Kona or GF Cafe?

[Coconuts]

I was trying to plan a dinner ADR for a MK day. We will be at the MK all day but leaving around dinner time because we're not buying MVMCP tickets for that night. I was hoping to get a character meal at CM or 1900 PF but both of them are booked for the whole night! I guess everyone else was thinking the same as me.

After looking at all the restaurants in the area, looking at availability, and trying to book something new, I've narrowed it down to Kona and GF Cafe. I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions and experiences with either place. Thanks!

 

[tkldisney]

Cafe is nothing special. We love kona, a must every trip. It's a little more noisy, but food and service have always been great. We like to visit the Tambu lounge right next to kona, first for a relaxing drink after being in the parks all day.

 

[amj]

never been to GF, have been to Kona really enjoyed; the food was very good.
This was two years ago so things might have changed we were staying at the Poly.

 

[Danibelle]

This is a hard choice for our family. We try to eat at both locations each year. The mussels at GF are great. And the desserts aren't bad, either!

 

[disney20082011]

We went to both of these places during our last visit. We had a far better experience at Grand Floridian Cafe. At Kona, the food was not great and the service was terrible. In fact, I never did receive an acceptable meal at Kona. Yes, I did order making special requests, but all I asked for was a "plain" chicken sandwich. After the third attempt, I gave up and we left. The rest of our parties food was edible, but part of it was overdone.

At the Grand Floridian Cafe the food was very good, and was prepared as requested. Bonus, we ordered the Cinderella's "glass" slipper dessert and it was very good.

 

[Babyyoda1212]

We also did both last trip. They are both good. But we like the food at Kona better. Also GF always seems a little stuffy for us.

 

[TotallyTink]

My family loves Kona. It is a must do for us. We have always had great service and food. I love the shrimp and scallops entree, the crab cakes appetizer and the bread! You can also order sushi from the Kona Island Sushi bar at the cafe and my husband said it was good.

 

[king kamehameha]

We love the Kona Cafe' We always go there more than once on each visit. There are a lot of things to see around the resort and if you go to dinner after 6:00 you can see the torch lighting ceremony out frontBonus free entertainment! (It is at 6:00). The only downfall to this restaurant is that it is open to the lobby. we Always get a good meal here and the best desserts on property...can you say Kona Cone! Hope this helps. Grand Floridian cafe is good too but our favorite is Kona.

 

[Busymom85]

I have only been to Kona but it is a must do. The tuna oscar is to die for.

 

[Tazicket]

Quality and service about the same, just pick the menu you like better. Kona will be a little noisier at night.

 

[boydstcher]

I have not eaten at GF but we love the Kona Cafe, so much we ate there twice last year. We were staying at the Poly so it was convenient but it was really good too!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

In general I prefer the Grand Floridian Café to Kona, but for dinner, I would pick Kona. I say that because at dinnertime Kona offers foods from the Kona Island Sushi bar, plus I think their pineapple bread and appetizers are very tasty. I would probably still pick GFC over Kona for breakfast or lunch, but dinner is a whole other animal.

 

[lizzyb]

I have tried both and enjoyed them however, we just really enjoy Kona.

 

[Minnesota!]

We went to both of these places during our last visit. We had a far better experience at Grand Floridian Cafe. At Kona, the food was not great and the service was terrible. In fact, I never did receive an acceptable meal at Kona. Yes, I did order making special requests, but all I asked for was a "plain" chicken sandwich. After the third attempt, I gave up and we left. The rest of our parties food was edible, but part of it was overdone.

At the Grand Floridian Cafe the food was very good, and was prepared as requested. Bonus, we ordered the Cinderella's "glass" slipper dessert and it was very good.

How in the world could a place mess up this request even once...let alone 3 times??? Wow!


We have eaten at both...only Kona for lunch, though. We have an ADR at Kona dinner in October. But we are going back and forth. We have eaten at GFC many many times and LOVE it. Dh still drools over the Grand Floridian Burger....serisouly...he just texted me about it a while ago.

I don't think you can go wrong either place. The decor/atmosphere at GFC is definitely more reserved, quiet, subdued. Kona is louder, colorful, etc.

 

[lynn46356]

We were on the boat for both so we got out of the boat and booked both for our Moms Only Trip in January/February. I've been to Kona and very much enjoyed it but have never ate at GFC. Friends of one of the Moms going on the trip said it was their favorite restaurant on their recent Disney vacation. Who knows. I'm really not that picky of an eater just bring me a refill when my glass is empty and make sure my food is hot if its suppose to be and I'm happy. Hoping for the best!

 

[csmommy]

We just ate at both during our trip earlier this month & I would have to say Kona - hands down. The service was great, my DS only likes plain food & DD likes to dip instead of havig suace all over something & the waiter made sure they both had it the way they wanted. The bread is so yummy & the desserts were fab. It is a new must do for us.

On the other hand GF was so-so & our waiter Bob was TERRIBLE. I can't imagine getting my family to go there again.

 

[Aunt Bee]

Choose by the menu; which ever suits you better.

We like the Kona menu much better. Atmosphere wise, Kona has a "fun vacation" feel to us and GF feels more formal.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

Fish Tacos out of this world good, Kona has my vote. Service was awesome. DH steak was overcooked but told the waitress that it was O.K., she wouldn't hear of it. A few minutes later there was a brand new plant with the steak cooked perfectly. She didn't even tell him she was bringing him a new plate, she was awesome. Sticky wings to die for. She even told us how to make them, they turned out great. I think I may have to make some this weekend now that I'm thinking about it. Super Yummmmmmm.

 

[snowy76]

We did Kona for the first time a couple of weeks ago. We hadn't booked an ADR for dinner that night - change our minds, of course - and it was one of the few places available in or near MK remotely close to the time we wanted.

WOW what a happy accident! The food was good and our server was fantastic. DH and DS 17 both ordered from the prix fixe menu and loved the pot stickers and pan Asian noodles. I had the teriyaki NY strip and it was cooked perfectly. The bread and the macadamia butter - YUM! And was great to grab a GOOD cup of coffee at the end of the meal. Desserts are awesome!

I agree it's a bit noisy but at the same time, the bustle of the lobby kept DS 5 from getting too antsy - he had a lot of people-watching time and we were seated right at the railing.