First trip to Disney World, need help finding MUST eat restaurants

Hey, my fast passes came up today...but i am lost being my first visit as to what our 5 year old will want to ride and like.

Magic Kingdom (only have 1st day booked but know this is where most of our time will be at) Are there other rides i should look at that may have long lines? Space mountain i just do not know if he will like, haunted mansion etc...

Eat breakfast in room

Peter pan at 925am
7 dwarf 1055 am

When it comes to MK, I always book Peter Pan and 7DMT because they always have the longest lines. Maybe add Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. Even my grown sons like that one (a lot of animatronics). Also Winnie the Pooh. The rest of the rides just get on when you see there's no line. Small World is great for little kids and there is almost never a line.
 
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When it comes to MK, I always book Peter Pan and 7DMT because they always have the longest lines. Maybe add Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. Even my grown sons like that one (a lot of animatronics). Also Winnie the Pooh. The rest of the rides just get on when you see there's no line. Small World is great for little kids and there is almost never a line.

Thanks

My next question is this...

Me and 5 yr old will use all our fast passes in MK...my wife will have hers left for Epcot in the evening.

With just her fastpass reserved can we give her magic band to 5 yr old so she will be able to ride with our son and we do the rider switch so we all get to ride Soarin?
 
Thanks

My next question is this...

Me and 5 yr old will use all our fast passes in MK...my wife will have hers left for Epcot in the evening.

With just her fastpass reserved can we give her magic band to 5 yr old so she will be able to ride with our son and we do the rider switch so we all get to ride Soarin?
I may not be understanding your question correctly, but your wife wouldn't be able to give her Magic Band to your son for BOTH of them to use for the same ride at the same time. They both have to have a band to scan in at the fastpass line entrance, and you can't schedule 2 fastpasses for the same ride at the same time on one band anyway. Fastpass+ only lets you schedule each attraction once, in your initial 3 choices per day.
 
Our top faves from our 1st trip were Sci fi, 50s prime time, trex and yak& yeti. We also did rainforest cafe, sunshine season, and planet Hollywood those were all good. The only one we didn't care for much was via napoli but probably in the minority for that.
 

I know you've gotten a lot of input already. I would just say book in relation to where you'll be. Esp the 2nd leg of your trip. There are so many amazing restaurants that will be convenient to the BC. Just in your resort alone...cape may has a good breakfast buffet, captains grille, yachtsman. Then you're SO close to Epcot, you have all of the wonderful world showcase restaurants close by. Most are really good, just depends on your taste. Also, one of the best character breakfast on property (my opinion) is garden grill in Epcot. You're also close by to the swan and dolphin and a boat ride away to HS, which has several good restuarants. I would really take advantage of your great location and stick close by for some of your meals, will really reduce the stress of getting to dinner (or breakfast). Enjoy your first trip!
 
We usually do breakfast in our room, so I can't help much there.

Lunch - some of our favs are Flame Tree BBQ (Animal Kingdom), Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich (Disney Springs). Much of the "lunch" food at the counter service places is the same from place to place...burgers, etc.

Dinner - Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge) is food-wise the best buffet onsite. 'Ohana (Polynesian) has great food and atmosphere. Via Napoli (Epcot) has delicious thin crust wood fired pizza. Also, Trail's End (Fort Wilderness) is a pretty good buffet and the best bang for your buck. If you're looking for characters, I'd suggest Tusker House (Animal Kingdom). The food at other character buffets is barely edible in many cases.
 
I may not be understanding your question correctly, but your wife wouldn't be able to give her Magic Band to your son for BOTH of them to use for the same ride at the same time. They both have to have a band to scan in at the fastpass line entrance, and you can't schedule 2 fastpasses for the same ride at the same time on one band anyway. Fastpass+ only lets you schedule each attraction once, in your initial 3 choices per day.

Magic Kingdom

Big Thunder railroad (ME and son)
Splash Mountain (ME and son)

Son and I each have 1 FP left but have to go back to room to feed baby and let him take his nap.

And my wife has not used her FP+ at all. Since we cannot use FP+ in different park same day
we would switch passes and set up 1 reservation under my wife for Toy Story mania in the evening
put her band on our son who has to have adult supervision to ride the ride and figure we could do rider swap since we have 1 year old I have to watch while they ride.....i have read online numerous places
you can switch out your magic band within same party...all of us will have a band....
 
Magic Kingdom

Big Thunder railroad (ME and son)
Splash Mountain (ME and son)

Son and I each have 1 FP left but have to go back to room to feed baby and let him take his nap.

And my wife has not used her FP+ at all. Since we cannot use FP+ in different park same day
we would switch passes and set up 1 reservation under my wife for Toy Story mania in the evening
put her band on our son who has to have adult supervision to ride the ride and figure we could do rider swap since we have 1 year old I have to watch while they ride.....i have read online numerous places
you can switch out your magic band within same party...all of us will have a band....
You can definitely switch out bands. But you can't use one band to get 3 of you on a single ride at the same time, whether you are using rider swap or not. They aren't going to let 3 of you through the fastpass line with only one fastpass... unless rider swap is MUCH more lenient with rules than I'm remembering. Also, there is no such thing as a "freebie fastpass" because you have a child who's 5. They will expect him to have a fastpass just like both adults with him. Sure, he can re-ride with rider swap on a single fastpass, but unless I'm misunderstanding - you're hoping that your wife's one fastpass will be fine for both you and her. The only people who don't have to have fastpasses are the babies and toddlers, who aren't old enough to have their own accounts set up to schedule fastpasses and are expected to only go on rides where they are lap babies.
 
