Leave MK for lunch?

[4DisPrincesses]

Party of 8 including 2 adults, 2 grandparents, 4 kids...

Should we consider leaving MK to go to one of the monorail resorts for lunch? Is it worth the hassle of leaving and coming back just to get a decent meal and some quiet time? Any advice is appreciated!

FYI, we are considering The Wave, Grand Floridian Cafe, and Kona Cafe.

 

[WawaCoffee]

The Grand Floridian isn't that far of a walk. Same for Contemporary. I recommend Grand Floridian Cafe!

 

[chalee94]

Party of 8 including 2 adults, 2 grandparents, 4 kids...

Should we consider leaving MK to go to one of the monorail resorts for lunch? Is it worth the hassle of leaving and coming back just to get a decent meal and some quiet time? Any advice is appreciated!

FYI, we are considering The Wave, Grand Floridian Cafe, and Kona Cafe.

If the Columbia Harbour House were open, that can be a solid choice in MK (sometimes upstairs is a little quieter).

(Be Our Guest was great if you could get an ADR back when they had the reasonably priced braised pork - but for $62 fixed price, no way.)

I love the GF Cafe (but I don't think I'd walk unless you are all in great shape). The Contemporary is closer if you like the Wave menu better (and I would walk there, no question - although it is also the 1st stop on the resort monorail.)

 

[JFDIS]

Absolutely it is worth it! We will even go to a monorail resort for quick service. It’s a nice escape from the parks midday when things start to feel chaotic, family gets cranky and your clothes are damp with sweat. We always feel recharged when we come back. All of the restaurants you’ve named are great. You only downside is you will find yourself tempted to book a trip at one of those beautiful resorts.

 

[Aimeedyan]

If you're planning to stay at MK all day, I think it would be worth it. The GF Cafe has quickly become a family favorite and I love their brunch menu - they serve brunch for breakfast and lunch so you have more variety and larger selection than The Wave (especially right now).

You could walk, boat, or take the monorail. We found the resort monorail very quick earlier this week! I love the walking trail but it would not be a good choice if you want to preserve energy or it's a hot day.

 

[Marthasor]

I'm not sure when you are traveling, but the Poly monorail station isn't open currently, so you may want to reconsider Kona. I'm not sure if it's worth it. If you are truly planning on leaving the park and spending some time to relax at one of the resorts - eat, spend some time relaxing in the lobby, etc. - I think it could be worth it. If it's really just to have something to eat, it's going to take quite a lot of time to walk out of the park, get to the resort and then come back and go through security again. If you want to go, eat and relax at a lovely resort, I would consider GF Cafe or even consider taking a boat to WL and eating at Whispering Canyon. GF and WL have gorgeous lobbies which are conducive to spending some time to relax. If you just want to leave and eat, the Wave at CR would be most convenient, but I, personally, don't find it very relaxing to walk all the way down Main Street and to CR to eat and then walk all the way back. If you just want a place to eat and relax with less hassle, I would just consider a TS in MK.

 

[teawar]

If the Columbia Harbour House were open, that can be a solid choice in MK (sometimes upstairs is a little quieter).
Columbia House is currently closed due to being a portion of the Peter Pan cue. A reduced version of the CH menu is being served at Tomorrowland Terrace.

(Be Our Guest was great if you could get an ADR back when they had the reasonably priced braised pork - but for $62 fixed price, no way.)

I love the GF Cafe (but I don't think I'd walk unless you are all in great shape). The Contemporary is closer if you like the Wave menu better (and I would walk there, no question - although it is also the 1st stop on the resort monorail.)

 

[teawar]

My family enjoys escaping by taking the boat to Wilderness Lodge and eating at either Whispering Canyon or Geyser Point.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I second grabbing the boat and going over to Geyser Point. Good food and beautiful views. The Wave is a solid second choice as well and is a bit easier to get to if time is a consideration.

 

[MomOTwins]

I would say a hard no unless you are going to take a broader midday break. Just to leave for lunch and back is a lot of time and a lot of extra walking for a meal at one of three places that is just okay. As others have said, if you are doing that, I'd vote for Wilderness Lodge over the monorail resorts. But I do like a nice midday break and wouldn't mind going back to my own resort to combine lunch with a swim in the pool.

 

[Best Aunt]

Some people might say that Contemporary and Grand Floridian are an easy walk, but it depends what kind of shape people will be in by that point in your trip. Sore feet, blisters, bad back... Anything like that and I would not want to make the round trip walk between MK and one of those resorts after being in the park all morning and planning to be in the park in the afternoon.

Even if you take the monorail or boat - will your group think this is an enjoyable relaxing break, or just something which burns more energy before they can get back to the park?

My guess is that the kids might tolerate it (depending on personality), and might benefit from it (depending on age), but won't be happy and joyful about it. I suspect that what they are looking forward to is the parks, or maybe the hotel pool, but not lunch.

 

[mom2rtk]

How much time will you have in the MK? If it's only one day, then that's a hard pass for me. Even if it's more than one day, I'd be careful to assess fitness of those in your party. That's a lot of walking on top of a lot of walking already that day.

 

[CynBeth]

I would not leave just choose either a CS or TS in MK.

 

[_19disnA]

Some people might say that Contemporary and Grand Floridian are an easy walk, but it depends what kind of shape people will be in by that point in your trip........

I agree and it also depends on the age range and physical fitness of those in your party. Disney parks already involve MILES of walking and if you are at the back of the park when you decide to eat, that is a lot of extra walking and fighting the crowds just to get to the exit. Also depends on where you are staying. If, for example, you are staying at the Contemporary, then taking the monorail back for lunch and a mid-day break makes more sense then if staying offsite somewhere. Walking to the Floridian is a MUCH greater distance then the Contemporary. Monorail stop at Polynesian is currently closed for construction.

We ate lunch at Be Our Guest during our last trip to Disney and would not recommend it. Was a rather odd mis-mash of counter and table service with very average food.

 

[VandVsmama]

My family enjoys escaping by taking the boat to Wilderness Lodge and eating at either Whispering Canyon or Geyser Point.

This.

 

[lorimay]

There is a boat that can take you from MK to Grand Floridian or Polynesian.
It's a nice across the lagoon.

 

[pigletgirl]

What do you mean by quiet time? Like others have suggested, if you are staying on site it might be worth your time to go back to your resort for a CS lunch and swim. If you want a yummy meal with air conditioning I might just book a lunch in MK. But you know your party best! If you are going during the hot months its best to make the most of your steps do you don't overheat (esp if the grandparents are 65+!)

 

[Pinkshoos]

I would say yes. The menus are limited now, but Kona is a great option. The GF Cafe menu right now is a bit weird. It's sort of a brunch menu, and is limited.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

For my family, no. If we wanted a break we would go back to the resort for a few hours. IMO it's not worth the hassle of leaving MK. You can get decent food and quiet time at one of the MK restaurants - I would suggest Skipper Canteen or LTT. I'm also one of the oddballs that thinks Tony's is decent

 

[DL1WDW2]

Don’t forget to take into consideration the size of your party traveling. The water taxi boats from MK to resorts are small and with limited seating.... the boat from MK to WL is usually larger.
We usually grab something to eat midday at the Starbucks (on Main Street )and carry it over to the Relaxation Station ( it is just past the Plaza Inn with view of castle and covered with ceiling fans.)....This Starbucks has a few sandwiches and fresh fruit and salads to go.
I recommend you get to know where the Relaxation Stations are located in the parks on the guide maps.
Hopefully You will get a reservation for dining at ThePlaza Inn or Liberty Tree Tavern, etc... Good luck