First trip to WDW - where to eat?

[kroy2004]

Another newbie looking for dinning advice . This is the first trip to WDW for both myself and DH, and we are leaving our 18 month with my mom (bad parents, I know ), we are purchasing the DDP and we are there for 8 nights. Its a special trip for us , we are in need of quality time together, busy with the baby, hectic jobs, you know, life! I have done alot of research and I thought I had our restaurants pretty much picked out, than I read review of some of them .

I need advice on which restaurants are best to try, especially if it is your first time at WDW. We are in our late 20's and we are pretty boring eaters although we do like trying new things. We are up for anything!

Here are the places that I have been thinking about:

1. Crystal Palace - I love Pooh and Buffets
2. Cinderella's Royal Table - I know the food is average but it is more for the "romantic experience"
3. Le Cellier or Les Chefs de France - We are Canadian and DH is french, would love either
4. Boma - The pictures have sold me on it!

Now the uncertainty really begins:

5. Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre - Nothing on the menu really catches our eye but not sure where else to go the day we are in MGM (Disney Hollywood)
6. Coral Reef - LOVE Seafood but I have read alot of bad reviews
7. Whispering Canyon - love the idea of the skillet but we are a bit shy and I am not sure if I would enjoy the interaction.

Am I missing some really great restaurants? How do you plan your restaurants to correspond with parks you plan on being at that day?

I need your help wise dis'ers!

 

[smep013]

I am excited for you! You will have a blast!

This is what I have learned - you can't eat at ALL the places you want to in one trip, so you should pick the ones that interest you and keep a list of those you miss for next time.

I have not eaten at all of the places you list, but I will list some of our favorites.

California Grill at the Comtemporary (Great food, great service, great view of the Magic Kingdom, this would also use 2 of your TS credits on the Dining Plan)
Le Cellier (good steaks, fun dressers, though it is loud in there)
Ohana at the POLY (good food, fun atmosphere, but it can get rowdy with the kids having fun)

Good Luck - you will get a lot of opinions and read a lot of reviews on these boards, so try the places out and see if you like them! Don't be scared off by us!

 

[SnowWtch]

WCC isn't bad depending on the time of day. We aren't into a lot of antics and things so we did a late lunch and were just fine. The skillet wasn't bad but we didn't care for the sides or BBQ sauce it came with. I'd highly recommend the ribs on it though.

I second O'Hana. We always have fun there. It can get noisy but it's worth it. I'm usually shy and don't get into things so my DH was amazed when I got up and did the hula. The Crystal Palace is fun too but it does get noisy. They both have wonderful food so you can't go wrong either way. We usually plan where we want to eat first then work around that but we have AP's so we go more often than most and don't worry too much about catching the rides.

 

[worm761]

we are doing sci fi dine inn this trip for the first time. nothing on the menu really strikes me either. but the boys really want to go to the drive inn and eat. so that is what we are doing.

if you are unsure~ i have eaten at 50's prime time. the food there was very good. i tried the fried chicken even though i don't usually like it. that stuff was delicious! and the potatoes are yukon gold~ very yummy. the atmosphere wasn't too bad. it was set up like a dining room from the 50's. our waitress was great. i am not much of an interaction person either and she could tell that. she made my DS eat his veggies~then was impressed when that was the first thing he ate! lol

 

[rgf207]

Your choices so far sound great. You will love those. They are some of the best character places and sit down restaurants that are not considered "Signature Dining"

Coral Reef is a great experience especially if you get a seat by the tank and Sci-Fi is a cool atmosphere but the food is "OK" You may want to look into 50's Prime Time Cafe in MGM also. That is a fun place.

There are a lot of great places to dine in Epcot. I love Rose & Crown

There are also some really great resort restaurants. I love the Cape May Cafe Clambake in the Beach Club. We do that at least once every trip

YOu will have a blast. Be sure to try some great counter service places too. Try Casey's Corner in the Magic Kingdom. They have great hot dogs and fries. Also great in MK is Cosmic Rays & Pecos Bills

Epcot has Sunshine Seasons which has a really good selection. You must get the fruit tulip dessert. It is wonderful.

