I'm so lost!!!

[Nic4483]

I've been browsing through the disboards for months and it is getting close to the time that I need to start planning our days and meals. My daughter and I are headed to WDW 12/6-12/14 for a "girls only" vacation. It is our first time to WDW. I've been to DL many times but never WDW. My DD is 4 1/2 and is a ball of energy. She can get up at 7am and last til midnight....with no nap. She is well behaved (for the most part) and has a lively spirit. So I think our trip will be filled with lots of fun. But, I'm so confused on where to eat. I have browsed allearsnet's list of WDW restaurants but I'm so lost. I do I pick just a few?? I was planning on doing a sit down meal everyother day. This way everyday we aren't tied to a schedule that says we have to be at this restaurant at this time. So I need ideas for good food and good atmosphere....in each park. Also any good counter service places you can suggest. Thanks!

 

[tikkipoo]

I would suggest doing some character meals. They are generally more expensive, but to see the little ones faces light when they see their favorite character come up to them and give them a big hug! That's good stuff! I would look at allears and check out who is where. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[fterie4u]

Well, here are some suggestions for each park, assuming that you are going to each one...

Magic Kingdom

CS - Columbia Harbor House
TS - Crystal Palace(breakfast or dinner)
CRT - Eat in the castle since you have never been to WDW

Epcot

CS - The Counter Services at England, Morocco and Mexico
Also the French Bakery is wonderful!
TS - LeCellier, Restaurant Marrakesh, Chefs de France

MGM

We don't care for any CS at MGM, sorry.
TS - 50's Prime Time, Sci-Fi is fun but food is o.k. I would not go for dinner.

Animal Kingdom

CS - Tusker House

TS - We don't care for any TS at AK.

Now there are other good places to. Actually some of the best are at the resorts, Boardwalk and DTD.

Boardwalk

TS - Spoodles and Flysing Fish

At Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwich is great for a CS, so is Ghiradelli's for dessert!

On to the Resorts, here are some great TS restaurants:

Contemporary - California Grill, Chef Mickey's

Poly - Kona Cafe, Ohana

Grand Floridian - 1900 Park Fare, Grand Floridain Cafe, Citricos

Animal Kingdom - Boma and Jiko

I hope that helped a bit. There are so many to choose from it can be overwhelming!

 

[bookgirl2632]

LOL It's overwhelming, but once you really start planning, it's not that hard.

Okay, the first thing I did was make a list of places we wanted to eat. From there, we narrowed it down by figuring out what park we would be going to on those particular days.

You also have to ask yourself what you and your daughter like to eat. Are either of you picky eaters? Do you like "simpler" food? Or are you more adventurous? If you aren't adventurous, I'd suggest places like '50s Primetime Cafe, Chef Mickey's, the Crystal Palace, and even Le Cellier. If you like Italian, you can choose from Alfredo's at Epcot, Tony's at MK, and Mama Melrose's at MGM.

See, it all depends on what you both like. Good luck! Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[TinkNH]

I second the suggestion do do a charachter meal or 2 (or 3..or 4...) We are taking DD who is 4 and have booked a charachter meal in each park...we did brerakfasts as they tend to be a little less expensive, and we all love breakfast foods but never have big breakfasts at home. Our plan is to eat good breakfasts...snack and light lunches then have dinner where ever we wind up in the evening--with a few exceptions, I do have ADR's for Mickey's back yard BBQ, and dinner at teh Liberty tree tavern.

.

 

[budbeerlady]

The favs for DD (just 5 at the time of the trip) were 1900 Park Fare dinner with Cinderella at the grand floridian and (of all places!!!) Captn Jacks. She liked watching the little boats and the ducks as we ate. This trip we are surpising her with the princess breakfast at Norway. I would recommend 1900 Park fare as it is a buffet and you get to meet Cinderella if that is important to your dd. We are also trying Coral Reef and Ohana character breakfast with Stitch for something new. My DD lived on Macaroni all week, even when we made her get meat somehow macaroni seemed to be a side dish. I did get her meat into her at lunch time by splitting sandwichs with her.

Counter service, DD loved Sunshine Seasons at living with the land in Epcot. Basically she loved it b/c we shared a black forest ham sandwich, chips and she got to pick the Worm and Dirt for dessert. Depending on how big of an eater your DD is, Dd and I split the breakfast platter at our resort (5.99 egg, bacon, bisquit and potatoes) and that kept her full untill 11:30ish and then we shared a lunch also. That way she was pretty hungry when dinner came along. She got her macaroni at tusker house (at A.k.) and ate some of my rotisere chicken one day. I dont know why but we arent big fans of the cs at Mk, I just love all the food choices at epcot!!!!!

You will love WDW at that time, we are going Dec 10-15 this year. It is relatively quiet and so pretty with all the decorations! Have a great trip and good luck with your choices. (I dont recommend LTT anymore, our meal was slow and cold. It doesnt live up to the hype!)

We are doing the dining plan again, it might be something you want to check out. We found that it basically pays for the Table service meal, then the counter service and snack are a bonous. Dh insisted that we get it again (and it might be the only reason he agreed to go back again a year later, he had fun but is a seen that done that already kinda guy!)

 

[MICKEEP]

A few Suggestons:

Get really early breakfast ADR for Crystal Palace. That way you get to enter MK before it opens and you can walk down Main St almost by yourself.

Your DD might like dinner with the characters at 1900PF. Very good food too.

'Ohanas is for fun for children who aren't afraid to get involved. Time your ADR so you can watch the MK fireworks from the restaurant...or... watch the fireworks from the Poly beach after dinner.