Inspired by podcast - What 7 dining experiences would you tell a newbie to do?

[Gymbomom]

One of my favorite podcasts recently was the Email One, where they answer emails.
The email was from a couple in Australia who were going to WDW for the first time. They have 7 days and 7 dinners/eating experiences. They didn't mention kids(?)

So, what would your top 7 be and why?

I loved hearing the podcast responses and I am seriously thinking about changing some of our plans. We tend to do the same tried and true places.

So 7 days and 7 dining experiences.

Looking forward to hearing your responses!!!

 

[Gymbomom]

Which by the way, one of the podcast team answered (not sure who it was, I don't know their voices yet).....

In no order......

1. Yachtsmans
2. Jiko
3. Narcossee's
4. Hollywood Brown Derby
5. Citricos
6. California Grill
7. Bistro de Paris

 

[Wendy31]

Let's see, for 1st time Disney visitors w/o kids, I'd suggest the following 7 dining experiences:

California Grill
Cinderella's Royal Table - it's the castle!
Chef Mickey's (breakfast) - at least one meal w/ all the characters!
an EPCOT World Showcase restaurant
Jiko - after your AK day
Narcoosee's or Citricos or 'Ohana
Hollywood Brown Derby

For 1st Disney visitors w/ kids, I'd suggest the following 7:

Cinderella's Royal Table - it's the castle!
Chef Mickey's (breakfast) - all the characters, plus the cool monorail!
Crystal Palace - Pooh & Tigger!
an EPCOT World Showcase restaurant
Whispering Canyon Cafe
'Ohana
Sci-Fi

 

[winniepie81]

1. crystal palace
2. le cellier, canada
3. chef mickeys
4. wishes desert dance3:
5. donalds tusker house breakfast
6. brown derby
7. tonys

 

[shannonstar]

1. Crystal Palace for Breakfast
2. Tusker House for Breakfast
3. Boma for dinner
4. Le Cellier (lunch is fine)
5. Via Napoli
6. T-Rex (atmosphere)
7. Raglan Road

 

[Hollymom1229]

1. Jiko
2. CA Grill
3. Raglan Road
4. 50's PTC
5. Biergarten
6. 'Ohana
7. Victoria and Albert's

 

[#1hoosierfan]

1. Crystal Palace breakfast pre-opening ADR
2. Chef de France lunch
3. Via Napoli
4. Cali Grill
5. Sci Fi --- good burgers and shakes, GREAT atmosphere
6. Boma
7. Chef Mickey's

 

[Sweet Melissa]

• A Character Meal — Having never experienced one myself, I wouldn't advise on which, but I do think it's something that most people (who are not my partner and me) would enjoy.

• California Grill — On our first couple visits to Disney World, we balked at the perceived expense of California Grill. On our next trip, the CM we spoke with when making our reservations talked us in to it, telling us that it's really not much different in price than our other favorite signature restaurants. He was right and we immensely enjoyed our meal, the service, and the entire experience. It's definitely the most "Disney" of the signature restaurants.

• Coral Reef — The experience of dining alongside the aquarium is wonderful, and we really enjoy the food, too. It's one of our favorite lunch spots in the World.

• One of the Dinner Shows — We've been on six visits since 2006 and have yet to go to either the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue of the Spirit of Aloha, but I'd like to get around to it one of these days. I've heard great things about both and suspect that they're a good way to round out the Disney dining experience.

• Jiko — My favorite Disney restaurant. I can't not include it!

• At Least One Breakfast — Either at Kouzzina or the Grand Floridian Café. Disney does breakfast pretty well, especially at these two restaurants.

• Todd English's bluezoo — I'd also recommend that Disney newbies take a night off. I think bluezoo is the perfect place to do that because you can nearly always get in there without a reservation, and the food is outstanding. Even if you can't dine in the dining room, you can get a table at the lounge and enjoy the best bartenders in Disney World along with both the lounge and the full restaurant menus. Plus, it's only a short walk to after-dinner drinks and fun at Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk.

 

[btk2333]

1. California Grill
2. Le Cellier
3. Sanaa
4. Artist's Point
5. Character Meal (Crystal Palace, Cinderella's Royal Table, Akershus)
6. Narcoosee's
7. Coral Reef (really only for the experience, food isn't bad either though!)

 

[jacksmom]

1) Chef Mickeys
2) Ohana
3) LeCellier
4) Coral Reef
5) Sci Fi Dine-in
6) Crystal Palace
7) 50's Prime Time

 

[mitchwebb]

Crystal Palace breakfast (love Pooh)
Sci Fi Dine-in or Brown Derby (wkids or without)
Flying Fish
Hoop De Doo
Yachtsmans
Calif Grill
Tutto