Help me narrow down restaurants

[Summer-Caitlin]

We are going to Paris on September 1st for 7 nights, 4 nights at DLRP in Sequoia Lodge. I am now looking at restaurants for lunch/dinner but am really struggling to narrow it down. It will be my husband and I and our 2 year old son. I would really like to try a character meal so immediately thought of Chef Mickey's but I also hear Inventions is good, but a lot more expensive. My husband and I are easily pleased and my son, well as long as there is meat and desserts he will be happyI quite like the look of Agrabah Café but am not sure my son would like much there? I was thinking Annettes Diner would be nice and maybe Restaurant de Stars? I don't want to have buffets all the time and I understand a lot of these restaurants don't open for evening meals? I definitely want to do Rainforest Café as we have never done this before and I have always liked Planet Hollywood but I think it would be quite similar to Rainforest Café?

As you can see I am stuck, there are so many places I would like to try but I only have 4 nights so really need to get it right.

What do you think?

 

[Lisa_C]

We are going to Paris on September 1st for 7 nights, 4 nights at DLRP in Sequoia Lodge. I am now looking at restaurants for lunch/dinner but am really struggling to narrow it down. It will be my husband and I and our 2 year old son. I would really like to try a character meal so immediately thought of Chef Mickey's but I also hear Inventions is good, but a lot more expensive. My husband and I are easily pleased and my son, well as long as there is meat and desserts he will be happyI quite like the look of Agrabah Café but am not sure my son would like much there? I was thinking Annettes Diner would be nice and maybe Restaurant de Stars? I don't want to have buffets all the time and I understand a lot of these restaurants don't open for evening meals? I definitely want to do Rainforest Café as we have never done this before and I have always liked Planet Hollywood but I think it would be quite similar to Rainforest Café?

As you can see I am stuck, there are so many places I would like to try burt I only have 4 nights so really need to get it right.

What do you think?

Rainforest cafe and Planet Hollywood are both heavily themed - but that's about it I think. Food is quite different IMHO.

You're right about a lot of restaurants being lunch only, but the ones in the Village are open for dinner so these are a definite can do

Café Mickey is most definitely a lot cheaper than Inventions, but remember your son eats free in buffets Characters are there for the evening only in Inventions (or breakfast too) but not lunch. Characters are 12-3 and 6-10 in Café Mickey.
A few pointers that I'm sure other DISers will add too

 

[freddythebear]

We are going to Paris on September 1st for 7 nights, 4 nights at DLRP in Sequoia Lodge. I am now looking at restaurants for lunch/dinner but am really struggling to narrow it down. It will be my husband and I and our 2 year old son. I would really like to try a character meal so immediately thought of Chef Mickey's but I also hear Inventions is good, but a lot more expensive. My husband and I are easily pleased and my son, well as long as there is meat and desserts he will be happyI quite like the look of Agrabah Café but am not sure my son would like much there? I was thinking Annettes Diner would be nice and maybe Restaurant de Stars? I don't want to have buffets all the time and I understand a lot of these restaurants don't open for evening meals? I definitely want to do Rainforest Café as we have never done this before and I have always liked Planet Hollywood but I think it would be quite similar to Rainforest Café?

As you can see I am stuck, there are so many places I would like to try but I only have 4 nights so really need to get it right.

I think it is well worth paying the extra for inventions over cafe mickey as it is such a special experience and the food is amazing. When we go next time we might try cafe mickey for breakfast, as it is cheaper for people staying onsite, but wouldn't bother going for a proper meal as it just wasn't worth what we paid last time. Inventions was worth every penny though, despite being so expensive!

 

[kizzabel]

Hiya
The buffets are a great option for the aforementioned lover of meat and desserts!! Theres normally a great selection of meats and a huge selection of desserts. Restaurant des Stars has a great dessert selection as does the full buffet restaurant at SQL (on the left when you descend the stairs - sorry I can never remember which one it is ).
We like Annettes for dinner - always found it to be tasty. The steakhouse also is very lovely but may be a bit adult orientated for your little one (they do a kids menu but its perhaps not as brightly themed as other Disney Village restaurants).
I cannot comment as regards Inventions are we are (hopefully) trying it for the 1st time in October.
Only a month left until you get to DLP

 

[Isila]

I'd go to Inventions for characters meal as for us it turned out to be the best - for character interaction and food. But we did Sunday brunch - worth every cent I paid. Will do this on our next trip.

