Help Me Decide Where to Dine.....

[lovinwdw]

We are taking the kiddos in December. I booked our ADR's, but I couldn't get Le Cellier or Garden Grill I was able to book breakfast at Kona Cafe & Tusker House and dinner at 'Ohana & 50's Prime Time. So, I am looking for 2 other places. I'd love a character meal and a regular sit down in Epcot, if possible. I do know that character dining is limited in Epcot, and we've pretty much done every other character meal.

Help me...PLEASE!

Any input on the new restaurant in Italy??

 

[CCGMatt]

I would argue against the '50's Diner. I was NOT impressed with it both times I've been there. I think the menu selection is poor, and the value for the price is even poorer. It's a neat concept, but really not worth the money. Plus, they are incredibly slow!

If your kids aren't big on trying new foods, I would recommend the San Angel Inn at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot. It's decent Americanized-Mexican food, and the atmosphere is neat. I love eating there with the volcano in the background under the stars.

Kids typically enjoy the Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge, but my absolute favorite place to eat is at Boma, at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[rachellm]

I keep hearing that younger kiddos love Biergarten in Germany. Not a character meal, but the entertainment makes it more exciting Teppen Edo would be another option with more going on that just the food!

 

[palloma]

we are planning to do the Biergarten in Germany also

 

[OKW Lover]

You may want to read the dining reviews here when trying to decide.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The new Italian place at Epcot, Via Napoli has really good pizza. Can't comment on the rest of the food there, since that's all I had, but I've read good things.

For other character meals I really like Crystal Palace at MK and if you have any princess fans, I've always been pleased with Akershus for breakfast.

 

[DCbride]

I have a 4yo and we did Coral Reef (which I would only do on the dining plan) and she did like the fish. And we actually did the original restaurant in Italy and she loved the food and we really enjoyed good food, not buffet food for once.

She also loved Hollywood and Vine the Dine and Play breakfast. There was so much character interaction she was constantly jumping up to dance.

 

[lovinwdw]

Thank you so much everyone!!! I am trying to get us into Via Napoli, but my TA said that place fills up quick!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Thank you so much everyone!!! I am trying to get us into Via Napoli, but my TA said that place fills up quick!

Really? I've been switching my times and between lunch and dinner for that with no problems at all. You may want to try and make an ADR yourself, I don't trust my TA to make my ADRs for me.

 

[hannahryan]

Thank you so much everyone!!! I am trying to get us into Via Napoli, but my TA said that place fills up quick!

I think your TA is misinformed. You really should make your own dining reservations. It is SO easy to book online:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining

I make dining reservations online regularly and Via Napoli is almost always available. Now Ohana's, Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier on the other hand are almost never available.

 

[Belle83]

We ate at Biergarten in Epcot during our recent trip and loved it. I was really skeptical about the whole thing because you eat with strangers, and I'm not that familiar with German food. It was one of my favorite meals of the entire trip. It would be great for kids.

 

[Forever Fairy]

I think your TA is misinformed. You really should make your own dining reservations. It is SO easy to book online:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining

I make dining reservations online regularly and Via Napoli is almost always available. Now Ohana's, Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier on the other hand are almost never available.

Yes and when you make them you get an immediate confirmation by e-mail with all the reservation numbers on them. I did mine yesterday with no issues at all.

 

[troynkasey]

Biergarten is nice for kids if the show is going on. It's a good show and there are kids options like mac n cheese for them to pick from as well as the german fare. The Princess breakfast at Askershus (sp?) was decent. Not sure about lunch or dinner though. We ate at La Cantina, the QS in Mexico and it was good. I believe La Hacienda (TS for dinner in same location) has the same type of food with more options. It's not character, but good eating none the less.

 

[kshattuck]

Crystal Palace at MK is a sweet character meal. We also enjoyed 1900 Park Fare at GF. Breakfast is with the British characters: Mary Poppins, Alice, Mad Hatter, Pooh and Tigger. Very sweet and we all liked the variety at the buffet (our party included a range of ages from 2 - 86). We have done Akershus many times (Norway at Epcot) and the princesses make a very big deal over the "princes" which is very cute

Biergarten is a great place for families. We also enjoyed Chefs de France and Coral Reef with our little ones.

Have fun!

 

[Agri]

My advice is sci-fi for DHS. The only other restaurant there worth the cost and time to eat there is Brown Derby.

I'd do Cape May for Epcot - its at the Beach Club. Its fairly quiet, the food is good, and the characters come around more than once usually. We try to fit this in at least once a visit for either an Epcot or DHS day.

Keep trying for Garden Grill - it will likely open up. You might be able to get it with a processional meal. We had to do that last December. People will cancel 45 days out, so just keep trying. I managed to snag both Le Cellier and GG by just calling at least once a week to see if anything had opened up.

Other Epcot restaurants I like are Coral Reef (service can be spotty, but the food is good - just not a place if you're in a rush), Marrakesh, and Rose & Crown. I haven't tried Akershus yet, but was disappointed with France and the rest I can get better food at home. Also, keep in mind you can go out the International Gateway and get to Kouzinna, Cat Cora's really good restaurant at the Boardwalk and Yachtsmen at the Yacht Club (enjoyed this more than Le Cellier). Yachtsmen has a dessert for kids that they can paint themselves - I saw the kids at the table near ours REALLY enjoying it.