Help - where to eat Friday night in DV?

[DLPDreams]

We are currently booked to eat at Cafe Mickey this Thursday and Friday night (well, DH and I won't be eating there Friday (we are off to Cali Grill - yay), but the rest of the family are). I booked this as I had hoped the girls would get to see some more characters this way (as it's such a short trip), and as the park closes 7 pm our meal choices reduce somewhat. We are doing Inventions on Saturday night.

I am reading more and more that the food isn't great (knew this already) but also that the character interaction isn't so good either (very rushed, which to be fair is what we found in June at lunchtime too). AND that the characters seem to be the same old each night. I would be disappointed to go 2 nights running and see exactly the same characters - even if just one or two were different, that would be OK.

So, should I stick with this for Friday or book somewhere else and if so, where? We have done Rainforest in DRLP before (and in London a few times) so they could go there but it's not top of my list tbh - can you book here, I can't remember? Annettes is a possibility but the fact you can't book makes me worried they'll queue ages with the two girls who will get bored! Plus, I am reading more and more that there is no entertainment these days like in the old days .

Any other good places for the girls to eat in DV? They are 7 and 4 btw.

I suppose I could keep CM reservations and see how Thursday night goes - my only concern then is I can't get anywhere booked on Friday as it will be leaving it a bit late.

Suppose there is always EoS or McDs!!

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Happy Tappy]

You can't book Rainforest Cafe.

RC would probably be the best choice for kids. The food is pretty average but it's fun in there.

I'm a huge fan of Annettes but I'm not sure it holds much appeal for kids.

BBWWS? You can usually get cheap tickets if you shop around.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thank you for the reply. I couldn't remember booking RC so that's why!

Actually DD2 was asking about BBWWS. Just did a quick search in the useful info/restaurant thread but can't find much info. It might suit the family but depends on the timing of it? I know there is an early show but they'd miss Dreams I think? Or maybe the later show - but is that too late? What time would they get out?

Could we just walk up and buy tickets on the day? Thinking I could use my AP to get them for them and get the discount (or shareholders if that is better discount?).

If the timings are right, I'll speak to my Mum tomorrow - I think DSD would like this too and it's something different....

 

[daiseyirl]

I prob go for bbwws think the late show is 9.30?? Or planet Hollywood maybe??
Im not a fan of annetts and id imagine it be very busy if parks close at 7pm. I wouldnt do cm twice as the food isnt great and as you say the recent reviews arent very good either.
Not sure if we will do cm in march either .

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks Daisy!

Actually, now I know BBWWS is 9.30 pm, it is too late for the girls really as it's a 2.5 hour show or something. 6.30 pm would mean they miss Dreams which I'm not happy for them to do as we aren't there very long.

I think I'll leave as is, and if CM is really bad on Thursday they can do a takeout at Annettes perhaps or EoS or something on Friday.

 

[tinks_1989]

The dining choices are so limited to family/children entertainment aren't they?

We are really struggling to book some where for next week. We really didn't enjoy cafe Mickey in September and aren't enthusiastic about going there. Auberge the food just doesn't appeal at all and inventions is just too expensive and after having 2 unimpressive meals there as well we don't want to bother again.

We have 13 character meals booked for our WDW trip every one we are excited about.

Why did they get rid of cowboy cookout it was the best meal there. We had such a good time we would of been happier to even pay a bit more.

I had settled for Walts at least we could see the Christmas cavalcade at lunch but of course that's closed.

I think we are going to leave and just see who can fit us in on the day. Just disappoints the planner in me lol.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

BBWWS lasts an hour and a half

King Ludwigs is getting better reviews nowadays and there is something for everyone on the menu, could be one to look at

Wouldn't do take out from Annette's - it comes in boxes like McDo and you don't get half of what you get on a plate - already Annette's is pretty dire but there they are really taking the mick.

