Help me tweak these dining choices

[Nancyg56]

gah! We'd have a major freak out moment over this, lol. Maybe our last day can be returning to MK and doing a trip around some of the resorts on the monorail too.

If your little one likes Christmas, definately plan some resort time. The Epcot resorts are a kids wonderland in terms of lobby decorations, and you can keep them occupied by searching for hidden mickeys. On your arrival day You may want to consider having dinner at Cape May Cafe, which is kind of like a clam bak. You can then explore the Holiday decorations in that area.

I know we are booking H&V Holiday and DIne when we go. I peeked in teh Windows last Decemebr and the characters were eally cute. The reviews were not bad eit here, and usually H&B gets even worse reviews than Chef Mickey.

On your MK day you could consider 1900 in the Grand Floridian, or one of the other monorail resorts. It can be lound in there so if that is a problem, there are other restaurants that would provide a good respet for your family. They have been discussed upthread. You could all then do a monorail loop and enjoy the decorations in the GRand. They are awesome!

You could also take a boat ride to WIlderness Lodge. I am not a fan of WCC, so I cannto send you there to eat, but the lobby is a wonder for the Christmas Lovers.

In Epcot we enjoy Garden Grill, but it is a character meal, and it is AYCTE. If you want a meal that is not, we do like R&C. WE also liked Coral Reef for a meal that is different. It is kind of hit or miss in terms of service and food, but I think that can be said for most DIsney restaurants. I know that this is one of the most Disney restaurants in Epcot, and that huge aquarium is pretty fantastic.

 

[Lisa F]

I would not eat at both Liberty Tree AND Garden Grill. I would do one or the other as the food is similar. Of the two, I would say the quality of the food and the characters give Garden Grill the edge.


On your MK day, a nice respite from the park can be had by having dinner at one of the Monorail Resorts. I have had nice quiet 1 credit dinners at The Wave and The Grand Floridian Cafe. Ohana at the Poly is a much sought after ADR, but I'm not sure the group that you have described would like it.

Just want to say I agree 100% with this

 

[Lisa F]

We figured Hollywood and vine as the one SET character dining experience. The 4 year old is Christmas obsessed - so it makes the most sense. Doesn't care too much about princesses, at least not more than just seeing them for meet and greets in the park if we can make it happen. Plus, we live close to Storyland in NH and get to see Cinderella and lots of other characters regularly. It's Mickey & Friends that would be the stars on this trip.

If you are planning to do fantasmic, you can do the fantasmic dinner package with just 1TS credit here. I'm planning to do that, it is a great value on the DDP

 

[LovesTimone]

Sunday - Arrival and no parks
Lunch: At resort - Lots of QS options here everyone will be able to find something.
Dinner: Disney Springs somewhere or is the table restaurant at CBR any good? - Rainforest or T-Rex - both over the top in theming, we enjoy dinning here, it does get loud, so be aware. We have always had good service and the food was good we do leaning more toward T-Rex in quality of food, and the menu has been changed recently and for us it was a win. Its been a while since we had dinner at Shutters ( TS at CBR) and it was good and great service.
Monday - Hollywood Studios
Lunch: Possibly let everyone pick their own place depending on what the mood is for,
or split into two groups to go to
- Fairfax fare, rosie's and/or toluca legs -- Ok here is were you are going to struggle, there really isn't a good QS option here, at least for us. You could pay out of pocket for Sci-Fi.. or... You might want to think about grabbing the boat over to the boardwalk resorts, and having lunch there at one of the resort, QS or Paying out of pocket at Beaches and Cream
Dinner: Hollywood & Vine - Buffet you everyone should be happy, lots to choose from
Tuesday - MK (SO confused what to do with this one)
Lunch: Be Our Guest hopefully! - wishing you pixie dust for getting you ADR
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern - Family style, check the menu if this will work for everyone.
Wednesday - Epcot
Lunch: Katsura Grill
Dinner: Garden Grill? Rose Crown? Via Napoli? I'm confused - Garden Grill - Family style, great character interaction, again check the menu to see if this will work for everyone. Via Napoli - pizza is there claim to fame, Rose and Crown - we have dined here a couple of times, its very lively, table are very close together, service spot on, for us the food is okay, not bad just okay.
Thursday - AK
Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ - Yummy
Dinner: Yak & Yeti - I would go with Tusker House as its a buffet, and a very good one. With picky eaters you will get more variety so this might be a better option. Yak and Yeti is very good, I only suggest the other option due to what some people would call a more adventurous menu.
Friday - Whichever place we felt we need to revisit for more time.[/QUOTE] - Most likely you will be headed back to MK one day is never enough. - I would just go with whatever counter service is around, Ray's offers several bays with different item so I would take a look at the menus. For your last night I would go with Chef Mickeys, the fab 5 nice way to end your vacation.. Buffet so everyone should be able to find something.

