We always eat at the Sci-Fi when visiting MGM Studios. The atmosphere is great and we've never gotten bad food. We've eaten just about everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. The entire restaurant looks like you are at a drive in theater complete with little cars, speakers and large movie screen. The Sci-Fi is very kid friendly. A meal at the Sci-Fi usually takes about an hour.
I also recommend Crystal Palace although we have never eaten breakfast there, only dinner. Dinner is great with a large buffet with an assortment of both adult and kid friendly foods. The restaurant is large and, if you are lucky, you can get a table near one of the windows with a view of Cinderella's Castle. At dinner, the characters (Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger) come around to the tables and sometimes lead an impromptu parade around the restaurant. The kids are invited to join in but don't worry because the castmembers make sure the kids end back up near where they started from. A meal at the Crystal Palace takes between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes.
If you want another choice for the Magic Kingdom, I would suggest Liberty Tree Tavern. The characters (Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale) are all dressed in Revolutionary style clothes. The food is pretty good. Not fabulous but good. Ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, salad and rolls. For dessert they had ice cream and cobbler. It is served family style meaning they will bring large platters and bowls to your table and replinish them as needed. A meal at the Libert Tree Tavern takes about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.
I think you guys would enjoy a meal at the Garden Grill. The restaurant slowly revolves and you can look down at a couple of scenes from The Land ride. The characters (Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale) will all be dressed in their farming clothes. The meal of marinated steak, catfish, vegetables, turkey, stuffing, rolls and a berry pastry is served family style. A meal at the Garden Grill usually takes about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.
On our Animal Kingdom days, we usually stick to counter service and use our table service credit towards the Hoop Dee Doo since it takes two table service credits.
Speaking of the Hoop Dee Doo Review, we've been two times and really enjoyed ourselves. The show is chock full of corny jokes, lots of singing, dancing and music. The food is very good and is served family style. The menu changes periodically but is usually fried chicken, bbq ribs, corn on the cob, cornbread or rolls, salad, baked beans and strawberry shortcake.
Hope this helps you out! Lisa
