For those of you that pay OOP...

[TxRabbit]

I'd really appreciate your input.

We are using the QS DDP this time around and adding 3 TS restaurants, which we plan to pay OOP.

I'm looking for suggestions for good dining that makes you feel you got your money's worth at the end of the meal. I want atmosphere. Unique to Disney dining. Good food.

I'd prefer a non-buffet option because I'd like to be served and have my TS experience be more relaxing. So, I'd prefer non-character meals too.

I have 1 of 3 picked. DS wants to see Donald, so we are going to Tusker House for breakfast. Getting into the park early, seeing Donald, a good variety of food. That's worth it to me.

What's worth it to you? TIA.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Well, that's tough to answer, because everyone has a different idea of what is worth the price. I'll try to give you a few of our favorites.

For signature dining, we always, always eat at Cali Grill - love the food, love the view. We also eat at Narcoossee's quite often, we love their food as well and the location is nice, especially if you get a window table. Jiko is another favorite, great quality food there, and we love AKL. Flying Fish used to be a must-do, then we had a couple misses there, and now it seems to have come back around. We've really enjoyed our dinners at blueZoo, but don't eat there as often, because we use the DDE (or whatever they call it now) and they don't take that card at the Swolphin restaurants.

For non-signature dining, we like Crystal Palace breakfast. I'm a Pooh fan, and we like to get a reservation for prior to park opening, so that we are in the park with less people for photos, and ready for rope drop. We enjoy '50's Prime Time for the atmosphere, and we've enjoyed most of our food there. SciFi is another great "only at Disney" option, but we have fewer menu items there that we think are good. Hollywood Brown Derby is one of our favorites, we've always had good food there. We've enjoyed all of our meals at Grand Floridian Cafe, and Whispering Canyon Cafe, though I know that many have said the quality is suffering lately at WCC. Kona Cafe is another favorite for breakfast and lunch, but I'm not as impressed with dinner.

Oddly enough, we don't eat at Epcot very much anymore. We used to like Coral Reef, but had a few "eh" meals there. Same with San Angel Inn. We used to always have a lunch at Le Cellier, but it's so hyped now that it is difficult to get in there, and the rushed atmosphere isn't worth it to me. Oh, Tokyo Dining was very good, if you like sushi and/or tempura.

Well, there are some of our favorites, I hope this helps! Big list, I know.

 

[TxRabbit]

Thanks for answering. I know things are different for different people. I'm just looking for opinions!

For signature dining, we always, always eat at Cali Grill - love the food, love the view.

Do you have a favorite time to eat there? Is this the restaurant that you can see Wishes from and they play the music inside? Or is it best to try to plan to be on the balcony for Wishes? Could you advise?

We also eat at Narcoossee's quite often, we love their food as well and the location is nice, especially if you get a window table.

Is there a better time of the evening to go here? This may seem like a weird question, but what do you do when you eat at another resort. Do you take the opportunity to walk all around it. Do you know of something else to do while at the GF? Can you see the water parade from the GF?

For non-signature dining, we like Crystal Palace breakfast. I'm a Pooh fan, and we like to get a reservation for prior to park opening, so that we are in the park with less people for photos, and ready for rope drop.

We've eaten at CP twice. We're going to go see Donald in AK this time around.

I appreciate the tips for GFC and Kona Cafe. I'm lovin the kid's menu at GFC especially, DS loves steak and salmon and they have it on the kids' menu!

We used to always have a lunch at Le Cellier, but it's so hyped now that it is difficult to get in there, and the rushed atmosphere isn't worth it to me.

Eeew! Rushed? Because it is so popular? I wouldn't like that at all. It's pretty pricy not to be able to enjoy!

This does help a lot. Thanks for letting me pick your brain! I really appreciate it!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I vote for O'Hanas. The food is awesome and family style. Appetizer to dessert included in what I think is a very reasonable price.

It is in the beautiful Polynesian and if you get a window seat at Wishes time you can see it.

 

[Hootch]

in Epcot and Kona in the Poly would be the first that come to mind. I agree with the PP that value is a vague notion. Le Cellier is a good value but can be pricey.

