Have to eat Counter Service... Any Recs?

[MajorDaisy]

Making trip w/ In Laws in Jan., FIL will most certainly suffer sticker shock the minute we get to Florida . DH & I usually plan a budget & then forget it once vacation starts. We normally do a nice sit down meal once a day, not this time. FIL wants to stick w/ $10/ per person/per meal & breakfast in the cabins. Breakfast in the cabin is always what we do anyways, but $10/pp/pm we have never done, ok maybe by accident.

I have convinced DH to give the in-laws a meal at Ohana's for their anniversary present so I can at least try it this trip. Any suggestions for counter service restaurants? We hardly ever do desserts or appetizers & we never drink anything other than ice tea or soda.

Thanks for you suggestions!

 

[Philadisney]

I think epcot has the best counter service - Japan is great, with a really nice atmosphere. Same with China. Morrocco is also pretty special, although their sit down is great - the last two times i was there, Marrakesh was having a lunch special for $12 where you get an appetizer, entree & dessert and all was really delicious. you might be able to convince your in-laws to go for that, it's only $2 more! And in MK, i LOVE Columbia Harbor House. Their bread bowls filled with soup are sooooo good.

I'll be watching this thread too as I plan on doing counter service for MGM and have no idea what's good....usually i just throw some chicken nuggets down my throat at the commisionary, blegh. i'm a bit of a foodie so i'd rather eat somewhere actually enjoyable. have you checked out allears.net? they have a menu section where you can look at menus from every eatery on property, including the counter service spots.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Good counter service at MGM is sparce.
Unless you want a turkey leg, I would suggest Starring Rolls. They do carry sandwiches that look good, along with salmon and other items. The selection on food above desserts is slim though.

 

[littleprincessmom]

In AK,, Tusker House is wonderful! Fabulous chicken, chicken sandwiches and salads and a yummy chocolate cake. We much prefer the food to Rain Forest Cafe and have eaten there the last 3 trips.

In Epcot, we enjoy the little take out cafe behind Chefs de France for a fresh sandwich, bread and cheese or salad. I believe almost every country has a "take out" booth of some type - so that would be a great place for dinners if you have a Park Hopper pass.

In MGM, we picked up pizza at the pizza place by Al's Toy Barn (I'm drawing a blank on the name!) Kid's enjoyed it.

We too like sit down meals, but try and look at the bright side. Eating more quickly will save more time for attractions. Have FUN!!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I am a minority when it comes to Tusker House. We have even eaten there three times thinking maybe we were just missing something. We never have figured it out. But to each his own. Good we all don't like the same things.
Flame Tree is much better, we think.

 

[chobie]

I'm sorry. I think that's a good plan to offer to treat them to one dinner as an anniversary gift so you can try it. Any chance you can sneak out for another sit down meal sometime during the trip? Anyway Earl of Sandwich is a good choice if you make to DTD.

 

[experiment626mom]

Cosmic Ray's at MK is pretty good place. There is at least a variety of items to get.
Backlot Express comes to mind for Disney Studios.
I agree with all the others that Epcot is the best place for a nice variety of coutner services.
And can I throw in my vote for Flame Tree BBQ at AK. It's a little more expensive, but definitely worth it!!

Good Luck

 

[Kaycee]

Here are some of our favorites for counter service at WDW:

MK - We eat at Columbia Harbour House at least once each trip, usually more. Casey's is good if you want a quick hot dog.

AK - We thought Pizzafari was pretty good, and I've heard lots of good things about Tusker House.

Epcot - Where do I start, there are so many?! We love Boulangerie Patisserie in France, Tangerine Cafe in Morroco, and Cantina de San Angel in Mexico. There is also a take-out window by Rose and Crown with very good fish and chips, although that's all they have there.

MGM - This one's a toughie, although Pizza Planet gets decent reviews on its pizza. Or you may want to head over to the Boardwalk and Beaches & Cream on your MGM day. We don't usually do a lot of sit-down meals either, but our MGM day is one big exception.

DTD - Earl of Sandwich is one of the best deals at WDW in my opinion. The prices are reasonable, and the sandwiches and salads are delicious.

 

[edk35]

Can you get to Board Walk from MGM....how far a walk is it?? We were thinking of checking out the BW this trip...we are staying near MK at SOG....but we could go over one night after MGM...would love the details please.

TIA

Denise

 

[Luv2Roam]

To the Boardwalk from MGM you can either walk or take a boat.
Few people walk as they are too tired from the parks.
There is the boat pick up area over your right shoulder, as you are facing the ticket entrance to MGM.
I am sure there is a bus too. But the boat ride is more relaxing and offers a different view.

 

[snuggles]

How about Earl of Sandwich in DTD? Their sandwiches are really yummy and about 4.95 each.