Animal Kingdom has Flame Tree BBQ which has great food

MGM is not that great for Counter Service. We like ABC Commissary but others do not.

Have a great time and eat a ton of food. You are on vacation so it is all Fat Free

 

[allaboard]

You should go to Chef Mickey's one day for breakfast ... that is my favorite meal at Chef Mickey's ... AND, if you could get to Kona Cafe (POLY) or to Boatwright's (POR) for breakfast ... they are really good too! We always include Teppan Edo (JAPAN) for our dinner one night so we can have it cooked in front of us. And don't forget to get Marguerita at the drink stand near Mexico in EPCOT.

 

[lovetotravel07]

We like some of what you mentioned.

I disagree with you not choosing Coral Reef based on reviews. We haven't gone in a while but we always loved it. And, I read primarily good reviews here. The atmosphere more than makes up for anything lacking in your dinner! You are in a park so most of the restaurants are pricier and not as good quality of food you would get outside of a resort area/park.

We also always enjoy the buffets at Cape May no characters and 1900 Park Fare, really good characters at the moment.

We also liked doing the fantasmic package at Hollywood and Vine at MGM. Highly recommend the package as you get ushered in to reserved seats with no line whatsoever!

We haven't done it but another nice thing for two adults would be afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. It always gets rave reviews!

Just my two cents.

PS: Love the dinner shows most especially hoop de doo revue. Very, very funny!!!!!!!!!

 

[lovetotravel07]

We like some of what you mentioned.

I disagree with you not choosing Coral Reef based on reviews. We haven't gone in a while but we always loved it. And, I read primarily good reviews here. The atmosphere more than makes up for anything lacking in your dinner! You are in a park so most of the restaurants are pricier and not as good quality of food you would get outside of a resort area/park.

We also always enjoy the buffets at Cape May no characters and 1900 Park Fare, really good characters at the moment.

We also liked doing the fantasmic package at Hollywood and Vine at MGM. Highly recommend the package as you get ushered in to reserved seats with no line whatsoever!

We haven't done it but another nice thing for two adults would be afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. It always gets rave reviews!

Just my two cents.

PS: Love the dinner shows most especially hoop de doo revue. Very, very funny!!!!!!!!!

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

Another newbie looking for dinning advice . This is the first trip to WDW for both myself and DH, and we are leaving our 18 month with my mom (bad parents, I know ), we are purchasing the DDP and we are there for 8 nights. Its a special trip for us , we are in need of quality time together, busy with the baby, hectic jobs, you know, life! I have done alot of research and I thought I had our restaurants pretty much picked out, than I read review of some of them .

I need advice on which restaurants are best to try, especially if it is your first time at WDW. We are in our late 20's and we are pretty boring eaters although we do like trying new things. We are up for anything!

Here are the places that I have been thinking about:

1. Crystal Palace - I love Pooh and Buffets
2. Cinderella's Royal Table - I know the food is average but it is more for the "romantic experience"
3. Le Cellier or Les Chefs de France - We are Canadian and DH is french, would love either
4. Boma - The pictures have sold me on it!

Now the uncertainty really begins:

5. Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre - Nothing on the menu really catches our eye but not sure where else to go the day we are in MGM (Disney Hollywood)
6. Coral Reef - LOVE Seafood but I have read alot of bad reviews
7. Whispering Canyon - love the idea of the skillet but we are a bit shy and I am not sure if I would enjoy the interaction.

Am I missing some really great restaurants? How do you plan your restaurants to correspond with parks you plan on being at that day?

I need your help wise dis'ers!

No you are not bad parents!!! Your child will have a wonderful time with "grandma" and its good for both of you to have some time for yourself. Consider yourself blessed.

I recommend the following:

-- Garden Grill @ Epcot for Lunch - Take "the Land Boat Tour" 1st to see the River and the actual garden where they grow some of the food. Makes the revolving resturant extra special (along with Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale). Wife is a picky eater and she loved everything but the Catfish (which I enjoyed).

