- Trex Cafe is always a yummy meal with Dino Size servings, Earl Of sandwich menu looked good but never ate there.
Trails end at Fort Wilderness- Loved Chicken, Soups, Desserts, beef, heard recently added baked tater bar.
Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge- Nice Variety of food
Beaches and Cream- love burgers and Sandwiches here but VERY small place.

 

[North of Mouse]

Budget - minded, don't believe any of them really are Some of the CS places are better than sit downs, but all of them are over priced.But, it's the experience we enjoy, and it's expected that the prices are inflated. A character breakfast would probably be your best value for money as there is something for everybody, the experience of the characters, and the least expensive of the day. We like Crystal Palace in MK or Cape May at the Beach Club. Have a wonderful pixie - filled trip .

 

[mrsklamc]

I don't understand the big deal about character meals...We've never felt rushed with just the regular characters around the park.