First trip, probably only trip - suggestions

[Golden Rose]

We're planning a trip for 2016 with a family who have never been to WDW before, and probably won't go again (unless they fall in love with it, which would be great!) Between us, at the time of the trip, we will be two couples and 4 kids, boys ages 10 and 11, and girls ages 5 and 6.

When we go, we have sort of fallen into a pattern of restaurants that we hit pretty much every time, since they include our favorites and our kids' favorites, but I'm wondering if I'm missing something that would be really special.

We will not be on a dining plan. We may have a Tables in Wonderland card; once we figure out where we're eating, I'll figure out if we're buying one.

Because the boys will be Disney adults, buffets are not a great deal for us, although I'm still willing to consider them. (We love Tusker House and Boma.)

So, what restaurants do you consider the most "magical"? I'm trying to come up with the ones that provide an overall experience that you can't get easily anywhere else. We usually do both princess meals, but the other little girl doesn't like princesses. (Fairies, yes, princesses, no. Except Frozen.) My daughter adores the princesses, and I'm thinking I still need to do one princess meal. I like the food a little better at Akershus, but I'm thinking CRT feels more special...

I would prefer places with good food, but right now I'm focused on overall experience. So, what would you do with a party of 8 to get the most magic out of a trip?

 

[Nancyg56]

Okay- right off the bat I would suggest CRT, but that is one expensive meal if only onr in the group is a Princess fan. I realize the Castle is special, but I probably would pass based on teh dynamics you shared.

I would book 1900 Park Fare. It is a buffet, but a decent one. It also features Cinderella and Prince Charming, and I hearf the Fairy Godmother shows up. The big family draw in my opinon is the Tremaine family. They are hysterical and appeal to every age group.

If you want one more Princess experience I would suggest Akershus. It is less money for the Princess experience, so you could have two meals for not much more than CRT.

I don't know the restaurants your family likes, but my family likes 'Ohana. I think it is okay, but book it every time because they really love it.

Rose & Crown is on the list as well. My DD and DSIL asked me to book it twice for lunch on the next trip, and I did, thinking they woudl want one canceled as we draw closer. No. They want both.

Raglan Road is worth a visit as well. It is fun, the food is good. It is reasonably priced. Did I mention it is FUN!

Any one of the AKL restaurants is worth a visit, IMO. I loved Boma, but I really was the only one who did. The Lodge is worth the visit though. WE have Sanaa in the new Kidani Village booked. based on reviews, this one is a good value, has delicious food, and is in a lovely setting.

If you are looking for a signature dining experience, I would suggest Narcoossees at the Grand Floridian (your girls can "dress up" in party clothes), and the rest of you can enjoy a wonderful meal. You can use the time to explore the GF grounds, and then have dinner before watching WIshes from the front porch of the restaurant. This is a restaurant you could consider splitting an entree between two people. The portions are generous, and the Chef will split in the kitchen. My DDIL and I will split a meal here, (More room fo the delicious bread and dessert!!)

I also like the Yachtsman Steakhouse. The food is really good, the service is excellent, and it also is a restaurant that is conducive to families. It is pricy, but we tend to split entrees periodically so we can all enjoy a little bit of appetizer and dessert.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

Sci-Fi Dine-in at Disney Hollywood. I would go there. The food is okay, but the atmosphere is very different and very unique. It is set up like an old drive-in movie. Great atmosphere, okay food. Everyone should go there at least once.

 

[nilla]

Sci-Fi Dine-in at Disney Hollywood. I would go there. The food is okay, but the atmosphere is very different and very unique. It is set up like an old drive-in movie. Great atmosphere, okay food. Everyone should go there at least once.

Disagree on the food. It's rapidly becoming a favorite of ours, for both food AND experience.

 

[nilla]

We're planning a trip for 2016 with a family who have never been to WDW before, and probably won't go again...

This doesn't sound like a lot of fun.

 

[Golden Rose]

This doesn't sound like a lot of fun.

I think it will be actually be a lot of fun. We're really close to the other family. and our kids get along really well. We all love to travel. They just haven't done WDW, and we do it every year at least once. We'd moderately laid back about what we do in any given trip since we know we'll be back (we love our DVC,) so I really don't mind planning a vacation with our friends in mind. The only thing I worry about a little is their daughter not liking princesses, since my daughter is so obsessed.

I haven't been to most of Nancyg56's suggestions. Are Raglan Road, Rose & Crown, or Narcoossees really that kid friendly for the 5 and 6 year olds? We have dragged our two to many of the signatures (Cali Grill, Brown Derby, Monsieur Paul, Jiko), and honestly, I'm on edge that our daughter will misbehave when the meals run too long. (Our son was always good, even when he was really little, but our daughter gets restless eventually.) I don't know if it will be better or worse with a friend along!

