Help Deciding - Thanksgiving Meal

[NolaDisneyMama]

This is my first post on the Dis Boards!....

We're traveling to WDW the week of Thanksgiving this November. We are trying to make a decision for our early dinner on Thanksgiving Day. We will be at Epcot that day because of the Extra Magic Hours there in the morning. We are looking to have an early dinner, because our New Orleans Saints play that night at 7:20. We want to be back to Caribbean Beach around 7:00 to hopefully watch the game at the pool bar.

Travel Party Stats: 9 people (11 year old girl twins, 5 year old girl, 4 thirty-somethings, 2 sixty-somethings)

These are the two options we are looking at, along with their pros/cons:
(I'm also open to other suggestions...)

A) Le Cellier
- PROS: We will already be at Epcot, so we won't have to take a lot of time traveling somewhere else, plus I hear the food is excellent.
- CONS: It's two table service credits, and there's no real theming going on.

B) Storybook Dining at Artist Point
- PROS: The kids will likely love it because of the characters and theming; the food looks good; it's only 1 table service credit.
- CONS: We'd have to take a bus from Epcot to Wilderness Lodge to get there, and then also travel back to our hotel after eating to get back in time to watch the Saints game, so lots of travel time involved with this option.

Based on that info, which would you recommend?

Thank you!
Amanda

 

[10CJ]

By then hopefully the Skyliner will be up and running. I would choose something at Epcot or HS or in the Epcot resort area.

 

[SteveH]

so lots of travel time involved with this option.

Keep in mind you can take a couple Lyft/Ubers to cut down on the time. Just an option.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Welcome to the Boards! Of the two options you list, I’d choose Le Cellier. Sounds like it will be easier logistically and I believe they did offer a traditional Thanksgiving Meal option last year, if that’s of interest. Still 2 credits though.

Ale & Compass is at the Yacht Club (quick walk through International Gateway), is 1 credit and I believe also offered traditional fare last year. No characters or anything “special” in terms of entertaining the kids but a solid single credit option in the area and then you could head back to the Gateway and hop on the Skyliner to get back for the game.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Another vote for Epcot's Le Cellier. The theming is perfect for Canada which is where you'll be.
It's Thanksgiving so a splurge might be in order re: a 2 credit meal.

 

[570traveler]

This is my first post on the Dis Boards!....

We're traveling to WDW the week of Thanksgiving this November. We are trying to make a decision for our early dinner on Thanksgiving Day. We will be at Epcot that day because of the Extra Magic Hours there in the morning. We are looking to have an early dinner, because our New Orleans Saints play that night at 7:20. We want to be back to Caribbean Beach around 7:00 to hopefully watch the game at the pool bar.

Travel Party Stats: 9 people (11 year old girl twins, 5 year old girl, 4 thirty-somethings, 2 sixty-somethings)

These are the two options we are looking at, along with their pros/cons:
(I'm also open to other suggestions...)

A) Le Cellier
- PROS: We will already be at Epcot, so we won't have to take a lot of time traveling somewhere else, plus I hear the food is excellent.
- CONS: It's two table service credits, and there's no real theming going on.

B) Storybook Dining at Artist Point
- PROS: The kids will likely love it because of the characters and theming; the food looks good; it's only 1 table service credit.
- CONS: We'd have to take a bus from Epcot to Wilderness Lodge to get there, and then also travel back to our hotel after eating to get back in time to watch the Saints game, so lots of travel time involved with this option.

Based on that info, which would you recommend?

Thank you!
Amanda

When are you booking this? My reservations opened this morning and lots of places are already booked up.

 

[NYCgrrl]

More back up ADRs can be found at the nearby Boardwalk where there are several no park eateries. You can even eat and watch the game at ESPN Club.

 

[Jkarrows]

I am going to go against the trend and say avoid Le Cellier, it used to be really good but I think think chef has changed and the quality is not as good as it used to be, just a personal view to be fair.

If you were eating at Epcot have you thought about Teppan Edo, you would all fit around the one table and have your own chef cook the food in front of you, the chef are great and they put on a great show while cooking that the children and adults will love and its always well priced for the food you get.

 

[NolaDisneyMama]

When are you booking this? My reservations opened this morning and lots of places are already booked up.

Tomorrow morning at 5am CST.

 

[570traveler]

Tomorrow morning at 5am CST.

I would definitely have a few other choices ready. And book that day first. Good Luck

 

[SaintsManiac]

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Garden Grill a couple of years ago. It was great.

 

[SaintsManiac]

When are you booking this? My reservations opened this morning and lots of places are already booked up.

They haven’t released all of the availability yet.

 

[570traveler]

To piggy back off of @SaintsManiac if you don’t see garden grill listed, it’s most likely they arent loaded in yet. I couldn’t get garden grill for the Sunday after thanksgiving. They sometimes release them later due to the candlelight packages.

 

[NolaDisneyMama]

I would definitely have a few other choices ready. And book that day first. Good Luck

Will do! Thank you!

 

[NolaDisneyMama]

UPDATE: Well... That did not go well at all I'll put it this way - We're having Thanksgiving dinner at Chefs de France. The rest of the ressies we were going for didn't turn out so well either, BUT at least we will be in Disney World so we will make the best of it and have fun regardless! Thank you for all of your suggestions. I really appreciate it!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

UPDATE: Well... That did not go well at all I'll put it this way - We're having Thanksgiving dinner at Chefs de France. The rest of the ressies we were going for didn't turn out so well either, BUT at least we will be in Disney World so we will make the best of it and have fun regardless! Thank you for all of your suggestions. I really appreciate it!

I’m sorry things didn’t go as planned. I actually almost suggested Chefs so I think that’s a great choice. There’s something about it that feels celebratory to me (bonus if their holiday decor is up - they do a nice job). And I enjoy watching people on the walkways. That said, don’t give up...keep checking for your top priorities. Things can open up as plans change. You may also want to explore using the reservation finder from Touring Plans. It scans for whatever you’re looking for and texts or emails you if/when it becomes available. At that point it’s up to you to log in quickly and book it. I’ve had great success using it.

 

[NolaDisneyMama]

I’m sorry things didn’t go as planned. I actually almost suggested Chefs so I think that’s a great choice. There’s something about it that feels celebratory to me (bonus if their holiday decor is up - they do a nice job). And I enjoy watching people on the walkways. That said, don’t give up...keep checking for your top priorities. Things can open up as plans change. You may also want to explore using the reservation finder from Touring Plans. It scans for whatever you’re looking for and texts or emails you if/when it becomes available. At that point it’s up to you to log in quickly and book it. I’ve had great success using it.

Thank you so much for that tip, Christine! I'm going to go check it out now. Also, thank you for putting my mind at ease about Chefs de France

 

[MrsDuck]

Absolutely Storybook Dining - especially with your kiddos. The menu is awesome!