Hello, Disfriends.
From all the help I received from you over the last two months which resulted in the best WDW trip ever, I thought I'd get back to you with our reviews of the restaurants you suggested.
Perspective -- I have a husband and 13-year old boy, and 9-year old girl. We wanted fun, interactive restaurants. We travel alot, we eat out alot, but we are NOT food snobs. (Hey- a Friendly's meal is fine with me.)
Here's where we dined and what we thought:
Epcot:
Rose & Crown Room - England -- Food was good (especially the fish and chips), but the service was slow, and we waited over 40 minutes for a priority seating at the end of the night when we were really tired. But we did see the fireworks from our table.
San Angel Inn -- Mexico -- very good food and service, but I was surprised the kid's menu did not feature tacos!
MGM Studios
50's Prime Time Cafe -- my kids LOVED this restaurant. Great interaction. The salmon was divine. I thought the onion rings appetizer were dissapointing -- they were actually onion "strings." Kids loved the PB&J's here. It was my daughter's birthday, and the server passed a card around the restaurant to fellow tables asking everyone to sign her card. We received some hilarious notes in her card from Big Bird, George Bush, and someone who remembered their time in Paris fondly. My son kept getting "scolded" for elbows on the tables, and was forced to wear an Ariel bib for being sloppy. He loved it.
Sci-Fi Drive-In -- This was fun. The onion rings and burgers and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad were delicious. The fries were thick and crinkled and just how I like 'em! We had a noon lunch here and it wasn't crowded, and we received super service.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma Flavors -- We ate breakfast here, and the buffet was delightful. The restaurant was gorgeous, the service sublime -- very attentive. The buffet had all the traditionals, plus wonderful African surprises, including the best banana bread we have ever tasted. We will do this one again.
Wilderness Lodge
Whispering Canyon Cafe -- we loved this! We had a 1:00PM lunch here after an active morning in the Magic Kingdom -- took the boat across to here, and had the best time. The servers here were very interactive, making hats for all of us with our napkins, and teasing us along the way. The kids paraded in the Pony Express race -- even our teenager. We ordered the Family style skillet of ribs and chicken and sausage, corn-on-the-cob, corn bread and beans. Yummy! We made all-gone, and they brought 2 more skillets. Our neighbors got a BUCKET of iced tea because they drank their first one too fast -- it was hysterical. We will DEFINITELY do this again.
Contemporary
Chef Mickey's -- we thought this was the best dinner buffet at WDW. Good selection. Desserts were divine. Lots of character interaction. However, we did go early -- and that seemed to work to our advantage each time.
Grand Floridian
1900 Park Faire -- I was a little disappointed here. Although we LOVED staying at this hotel the last leg of the trip, the dinner buffet didn't seem as grand as past year's. Selection was really cut down -- especially for the children. (When my kids turn to the ADULT buffet section, I know!) Skimpy on the desserts, too. And only Cinderella, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother & the 3 mice here. My daughter the tomboy just wasn't into the princess thing. My 13-year old son -- who has recently discovered girls -- thought Cinderella was FINE! My advice is -- if your daughter's into the princess thing, this will be good for you.
Polynesian
Ohana -- I have read lots of cons on this one, but I wanted to try it myself. We loved it. The starter appetizers were delicious, especially the shrimp wonton and the stir-fried vegetables. The entree skewers were good -- especially the shrimp and pork. The beef was a little tough, though. The kids did prefer to order from the kids menu but LOVED the sweet bread they served. The coconut races and hula hoop song session were just the thing to keep the youngins occupied. We would definitely return. This was hubby's favorite of the whole trip.
Hoop Dee Doo Review
My favorite continues to be the Hoop Dee Doo Review. I know -- it's corny. We've probably seen it 10 times. I can almost recite the lines. My daughter didn't remember seeing it (she was a baby the last time we went) and she thought it was FANTASTIC. She LOVED Jim Dandy, who gladly posed with her. The food was tasty and plentiful, especially the ribs. The kids only like chicken LEGS, and our server gladly brought more of just the legs. I don't know WHY they put onions in the corn -- and don't go back to just mini corns-on-the-cob, cause the kids said, "YUCK!" to the onions and wouldn't eat it. Otherwise, it was a delightful experience. We would go again in a minute. Even the now skeptical 13-year old said, "Mom, it was so corny, it was funny," and left singing, "Hoop Dee Doo, Hoop Dee Doo...."
Planet Hollywood
We were soooo pleasantly surprised here. The fajitas were delicious. The grilled chicken caesar salad was wonderful -- the chicken was so moist and tender. Dessert was fantastic... White Chocolate Bread Pudding. Again, we did come early and got seated right away. When we left, the line was atrocious. However, there was soooo much stumulation going on in the restaurant -- video screens, props, etc., it was hard to get the kids' attention even to order.
That's my update. Hope it helps some of you plan. Thanks for all your tips on making our vacation the most successful ever.
And may the Mouse be with you!