If you do decide to do BBWWS the AP discount is the better one if buying less the 5 days before

 

[Tink'sMum]

The takeout is much cheaper than eating in in Annette's but I agree, McD is better value for what you get
King Ludwig's is nice. I don't think there needs to be entertainment at meals, it's nice to relax, eat and chat about the day in comfortable and pleasant surroundings.

 

[tinks_1989]

I don't think there needs to be entertainment at meals, it's nice to relax, eat and chat about the day in comfortable and pleasant surroundings.

We like to have entertainment to keep DD entertained I don't mean live/loud music but something for her to watch/do. Like when Annettes had the waiters dancing and on rollerboots she would love that it would keep her quiet so DH and I could eat our meals.

Service always seem so slow in DLP I don't know if it is because people like to take there time and make the most of their evening but when you still havent had your starter and your child is already fed up its a long night. If it was just DH and I we wouldnt mind we would have a few drinks and a chat.

When we have been to Cafe Mickey before (when it was owned by and outside company) it was so much better. The character interaction wasn't as rushed there were a lot more and the characters seemed more varied. We happily spent 2 1/2 hours plus in there but on our last trip we were only in there just over an hour.

 

[daiseyirl]

Id prob keep the cm resv and see how ye get on Thursday night so. If its crap maybe try and get table at rainforest failing that get mcdonalds

there is a serious lack of options, struggling to pick a restraunt for a group dinner for ourselves with 2 other familys , 6kids age 5-7. Cafe mickey would be perfect only for the recent poor reviews . It kinda turned me off the place. Want table service either in the park or village , we all have hb...

 

[DLPDreams]

Thank you for the time confirmation Carrie.

Leanne - I am with you, yes you don't need entertainment during a meal, but if the meal is going to be 2 hours or so, to be fair 4 year olds (and sometimes even 7 year olds!) get fed up. It's not like they are quick meals at DLRP - even the CS are snail's pace! If there are characters or even something else to look at then that is fine (like Blue Lagoon watching the boats etc go past). We like conversation in our family at the table (and we don't have TV or anything on at home when we eat etc), but asking the girls to do so for 2 hours after a long day in the park, when they are getting tired, is a bit much imo - for our girls anyway. It is amazing how they spring to life when they see characters or are excited at their surroundings! And as you say, yes, it makes the meal a little easier and you can (Mum & Dad) can actually enjoy it a bit!

Agree there is a real lack of dining for families in the evening now the park is closing earlier. We have come across this before in previous low season visits to be fair.

I am hoping Inventions is good - last time we did enjoy it (June), so hoping it will be on a par or better. But PLEASE, can we see some different characters!!! I love Mickey et al, but when you pay for character meals, you hope to see more unusual ones that you don't see in the park all the time - I am not even talking rare - Stitch/Hook/Smee/Max etc would be great - like old times. It is the same in every hotel too!

I know this has been discussed before, but I wonder how much of it is down to the fact some nationalities just do not know some of the rarer characters and so are happy to see Mickey/Pluto et al done to death....?

In conclusion, we are going to see how Thursday night goes. If it is good then we will keep Friday, if not, Mum will take them for an EoS then back to the hotel bar for a drink/dessert etc.

 

[tinks_1989]

Thank you for the time confirmation Carrie.

Leanne - I am with you, yes you don't need entertainment during a meal, but if the meal is going to be 2 hours or so, to be fair 4 year olds (and sometimes even 7 year olds!) get fed up. It's not like they are quick meals at DLRP - even the CS are snail's pace! If there are characters or even something else to look at then that is fine (like Blue Lagoon watching the boats etc go past). We like conversation in our family at the table (and we don't have TV or anything on at home when we eat etc), but asking the girls to do so for 2 hours after a long day in the park, when they are getting tired, is a bit much imo - for our girls anyway. It is amazing how they spring to life when they see characters or are excited at their surroundings! And as you say, yes, it makes the meal a little easier and you can (Mum & Dad) can actually enjoy it a bit!

Agree there is a real lack of dining for families in the evening now the park is closing earlier. We have come across this before in previous low season visits to be fair.

