How are these restaurants with a 3 & 5 year-old?

[M&E]

My oldest son (5) will eat anything and is willing to try many new things. My younger son (3) is quite picky, though he's happy with fries, pizza, nuggets, plain pasta. I've checked out the menu at the following places, so I think they'll be able to do okay as far as finding something to eat. What about atmosphere? Will they be the only kids at any of these places? They don't have the best table manners and quiet voices, but they're really not bad either. I think they're pretty typical for their ages. Is there any sort of entertainment at these locations that would keep them occupied? I don't really want to have to pack coloring books, etc. to take along. These are the places I'd like to try. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Restaurant Marrakesh
Mama Melrose
Planet Hollywood
Le Cellier
Tusker House
Tony's Town Square
Cap 'N Jacks

I'd also like to do the following character meals, which I'm assuming will be totally geared towards kids.
Hollywood and Vine
Chef Mickey's Buffet

 

[Disneyolic]

My oldest son (5) will eat anything and is willing to try many new things. My younger son (3) is quite picky, though he's happy with fries, pizza, nuggets, plain pasta. I've checked out the menu at the following places, so I think they'll be able to do okay as far as finding something to eat. What about atmosphere? Will they be the only kids at any of these places? They don't have the best table manners and quiet voices, but they're really not bad either. I think they're pretty typical for their ages. Is there any sort of entertainment at these locations that would keep them occupied? I don't really want to have to pack coloring books, etc. to take along. These are the places I'd like to try. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Restaurant Marrakesh
Mama Melrose
Planet Hollywood
Le Cellier
Tusker House
Tony's Town Square
Cap 'N Jacks

I'd also like to do the following character meals, which I'm assuming will be totally geared towards kids.
Hollywood and Vine
Chef Mickey's Buffet

The only one on your list that I've brought my kids to was Le Cellier. My kids at the time were almost 3, 6 & 7. They liked it but their only complaint was that it was too cold for them. It was summer and the a/c was cranked. They let my older 2 have milkshakes for their drinks on the DDP which they were psyched about. Their favourite place after that was Crystal Palace and Garden Grill.

 

[webray]

They will be fine anywhere, mostly any place.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[M&E]

Thanks! I think I'll try to swap Crystal Palace for Tony's Town Square. Not sure how I missed that one.

 

[tlriv5]

I would think about taking off Planet Hollywood (since you can go there outside of Disney) and do another character meal for the little ones. Chef Mickey's is supposed to be great, I can't wait to try it on our upcoming trip. We enjoyed Ohana breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. Just a thought.​

 

[tinkandpan]

I have ds6 and dd2

Restaurant Marrakesh - have not personally been but heard the belly dancer is great at dinner

Planet Hollywood - i would swap out for something else- bad reviews, you can go to one anywhere else
Le Cellier - fine with the kids. My son was a little bored because it was so cramped and dark in there but it was fine.
Tusker House - last time we went this was our favorite meal. Something for everyone there.
Tony's Town Square
Cap 'N Jacks - unless you are really set on a ts at DTD, i would swap this out for WPE or EOS and then use the extra time to walk around and such.

I'd also like to do the following character meals, which I'm assuming will be totally geared towards kids.
Hollywood and Vine - we have been both for bfast and lunch and I think bfast was much much better.
Chef Mickey's Buffet - they will love it.

I would really try to add CP- it's a great meal, character interraction etc.
Also at Epcot if you all like sushi or terriyaki- the new Tokyo Dining was terrific with my kids last trip.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Restaurant Marrakesh - We like this place and the food was good as well as entertainment.

Mama Melrose - We used to do a late lunch here prior to baby and always enjoyed the food.

Planet Hollywood - Dont care for this so much. Noisy and bad food.

Le Cellier - Great choice.

Tusker House
Tony's Town Square
Cap 'N Jacks

I have never eaten at these 3. My son 35months did well but we chose mostly buffets or family style meals. Definately pack some crayons or coloring books just in case.