 

[nilla]

I think it will be actually be a lot of fun. We're really close to the other family. and our kids get along really well. We all love to travel. They just haven't done WDW, and we do it every year at least once. We'd moderately laid back about what we do in any given trip since we know we'll be back (we love our DVC,) so I really don't mind planning a vacation with our friends in mind. The only thing I worry about a little is their daughter not liking princesses, since my daughter is so obsessed.

I haven't been to most of Nancyg56's suggestions. Are Raglan Road, Rose & Crown, or Narcoossees really that kid friendly for the 5 and 6 year olds? We have dragged our two to many of the signatures (Cali Grill, Brown Derby, Monsieur Paul, Jiko), and honestly, I'm on edge that our daughter will misbehave when the meals run too long. (Our son was always good, even when he was really little, but our daughter gets restless eventually.) I don't know if it will be better or worse with a friend along!

Raglan Road has enough entertainment that the kids shouldn't get bored, even if the meal runs long.

We also worried about our kids misbehaving if meals went too long (which they did, when the meals did go long), but I can honestly say we didn't really care how nice the restaurant was once that happened

We've had fantastic meals at Narcoosee's twice with kids. Well worth the risk!

 

[Hockeyfan17]

Whispering Canyon Café is also a very good restaurant that is very kid friendly and a very fun experience. The food there is quite good as well.

 

[TwizzleMouse]

Teppan Edo or the Plaza. Those are two of my faves.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it will be actually be a lot of fun. We're really close to the other family. and our kids get along really well. We all love to travel. They just haven't done WDW, and we do it every year at least once. We'd moderately laid back about what we do in any given trip since we know we'll be back (we love our DVC,) so I really don't mind planning a vacation with our friends in mind. The only thing I worry about a little is their daughter not liking princesses, since my daughter is so obsessed.

I haven't been to most of Nancyg56's suggestions. Are Raglan Road, Rose & Crown, or Narcoossees really that kid friendly for the 5 and 6 year olds? We have dragged our two to many of the signatures (Cali Grill, Brown Derby, Monsieur Paul, Jiko), and honestly, I'm on edge that our daughter will misbehave when the meals run too long. (Our son was always good, even when he was really little, but our daughter gets restless eventually.) I don't know if it will be better or worse with a friend along!

One thing to remember about kids and their obsessions is that they may experience a turn around when they are exposed to "the real thing". I would not worry about the little girl, there will be plenty of characters and experiences for her to enjoy her trip, and I bet the two girls will have a blast.

I am taking a 5 and a 6 YO to R&C, and Narcoossees this year. The 5 YO is a full of energy mischief! and I won't pretend that her good manners are not on my mind, however these restaurants all had kids in them when we visited and it was fine. One thing we did when my DGD was little, and will do with these two Princesses, is bring something to occupy them. Kady was alone and had no other child to interact with, so I am not sure what that means with my two girls this year, or your two little ones, but I would rather be prepared so they enjoy their time too.

We are "practicing" our good manners already. This is not to say I expect miniature Emily Post's, and their manners are good already, but I figure that they can always use a little polish to remind them what I expect. I also bought a pretty dress on sale at the Disney store for this meal.

 

[JJZMgailey]

I was also going to suggest 1900 Park Fare for Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner - Anastasia and Drizella are just a hoot and Lady Tremaine is so snarly and perfect. It's really one of my family's favorite Character meals and I have teenagers!

Just make sure that if you do that one, that you book dinner as those Characters are not there at breakfast time.

Have fun!

 

[VAfamily1998]

I think Hoop de Doo Review is great. We went on our trip in 2012 with our kids who were 6, 8, 10, and 12 at the time, and we all had a great time, and liked the food. It's a Disney World "classic" too--I went on a trip as a child back in 1984!

 

[sbrost13]

My kids love Biergarten and Teppan Edo in EPCOT, and Be Our Guest.

 

[Baklava]

One thing to remember about kids and their obsessions is that they may experience a turn around when they are exposed to "the real thing". I would not worry about the little girl, there will be plenty of characters and experiences for her to enjoy her trip, and I bet the two girls will have a blast.

This! Our last DL trip happened when my daughter was 3 and kind of "meh" about princesses in general. Once she met pretty ladies in beautiful dresses who paid attention to her, she became much more enamored of the whole concept! As long as the girl is just tepid and not actively anti-princess, she'll probably enjoy the experience even if she's not a total convert.

 

[soniam]

The new Jungle Cruise themed restaurant is supposed to open late this year. Since it's not open yet, I have no true opinion. However, the description sounds really fun and interactive. I think there's a thread over in the rumors section about it. It might be something to keep an eye on fie later.

 

[Derb]

Be Our Guest, Raglan Road, Biergarten are favorites of ours...fun and unusual places.

