In park dining question...

[sbpuckett]

Hey guys,

We are trying to make a final budget and stuff and would like some suggestions from those of you who have experience eating in the parks. We will be eating dinner two nights in MK and one night in MGM. We plan to do breakfast in room and come back to the room for lunch most days as well to save money. I'm looking for decent food but at an affordable price. It will be myself, DH, DS6, and DS4. What restaurants would you guys suggest for dinner in these two parks?

Thanks!

 

[MariDisney]

In MK I would suggest Liberty Tree Tavern and Crystal Palace. Both are character meals with really good food, in my opinion. Both are VERY fun for kids in my experience.

In MGM I wouls suggest 50's Prime Time Cafe or Sci-Fi. I don't love the food at the Sci Fi but my DD LOVES eating in the cars and watching the "movies".

 

[Robo]

In MK I would suggest Liberty Tree Tavern and Crystal Palace. Both are character meals with really good food, in my opinion. Both are VERY fun for kids in my experience.

In MGM I wouls suggest 50's Prime Time Cafe or Sci-Fi. I don't love the food at the Sci Fi but my DD LOVES eating in the cars and watching the "movies".

I would agree with these, for sure.

BUT... if you are on a budget, they can be costly (and you MUST have ADRs to be assured of a seating).

If you are wanting Counter Service, walk-ins at MK, I recommend Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland and/or the Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square and/or Pecos Bill's in Frontierland... good food at not TOO bad a price.

A really GOOD place to eat "near" MK is over at Ft Wilderness at Trail's End. Its a buffet with great food for young and old, lots of choices, all you can eat and reasonable prices at LUNCH: $12.99 Adult; $8.99 Child (3-9).
Dinner is higher: $17.99 Adult; $9.99 Child (3-9).

FtW is just a free boat-ride away (20 minutes or so) from in front of MK.
The restaurant is just a short walk from the FtW boat dock.
It makes for a nice break.

http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_teb.htm
That link offers more info.

 

[sbpuckett]

Bumping... BTW - we are already doing Chef Mickeys for breakfast one day and we are definitely on a budget. Would prefer walk in options... any other suggestions????

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

I would agree with these, for sure.

BUT... if you are on a budget, they can be costly (and you MUST have ADRs to be assured of a seating).

If you are wanting Counter Service, walk-ins at MK, I recommend Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland and/or the Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square and/or Pecos Bill's in Frontierland... good food at not TOO bad a price.

A really GOOD place to eat "near" MK is over at Ft Wilderness at Trail's End. Its a buffet with great food for young and old, lots of choices, all you can eat and reasonable prices at LUNCH: $12.99 Adult; $8.99 Child (3-9).
Dinner is higher: $17.99 Adult; $9.99 Child (3-9).

FtW is just a free boat-ride away (20 minutes or so) from in front of MK.
The restaurant is just a short walk from the FtW boat dock.
It makes for a nice break.

http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_teb.htm
That link offers more info.

These are really great suggestions...great food with good prices! You might want to check Deb Will's site www.allearsnet.com She has a list of all restaurants with menu's and prices.

 

[izzys4]

We make sure we eat at Casey's Corner quite a few times while at MK....hot dogs and fries are a hit with kids!!
I agree with Cosmic Rays at MK too, we eat there also....

At Epcot we eat at Electric Umbrella, one of my favorites!! I love to sit outside and watch the fountain!!

79 days to go!!!!

 

[sbpuckett]

bumbping once more. Where are all of you food gurus??? Good suggestions so far, any others we should look into?

 

[kda]

MK-----

Cosmic Ray's has a variety of choices and includes a whole chicken dinner that would feed your entire family. It's a good value. [edited to add -- I just checked out the menu and only see 1/2 chicken or 1/2 chicken and rib combo, so I'm wrong about that one -- sorry]

Our personal favorite for 'inbetween' table service big meals and fast food is the Plaza Restaurant, just off Main Street. It's the best of both worlds: air conditioned, sit down table service, fresh made sandwiches/a salad/soup/plus ice cream, much more reasonable prices than buffets or traditional restaurants. There's no entrees, but it's very good quality sandwiches that are large. You could even split sandwiches, especially if you want to get a sundae or soup, or split the salad and a sandwich, or just have room to snack on a Mickey bar or ice cream later on.

Since lunch is less expensive than dinner, you also might want to have a nice lunch one day and go back to your room to eat something in the evening.

Definitely check out the menus on allears so you can get an idea of the offerings and prices. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[!@#$%]

For CS, Its Pecos Bills. Great food, on a budget. Fixins bar rules! Go heavy!!!