As for character meals our favorite dinner is crystal palace and breakfast is fun at Chef Mickeys and Hollywood and Vine.

Another fun choice for the kids might be Coral Reef with the giant fishtank wall.

 

[TwingleMum]

Honestly I would remove Planet H, Capt Jacks and Tonys. I have 3 boys under 6 and I find buffets often work best for us. I can get the kids food right away , there is a good variety, something for everyone. So I usually do a buffet and a counter service (think quick ) But I also do a few restaurants Mom & Dad want to try. For them I carry Coloring books and I've even brought my portable DVD player to keep them occuppied (which I bring for the 2 hr plane ride anyway) I also order their food right away and ask it to be brought pronto while DH & I eat more leisurely. We also have to get Daddy his Tonga Toast at least 2x a trip. Tonga Toast = Happy Daddy !! So Kona is always a must do. Who are your sons favorite characters?? There is probably a character meal geared toward them. We enjoy Chef Mickeys (dinner or breakfast)~ food is pretty good and the characters are Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy ,Donald, Chip & Dale. They do activites with the kids and its very festive. Ohana breakfast~ Stitch is hysterical and the kids crack up. They bring the food to you family style so its very relaxing. Donalds Breakfast~ Donald is a big fav in our house. We really enjoy the breakfast and its at Tusker House. The food is good and the characters fun. Playhouse Disney Breakfast at Disney Hollywood Studios~ My sons love Little Einsteins so we are trying this for the first time. I usually try to eat at a different park and spend the morning there and then return to the resort to swim and relax. Then we go to a different park in the evening.
I would also suggest Coral Reef ~ the tank keeps kids entertained and the food I've found is pretty good. Boma is a big fav in our house, its a buffet and the kids love hearing the stories at the firepit and looking at the animals with the night vision googles while the African guides tell them about them.
If you can go to DTD and check out Goofy's Candy Kitchen ~ the kids will think they are in candy heaven. And you'll love it too! I hope I didn't overwhelm you and sorry so wordy but our family loves WDW. Have a magical trip!

 

[M&E]

Thanks again!

I've taken out Planet Hollywood and will try either WPE or EOS. I've wanted to try both. These will be lots quicker, I'm sure, so we'll have more time to explore DTD.

I've also changed my Hollywood and Vine to a breakfast. This is actually a really good idea for us as my 3 year old (the picky eater) LOVES breakfast food.

Now I just have to decide if I'm going to keep my two Epcot dinners- Marrakesh and Le Cellier. I guess Coral Reef would be more fun for the kids with the big fish tanks. What about Garden Grill? Is that a fun place?

 

[Disneyolic]

What about Garden Grill? Is that a fun place?

Absolutely! My kids had the best character interaction here and their faces lit up!!!!! We just looked at our PhotoShow from June and all the pictures at the Garden Grill were spectacular. Remember the video camera too. We had Dale do a little salt and pepper shaker tapping on our table. The kids thought that was way cool ...

 

[Northern_Julie]

My nephew was 5 when we went to Markesh about 9 years ago. He liked the dancing but he ordered the Burger. He declared this is not a buger. It was a more adult looking buger. This may have changed. I just remeber it being the only time he was not willing to eat his meal. It may have changed since then.

 

[M&E]

Okay, with all or your advice, this is what I'm now thinking:

Restaurant Marrakesh (I think they boys will like the belly dancers
Sci-Fi Din-in
Cap 'n Jacks
Garden Grill
Tusker House
Crystal Palace (lunch)
Hollywood and Vine (breakfast)
Chef Mickey's (breakfast)

We will also have either WPE or EOS when we are in DTD our second night. I wish DTD had a more "kid friendly" TS place. We're on the DDP and there aren't many options. (That's why I picked Cap 'n Jacks) We'll be there one night for dinner. I thought about using our TS meal that day when we're at the AK, but I can't find a menu for Yak and Yeti. Anyone know what they serve?

What do you think now?