Lots of pixie dust coming your way

 

[emnems34]

The table service at CBR is called Shutters and I've heard very mixed reviews. It might be nice to try for you just for the convenience though! If you decided to do Disney Springs instead I'd recommend T-Rex. It's like Rainforrest Cafe but Dinosaurs only. Rainforrest is great for kids, but you can get t go there places other than WDW, and T-Rex is only at WDW and Kansas City, I believe. Hollywood and Vine is another one that gets mixed reviews. I've only done breakfast there but it wasn't my personal favorite. Have you considered the Sci-Fi theater? Your four year old may enjoy that! Garden Grill consistently gets great reviews but that's one I have yet to try! Be Our Guest is wonderful! Make sure to order your meals 30 days in advance to help make your wait time easier! Yak and Yeti is one of my all time favorites. Just make sure to make your reservations at exactly 180 days out (to the day, even get up early if you can, especially for Be Our Guest).

Have a wonderful time, there's nothing quite like your first visit, and with proper planning, which it seems like you're already doing very well, your trip will be a breeze!

 

[jessicaknarr]

I think we will go with table service in Downtown Disney. Our 4 year old can sometimes get overwhelmed if there is A LOT of noise. Pretty even keeled kid, but will plug the ears if it is continuously loud.

Downtown Disney T-Rex is great adn so is Splitsville. Splitsville has a great variety . The nachos and pizza are great!

 

[maybethisyear]

I'm thinking now we will just eat a hardy breakfast on Hollywood studio morning and then do Hollywood and vine early. Based on info here, menus, and other reviews - I can't find a table service that makes me want to jump for joy (not literally of course). Even our child will regularly skip lunch if busy - so I'm not worried about it. We can make do with snacks part way through.

 

[oceanmarina]

I would definitely go with Garden Grill, wonderful character interaction for the kids. The salad, which features greens grown in the land was one of the best salads I ever had in my life.

For Tuesday at MK I would go with Crystal Palace, we love that buffet

 

[Charmel]

We love Garden Grill. It is relaxing, which doesn't happen at many character meals. We eat there every trip and this next trip (also arriving Nov. 27) we plant to eat there for breakfast and dinner. My husband likes it that much!
I also agree with the rest that you should try a monorail resort for dinner. Our favorite is Ohana.
At AK I would eat at Tusker House.
If you are purchasing a memory maker package then you get a free picture from Ohana and Tusker House.
Hollywood and Vine is NOT relaxing. But we do it every trip because my kids love the Disney JR characters and they have a nice selection of food.

 

[jimmytammy]

My family has booked our first every Disney visit for 11/27-12/2 at CBR on the free dining plan.
We are 4 adults and a 4 year old. All of these choice are not set in stone, and I am wishy washy on all of it. My husband is an adventurous eater, but I am not. My parents, who will be joining us, are one indifferent eater and one that has had gastric bypass surgery and will share plates as often as possible. Our 4 year old will not eat chicken fingers, anything fried, anything sweet. You get the point.

Breakfast - I love breakfast, but the majority of our group (including the 4 year old) could almost do without it completely. We may use excess counter meals and snack credits to share some breakfasts at the resort.
Lunch - We plan to go QS and locations could be flexible if we don't end up in the right place
Dinner - Looking to do our TS meals mainly as dinners


Plans so far

Sunday - Arrival and no parks
Lunch: At resort
Dinner: Disney Springs somewhere or is the table restaurant at CBR any good?Raglan Rd. would be my choice. It can be a little loud, but the food is really good
Monday - Hollywood Studios
Lunch: Possibly let everyone pick their own place depending on what the mood is for,
or split into two groups to go to
- Fairfax fare, rosie's and/or toluca legs
Dinner: Hollywood & Vine50s PTC would be my choice and its basically comfort food and your folks can share here, not at H&V
Tuesday - MK (SO confused what to do with this one)
Lunch: Be Our Guest hopefully!The atmosphere is great, food is so so. Def. go if you land a ressie just to see the place
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern Love it! I prefer lunch as it gives you less food, but for less cost. And agian, your folks can share
Wednesday - Epcot
Lunch: Katsura Grill
Dinner: Garden Grill? Rose Crown? Via Napoli? I'm confused Any of these are really good. Of the 3, Rose N Crown gets my 1st vote
Thursday - AK
Lunch: Flame Tree BBQBest QS on property
Dinner: Yak & YetiLike it, cant say I would go every trip
Friday - Whichever place we felt we need to revisit for more time.

 

[JerseyJanice]

You made some good plans there, but I'm going to suggest an alternate first night.

Arrival day. Resort pool and lunch at food court. Dinner at Cape May Cafe then watch Illuminations fireworks from the bridge between the Beach Club and Boardwalk resorts. If you don't have a car, you can take your resort bus to the Studios and use the boat to get to the BC/BW.

It's nice to have a big leisurely dinner on arrival day IMO.

 

[maybethisyear]

You made some good plans there, but I'm going to suggest an alternate first night.

Arrival day. Resort pool and lunch at food court. Dinner at Cape May Cafe then watch Illuminations fireworks from the bridge between the Beach Club and Boardwalk resorts. If you don't have a car, you can take your resort bus to the Studios and use the boat to get to the BC/BW.

It's nice to have a big leisurely dinner on arrival day IMO.

Interesting, I hadn't even thought of anything but Disney springs. I wanted to "get it out of the way". But it's looking like Hollywood studios may be an earlier day for us, so we may have the time that evening if we don't do fantasmic.