From all the help I received from you over the last two months which resulted in the best WDW trip ever, I thought I'd get back to you with our reviews of the restaurants you suggested.
Perspective -- I have a husband and 13-year old boy, and 9-year old girl. We wanted fun, interactive restaurants. We travel alot, we eat out alot, but we are NOT food snobs. (Hey- a Friendly's meal is fine with me.)
Here's where we dined and what we thought:
Epcot:
Rose & Crown Room - England -- Food was good (especially the fish and chips), but the service was slow, and we waited over 40 minutes for a priority seating at the end of the night when we were really tired. But we did see the fireworks from our table.
San Angel Inn -- Mexico -- very good food and service, but I was surprised the kid's menu did not feature tacos!
MGM Studios
50's Prime Time Cafe -- my kids LOVED this restaurant. Great interaction. The salmon was divine. I thought the onion rings appetizer were dissapointing -- they were actually onion "strings." Kids loved the PB&J's here. It was my daughter's birthday, and the server passed a card around the restaurant to fellow tables asking everyone to sign her card. We received some hilarious notes in her card from Big Bird, George Bush, and someone who remembered their time in Paris fondly. My son kept getting "scolded" for elbows on the tables, and was forced to wear an Ariel bib for being sloppy. He loved it.
Sci-Fi Drive-In -- This was fun. The onion rings and burgers and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad were delicious. The fries were thick and crinkled and just how I like 'em! We had a noon lunch here and it wasn't crowded, and we received super service.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma Flavors -- We ate breakfast here, and the buffet was delightful. The restaurant was gorgeous, the service sublime -- very attentive. The buffet had all the traditionals, plus wonderful African surprises, including the best banana bread we have ever tasted. We will do this one again.
Wilderness Lodge
Whispering Canyon Cafe -- we loved this! We had a 1:00PM lunch here after an active morning in the Magic Kingdom -- took the boat across to here, and had the best time. The servers here were very interactive, making hats for all of us with our napkins, and teasing us along the way. The kids paraded in the Pony Express race -- even our teenager. We ordered the Family style skillet of ribs and chicken and sausage, corn-on-the-cob, corn bread and beans. Yummy! We made all-gone, and they brought 2 more skillets. Our neighbors got a BUCKET of iced tea because they drank their first one too fast -- it was hysterical. We will DEFINITELY do this again.
Contemporary
Chef Mickey's -- we thought this was the best dinner buffet at WDW. Good selection. Desserts were divine. Lots of character interaction. However, we did go early -- and that seemed to work to our advantage each time.
Grand Floridian
1900 Park Faire -- I was a little disappointed here. Although we LOVED staying at this hotel the last leg of the trip, the dinner buffet didn't seem as grand as past year's. Selection was really cut down -- especially for the children. (When my kids turn to the ADULT buffet section, I know!) Skimpy on the desserts, too. And only Cinderella, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother & the 3 mice here. My daughter the tomboy just wasn't into the princess thing. My 13-year old son -- who has recently discovered girls -- thought Cinderella was FINE! My advice is -- if your daughter's into the princess thing, this will be good for you.
Polynesian
Ohana -- I have read lots of cons on this one, but I wanted to try it myself. We loved it. The starter appetizers were delicious, especially the shrimp wonton and the stir-fried vegetables. The entree skewers were good -- especially the shrimp and pork. The beef was a little tough, though. The kids did prefer to order from the kids menu but LOVED the sweet bread they served. The coconut races and hula hoop song session were just the thing to keep the youngins occupied. We would definitely return. This was hubby's favorite of the whole trip.
Hoop Dee Doo Review
My favorite continues to be the Hoop Dee Doo Review. I know -- it's corny. We've probably seen it 10 times. I can almost recite the lines. My daughter didn't remember seeing it (she was a baby the last time we went) and she thought it was FANTASTIC. She LOVED Jim Dandy, who gladly posed with her. The food was tasty and plentiful, especially the ribs. The kids only like chicken LEGS, and our server gladly brought more of just the legs. I don't know WHY they put onions in the corn -- and don't go back to just mini corns-on-the-cob, cause the kids said, "YUCK!" to the onions and wouldn't eat it. Otherwise, it was a delightful experience. We would go again in a minute. Even the now skeptical 13-year old said, "Mom, it was so corny, it was funny," and left singing, "Hoop Dee Doo, Hoop Dee Doo...."
Planet Hollywood
We were soooo pleasantly surprised here. The fajitas were delicious. The grilled chicken caesar salad was wonderful -- the chicken was so moist and tender. Dessert was fantastic... White Chocolate Bread Pudding. Again, we did come early and got seated right away. When we left, the line was atrocious. However, there was soooo much stumulation going on in the restaurant -- video screens, props, etc., it was hard to get the kids' attention even to order.
That's my update. Hope it helps some of you plan. Thanks for all your tips on making our vacation the most successful ever.
And may the Mouse be with you!