 

[WishesQueen]

Me again, for the menus go to to WWW.allears.net.

I've only been to WPE once. Pretty quiet, but a great dessert for the kids. I think your boys would love Ohanas. They are even allowed to get out of their seats to participate. Actually mine are 11 and 13 and now their too old to participate, so the younger the better there.

 

[Disneyolic]

We're on the DDP and there aren't many options. (That's why I picked Cap 'n Jacks) We'll be there one night for dinner. I thought about using our TS meal that day when we're at the AK, but I can't find a menu for Yak and Yeti. Anyone know what they serve?

What do you think now?

We were on the DDP also and chose Raglan Road as our DTD dining place. My boys (6&8) loved the food. My daughter (almost 3) slept through dinner. We asked for a booth and loved it there. We went to McD's and got my DD a happy meal afterward.

 

[_queenie_]

Cap'n Jacks isn't that great. The food at Pucks is personally my favorite at DTD (great meal for only one credit), but they might have more fun at Raglan Road. I think you'll have good luck with either, but I would definately say to pass on 'Jacks.

Hollywood & Vine isn't known to be the best (at least at lunch, haven't been for breakfast), what I would reccomend doing (guessing you're planning on spending the day at MGM) is taking the boat over to the BC and having breakfast at Cape May. The food quality is a quite a bit better.

Some suggestions would be Coral Reef and O'Hanas.

Other than that I think you'll do well!

 

[M&E]

Why would they have more fun at Raglan road? Is there something special for kids there?

How long is the boat ride over to BC? You can take a boat from MGM to there?

 

[Disneyolic]

Why would they have more fun at Raglan road? Is there something special for kids there?

How long is the boat ride over to BC? You can take a boat from MGM to there?

There is an Irish band but that comes on late in the evening. I didn't think Raglan Road was fun for the kids. They just really liked the food.

The boat ride from Disney Studios takes about 15-20 minutes depending on where you're getting off. It stops at Swan/Dolphin, BoardWalk, and YC/BC.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

My oldest son (5) will eat anything and is willing to try many new things. My younger son (3) is quite picky, though he's happy with fries, pizza, nuggets, plain pasta. I've checked out the menu at the following places, so I think they'll be able to do okay as far as finding something to eat. What about atmosphere? Will they be the only kids at any of these places? They don't have the best table manners and quiet voices, but they're really not bad either. I think they're pretty typical for their ages. Is there any sort of entertainment at these locations that would keep them occupied? I don't really want to have to pack coloring books, etc. to take along. These are the places I'd like to try. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Restaurant Marrakesh
Mama Melrose
Planet Hollywood
Le Cellier
Tusker House
Tony's Town Square
Cap 'N Jacks

I'd also like to do the following character meals, which I'm assuming will be totally geared towards kids.
Hollywood and Vine
Chef Mickey's Buffet

Last year dd was 4 so here are my observations and dd is a picky eater:
Marrakesh....she didnt care for the entertainment, it was actually too loud for her in there and the food for her and for us was terrible.
H&V had terrible food but dd enjoyed the characters
Chef Mickey food was just okay, alotof kid food, dd loved the dessert buffet and ofcourse loved the characters
DD really enjoyed Coral Reef, atmosphere and food, have you thought of that one

 

[Hopefully]

We love Marrakesh, The Belly Dancer is great and she invites the kids to join her at the end of her act. It is a lot of fun and I think they will love it, Have your camera ready - it is a hoot.
We also enjoyed Raglan Road a lot. But as others have said the band starts late.
I would keep Le Cellier. There are lots of kids there and I think you and DH will enjoy it a lot.
We hated the buffet at Hollywood and Vine. It is the only restaurant on property that I will not return to.
You can boat to the Boardwalk and the YC/BC in about 20 minutes once the boat arrives. There is also a walking path which is about 20 minutes to the Boardwalk and say 10 longer to the YC/BC. The Cape May breakfast is a character meal and dinner is a Clam Bake buffet theme. Both are very good.
Have a Great trip.