Flying Fish or Blue Zoo

[meredithR]

My family and I will be going on our first trip to Disneyworld in July. We are arriving at 1:00 pm and are just planning on hanging out at the Yachtclub (our hotel) and Boardwalk that day. I am trying to figure out if we want to have dinner at Flying Fish or Todd English's Bluezoo that first night, and I am looking for any input that people are willing to give.

We are not on the DDP, and price is really not a consideration. We have been saving a while for this trip so that I can eat excellent food without thinking about the price.

I am really more interested in food quality, service, and atmosphere. I will be there with my DH, DD6, and DS4. The kids do great at nice restaurants, but I would like to know which restaurant has the most kid friendly environment. I have read that bluezoo is a little stuffy and FF is more fun. True or not in your experience? DH, DD, and I are big seafood fans. DS not so much, but he can have pasta either place and will be happy.

I have read some other threads comparing the two. But I would really like more input before making my decision.

Also if anyone has tried the Cantonese Lobster at Bluezoo, I would love to hear how it is.

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Meredith

 

[Robert P]

You aren't going to go wrong with either choice. Both have excellent quality food. We prefer Blue Zoo over FF for the fresh oysters, and the outstanding bread basket. Also, the littleneck clams flat bread is simply amazing.
But, in fairness, the potato wrapped snapper at FF is one of the best dishes anywhere.

Kid wise, we have had no problem at either place with our girls (they've now eaten twice at both places). But, I would say that FF seemed to be more kid friendly, and they had some nice things on the kid's menu, including a fish of the day thing (it was salmon when we were there).

If you want to do a search, I posted reviews about both places, from our trip in November 2006. They have much more detail, if you want to see that. They should come up in the search function on the review board.

If you have more questions, I'll try to help.
Have a great trip.
Rob

 

[honeybee30]

I love Flying Fish and will eat there again in May. Can't wait. The potato-wrapped snapper is sooo good.

I also really want to try bluezoo, but I'll have to wait till our Dec trip for that one.

Either is convenient to YC. I'd take a look at the menus. That might help you decide.

Have fun!

 

[SylviaL]

We like the Flying Fish but are going to try bluezoo on our next visit in May. They have a deal where if you buy 2 entrees at bluezoo or Schula's, you get 2 hours of free childcare. Even though it's our first day, I think our boys (4 & 6) will have fun in the childcare and we'll get a little break.

 

[Chilehead Too]

Oh my, two great restaurants. Hard decision. We love both but for a more kid friendly atmosphere, FF gets the nod.

 

[QueueCT]

Have eaten at both during the same trip. As others have said, bluezoo is a little "stuffier" but really, that's just relative to FF. It may have to do with expectations but I really enjoyed FF and thought bluezoo was just okay. Truthfully, you can't go wrong at either one and if your kids aren't terribly picky they'll enjoy both menus.

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

Oh my, two great restaurants. Hard decision. We love both but for a more kid friendly atmosphere, FF gets the nod.

I agree. With children your age, I would go to Flying Fish. Blue Zoo's lobster is great, but so is the snapper at the Flying Fish and the steak was wonderful!!! Enjoy.

 

[jimmalru80]

We've only been to Flying Fish (which was outstanding), so we would choose bluezoo to have something to compare to.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My two cents....We've stayed at the Swan numerous times since 2002, and know the area well. Having said that, most of the times we stayed there were before Bluezoo opened. We've been to FF twice. They've also recently changed a number of the restaurants in the Swan. The chracter meal there used to be a hidden gem with kids.

The first time we ate at FF was great, the second was just above average. Bluezoo looks nice, but I wasn't enticed by the menu for some reason.

FF is still very good, but doesn't quite justify the price, in my mind. They did away with my favorite dessert, so maybe that's why.

I think the decor at FF is fun for kids, but maybe with kids I'd choose something different. I just don't see most kids being into spicy tuna tartare or pumpkin ravioli. We didn't have kids with us on that trip.

We really liked the Yacht Club Galley the last time we ate there. If not your first night, it's a good place to try. We last ate there before the new menu changes, so I'm not sure what they kept from the old menu. They had a really cute dessert for kids though, (paint your own chocolate and cupcake) and fun kids' drinks. The kids loved it! I also like that it was kind of peaceful and quiet there - just the thing for over stimulated kids after a day in the park.

We also enjoyed the Big River Grille on our arrival day with family once. Not the first place you might think of with kids, but sitting outside and enjoying the evening air while taking in the Boardwalk was a great way to get in the WDW mood!

 

[madalex]

Just had dinner at bluezoo on Monday. My first time there. It was very good, but so is Flying Fish. I would not characterize bluezoo as "stuffy," but it certainly had a more adult atmosphere that FF, which is clearly more kid oriented. There may have been five tables at bluezoo with kids, while FF is usually at least half populated by tables with children. From that perspective, I would go to FF.

 

[hcortesis]

My wife and I go to BlueZoo and Flying Fish usually every trip, which is about 4 times per year. At BlueZoo, my wife ALWAYS has the Cantonese Lobster and I get it 1/2 of the time. It's about the best dish we eat during our trips and we eat pretty well all of our dinners at signature restaurants. I think it's about $54.

 

[jdvm]

Blue Zoo is great but we prefer Flying Fish. The food seems a bit better but Flying Fish also just seems a lot more comfortable to us. Can't really tell you why; and you won't go wrong with either.
John