 

[Minnie824]

Our 3 top restaurants from Thanksgiving week were as follows:
1. Chefs De France
2. Narcoosees
3. 1900 Park Fare

Chefs de France was excellent and worth every penny. We had great service, great food, and it was a nice atmosphere in the restaurant.

 

[TJA]

Let's see....you want atmosphere and unique....non-buffet....you have a DS.....let me suggest a few places:

Japan in Epcot. We don't mind the price there because the food is awesome and the kids love watching the chef prepare the food at our table. This is a great experience for us and we try to go there every trip.

Coral Reef in Epcot. It has been hit or miss as far as the food goes for us, but for the most part we have liked our food a lot, though not as much as Japan's food. What we like the most about this place is the wall acquarium. We like sitting in the 2nd tier of the restaurant (U-shaped booth table) and we can see the entire wall where sharks swim, all kinds of fish, turtles, etc. Keeps us all entertained, and our kids especially enjoy this.

O'hana dinner at Poly. Served family style (all you care to eat....). Food is great, especially love the various meat kabobs. Entertainment for the kids -- they have a coconut race where each child gets a coconut and stick and they race around the restaurant. There are hula hoops too for those kids that would like to try. You can also watch Wishes right from your table. Or, in the alternative, we like to finish our meal and then watch Wishes from the beach at Poly.

Sci-Fi at HS has great atmosphere and you get to sit in "cars" like at a drive-in. But I have to say our food has been terrible every time we've eaten there. We continue to go back because our kids LOVE this place and it really is a unique experience.

LeCellier in Epcot has a great mushroom filet mignon and it is normally a must-do for us. But....the atmosphere is great for adults but nothing really great for the kids. Our kids like it just fine, but they do enjoy something with an exciting theme better. LeCellier is small inside and sort of dark/romantic.

 

[Brian Noble]

We had a light lunch at Brown Derby last may---the seared tuna for me, the cobb for the Mrs. Dr. Noble. Food was excellent, and the interior of the restaurant is great. It would have been a horrible value on the dining plan, but as a cash meal, very very good. Not super-kid-friendly.

I second the Chefs recommendation. Not cheap, but very good. Also, generally not a fast meal---young kids may find it tough to get through this one (and many in the reastaurant the night the two of us went were finding it exactly so.)

I also second the 'Ohana recommendation, though I think this works better for a larger party than a single family.

I haven't been there in a while but Marrakesh might also fit the bill. A truly stunning interior, with entertainment (belly dancing!). Food was only okay if you have a good local source for N. African/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, but passable.

Plaza in MK is a great value---but really just sandwiches. Good sandwiches, but sandwiches.

We thought that lunch at Akershus had great food, with a lovely interior, and enjoyed the princesses. It's a character meal, and the first course is buffet, but the entree is chosen from a menu, plated and served to you. This was before the picture became mandatory, though, so it's no longer the nice value it once was.

Coral Reef was a little pricey, and the food was a bit backward-looking. It's what might have been all the rage at a hot seafood place in about 1995. We really like it, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. This is one of those places that people either really like, or really don't.

We really enjoyed our Sci Fi meal, too, but not because of the food. If "good food" is one of your requirements, this may not fit the bill. San Angel Inn fits this description too. Unique, but so-so food. I was anticipointed by the food at Raglan Road, but would like to give them another chance.

 

[luckytobeme88]

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't the basic dining plan only $10 more than the QS DDP? Would it be more economical to go to this route rather than paying OOP for 3 meals?

 

[justamy27]

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't the basic dining plan only $10 more than the QS DDP? Would it be more economical to go to this route rather than paying OOP for 3 meals?

That is what I was thinking. It would save a bit of money by choosing Plus Dining which gives you 1 snack, 1 quick service, 1 table and just buy a snack or something if that isn't enough to fill you up. My wife says I am the tightest person she knows, so my numbers usually come out that way.

 

[Eeyore's Buddy]

I would recommend Narcossee's and California Grill.

Ask the CM when you reserve CG for a window table with a view of the lighted boat parade.



EB

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for answering. I know things are different for different people. I'm just looking for opinions!

Do you have a favorite time to eat there? Is this the restaurant that you can see Wishes from and they play the music inside? Or is it best to try to plan to be on the balcony for Wishes? Could you advise?

