If only 1 TS restaurant, which one?

[beekrazey]

We are probably only going to do table service for 1 or 2 meals. So if you could only go to one place, where would it be? And which is better, lunch or dinner?

We have 3 kids--8, 4, 1.5 and grandparents with us. It's our first trip to WDW!!!

Should we do a character meal for the kids? We are going May 9-13th and haven't booked anything yet....

 

[smiths02]

I could not choose one...
when we went with the ILs, my DH, myself and my son (turning 3)...we really enjoyed Donald Safari breakfast at Tusker House (characters) and Ohana for dinner (no characters, but we did like exploring the Polynesian Resort and walking on the beach there-and there is entertainment)

 

[beekrazey]

there really are so many different restaurants, how do you decide if you have never been there before?? and we are only like 6 weeks out, are we going to be screwed since we didnt do reservations 6 months out?

im thinking Ohana for the character breakfast and then I need 1 good place for all 7 of us (do I need to put the 1.5 yr on the reservation? can she just eat some of mine---she wont eat a meal?). and i need one place for just hubby and I to have some adult time, most likely dinner.

 

[kari B.]

What kind of food do you like or dislike?

 

[Keyser]

There will be a few places that aren't options any more at 6 weeks out, or if they are, they might be at awkward times. You need to decide what you are wanting - characters, entertainment, good food, etc.

Two restaurants I would have suggested, but that probably won't have much availability:
'Ohana dinner - entertainment is fun for kids. Works well for a family (kids can take breaks to join some activities, giving adults time to talk!). I like the food (vegetarians probably would not...).
Chef Mickey's for any meal - see the "main" characters

The 1.5 yo should be listed as a person when making a reservation (to get the right size table), but you won't have to pay for her (unless you specifically order a meal for her). She'll be free at a buffet, for instance.

 

[beekrazey]

As a group, our tastes are all over the place, but nothing really extreme. Though my dad is a diabetic, but he doesn't usually let that stop him from much. Mexican, Italian, american definitely. Any place with good variety is probably fine.

I'm looking at doing Ohana for the character breakfast is that any good, they do have some times, or would dinner be better?

Chef Mickey is booked. =(

Since we've never been, I'm not even sure of options so I dont know what we want or what would work best. The kids want to see Mickey, so I was thinking a character meal might be good. But I really just want something that will be worth the money and the time. Anything to give good memories is great.

 

[kari B.]

You are not missing anything with Chef Mickey.... Worst restaurant on property... IMHO

We like Ohana's for either breakfast or dinner. Both are all you can eat and a nice experience.

Tusker House breakfast also has Mickey and is one of the best character breakfasts along with the Cape May Cafe which does not have Mickey. Both these breakfasts are buffets while Ohana is just all you can eat.

If you want Goofy, Minnie, Donald, etc.. plus mickey... I would do Tusker House.

If you want Lilo and Stitch... Mickey and Pluto... do Ohana...

Here's some of the most raved about...

Epcot
Le Cellier- Canada - Steak house
Teppan Edo- Japan
Le Bistro -France

Hollywood Studios
Brown Derby

Boardwalk
Flying Fish Cafe

Yacht Club
Yachtsman

Contemporary Resort
California Grill

If you want fun....

Biergarten in Germany/Epcot
Hoop Dee Doo Revue/ LOVE THIS!/Disney's Fort Wilderness
Whispering Canyon Cafe/Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Other good restaurants would be

Boma and Jiko at AKL

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

Garden Grill in Epcot is another option if you are trying for character (though I have no idea of availability). It gets mixed reviews here on the Dis but my family loves it. It is only open for dinner though.

Are your kids boys our girls? My girls also love 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella.

Since you are paying OOP it is probably better to do lunch since it is cheaper then dinner.

 

[dismichael]

If you can only do one meal, and you want to experience Disney to the fullest, DEFINITELY Character and I would probably do dinner since most restaurants have more choices for dinner. I would suggest Cinderella's Royal Table in the Castle for the atmosphere, but it costs around $50 per person. Possibly a second meal for you could be Sci Fi- it's relatively inexpensive, and the atmosphere is great. Others I like are Tony's, Chefs de France, Liberty Tree Tavern..

 

[nettekay]

I vote for Ohana for breakfast. who can resist stitch?? and the food is great!! It is the one must do for DS15. It s the only one we are doing this trip as we are on the quick service plan this trip!! I sure you will love it!!
Have fun!!!

 

[The Hendies]

No suggestions, but I want to add my 2 cents worth! We only did one meal each trip for our first 3 - 4 trips! The kids knew that from the start, and it was never an issue. We ate a big breakfast, brought snacks into the parks and went back the the room/condo to eat our real meals. Our first place was the Castle, followed by Sci Fi, then Garden Grill at The Land. It can get very expensive eating in the World every day with 5 people! You'll be fine and will enjoy AND appreciate whatever you decide!