 

[JCTigger]

My favorite counter service in MK is either Pecos in frontierland or... walk around the corner and theres that place in adventureland but im not sure of the name its actualy in the same building as Pecos... I love grabbing a quick hot dog and fries at Caseys on main street...
In DAK Flame tree BBQ is really good but i think that its only open seasonally im not sure what seasons it is or not but you may want to check it out...
Epcot i love eating in Mexico its nice to grab a taco salad sit on the deck and watch illuminations or Tapestry parade...
MGM is a hard call... Pizza Planet is pretty good but every time i go in there its really really really busy... you might want to try the "market" where Rosie's is going towards ToT and RnRC its on the left hand side...
DTD i cant really think of any place besides McDonalds...

 

[xterratri]

Not like there aren't plenty of options for Epcot anyway but our family loves the Sunshine Food Fair in the Land pavillion, and Norway, and China, etc. We have had 1 good meal and 1 bad meal at the ABC comissary at MGM. Probably try the Pizza Planet next trip if we do counter service at MGM. We also weren't very impressed with Tusker House although maybe I'm just misremembering because I didn't like mine.(likely my own fault- I'm not fond of fish and ordered the salmon) Cosmic Cafe and Peco's Bills at MK were both fine. We REALLY liked Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD and thought the selections at Earl of Sandwhich looked good too.

 

[4mykids]

You could also cheat and go to a sit-down at lunch and order an appetizer, salad, soup, etc. We love to go to Chefs d'France and order French Onion Soup and Salad. Skip the soda/tea and have a glass of water (although a lot of people don't like the tap water there...we have no problem with it is iced). That in itself saves $2.00 a drink. If you have an AP, you can get 10% off at some of the sit-downs at Epcot. Sci-Fi at MGM has good house salads in your budget ... Brown Derby has a fabulous Cobb Salad big enough for 2 (I believe it is $12 and you can add meat for extra $). Check the menus on www.allearsnet.com.

Also, I agree with others about Tusker House and Flame Tree in AK. Wonderful!

 

[risy]

You will need to study the menus and plan well. It will be hard to eat more than just "junk food" doing $10 of counterservice. Add an extra midday soda or snack and you will be having a very small dinner.

Epcot has many delicious choices where you might want to "graze" a little here and there. You & DH can "pool your allowance" and sample together!

We like the Columbia House and Cosmic Rays at MK. Cosmic Rays is like 3 restaurants in one - good diversity! There is fresh fruit available in Mickey's Toon Town.

As mentioned, there is (ugh) McDonalds, Wolfgangs, and Earl of Sandwhich at Disney Marketplace. The last 2 are yummy.

A few of the sit-down buffets are $20. Eat a late lunch and you'll be good for the rest of the day! Especially at Trails End in Ft Wilderness. Then have something from your pantry when you get back to the cabin.

Tell your FIL that you are desparately craving green vegetables! Then run-off with DH

 

[JenLynn]

I will just add another vote for Columbia Harbor House in MK and a huge thumbs up for Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom (DH and i love it there!). We have also been very happy with Wolfgang Puck's Express at DtD. I understand the need to be money-conscious, but i think you will get quite tired of all the "fast food" ... perhaps a light breakfast and then a buffet lunch somewhere?

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Briarprincess]

I didn't read any of the other replies, so sorry if these are repeats. But these are the places my family eats at. We only do one "sit down" meal on the trip, sometimes two. So we know the best places to go for whatever we're in the mood for. Hope this helps. If you want to know what any of them are like, let me know.

In MK- Cosmic Rays , Casey's and Pesco's Bills (great desserts too), Plaza Pavillion
In EPCOT- Electric Umbrella (also does breakfast!), Cantina de San Angel in Mexico, Liberty Inn in America,
In MGM- ABC Commisary has some good stuff, Pizza Planet (by MuppetVision 3D), and Backlot Express (we eat here EVERY trip). I've also heard Catalina Eddie's is good

 

[Philly81]

MK - Columbia Harbor House, Pecos Bill's

AK - Flame Tree or share pizza and the Italian sandwiches at Pizzafari

MGM - ?

Epcot- depends on what food they like but it is very easy to snack (sharing) around the World Showcase.


Other: lunch at the Trail's End Buffet is all you can eat and $10.99 plus tax. Surely fil won't mind going a LITTLE over for all you can eat. Does he like sports? He might like ESPN Club which has lots of reasonable appetizers and sandwiches so you aren't having to do sit down all the time. I think it is a good and (sweet) idea to treat them to dinner at 'Ohana. I think it will be well worth it.

 

[Gary M]

You might check http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm for menus of all WDW eating places.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Dh and I were pleasantly surprised by Tusker House this past fall. On our first day, we split a chicken salad and slice of cheesecake. It was ery good and more than enough for both of us. A couple of days later, we split the breakfast plate (scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy) and a sticky bun of some sort from the neighboring bakery. Again, more than enough for both of us!