You can definitely switch out bands. But you can't use one band to get 3 of you on a single ride at the same time, whether you are using rider swap or not. They aren't going to let 3 of you through the fastpass line with only one fastpass... unless rider swap is MUCH more lenient with rules than I'm remembering. Also, there is no such thing as a "freebie fastpass" because you have a child who's 5. They will expect him to have a fastpass just like both adults with him. Sure, he can re-ride with rider swap on a single fastpass, but unless I'm misunderstanding - you're hoping that your wife's one fastpass will be fine for both you and her. The only people who don't have to have fastpasses are the babies and toddlers, who aren't old enough to have their own accounts set up to schedule fastpasses and are expected to only go on rides where they are lap babies.

Ok, so with 1 fastpass she can ride with him without a FP herself right since she would be giving hers up ? I see what you are saying about 3 of us...
 
Ok, so with 1 fastpass she can ride with him without a FP herself right since she would be giving hers up ? I see what you are saying about 3 of us...
It doesn't really matter if there are two adults, or if there is one adult with a 5yo - they are both supposed to have a fastpass on their magic bands to get on the ride via fastpass. Like I said, the only people who aren't required to have fastpasses are lap babies, because you can't set up fastpasses for them at all. Lap babies do not affect ride load b/c they aren't taking up their own seat.

When you arrive at the fastpass line, they have everyone scan their bands to get in, except for lap babies. The reader flashes green if that band has a fastpass for a valid time; if there is no fastpass for the person wearing the band for that attraction valid for that time - it will flash red. We had one experience where my niece's band scanned red (she was 4 at the time). I'm not sure what happened, but there other 7 or so of us had already scanned in on green, so something was wonky with hers. The CM kind of gave us a dirty look but waved her in with us. I considered that we were "lucky" that the CM didn't turn her (and consequently an adult who would have to skip the ride) away, and I would guess that he wouldn't have done it if there weren't so many of us already scanned in on green. Personally, I wouldn't assume that your wife and son will be able to get in with one valid fastpass, b/c it'll only work if you get lucky with a generous CM.

You may be better off posting your rider switch / fastpass questions in the theme parks attractions and strategies section of the boards. I'm definitely no expert because my kids are tall for their ages and have been able to ride everything since WDW implemented fastpass+. Other people can better answer your questions about using rider switch, for sure. There are web-sites that explain it better too, but I can't link to those b/c it's against the rules here.
 
Quick service meals in Epcot and at the monorail resorts are a good value and are usually better than your standard burgers and nuggets.

Chef Mickey's is good only at breakfast and it's fun for little ones. CRT is pricey but awesome for princess lovers, timed with fireworks can be awesome. Or Akershus in Epcot is another princess option and is also great fun.

Food is very subjective. Be prepared to spend a great deal even if eating at quick services places. It will not compare to expensive restaurants in metro or coastal areas, but some can be decent.
 
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I just have to tell the OP that we seriously disliked the breakfast at Ohana. Mass cooked scrambled eggs and nothing else that was especially tasty or out of the ordinary. Unless someone in your family is a huge Stitch fan, I'd book anywhere else. (Dinner at Ohana is another story. We love it!)

My personal favorite for breakfast is 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. But you should consider the Cape May Cafe for breakfast since you're right there, and they have a make-your-own-crepes station. For that matter, we really like the dinner there, but if your wife hates seafood, it may not be your best bet.

Regarding transportation, I would use my car for going everywhere while you're at Pop except the Magic Kingdom. You have to drive to the MK lot, take a tram to the TTC (Ticket & Transportation Center) then take the monorail or ferry to the MK gate. Pop's bus will let you off at the gate.

The same advice for the MK applies after you move to the Beach Club, but you should also use the boat for Epcot and the Studios.

Hope your first trip is magical for you and your family! :wizard:
 
Breakfast:

Wolfgang Puck Express, Disney Springs - Marketside, a quick service meal on the dining plans
Kona at the Poly, a table service
No ma, TS AKR

Lunch or dinner:

Quick service:

Flame Tree BBQ, Animal Kingdom
Wolfgang Puck Express
BOG, MK
Columbia Harbour House, MK
Starring Rolls
Tangieriene Cafe, Epcot
Liberty Inn, Epcot
Les Halles, Epcot
Yorkshire Couty Fish Shop, Epcot

Table service, lunch or dinner:

50's Prime Time, Hollywood Studios
Mama Melrose, HS
Kona, Poly
The Wave, Contemporary Resort
Turf Club, Saratoga Springs
Yak and Yeti, AK
Sanaa, Bona, Jiko, AKR andAKV
Chefs De France, Epcot
Raglan Road, Disney Springs
 
It doesn't really matter if there are two adults, or if there is one adult with a 5yo - they are both supposed to have a fastpass on their magic bands to get on the ride via fastpass. Like I said, the only people who aren't required to have fastpasses are lap babies, because you can't set up fastpasses for them at all. Lap babies do not affect ride load b/c they aren't taking up their own seat.