-- Akerhaus @ Epcot / Norway may a nice alternative to CRT (we will be at both in the next month)

-- Chef Mickeys @ the Contemporary --Wow! What a Breakfast Celebration (with Mickey and friends)

 

[ps17]

Some top restaurants (depending on where you are staying or happened to be at the time):

California Grill - for upscale, romantic, but spendy.
Flying fish - again, upscale but spendy seafood.
Ohana - Great food (if you like Texas-de-Brazil style food (with great atmosphere and Polynesian flair)
Crystal Palace - If you are at the MK in the evening.
Jiko - if you are staying at AKL and have already experienced Boma
Cape May - If you are staying at the Beach Club and needed something decent but more casual.
Teppan Edo - If you are in the World Showcase
Don't miss Boma.
Hollywood and Vine is OK for Fantasmic Package.

 

[Tiger_tink]

Your going to have a blast. As far as dining goes
There is SO MUCH to choose from.

And think about it, WDW has so many visitors not everyone is going to like it.
Also, it really depends on your food tastes. If You want something romantic, the GF private dining is wonderful, but it will cost you extra. I also really liked Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney, the food was okay,But the expierence is something i will never forget.Also, since it IS in downtown disney, you can also go do some shopping before heading back to your hotel room.

 

[TxMickeyLover]

Crystal Palace has an excellent breakfast. I love Pooh, too, so this made it even better. We also ate at Sci-Fi and Coral Reef for lunch, and WCC for dinner. Coral Reef and WCC were excellent. The food at Sci-Fi was really good, and the atmosphere was fun.

At MGM, we also tried Brown Derby and 50's Prime Time. We really enjoyed both. Keep in mind, though that the Brown Derby is signature and costs 2 TS on DDP.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[Tricia1972]

1. Crystal Palace - I love Pooh and Buffets - You will probably love it. We really like Crystal Palace.
2. Cinderella's Royal Table - I know the food is average but it is more for the "romantic experience" - Remember, you'll be sharing your romantic experience with a BUNCH of princesses all dolled up from the BBB in full princess gear. You may not find this as romantic as you're hoping.
3. Le Cellier or Les Chefs de France - We are Canadian and DH is french, would love either Le Cellier - we've done both and hated Les Chefs de France, but love Le Cellier, so I have to vote for Le Cellier
4. Boma - The pictures have sold me on it! - Very good Buffet, especially for dinner (breakfast was so-so)

Now the uncertainty really begins:

5. Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre - Nothing on the menu really catches our eye but not sure where else to go the day we are in MGM (Disney Hollywood) - I'd suggest Mama Melrose, which has a *slightly* romantic atmosphere, or 50's PTC for the fun atmosphere.
6. Coral Reef - LOVE Seafood but I have read alot of bad reviews - Haven't eaten here
7. Whispering Canyon - love the idea of the skillet but we are a bit shy and I am not sure if I would enjoy the interaction. - If you sit in the "middle" dining area you can be assured of no interaction! (We were looking for it, but it's totally cut off from either dining area, and there are only about 4-5 tables in that section)



We love Jiko, the food is wonderful and the atmosphere is wonderful. It's quite romantic for Disney. However, with Boma the idea of Jiko may not appeal to you.

 

[OurMsBrooks]

No you are not bad parents!!! Your child will have a wonderful time with "grandma" and its good for both of you to have some time for yourself. Consider yourself blessed.

I recommend the following:

-- Garden Grill @ Epcot for Lunch - Take "the Land Boat Tour" 1st to see the River and the actual garden where they grow some of the food. Makes the revolving resturant extra special (along with Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale). Wife is a picky eater and she loved everything but the Catfish (which I enjoyed).

Definite ditto on both of these points! One of the greatest gifts parents can give a child is a loving, happy relationship with each other! Going on vacation together helps build that happy bond. Good for you!

We LOVE the Garden Grill. We have fun every time we go there, and I highly recommend it. The food has changed a bit over the years, but our experience has always been positive.