Annette's is great, loved it. Definitely not to miss.

Restaurant des stars has a better dessert selection, but Plaza gardens had more food variety. But somehow I come to like Restaurant des stars atmosphere more than Plaza garden's. maybe it was due to how full the were. Plaza gardens was just crowded, just madness. But food was great.

I did Rainforest cafe twice. One time it was a highlight, next time it was so bad I don't consider coming back. While the theming is great food was very bad. Specially kid's burgers form kid's menu. Not worth the money.

 

[tennisfan]

I feel buffets offer best value, I love Restaurant des Stars (beef bourginon to die for) and plenty of choice especially for desserts. Also enjoy Annette's diner both are a must on our trips

 

[PrincessIndia]

Agrabah cafe and Cafe Mickey are post lovely!

 

[Aussiesonholidays]

I was disappointed in the quality of the good at cafe Mickey Our best meal was at hotel New York ( where we stayed) we ate at the priate of the Caribbean one that was different/strange food but in not a huge seafood fan as Dh was desperate to eat there Best Creame brûlée I've ever tasted We also ate at another one in the village O think that was billy bobs and the was ok defiantly book as we didn't one night and waited 1 1/2 hours to eat ( that why we ended at billy bobs)

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Thanks everyone for the replies. So far I have narrowed it down to these:-

Inventions, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
Rainforest Cafe, 1 dinner
Annette's Diner, 1 dinner
Restaurant de Stars, 1 lunch

I am looking at more options tonight but I still quite fancy Cafe Mickey. Based on my choices, do you think it's worth buying a meal plan? I realise Rainforest Cafe isn't on it. I would have liked Walts but I see that is only on the plus plan and not too sure it is ideal for a 2 year old.

So I'm right in thinking I wouldn't have to pay for my son at any of the buffets including Inventions and its okay for him to have his own plate?

 

[DLPdaft]

Thanks everyone for the replies. So far I have narrowed it down to these:-

Inventions, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
Rainforest Cafe, 1 dinner
Annette's Diner, 1 dinner
Restaurant de Stars, 1 lunch

I am looking at more options tonight but I still quite fancy Cafe Mickey. Based on my choices, do you think it's worth buying a meal plan? I realise Rainforest Cafe isn't on it. I would have liked Walts but I see that is only on the plus plan and not too sure it is ideal for a 2 year old.

So I'm right in thinking I wouldn't have to pay for my son at any of the buffets including Inventions and its okay for him to have his own plate?

I wouldn't buy a meal plan based on your restaurant choices - the standard one will be accepted in Annettes and Restaurant des stars with nothing else to pay, but it would be cash value only in Inventions dinner, and Cafe Mickey/Walts if you choose either of those. Your 2-year old gets their own plate in all the buffet restaurants and you don't pay for him, but in any table service restaurant, if you want him to have an actual meal, you'll have to pay for him. You don't get the option of adding him to a meal plan either as he is under 3.

 

[HappyPanda]

I wouldn't recommend getting meal plan, they don't work out very good value for money at all.

I can't really recommend Cafe Mickey food wise, but it's great for seeing the characters. Plus you can always order a pizza to share (they are far too big for one person imo) so this helps keep the food bill down!

 

[nattynooy]

We did a lot of restaurants last year when we went.

Agrabah Café was by far an away our favorite.

We had teenagers right down to 3 year olds with us, and there was something for everyone.

WE also loved The Cowboy cookout where we got a birthday cake and Daisy, Woody and Rabbit all sang happy birthday to my poor un expecting hubby lol.

In my opinion, the fast food restaurants are all pretty much the same, but we enjoyed the Ratatouille at Restaurant des Stars in Walt Disney Studio. it was lovely.

 

[wiigirl]

Agrabah cafe and Cafe Mickey are post lovely!