 

[beckysmith]

The Garden Grill Cafe in Epcot is very good. If I'm not mistaken, they have a seat family sort of dinner for each day and your dinner comes out in bigger portions for the whole family to share. There's probably a name for that kind of dining but I don't remember it. And it rotates!

Other than that, the Crystal Palace can be a little pricey but it's a must do at least once! Chef Mickey's also!

 

[SPOERLX3]

I could not choose one...
when we went with the ILs, my DH, myself and my son (turning 3)...we really enjoyed Donald Safari breakfast at Tusker House (characters) and Ohana for dinner (no characters, but we did like exploring the Polynesian Resort and walking on the beach there-and there is entertainment)

I agree 100%!!! 2 of our families very favorite.
Tusker House is the best Character breakfast on property. (Chef Mickey-YUK! IMHO)
O'Hana is amazing for dinner and very kid friendly, lots of fun for the kids and the food is sooooo yummy!
The only other one that I would recommend is Sci-Fi for (lunch or dinner) a burger, onion rings and a shake. The atmosphere is amazing and the burgers are great. The burgers are not on the dinner menu but you can still order them. We do a late lunch/early dinner about 4.

 

[momofrrr]

OK, my family loves Chef Mickey. With the ages of your kids the atmosphere would be perfect. It is very lively. The food is not just fabulous but if you leave hungry - well, I am just not sure. We have always had a good time there. It is, to me, everything that is Disney. The Contemporary, the monorail, and Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto. It is on our list for December. See the ages of your kids but not the gender. If they are girls you might like Akershus at EPCOT, It is a Princess breakfast with a buffet. We have also done Crystal Palace. It is not our favorite but it is a little more subdued and has the Pooh characters.

 

[aras4007]

I would do a character meal for the kids that is a buffet so everyone has lots of choices. As for which one, I would take a look at all the menu's and characters and see which one would fit your family best.

 

[julluvsdisney]

Our faves have been
ohana~ food is awesome great family environment bread pudding yummo!

le cellier~ great food but i doubt you could get in this close

1900 park fare character buffet ~characters were great food was awesome everyone loved it! I have 2 boys and the step sisters fought over them!

Everyone agrees that we could never go to disney without going to Ohana! Its our number one!

 

[cschwally]

If places are filling up- try Crystal Palace- delicious food and Winnie the Pooh Characters. It's in MK.

We also like Garden Grill in Epcot.

 

[Coconuts]

If you could only do one TS meal at WDW, this is your first trip, and you have kids, then I say definetly a character meal!

Our favs:

CP--breakfast first thing in the morning before MK opens; seeing an empty Main Street is awesome and puts you in the park, ready to tour.

Ohana--breakfast; we love that it isn't a buffett so we can relax at the table.

Garden Grill--dinner is now the only meal available there; some different options than basic Disney fare and family style also.

Tusker House-- breakfast; we just tried this on our last trip and it was fantastic. It was a buffett but had many varied options, and the juice is heavenly. The character interaction was fabulous and they led a parade around the room.

CM--food here is so-so, but the atmosphere is fun.

If you can squeeze a second TS meal in, Ohana dinner is fun and delicious, but might be impossible to get on such short notice.

HDDR is also a blast for big parties; comfort food with a fun show for all ages. This is unfortunately 2TS credits or @$60/pp. This is a must do for us every trip.

Hope this helps.

 

[Catie.Hiltz]

Another vote for a CHARACTER meal....buffet is great because the kids will likely all find something they want, it can get a little hectic though!

My top 2 recommendations:

-Crystal Palace for breakfast: Its gorgeous, right in the magic kingdom, and the food is great (the kids will love the mickey shaped waffles-I know I do ha!),. and when you are done eating you step out and you're already in the park! Characters are pooh tigger piglet rabbit...classics in my book!

-Chef Mickeys for dinner: after a long day at magic kingdom, you board the monorail to comtemporary and are there so fast! the food isn't the most amazing thing ever, but it is delicious and fresha nd lots of options, and the characters are the classics mickey minnie pluto donald goofy...always a winner!

 

[beekrazey]

It's so funny how mixed the reviews are for like Chef Mickey or others. I liked the character mix there, but its booked anyway. Tusker House has good characters for us too, but alas its booked too.

Ohana has breakfast available and its got Mickey, so I think that's where we are going to hit. It's closest to MK right? So here's my next question, do we go at 8 am and then hit the park right after or do we do a late night the night before and sleep in and have breakfast at 10 am and then hit the park?

My oldest are boys and the toddler is a girl, so she's not in love with anything yet. But the boys are completely against princesses right now and think Winnie the Pooh is for babies. So that limits things!

Also, how easy is it to cancel/change reservations if we change our minds or if we find something we think we'll like better?