 

[gdrj]

As you probably already know and you can see from the suggestions there are great options.

I'm going to go in a different direction. Trails End at Ft Wilderness for breakfast. Lower cost buffet (no characters). After breakfast look at the ponies, boat to MK, or rent bikes etc... with the kids. This is good if you are looking for a little slow down. Obviously can do dinner or Mickeys Backyard BBQ. If you are worried about kids behaving or needing to run off some extra energy this is a good spot for this.

Another offbeat option depending on where you are staying is early dinner at the pool (not exciting), and then Pirate Cruise from Contemporary.

 

[honeybunches]

We traveled with my SIL and niece, who were also on their 1st trip (and weren't planning to return.) Our situation was similar to yours. We went to Raglan Road, which the kids loved for the entertainment, but to be honest - for us, it would have been better to stick with the parks and resorts that we'd already be near. For their first time, it was just too much to try to cram in the travel here-there-and-yonder just for meals while trying to get the most out of the parks.

Even though your friend's DD doesn't like princesses, CRT is a must-do. When that little girl tells people she went to WDW, they will all ask her if she ate in the castle. My kids LOVE watching the castle at the opening credits of a Disney movie and saying, "We ate there!!!" The setting and decor is just not something you'll see anywhere else. If the cost is prohibitive, maybe do a mom-and-daughter meal there. BOG would be another definite, if you can get it/squeeze it in. The windows that have snow, disappearing rose -- it's just so wondrous.
In Epcot, Biergarten has entertainment for the kids, and is easy to get to. Tables are already set for 8, so that's good for your party. Coral Reef is also cool for kids of that age.
1900 PF is a favorite - the stepsisters are a hoot!! If you go for breakfast, the Mad Hatter is awesome.
AK - Yak & Yeti is our pick for dinner. Tusker House is okay, but we're not adventurous eaters.
DHS - I haven't found an amazing experience here for dinner. We are trying Mama Melrose this year. What about 50's PrimeTime? I always want to try it but my family isn't very into the antics (which is why they don't like WCC either.)

 

[Golden Rose]

I don't know how into the antics the friends will be. I know my husband isn't, which is why we've never done either 50's primetime or WCC. If it sounds good to our friends, we might try one of them.

I've been super curious about Raglan Road, but unwilling to brave the construction traffic lately. My kids love T-Rex, so when we did Downtown Disney last, that's what we did. I'm putting Raglan Road on my list, if not for this trip, then for the next. When is all the construction supposed to be done?

I'll put CRT back on the list. I'll also look at the Adventureland restaurant if it is open and getting good reviews by the time we go.

Is 1900 Park Fare really not that bad for boys? I know my daughter would love it, but my son gets oversaturated with the princesses pretty fast these days. (He begged his grandmother to take him back to the resort for a swim last trip instead of going to Akershus.)

I think our friends might enjoy Fort Wilderness, but I just don't think we have enough time. We'd have to sacrifice a park to do it, and I think they want to see all 4 parks. (I thought we'd have more leisure time, but they REALLY want to spend the first 2 days at Universal because they're huge Harry Potter fans.)

 

[Danny K]

Here are the restaurants that I recommend from most to least in each park for kids:


Magic Kingdom

1. Cinderella's Royal Table (Princess Meal, and inside the Castle)
2. Crystal Palace (Buffet with Winnie the Pooh and Friends)
3. Be Our Guest Restaurant (Located inside a small castle, might see the Belle & Beast if Lucky)


Epcot

1. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Don't do this if you are doing Cinderella's Royal Table, Princess Meal).
2. San Angel Inn (Great Surroundings feeling like your outdoors in Mexican twilight).
3. Biergarten (German Buffet with German Band, plus dining with other people).
4. Coral Reef (Inside the Aquarium)
5. Garden Grill (Chip & Dale's Character Buffet)
6. Teppan Edo (Japanese Restaurant where you watch the chefs make the food for you).
7. Marrakesh (If your kids will like Moroccan food, come here, and also watch the moroccan belly dancers).


Hollywood Studios

1. Sci-Fi-Dine In Theater (Dining inside a theater).
2. Hollywood & Vine (Character Dining: Handy Many, Little Einsteins. WARNING: Food is not that great, kind of like cafeteria food).


Animal Kingdom

1. Tusker House (Mickey & Friends Dining with African Cuisine).
2. Rainforest Cafe (Only go there if you don't live by one of them).
3. Yak & Yeti's (The surroundings are in an old asian house serving asian food).


Outside the Parks

1. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Dinner Show)
2. T-Rex Cafe (Like Rainforest Cafe but with Dinosaurs)
3. 1900 Park Fare (Cinderella, Stepmother, and Stepsisters)