At MGM, I'd go with Mama Melrose. I know it gets mixed reviews, but we really enjoy the food and the service there. It's not quite as heavily themed as some of the other restaurants, but it feels like a nice, off-the-beaten-path type of hideaway. Very relaxing. I'm not a fan of the Sci-Fi. While the atmosphere is interesting, the food I've had there has been just plain bad.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

What fun!!!

Some of our favorites are ones you mentioned.

Boma is a must every trip.

Chefs De France was fantastic for us last trip. Very good and romantic.
LeCellar - you cant go wrong
CRT - to many little ones going gaga over the princesses. Not romantic.
Coral Reef - we liked and will return
Crystal Palace we liked and have been back twice.
SciFi - hated the food


Other favorites or must try once type place would be Ohana, WCC, Spoodles or Flying Fish.

Have fun

 

[kroy2004]

Have a great time and eat a ton of food. You are on vacation so it is all Fat Free

Well in that case

"Cinderella's Royal Table - I know the food is average but it is more for the "romantic experience" - Remember, you'll be sharing your romantic experience with a BUNCH of princesses all dolled up from the BBB in full princess gear. You may not find this as romantic as you're hoping."

Good point Tricia!! Prince charming is hanging around there too, right? : What if we get a later dinner seating? I guess it would be more the thrill of the castle for me

"Originally Posted by NewEnglandCamper
No you are not bad parents!!! Your child will have a wonderful time with "grandma" and its good for both of you to have some time for yourself. Consider yourself blessed.

Definite ditto on both of these points! One of the greatest gifts parents can give a child is a loving, happy relationship with each other! Going on vacation together helps build that happy bond. Good for you!"

We have been getting mixed reactions about leaving our little one home but we know that he will have a great time with his "Mimi". Thank you NewEnglandCamper and OurMsBrooks for the support!

Thank you everyone for your help, I have started the list over, I think I am going to add the Coral Reef, I think we would enjoy the atmosphere in the restaurant itself.

 

[Chellymouse]

Another newbie looking for dinning advice . This is the first trip to WDW for both myself and DH, and we are leaving our 18 month with my mom (bad parents, I know ), we are purchasing the DDP and we are there for 8 nights. Its a special trip for us , we are in need of quality time together, busy with the baby, hectic jobs, you know, life! I have done alot of research and I thought I had our restaurants pretty much picked out, than I read review of some of them .

I need advice on which restaurants are best to try, especially if it is your first time at WDW. We are in our late 20's and we are pretty boring eaters although we do like trying new things. We are up for anything!

Here are the places that I have been thinking about:

1. Crystal Palace - I love Pooh and Buffets
2. Cinderella's Royal Table - I know the food is average but it is more for the "romantic experience"
3. Le Cellier or Les Chefs de France - We are Canadian and DH is french, would love either
4. Boma - The pictures have sold me on it!

Now the uncertainty really begins:

5. Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre - Nothing on the menu really catches our eye but not sure where else to go the day we are in MGM (Disney Hollywood)
6. Coral Reef - LOVE Seafood but I have read alot of bad reviews
7. Whispering Canyon - love the idea of the skillet but we are a bit shy and I am not sure if I would enjoy the interaction.

Am I missing some really great restaurants? How do you plan your restaurants to correspond with parks you plan on being at that day?

I need your help wise dis'ers!

The Crystal Palace is fun, but does tend to get noisy and crowded. Early breakfast or early supper tends to work best!
Cinderella's Royal Table is absolutely, positively NOT WORTH IT! The food (and service) was lousy both times we were there and it's way overpriced!
Le Cellier is wonderful!! As is Alfredo's (Italy-Epcot). The Biergarten (Germay-Epcot) is great for atmosphere and the food is equally good!
The Sci-fi is more atmosphere than anything (it's a really cool place to eat) the food isn't anything to write home about, but it's fun!
Hollywood Brown Derby is a waste of 2 dining credits....not worth the money!
Tony's Town Square at MK is also a good place to eat if you like Italian.
If you're up for dressing up and going to dinner, Victoria and Albert's (though expensive and not on the DDP) is nice as is the California Grill (Contemporary Resort and is on the DDP)