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with above posters about MK......Columbia Harbor House....chicken nuggets/tenders... my grandson loves them and Pecos Bill's also a very good choice. If your kids like a good variety the buffet at Ft Wilderness is also a good choice, especially at lunch (maybe that day you could eat lunch out and have dinner in your room).

 

[mrzrich]

One thing to keep in mind being on a budget. Many WDW restaurants serve large portions that can be shared. My two sons 3&6 share an adult meal for less than the cost of two kids meals, they did this at Columbia Harbour House sharing the chicken strips basket. My DH and I also share sometimes. At many counter service restaurants they have double cheeseburger meals (Cosmic Ray's for example) We order an extra bun for 79 cents and split the fries! Some people think its tacky, but thats how we can afford to go to WDW so many times a year.

 

[!@#$%]

Some people think its tacky, but thats how we can afford to go to WDW so many times a year.

Oh that is SOOO tacky! (Only kiddin!) thats why we do the salad from the fixins bar!!!

Those of us TRULY addicted to WDW... its like a drug addiction. You go whether you can afford it or not, as often as you can... And you do whatever it takes to make it happen!
We do WDW 3-4 times a year. We cut every corner and use every trick in the book. No appologies! The only time we dont scimp is when we get lucky enough (last trip and this trip) to get the free DDP, and even then its only disney value resorts.

 

[sbpuckett]

Thanks so much guys. I have checked out several of the menus but honestly it all started to run together in my head... I figured you guys could point me in the direction of decent food without spending a whole lot of money. One final question, since my DS6 loves Toy Story, has anyone eaten at Pizza planet? Is it OK or should we avoid it altogether if possible? This might even be at MGM where we will need to eat lunch one day.

 

[Armandocme]

From Mousesavers.com :

MK:
Casey's Corner (Main Street) has hot dogs for $3.89 and a side of chili for $1.79. Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station has egg rolls for $2.39 and a side of fried rice for $1.49. The Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland) offers big smoked turkey legs for $5.19. Cosmic Ray's (Tomorrowland) has a half rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables (split it between two people) for $7.29. There is sometimes a wagon in Adventureland where you can get eggrolls and samosas for about $2 each.

MGM:
Toluca Legs Turkey Company offers foot long hot dogs for $3.89 and big smoked turkey legs for $5.19. Backlot Express has a half grilled turkey & cheese sandwich with cranberry slaw for $5.79. Toy Story Pizza Planet offers a substantial salad with feta cheese and olives for $5.29 and several pizza options under $6.

 

[mrzrich]

I agree with above posters about MK......Columbia Harbor House....chicken nuggets/tenders... my grandson loves them and Pecos Bill's also a very good choice. If your kids like a good variety the buffet at Ft Wilderness is also a good choice, especially at lunch (maybe that day you could eat lunch out and have dinner in your room).

ooohhhh! Another good point. If you decide to splurge and be waited on at a table service restaurant, consider going for lunch. Its cheaper than dinner. Then you could have dinner in your room. Actually with kids that age I suggest it. Enjoy the park, have lunch, then in the late afternoon return to your room for a swim/nap , then eat dinner in the room before heading back to the park.

 

[!@#$%]

One final question, since my DS6 loves Toy Story, has anyone eaten at Pizza planet? Is it OK or should we avoid it altogether if possible? This might even be at MGM where we will need to eat lunch one day.

Theres another thread about your WORST disney Restaurant experience. Here was my response.....

PIZZA PLANET!!!

It STUNK! I was SO disappointed!!!
The 89 cent Fox De Luxe pizzas at walmart were better!
The cheese was cold, sauce cold, salad bland. boring. Loud inside. the ONLY good thing was the ambiance outside wasnt too bad.
Another thing... Disney LET US DOWN on this one!!!
How many of you have seen the Pizza Planet on Toy Story??? Nothing like this place. No Robots outside, none of the same machines... for a company with SOOOO much eye for detail, this place was way off. They could have at least had a "The Claw" machine with little green men inside!!!

Menu is VERY limited, ambiance inside is more like Taco Bell; boring and annoying, and workers look like they hate their jobs. It shows in the food too.

That being said, others have said they liked it. try at your own risk. It was listed MANY times on that thread. Also, there was a thread about where to find good pizza. Lots of replys, NONE of them were Pizza Planet!!! haha

 

[Disney8704]

MK I would do Tonys, Plaza or Liberty Tree and MGM 50s or Sci-Fi.

Hey guys,

We are trying to make a final budget and stuff and would like some suggestions from those of you who have experience eating in the parks. We will be eating dinner two nights in MK and one night in MGM. We plan to do breakfast in room and come back to the room for lunch most days as well to save money. I'm looking for decent food but at an affordable price. It will be myself, DH, DS6, and DS4. What restaurants would you guys suggest for dinner in these two parks?

Thanks!