Having a hard time deciding on dining. All advice welcome!

[japanese maple]

We will be at Disney for 9 nights this December, but don't want a sit down every night and some days maybe just a breakfast. Staying at AKL.

Tuesday - we will be eating lunch at AK (quick service) and probably quick service at Disney Springs that night.
Wednesday - breakfast at Garden Grill. Possibly Boma for dinner, rest of party arrives that day, so waiting on their thoughts. Maybe skip Boma dinner and just eat at Epcot.
Thursday - MK party so leisurely morning with breakfast at Boma and then everyone does their own thing then we meet up to go to party. I will probably eat corn dog nuggets or cheeseburger eggroll at MK before party starts! Others may grab a late lunch at Sanaa, but I don't want all that food.
Friday - AK all day. Boathouse at Disney Springs
Saturday - Jollywood Nights so having breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno (love that breakfast pizza) and then hanging at AKL all day to relax. We may do early dinner at Ale & Compass around 5, then head over to party. I again probably will just eat an appetizer or something (sense a pattern? ) and save room for trying party food.
Sunday - Epcot all day. Amare at Swan Reserve for dinner
Monday - One of our party's last day, so their choice (hoping AK), but thinking if we didn't do Boma dinner on Wednesday, this would be the night.
Tuesday - MK during day, it closes early for party so thinking of taking boat over to Wilderness Lodge to see tree and eat at Whispering Canyon?
Wednesday - just whatever we want, last full day. Probably DHS again.
Thursday home.

Anything you'd do differently? We've really been everywhere to eat, so finding new places is hard.

 

[ymcajeff]

One thought... My family really loves Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge instead of Whispering Canyon. It's a more laid-back vibe, and if the weather is nice, which very well could be in December, then I would take a look at that as an option. We went there in early January a couple of years ago, and it was fantastic weather. Either way, I would just have at least one person take the car to wilderness lodge so you can just drive back to the room from there, unless you just don't want to drive. It can be a hassle to take the boat back to MK in order to either get to your car or take a bus from there... especially at the end of the day. Much nicer when you can just pull the car around and load up. Sounds like a great trip.

 

[japanese maple]

One thought... My family really loves Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge instead of Whispering Canyon. It's a more laid-back vibe, and if the weather is nice, which very well could be in December, then I would take a look at that as an option. We went there in early January a couple of years ago, and it was fantastic weather. Either way, I would just have at least one person take the car to wilderness lodge so you can just drive back to the room from there, unless you just don't want to drive. It can be a hassle to take the boat back to MK in order to either get to your car or take a bus from there... especially at the end of the day. Much nicer when you can just pull the car around and load up. Sounds like a great trip.

Thank you! Geyser point was also an option so maybe we will do that!

We won't have a car this trip, so we would most likely just Uber back to AKL.

 

[CynBeth]

I would do Boma on Tuesday since you will be at AK and then on Wednesday just eat dinner at Epcot.

 

[ymcajeff]

Thank you! Geyser point was also an option so maybe we will do that!

We won't have a car this trip, so we would most likely just Uber back to AKL.

Uber would be the way to go. One other thought... depending on the timing, the marshmallow roasting is right next to Geyser Point, so we also usually end up working that in as well.

 

[sparrow10_]

Boathouse at Disney Springs

Crystal Palace MK

Topolinos at Riviera

Roundup at Hollywood Studios

Biergarten at Epcot

with Boma, which you already have, make my favorite restaurants.

For a MK sit down Skipper's Canteen is also top notch

 

[Robber Baron]

We stayed at AKL a few weeks ago.

We ate at Jiko for the first time.

I can't say enough about the food & service there, we will definitely be back.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Whispering Canyon does have a rowdy vibe, might not align with the other choices vibe wise.

 

[japanese maple]

Boathouse at Disney Springs

Crystal Palace MK

Topolinos at Riviera

Roundup at Hollywood Studios

Biergarten at Epcot

with Boma, which you already have, make my favorite restaurants.

For a MK sit down Skipper's Canteen is also top notch

Thanks! Great choices, but we've been to almost all of those. We go too much.
I will bring up Topolino's for sure!

 

[japanese maple]

We stayed at AKL a few weeks ago.

We ate at Jiko for the first time.

I can't say enough about the food & service there, we will definitely be back.
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Myself and husband love Jiko but one of our party wasn't interested unfortunately!

 

[japanese maple]

Whispering Canyon does have a rowdy vibe, might not align with the other choices vibe wise.

I'm fine with it but good idea to mention that to the group, just in case.

 

[PoppyJ]

If you're looking for a new restaurant, I really enjoyed Summer House on my last trip. Our plan for party day is Disney Springs, eat at Summer House or Eet, bus to Contemporary, walk to MK.

 

[japanese maple]

If you're looking for a new restaurant, I really enjoyed Summer House on my last trip. Our plan for party day is Disney Springs, eat at Summer House or Eet, bus to Contemporary, walk to MK.

Thanks! I will suggest.

 

[StarCruzer]

FYI, Sanaa at Kidani Village also does quick service breakfast if you want to mix it up. You do have to grab a shuttle to get there. so maybe not not best choice on a day you want to rope drop.

