If you could just pick ONE place to eat dinner at WDW parks...

[Gamegrl1]

Help a girl out...first time to WDW...I've read up on some of the choices for food and am overwhelmed. We're not doing the DDP and will be mainly doing counter-service meals because we're going for the rides and shows. But I remember how special it's been to eat at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland and what a memorable experience that was. So mum and I are thinking of just doing *one* table-service dining during our stay (for dinner). Because of cost we are only able to spend four days at WDW and will be visiting three parks: MK, Epcot and AK (we haven't decided for sure about Hollywood Studios) These are the parameters:

- We only want to dine in the parks to best utilize our time in Orlando (so please don't recommend any of the resort restaurants)...don't want to spend valuable "park time" riding buses around when I'm sure there's perfectly good food to be had, esp. at Epcot.
- We're not big fans of Chinese or Japanese food
- Budget won't really allow "Signature Dining" (but we are happy just to be going)

Other than that, let 'er rip!

 

[laliwalden]

Wow, that is a hard one!!

We really like Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern. I enjoyed Chefs de France, however DH did not. I knew he wouldnt like it though, it was too "fancy" for him! LOL

 

[scooter7487]

Really limiting yourselves by not thinking about resorts but will give it a shot:

Not sure what parks you are planning on hitting:

MK: Crystal palace
HS: mama melrose (italian)
Epcot: oh boy tough one here as there are so many choices.
We like Coral reef and request to sit by window to aquarium
Rose and Crown but late seating for fire works
Le cellier
I really like the mexican restaurant (inside)
Via Napoli is supposed to be good but have not eaten there.

( I would suggest going online and looking at menus)


Hope this helps some!

 

[bapawoo]

Epcot: The restaurant inside the Mexico Pavilion is pretty neat... If you are with young ones, the Garden Grill in The Land is GREAT! It also has character dining and I thought the food was FABULOUS. (I can be picky!) The seating is in a big circle that rotates very slowly. It's neat and an easy way to chat/get pictures with Mickey, Pluto, and Chip n Dale (without waiting in line!)

Magic Kingdom: Not really a huge fan of any restaurants there. That's usually a grab-n-go park for us.

Animal Kingdom: (Same)

Hollywood Studios: 50's PRimetime is lots of fun! Food is typical but the cast members are great!

By the way, Boardwalk is a 2 min walk from Epcot gate. It offers a great variety of places to eat and a nice little break from the park before it's time for Illuminations!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

50's Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios offers great traditional American home-style foods in an adorable 1950's-style kitchen motif. Plus, their prices are fairly reasonable. We've been there several times for lunch & dinner and I've always had wonderful service & delicious food. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/50s-prime-time-cafe/

 

[iloveeeyore]

The wonderful thing about WDW dining is that there is something for every taste and budget. I would spend some time looking at the menus and descriptions of the restaurants, this will help you decide what is best for you.

Are you visiting all 4 parks or only a few? I recommend trying lunch instead of dinner. It will give you a nice mid-day break and is also cheaper than dinner for mostly the same food (I think LTT is even better at lunch than dinner). Also, the attractions tend to be less crowded during the evenings when everyone else is eating dinner...just a thought.

Some of our favorites are the ones that are most different from anything we can find at home, and we find them most "Disney" in theme. We would recommend San Angel Inn, Biergarten, Les Chefs de France (Remy is here at lunch) and Coral Reef in Epcot for those reasons. My hubby really likes 50s PT Cafe in DHS (the food is a little uninspiring to me, but the experience is fun). Other than those, our favorite restaurants are in resorts. The monorail resorts are really easily accessible from MK. If I had to pick one restaurant IN MK, I'd do either Crystal Palace (buffet with Pooh characters), or Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch (a la carte menu). In AK, I'd pick the african buffet at Tusker House. Others love the Rainforest Cafe (the setting is very beautiful) and Yak & Yeti, but I have not had good experiences at either of those.

Counter-service dining at WDW is surprisingly wonderful. You are in for a treat with that! Most of the QS restaurants have a very unique spin on them, I think you will enjoy the variety.

 

[HMin]

I've only visited WDW twice recently after many years of missing, so can only back up the suggestion of checking out the menus rather than offering a specific.

However, I will back up that you definitely DON'T over look the Boardwalk as one poster mentioned. It is a short and pleasant walk from Epcot; if you don't wish to walk you can always take the leisurely, though probably longer, boat trip between the two. I guess that would depend on the location of a restaurant if you chose to dine on the Boardwalk, plus your luck on being able to catch a boat immediately instead of waiting.

 

[Goofyluver]

At MK: Crystal Palace
Epcot: Tutto Italia
Hollywood Studios: Sci-fi Diner

I wouldn't eat at Animal Kingdom.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Rose and Crown during Illuminations.

 

[tjlemkuil]

I recomend the Biergarten in Germany at EPCOT. The show is good and the food is OK too.

 

[yenlee]

Given your many restrictions, I'd say definitely eat in Epcot, and choose a restaurant based based on preferred cuisine: Coral Reef for seafood, Le Cellier for steak, and the obvious choices for Italian, French, Mexican, etc.

 

[mom2travel]

Epcot: San Angel Inn (Mexico), Tokyo Dining (Japan), Via Napoli (Italy)

DHS: Mama Melrose

AK: yak & yeti, tusker house character Brkfst

MK: Tony's Town Square

 

[JimmyV]

Given that your stated goals are to really enjoy the "entertainment value" of your trip, and not in any way linked to fine dining, I would recommend 50's Prime Time, Sci-Fi, and Biergarten. Add in Crystal Palace if you and your mum want/like characters. All of these suggestions are equal parts atmosphere/entertainment and food.

 

[gojoe]

MK: I think Cindy's Breakfast unless that considered signature, Crystal Palace if it is.

Epcot: Rose & Crown for Illuminations, best every fish & chips for take out too.

Hollywood: This is tough, love 50's, love Sci Fi

AK: We have only eaten at Pizza Safari, Thanks Giving Day

 

[KTJAY]

MK-we typically go to a monorail hotel for TS-Kona or GF cafe are favs but I would choose Crystal Palace bfast only in park.

Epcot-lots of good ones here LeCellier, Les Chefs or Via Napoli had excellent pizza and the zeppole was great!!

AK-only Tusker House bfast

DHS-we like Cape May bfast and dinner-only a boat ride over to Beach Club or Mama Melrose and Sci-fi had a pretty good meals.

If you want character dining I would definitely go with a bfast, the food is much better!! imo

Have a fun !st time

 

[doclegler]

I guess I'd pick Garden Grill at EP (especially for younger kids with the characters). I did enjoy the meal at LTT though too.
Tough choice if you can't leave the parks!!
*just wanted to add how jealous I am that you ate at the Blue Bayou...we had no time, but would've LOVED to!

 

[Tracerr00]

My favorite is Le Cellier in Epcot! I am a steak lover and their mushroom filet is sooooo good! I don't like mushrooms though so I guess you could just say that their filet is good. This is our must do when we visit!

 

[KB24]

Le Cellier.

 

[tkldisney]

California Grill

 

[dismichael]

I would say:
MK: Liberty Tree Tavern
Epcot: Les Chefs de France
HS: 50's or Sci Fi are both good
AK: haven't eaten sit down here, just Flame Tree- which is good lol

I think Sci fi is probably the best deal for the money. 6 of us ran about 80-100 range and the food is not fancy but its pretty good and the atmosphere is awesome, one of the best.