We like eating at CG at different times. Sometimes, we like to be there for the fireworks, really nice view - if you are lucky enough to get a window seat, you don't have to go outside. But if not, don't worry, you'll see half the restaurant head out when the show is about to start, lol - and the waiters/waitresses usually hold your order until the show is over. We also like going right at sundown, less crowded, and lovely, lovely views of the water, the park and the GF.~sigh~ (Can you tell I'm wishing I was there right now? )

Is there a better time of the evening to go here? This may seem like a weird question, but what do you do when you eat at another resort. Do you take the opportunity to walk all around it. Do you know of something else to do while at the GF? Can you see the water parade from the GF?

I think this was asked about Narcoossee's (I can't see my own words in this quote). We have eaten there at all times, early and late, we just like the feel of this restaurant. But it is very nice to watch the EWP from here, I think it goes by between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. We stay at the GF quite often, but if we are not staying there, we do visit the lobby area and walk around the resort. Sometimes, we head over from the Poly or MK, and if so, we take the boat, the restaurant is just a few steps from the boat dock.


We've eaten at CP twice. We're going to go see Donald in AK this time around.

I appreciate the tips for GFC and Kona Cafe. I'm lovin the kid's menu at GFC especially, DS loves steak and salmon and they have it on the kids' menu!

We have enjoyed all our meals at the GF Cafe, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Never a bad meal there.

Eeew! Rushed? Because it is so popular? I wouldn't like that at all. It's pretty pricy not to be able to enjoy!

Yes, lately it seems that the tables are much closer together (which, being Pooh-shaped, I really hate, lol) and it feels like they are trying to get you finished and out the door. We have not eaten dinner here in years, though, since I hate to book meals months in advance. Lunch is always good quality, so that is what we usually do, and it used to be a lot easier to get in on short notice. Not sure if that is still the case?

This does help a lot. Thanks for letting me pick your brain! I really appreciate it!

In case you can't see it right away, I added answers to your questions in bold in the above quote - I wish I could remember how to do a different color, so it is more noticeable!

I forgot about 'Ohana, it is a great Disney restaurant that families love. We don't go there much anymore, because our last few meals have been less than magical. Food and service a bit below what was expected. But they do have wonderful activities for the kids, it's fun for us to watch, even though my kids are grown now.

And I agree with those who recommended Chefs de France, too, we had a nice lunch there a couple trips back - our first meal there since back in the '90's! The food was very good, except I wasn't wowed by the cheese plate. Plain ol' gouda and swiss are pretty average cheeses for a French restaurant! There was a disc of chevre that was so-so, and the brie was a large chunk, but average. Not what I expected there. But, oh my, the Alsacienne tart (sort of a thin-crust pizza with cheese and bacon) was sooo good! Wonderful texture to the crust. DD had the crepe Basqaise, and I wanted more than just a nibble, which was all she'd let me have, lol.

Good luck with your choices, it's tough, I know. We have so many favorites, it's hard to narrow down which ones to visit, even when our trip is over two weeks long!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I would recommend Narcossee's and California Grill.

Ask the CM when you reserve CG for a window table with a view of the lighted boat parade.



EB

Hello! We love both of these restaurants, too. I thought I'd mention that you now have to wait until you check in at the restaurant podium to request a window seat.

 

[MickeyNicki]

They are all worth it to me because I dont have to cook! Seriously the ones that we love are the ones that I cannot duplicate at home. Beirgarten is amazing, the atmosphere and the food...just great! Also Cape May Clambake because DH is a clam fiend. Tutto is fantastic and I love the cute Italian servers. Boma breakfast because of the food...it is the best. Flying Fish and Jiko because the food, the wine, the attention is just superb!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Here's a photo of the Chefs de France tart, btw. MMMM!:

 

[TxRabbit]

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions! I need to look them all over. Beware, I might have more questions!

In case you can't see it right away, I added answers to your questions in bold in the above quote - I wish I could remember how to do a different color, so it is more noticeable!

Thank you so much for answering my questions! It is VERY helpful!

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't the basic dining plan only $10 more than the QS DDP? Would it be more economical to go to this route rather than paying OOP for 3 meals?

That is what I was thinking. It would save a bit of money by choosing Plus Dining which gives you 1 snack, 1 quick service, 1 table and just buy a snack or something if that isn't enough to fill you up. My wife says I am the tightest person she knows, so my numbers usually come out that way.