I am hoping Inventions is good - last time we did enjoy it (June), so hoping it will be on a par or better. But PLEASE, can we see some different characters!!! I love Mickey et al, but when you pay for character meals, you hope to see more unusual ones that you don't see in the park all the time - I am not even talking rare - Stitch/Hook/Smee/Max etc would be great - like old times. It is the same in every hotel too!

I know this has been discussed before, but I wonder how much of it is down to the fact some nationalities just do not know some of the rarer characters and so are happy to see Mickey/Pluto et al done to death....?

In conclusion, we are going to see how Thursday night goes. If it is good then we will keep Friday, if not, Mum will take them for an EoS then back to the hotel bar for a drink/dessert etc.

I agree definitely we are thinking of Rainforest Cafe hoping the fish, storms will keep her amused. If we could go back to CM just like we had it September 2011. We wouldn't even think twice about going any where else.

I know what you mean about seeing the same characters over and over again. At inventions last time we Saw Goofy, Mickey, (was there though he never made it to us even after waiting 2 and 1/2 hours.) Suzy, Perla, Robin Hood, Sheriff of Nottingham and Friar Tuck. Not the normal characters but still not exactly exciting (not to us any way Elsie has watched Robin Hood but wasnt bothered by it). I would love to see Alice and the Mad hatter, Pooh and Eeyore, Mary Poppins and Burt. They could have a British tea party

I would love to see Giselle Elsie and I watch Enchanted all the time.

 

[DLPDreams]

I agree definitely we are thinking of Rainforest Cafe hoping the fish, storms will keep her amused. If we could go back to CM just like we had it September 2011. We wouldn't even think twice about going any where else.

I know what you mean about seeing the same characters over and over again. At inventions last time we Saw Goofy, Mickey, (was there though he never made it to us even after waiting 2 and 1/2 hours.) Suzy, Perla, Robin Hood, Sheriff of Nottingham and Friar Tuck. Not the normal characters but still not exactly exciting (not to us any way Elsie has watched Robin Hood but wasnt bothered by it). I would love to see Alice and the Mad hatter, Pooh and Eeyore, Mary Poppins and Burt. They could have a British tea party

I would love to see Giselle Elsie and I watch Enchanted all the time.

You see, we would have been happy with those characters (well DD1 would have, DD2 wouldn't know them very well). But at least they are different!!

I'd die if I saw Alice and the Mad Hatter - I'm a massive fan. Have met the Queen, White Rabbit & Tweedles but that is it.

I'm gutted as this Sunday's Inventions brunch is 'Neverland' theme - can you imagine - my DD2 would be in her element. Sadly we are being collected 1 pm for airport so can't go . Really sad about it as I think it will be fabulous. I'd love to do brunch considering it gets such great reviews. But silly me booked the earlier flights and we couldn't change them - well, we could have but for a few hours extra it was going to be almost £900 for us all to move them!

I don't think Giselle is ever there is she? I know she was around at Halloween but other than that I've never heard of her in there.

Hope you get your meal sorted out anyway .

 

[tinks_1989]

You see, we would have been happy with those characters (well DD1 would have, DD2 wouldn't know them very well). But at least they are different!!

I'd die if I saw Alice and the Mad Hatter - I'm a massive fan. Have met the Queen, White Rabbit & Tweedles but that is it.

I'm gutted as this Sunday's Inventions brunch is 'Neverland' theme - can you imagine - my DD2 would be in her element. Sadly we are being collected 1 pm for airport so can't go . Really sad about it as I think it will be fabulous. I'd love to do brunch considering it gets such great reviews. But silly me booked the earlier flights and we couldn't change them - well, we could have but for a few hours extra it was going to be almost £900 for us all to move them!

I don't think Giselle is ever there is she? I know she was around at Halloween but other than that I've never heard of her in there.

Hope you get your meal sorted out anyway .

We would love to do the brunch but our flights are evenings and were all sold out on Saturdays in December when we booked oh well will have to wait and try again lol.

Alice was out side her labyrinth every day in September major scrum but she was there. Lol.