If you had to pick just one signature restaurant, which one would it be?

[bangzoom6877]

Our next Disney trip is far away (summer 2010), but I know the time will go fast, and I also have lots of fun looking into different options even though it is very early. That said, we are thinking about different restaurants (there are so many!), some we hit on our last trip and of course some new ones. Our trip will be 10 nights. Actually, we recently became DVC members so all of our trips will be 10 nights from now on, every other summer.

We plan to get the basic DDP on this next trip. It will be myself, DH, and our boys who will be 3 and 5 when we go. We will be staying at BWV. I have checked out menus for 2TS-credit signature restaurants (and dinner shows), and we are thinking about doing one of those. Here are our the ones which interest us:

-Narcoossee's
-Yachtsman's Steakhouse
-Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

If you could choose just one of the above 3, which would it be? While I will agree with some that the value of the DDP has some importance, the quality of the food is more important to us. Which of the above would be best for children ages 3 and 5 who behave very well in all different types of restaurants on a weekly basis when we take them out? I know also that Yachtsman's is the closest to BWV where we will be staying, but we will have a car and we odn't have a problem driving to another resort for dinner. Any insight on these places would be great!

Also, am I missing any other "gems" as far as signature places? Flying Fish's menu does not appeal to me all that much, and neither does Jiko. Any other "must-do" I am missing?

Thanks!

 

[MickeyNicki]

That is a tough one, we would have a tie between Jiko and Flying Fish...they are both fantastic!

 

[Tricia1972]

If I had to pick just one signature, it wouldn't be one of the three that you're interested in. This means that my advice would likely be utterly useless to you.

In all seriousnes, I'd go wtih the menu that appeals the most to you. Narcoossee's would be the best value for your dollar, but as you said it's not all about getting the most for your money. It's all for the experience. Good luck with your decision!

 

[milmore104]

HDDR would be our choice. Specially w/ a 3 and 5 year old. It's so much fun for the kids and you as well.

 

[GC&S]

Narcoossee would be my first choice but with your kids, I would do the Hoop. They will have a blast there.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I haven't done any of them but have also had to choose just one signature restaurant. We chose California Grill because it seemed to be a more unique Disney experience. If I was looking at a second choice, it would probably have been Narcoosees. HDDR does not interest me at all. I just can't see the appeal in it. We have small children aswell and are doing so many meals that are just for them that we thought we have earn't one special one that we want.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Not one of your three, my pick would be Citrico's at the GF.. always a great meal and incredible service.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

My first choice would be California Grill for the awesome food (sushi, pizza, entrees, desserts) and incredible view.

 

[dawnbu40]

We like to do one signature meal each trip. In Dec. we did HDDR and we were not that impressed. The food was nothing special and the show is very hokey. For our trip in May we are trying out Narcoossee's. The menu sounds wonderful and I've heard their lobster is amazing. I think the setting looks lovely too so that gets my vote.

 

[oybolshoi]

Since you've already vetoed Jiko and Flying Fish, I'd suggest Citricos. It's one of the best 2TS on property and we had an amazing meal there with wonderful service.

I have to tell you that Narcoossees did not impress us very much when we dined there a couple of years ago - it was good but not on par with other signatures as far as we were concerned. It's primarily a seafood restaurant and both Flying Fish and Bluezoo serve far better and more creative seafood.

Hope you enjoy your dinner wherever you end up.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thank you everyone! It looks like Narcoossee's will most likely end up being the one. I really love the Grand Floridian and I just have to eat at least one meal at that resort! The menu looks most appealing, definitely more appealing dishes suited to our taste than Citrico's.

I don't think we would end up with Hoop Dee Doo after all. I was looking at it and the food does not look like anything special, plus we are also doing many loud meals geared towards the kids, so I would like there to be one nicer meal!

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

Narcoossee's is our favorite! The whole Maine lobster is fabulous! We have been there 3 times (and a 4th dinner booked for our upcoming May trip), and it doesn't disappoint. We have always had great food and service. The almond crusted cheesecake is to die for! It is my all-time favorite dessert.

Also, if you book a time around Wishes, it's so nice to view Wishes from their covered deck. They even lower the lighting and pipe in the music! It's a great experience.

We've never done Hoop De Doo or Yachtsman (although we have a reservation for Yachtsman in May).

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Narcoossee's is our favorite! The whole Maine lobster is fabulous! We have been there 3 times (and a 4th dinner booked for our upcoming May trip), and it doesn't disappoint. We have always had great food and service. The almond crusted cheesecake is to die for! It is my all-time favorite dessert.

Also, if you book a time around Wishes, it's so nice to view Wishes from their covered deck. They even lower the lighting and pipe in the music! It's a great experience.

We've never done Hoop De Doo or Yachtsman (although we have a reservation for Yachtsman in May).

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

That's funny...the almond crusted cheesecake actually was one of the menu items that looked so good to me! I also know though that Disney changes the menus a lot and that by the time we go it could be totally different. Which is why I was interested in food quality. Even if they change the menu around, as long as there are several items that appeal to us, we would still go there. Have to admit though, it would be nice to enjoy surf and turf one meal of our trip!

 

[srwarden1928]

California Grill is a signature restaurant that we are looking forward to doing this time. Jiko is one we considered and decided to save for next time. Is Ohana a signature restaurant? We are trying that one this time also.

 

[Tricia1972]

Thank you everyone! It looks like Narcoossee's will most likely end up being the one. I really love the Grand Floridian and I just have to eat at least one meal at that resort! The menu looks most appealing, definitely more appealing dishes suited to our taste than Citrico's.

I don't think we would end up with Hoop Dee Doo after all. I was looking at it and the food does not look like anything special, plus we are also doing many loud meals geared towards the kids, so I would like there to be one nicer meal!

I am sure that you know this, but Narcoossee's is part of the Grand Floridian Resort, but it's not in the main building. It's in a stand alone building on the lake. You mentioned how you wanted to dine in the Grand Floridian, and I didn't want you to be disappointed. (Not sure how technical you were being saying dining IN the resort)

 

[bangzoom6877]

I am sure that you know this, but Narcoossee's is part of the Grand Floridian Resort, but it's not in the main building. It's in a stand alone building on the lake. You mentioned how you wanted to dine in the Grand Floridian, and I didn't want you to be disappointed. (Not sure how technical you were being saying dining IN the resort)

Thanks for letting me know this! I actually did not know it was not in the main building. I wouldn't have been disappointed though and it would not have changed any decisions we might make!

 

[clc053103]

We thought Citrico's was very nice last trip, and the kids still talk about the waiter, he was awesome. WE may try Narcoosee's this year, years ago we had a great meal there, followed by a meal so disastrous the next year that they willingly comped our bill, tip and all!

Cali Grill was awesome but not real child friendly- just getting there from the monorail requires several elevator rides and a "Stroller Valet".

 

[garettdoyle]

Although it has been a couple of years, there is no way that I would classify Hoop-Dee-Doo as a "Signature Dinning" experience. It is certainly a fun evening. You go for the show and the food is somewhere between moderate to tolerable. We took our young kids to dinner at the California Grill and they had a great time. The food was great. The staff was very accommodating to our kids. Our kids enjoyed watching the fireworks from the restaurant.