When you arrive at the fastpass line, they have everyone scan their bands to get in, except for lap babies. The reader flashes green if that band has a fastpass for a valid time; if there is no fastpass for the person wearing the band for that attraction valid for that time - it will flash red. We had one experience where my niece's band scanned red (she was 4 at the time). I'm not sure what happened, but there other 7 or so of us had already scanned in on green, so something was wonky with hers. The CM kind of gave us a dirty look but waved her in with us. I considered that we were "lucky" that the CM didn't turn her (and consequently an adult who would have to skip the ride) away, and I would guess that he wouldn't have done it if there weren't so many of us already scanned in on green. Personally, I wouldn't assume that your wife and son will be able to get in with one valid fastpass, b/c it'll only work if you get lucky with a generous CM.

You may be better off posting your rider switch / fastpass questions in the theme parks attractions and strategies section of the boards. I'm definitely no expert because my kids are tall for their ages and have been able to ride everything since WDW implemented fastpass+. Other people can better answer your questions about using rider switch, for sure. There are web-sites that explain it better too, but I can't link to those b/c it's against the rules here.

Ok thanks, my thinking is since he is 5 and will have the bracelet on with the FP reservation me or wife could go since no one under 7 can ride alone...but i will move it there. thanks
 
I just have to tell the OP that we seriously disliked the breakfast at Ohana. Mass cooked scrambled eggs and nothing else that was especially tasty or out of the ordinary. Unless someone in your family is a huge Stitch fan, I'd book anywhere else. (Dinner at Ohana is another story. We love it!)

My personal favorite for breakfast is 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. But you should consider the Cape May Cafe for breakfast since you're right there, and they have a make-your-own-crepes station. For that matter, we really like the dinner there, but if your wife hates seafood, it may not be your best bet.

Regarding transportation, I would use my car for going everywhere while you're at Pop except the Magic Kingdom. You have to drive to the MK lot, take a tram to the TTC (Ticket & Transportation Center) then take the monorail or ferry to the MK gate. Pop's bus will let you off at the gate.

The same advice for the MK applies after you move to the Beach Club, but you should also use the boat for Epcot and the Studios.

Hope your first trip is magical for you and your family! :wizard:

We had to cancel beach club because we needed to move our check in date back a day....we could not modify through Undercover tourist. When we went to reserve again BC was not available for the days we wanted. So we are now at Poly from June 27 to July 1st...First part of trip we are at pop from 6/20 to 6/27...have 8 day tickets with hopper and water parks.

We have breakfast set at ohana on 7/1 at 7:30am and is the only place with a early enough time for us because we are leaving afterwards.

Regardless, thanks for your input on MK as i had no idea about the steps you listed to get to park...learn something everyday...
 
If your oldest is into Disney Jr, I would do Hollywood and Vine. We did it for breakfast with the then 3 year old. He loved it! Meeting Jake was the second character he wanted to meet (after Mickey, of course). We adults enjoyed it, too. In fact, it is the number 1 meal we want to do when we go back with him (will be 6) and his 2 year old twin sisters in December!
 
Our favorites when the kids were that age:
CRT for any meal -- just because I loved my kids' reactions to seeing the inside of the castle!
Breakfast: Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare (ride monorail from Poly), Whispering Canyon (and ride boat to MK after)
Lunch: Akershus, Flametree, Liberty Tree
Dinner: Biergarten, Cape May, Be Our Guest

On our first visit, I planned way too many out-of-the-way restaurants at different resorts and parks. I did not have an understanding of how BIG and spread out WDW is. We spent a lot of time running from one ADR to the next, and my family hated the whole trip. We were exhausted and the kids didn't really have fun being carted around. They trusted me to plan better the second time, and now it's our favorite place to go. Now that we've got the hang of the transportation and timing, we try some new things (restaurants at other resorts, for example).

For your trip, I'd save those complicated excursions for the second part of your trip, after you get used to getting around the parks with the little ones. Since you are staying at Pop for the first leg of your trip, consider planning many of your non-special meals there. They have a great food court (at least, it was great when we stayed there a few years ago) and it will be so convenient to feed the kids closer to your room. Also, save some cash for a cab in case you used Disney transportation to the restaurant. It's worth the $15 to get right back to the hotel instead of finding a detour to a park.
 
Oh, and the Nutella waffle at Sleepy Hollow! My kids will always eat that, and I feel good that they swallow at least a few bites of fruit.
 
It's in Liberty Square, next to the side bridge that gets you to the castle. I think it's in the same building as Hall of Presidents, but it's on the side of the building (facing the castle). We had to look for it 3x before we finally found it! There's a little patio area with a few tables, too, so look for those.
 


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