I need some suggestions!!

[Familyof6]

We will be in WDW, staying at CR in late Apr/early May. Our first night, I figured it would be great to eat at Chef Mickey's. It's in our resort and it might help us get into the Disney spirit. From there, I'm not sure what to book and what to just "let happen". Our last (first time) trip was last May. We ate at CP(it was ok), Ohana's (basically didn't care for it except dessert!), Rose and Crown (bad experience but food was good), and the Luau. Other than that, we just picked up things at counter service or the concierge lounge. (We NOT staying concierge this trip, so those snacks and breakfasts are gone. )
I prefer the sit-down, served to you, pampered style meals. DH prefers to just get something to take the hunger away and get on with it! We have 4 kids, 12, 10, 7 & 3. They can always find something they like most anywhere we go. (and there's always one who just doesn't like anything on "that" particular menu --and it's a different one everytime.) We're NOT interested in Fantasmic or ANY fireworks of any kind! Two kids HATE fireworks.
I'm toying with getting a PS for the new Cindy dinner at GF. I've heard both good and bad. Another place we wanted to go last time was PT 50's Cafe. I'm thinking about that for a lunch or dinner. Other than that, I don't really have any ideas of how much planning I should do this trip. Any help?
Our last trip was a very special trip and I had it planned out very carefully. (we didn't stick to the plan, but it was there ) This trip will be somewhat of a budget trip so I'm leaning more toward more of the counter service meals. Any suggestions? Good idea? Bad idea?
What are some restaurants that your family LOVES to go to at WDW?
Oh, we'll be there TuesPM through Sun AM, so there will be lots of meals to think about.
I'd welcome any comments.

Lisa

 

[disney queen]

2 places at world showcase we enjoyed are lecellier in canada and alfredo's in italy. both were very good. for a character meal at epcot garden grill has a good one. how about beaches and cream at the beach club? really good burgers and of course sundaes. at AK, give tusker house a try. they serve a good breakfast. hollywood brown derby at MGM is very good and great service at MK we like the plaza restaurant. liberty tree tavern is a fun character dinner. all of these are sitdowns. well, that is stretching it for tusker house and beaches and cream! in the resorts, have you tried whispering canyon cafe at wilderness lodge for breakfast this is a really good breakfast. these are just a few i could think of. i am sure there are others w/their favorites.

 

[Chloesmom]

50's prime time is a great place to take kids. There is a lot to entertain them and the food is pretty much " comfort food". The prices are pretty decent there too compared to other DW restaurants. We go every trip and it is always a highlite. First time we went the waiter set my 10 mo. old daughter up with a cute toddler at the next table, force fed my sister in law green beans, nicknamed my husband 'Skippy', took all of our drawings and put them on the fridge. It's great interaction that only Disney could do. The really funny thing is that th next time we went our waitress called my DH Skippy too. He must look like a Skippy.

 

[stacy6552]

our must eats are:

hoop dee doo revue! pecos bills and pizza planet for counter service. cape may cafe for dinner. liberty tree tavern characture dinner. whipsering canyon for breakfast. sci-fi- drive in for burgers. coral reef for the view(ask for a tank side table the wait will be worth it). spoodles for breakfast.

 

[kdibattista]

Our favorites:

Crystal Palace - breakfast (favorite meal at WDW)
Chef Mickeys - breakfast
50's Prime Time - lunch/dinner
Sci Fi - lunch
Mama Melrose - lunch/dinner
Rainforest Cafe - lunch/dinner
Wolfgang Puck - dinner

 

[Familyof6]

Disney Queen, Can you tell me more about the Garden Grill meal? I'm not sure I'd want to add another character meal to our dining list, but last time I had wanted to go to the Garden Grill. I can't remember why now. Is it worth the extra money that you have to pay for the characters? We ate in the food court at Living with the Land on our last trip.
We will definitely want to get up early and hit the parks, so I was kinda counting on grabbing something quick for breakfast. I'm not sure what's available. Any help with this. Maybe one morning we might sit and relax before hitting the parks, but for the most part, we're an up and out family.
Stacy, We had a PS for Coral Reef for our last trip that I ended up cancelling since I had heard that it was so expensive and had a limited menu. You seem to really like it. Can you tell me what it is that you like about it? Is it worth the price? My kids love the ocean and sea creatures. (Oh, I had forgotten to mention that Cape May is not for us...being from New England, we get our share of clam bakes and seafood. )
Chloesmom, now I REALLY want to go to PT 50's cafe! I just love it when you can be entertained along with dinner. Would you recommend lunch or dinner there?
kdib, I noticed many of your suggestions are in MGM. We didn't go to MGM at all on our last (first) trip so I really know nothing about it. We did have a PS at PT50's but cancelled it since we decided to cut MGM out of our park plans. What can you tell me about the restaurants there?

Thanks for all your help!

Lisa

 

[MamaQuack]

Family of 6:

We just returned from the World. We were there 2/25 thru last night. I too am a "planner" - feeling like you never know when you might get back so do it all or at least as much as you can every trip - that was my motto up until this trip. This time we had bad weather to contend with which made us be more flexible and it was one of our best trips ever!! I do believe in PS's - you can always cancel them if your mood changes.

This trip we ate at Flying Fish, Coral Reef, Palio, RainForest Cafe, Fulton's, Italy, San Angel, Yachtsman SteaksHouse. I too love the sit down, get pampered and don't fight the flys for your food concept. DS and I have figured out that sometimes counterfood is pretty expensive too. So we lean toward meals at sit down places and maybe a shared snack at a counter. At RainForest we always split appetizers or entrees. Same at Italy. At Coral Reef we often just get an appetizer or salad and just enjoy the fish. One of our all time favs is Sci Fi Dine In(missed it this trip so we could go to DisneyQuest). You can easily share a burger there or just split their divine onion rings!!!

 

[disney queen]

garden grill is served family style as all you care to eat. the characters are good and visit the tables frequently. usually it is just myself and husband. we really like the fried fish. http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_gg.htm here is a link to the menu. one thing that is fun if you and your husband like this kind of stuff is the re-hitchin' ceremony. you get "remarried" and it is a lot of fun. AND you get to kiss to the count of 100...you know like this 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100!! sometimes mickey and minnie are the attendants, but we have never had them. the CM usually makes a big deal out of it and everyone in the area is aware of the doings. you have to request this when you make PS arrangements, but don;t be suprised if dining CMs are unaware. therefore, if you have requested it, be sure to mention it when you check in. hope this helps.

 

[eeyore0062]

These are my DD's favorites:
1900 Park Faire---breakfast
50's Primetime Cafe-- lunch
San Angel Inn-- lunch
Hollywood and Vine-- lunch
Mama Melrose-- lunch or dinner
Cape May Cafe-- dinner
'Ohana -- dinner

Whatever you decide, have a good time!

 

[denman007]

I would definitely try Boma's for dinner.

 

[gonga]

denman007 - Your little princess is beautiful!