 

[robinb]

What is the makeup of your group? How many adults and how many kids? Picky eaters? Special diets?

 

[japanese maple]

FYI, Sanaa at Kidani Village also does quick service breakfast if you want to mix it up. You do have to grab a shuttle to get there. so maybe not not best choice on a day you want to rope drop.

Oh we plan to do that!

 

[japanese maple]

What is the makeup of your group? How many adults and how many kids? Picky eaters? Special diets?

4 adults, no picky eaters!

 

[robinb]

First of all, I love your screen name. I had a cat named Kaede which means "maple leaf" in Japanese. She was a Japanese Bobtail born in Canada on Canada Day.

Tuesday - we will be eating lunch at AK (quick service) and probably quick service at Disney Springs that night.

Wednesday - breakfast at Garden Grill. Possibly Boma for dinner, rest of party arrives that day, so waiting on their thoughts. Maybe skip Boma dinner and just eat at Epcot.

I would want to eat at Epcot if I were joining a group that's already been there for a day. Book a meal that leaves enough time for the fireworks. We tried Shiki-Sai in Japan on our last trip and really liked it. I'm also a big fan of Coral Reef and Spice Road Table.

Thursday - MK party so leisurely morning with breakfast at Boma and then everyone does their own thing then we meet up to go to party. I will probably eat corn dog nuggets or cheeseburger eggroll at MK before party starts! Others may grab a late lunch at Sanaa, but I don't want all that food.

So, no park? Seems to be a late start for an early night the day before.

Friday - AK all day. Boathouse at Disney Springs

This will be an early day after the party the night before.

Saturday - Jollywood Nights so having breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno (love that breakfast pizza) and then hanging at AKL all day to relax. We may do early dinner at Ale & Compass around 5, then head over to party. I again probably will just eat an appetizer or something (sense a pattern? ) and save room for trying party food.

This is another late start after an early night.

Sunday - Epcot all day. Amare at Swan Reserve for dinner

Another early start after a late night. I'm looking forward to trying Amare the next time we're there! I've heard it's very good.

Monday - One of our party's last day, so their choice (hoping AK), but thinking if we didn't do Boma dinner on Wednesday, this would be the night.

My favorite QS in WDW is Satu'li Canteen. Yak and Yeti is my favorite TS (and you can get discounted Landry gift cards at Costco to pay for it). My favorite bar is the Restaurantosaurus Lounge. Thank me later.

Tuesday - MK during day, it closes early for party so thinking of taking boat over to Wilderness Lodge to see tree and eat at Whispering Canyon?

I'm not a fan of WC and the WL lobby is very similar to AKL. I would instead do a monorail tour and have dinner at one of the monorail resorts and a drink or snack or dessert at the others. Kona Cafe is a nice place. If you're looking for fancy, go with Narcoossee's.

Wednesday - just whatever we want, last full day. Probably DHS again.

My favorite meal places in DHS are all in Galaxy's Edge.

Thursday home.


Anything you'd do differently? We've really been everywhere to eat, so finding new places is hard.

My main concern is that you have late nights followed by early mornings and late mornings after early nights. But, given the two parties are not moveable I'm not sure what you can do about it now.

 

[japanese maple]

First of all, I love your screen name. I had a cat named Kaede which means "maple leaf" in Japanese. She was a Japanese Bobtail born in Canada on Canada Day.




I would want to eat at Epcot if I were joining a group that's already been there for a day. Book a meal that leaves enough time for the fireworks. We tried Shiki-Sai in Japan on our last trip and really liked it. I'm also a big fan of Coral Reef and Spice Road Table.



So, no park? Seems to be a late start for an early night the day before.




This will be an early day after the party the night before.



This is another late start after an early night.



Another early start after a late night. I'm looking forward to trying Amare the next time we're there! I've heard it's very good.



My favorite QS in WDW is Satu'li Canteen. Yak and Yeti is my favorite TS (and you can get discounted Landry gift cards at Costco to pay for it). My favorite bar is the Restaurantosaurus Lounge. Thank me later.



I'm not a fan of WC and the WL lobby is very similar to AKL. I would instead do a monorail tour and have dinner at one of the monorail resorts and a drink or snack or dessert at the others. Kona Cafe is a nice place. If you're looking for fancy, go with Narcoossee's.



My favorite meal places in DHS are all in Galaxy's Edge.



My main concern is that you have late nights followed by early mornings and late mornings after early nights. But, given the two parties are not moveable I'm not sure what you can do about it now.

Thanks for all the tips!

None of our mornings will be early! Parks the morning after parties we won't be rope-dropping. We'll arrive late morning most likely. And after we return from parks with normal closings, we will be at a restaurant somewhere or Victoria Falls having a drink or two before bed. The new advance booking will actually be a benefit for late starts!

And days of parties are up in the air. Myself, I won't feel need to hit a park before the party. Would rather eat a breakfast and enjoy AKL before going to party late afternoon. But anyone else can do as they please, a free day of no real plans! I may pop in to AK just to meander for a bit.

We've been quite a few times, so our trips are much more leisurely than they used to be. And 9 nights gives us a chance to take it easier rather than go go go.

 

[jimmymc]

I would skip Boma and stay in Epcot until close on the first Wednesday. Otherwise, I think it's a good plan.