The answer to this is complicated, but I will do my best to explain how it is working for my family concisely! I have a hard time planning dinner ADRs with my family. It actually works out really well to just plan on eating the dinner meal at the resort for this trip. We swim in the afternoons a lot. This factored into our choosing CSR as a resort and selecting the QS DDP, which will pair very nicely with choosing to eat at Pepper Market so much. I'm happy with the food choices there. It's working for me.

With Pepper Market, I feel like I am getting TS variety with CS convenience. I COULD be happy to entirely skip TS meals this trip. I'm just not getting the TS experience.

BUT, I DO want to see Donald in AK. That's a $52 meal for my family. The deal is that the difference between the QS DDP and the basic DDP is $154 for my family for this trip. I'm still saving money by picking the QS DDP.

AND, I'm just not up to planning 7 TS meals this time around. But I could plan out a COUPLE more. Technically, I still have over $100 before I hit the break even point. And I am really partial to the idea of having a meal planned for every OTHER day of our trip.

So, that's how I came up with 3 TS meals. If I were really wanting TS each day of the trip, I would go with the other plan. But I'll be getting what I really want out of this trip, and spending a comparable amount of money to what the basic DDP would be. That's my idea of VALUE.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I LOVE LOVE Coral Reef in Epcot

 

[goofygal531]

So, that's how I came up with 3 TS meals. If I were really wanting TS each day of the trip, I would go with the other plan. But I'll be getting what I really want out of this trip, and spending a comparable amount of money to what the basic DDP would be. That's my idea of VALUE.

But you could use 2TS credits for signature restaurants. Just one signature meal is worth $150. Plus you'd be getting that dining experience you want.

I'd do the basic dining plan with 3 signature meals and the Tusker house breakfast and you'll still be saving money.

 

[TxRabbit]

But you could use 2TS credits for signature restaurants. Just one signature meal is worth $150. Plus you'd be getting that dining experience you want.

I'd do the basic dining plan with 3 signature meals and the Tusker house breakfast and you'll still be saving money.

Maybe. I calculated our OOP meal at CG for $102 (not including tip, which isn't included in the DDP anyway.) Which is another good point. More TS meals, and more expensive TS meals, increases the cost of food when you include the cost of tips.

I am approaching food a little differently this trip. I like the meal plan. It's nice to be able to just choose what you want to eat from a restaurant without worrying about the cost of your meal. And having food be included in the Disney vacation package gives me an extra 6 months to pay for it on the Disney Visa

Instead of picking the meal plan first and then working with it, I am picking my meals first. If it turns out that I would save money by getting a different meal plan, I will. But I will make my plan first and then do the math.

The fact is that lunch is the best meal for me to plan with my family. We are ALWAYS ready for lunch. Generally, morning touring plans go as planned, so I know about where we are come lunch time too. And lunch is generally cheaper. Only the math will tell. For those of you that are interested, I'll report my plan and what I find to be the best value for our trip.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

jmsadams - I will be looking forward to your report, as I had this very quandary for our next trip!

We have never used the dining plan - at first, because we are AP holders, and it wasn't available to me. Then, I chose not to use it, because we ate almost all table service meals, with only one or maybe two snacks, at the most.

Our last trip, we ate a few counter service meals, and a couple of snacks. So I thought I should look into the dining plan for our next trip - everyone raves about how much money it saves them, I thought I was missing something! I did the same as you, figured up everything as if we'd pay OOP, then tried that with the DDP.

It seems that it will still make more sense for us to pay OOP - because of the way we eat. We would never have a snack a day per person, it would probably be more like one or two snacks total every other day, at best. At counter service, we purchase one meal for two persons, with an extra side; or, two meals for three persons, with an extra side. For table service, we order one or two appetizers to split, an entree per person, and never order a separate dessert for everyone! We order one dessert and split, but we often don't eat dessert at all, we're too full. So we'd have to pay OOP for both appetizers and tips. Since I don't want to skip an appetizer to add dessert for everyone just to fit the plan, it makes more sense for us to pay OOP with the DDE card again.

Good luck with your planning, it's quite an exercise to figure it all out these days! I don't put this much thought into our food budget at home!