Looking for family friendly restaurant suggestions!

[StarSeven7]

We're traveling to Disney World in January 2019 with our 2 kids, DD (8) and DS (5). We'll have a day off mid-week to hang out at our resort, All Star Movies, or go exploring. I'd like to book a restaurant for that day so I'm looking for suggestions! We have Crystal Palace booked for another day and I currently have 'Ohana booked for breakfast on the day off but I'm not sure if I'm sold on it. My DH liked the idea of 'Ohana for dinner but by the time he told me that all the reservations were gone. I keep checking but to be honest, I'm not sure if it's worth spending that much money on my kids! They're pretty picky eaters and I'm not sure if we can stomach paying a ton of money for them to only eat french fries or rice! Breakfast seems to work best (they love Mickey waffles!) but since we already have a character breakfast booked, I thought maybe dinner would be a better option. Any suggestions for something that has a unique atmosphere, isn't crazy expensive, and is good for kids?

 

[Kevlar10]

Have you thought about 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian? Good food and fun character interactions.

 

[Ben E N]

I also love 1900 park fare. One other option is Boma at AKL. Good food, the lodge is awesome, and the kids get to animal watch there.

 

[StarSeven7]

Have you thought about 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian? Good food and fun character interactions.

We ate breakfast at 1900 Park Fare on our last trip and loved it! Would you recommend dinner?

 

[Ben E N]

We ate breakfast at 1900 Park Fare on our last trip and loved it! Would you recommend dinner?

Yes! The stepsisters are hilarious.

 

[StarSeven7]

Yes! The stepsisters are hilarious.

My DS would probably love that....he's been saving a "diamond" ring that he found to give to Drizella since she asked him for one the last time he met her!!

 

[StarSeven7]

I also love 1900 park fare. One other option is Boma at AKL. Good food, the lodge is awesome, and the kids get to animal watch there.

So you can see the animals from Boma....can you from Sanaa as well?

 

[Ben E N]

So you can see the animals from Boma....can you from Sanaa as well?

Yes. Not directly from the restaurants, but from the lodge both before and after eating.

 

[mombrontrent]

Yes. Not directly from the restaurants, but from the lodge both before and after eating.

You can see the animals right inside the restaurant atSanaa. We were sat at a table directly in front of the big windows where the animals are. Also there is a door right at the entrance to the restaurant and you can walk out onto a boardwalk area and view the animals. It’s a great experience.

 

[dbb727]

Sanaa actually has viewing directly from the restaurant so if you go before sunset you can watch the savanah while eating(if seated near the windows).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Boma isn't really a place for animal viewing.

You can see animals from Sanaa during daylight.

 

[dbb727]

What about bus to MK, then take boat to either Wilderness Lodge for Whispering Canyon Cafe or to Fort Wilderness for Mickeys Backyard BBQ? I know the barbecue is quite a bit more expensive but I think you have to view it as dinner and a show and characters(plus wine/beer are included).

 

[Ben E N]

You can see them animals right inside the restaurant atSanaa. We were sat at a table directly in front of the big windows where the animals are. Also there is a door right at the entrance to the restaurant and you can walk out onto a boardwalk area and view the animals. It’s a great experience.

Oh cool. Does the theming there appeal to children? I have heard great reviews of the food, but it has seemed more adult-targeted to me. I could be reading that wrong though.

 

[StarSeven7]

What about bus to MK, then take boat to either Wilderness Lodge for Whispering Canyon Cafe or to Fort Wilderness for Mickeys Backyard BBQ? I know the barbecue is quite a bit more expensive but I think you have to view it as dinner and a show and characters(plus wine/beer are included).

I think Mickey's BBQ maybe doesn't run on that day since it's not showing as available, but I'm interested in Whispering Canyon Cafe!

 

[mombrontrent]

Oh cool. Does the theming there appeal to children? I have heard great reviews of the food, but it has seemed more adult-targeted to me. I could be reading that wrong though.

When I went last year my daughters were 14 and 10 so not young children but we all really enjoyed watching the animals from the table as well as after dinner on the boardwalk. Lots of animals were out roaming around before sunset and as it got darker there is a cast member out there with night vision binoculars you can use. He was very knowledgeable about all he animals and eager to answer questions from guests.

 

[happymommy]

Honestly, ANY restaurant at WDW (except Victoria & Albert's) is going to be family friendly.

It really depends on what type of food you're looking for, and what atmosphere. Even picky eaters will find something they'll like pretty much everywhere, even Boma, but if you don't like the cost of 'Ohana for dinner I'm pretty sure Boma is about the same.

The Boardwalk is a fun place to stroll in the evening, depending on if it's a night where there are the entertainers. You could look into any of the Epcot resorts for dinner that way.

It's quick to look at menus on www.allears.net (I find that quicker than Disney's site, even if some aren't quite up to date).

 

[StarSeven7]

The Boardwalk is a fun place to stroll in the evening, depending on if it's a night where there are the entertainers. You could look into any of the Epcot resorts for dinner that way.

.

Which nights have entertainment on the Boardwalk? This will be a Tuesday in January.

 

[TJA]

I like the ideas listed above, particularly 1900 PF. Also consider Chef Mickeys. We liked breakfast there because it was such a fun way to begin the day! Then again, dinner was good because it continued the fun day as we began to wind down for the night. Always fun to shop at CR afterward. Or, if you time it right, you can watch fireworks right from the CR.

If you do consider the boardwalk area, we liked Espn Club (loud with all the TVs, but fun environment if your kids like sports). Beaches & Cream at the BC is sort of hard to get an ADR for dinner cause it's small inside, but you can always order ice cream treats and sit at a table outside. Only problem I can see is it's near the (amazing) pool and your kids would probably want to stay at BC next trip . Also, rent a surrey bike and take a ride around the loop - it's beautiful.

We haven't eaten at Sanau yet, but I agree the AKL is amazing and your kids would really enjoy walking around the resort area to see the animals.

 

[kniquy]

Boma at Jambo - AKL is a great buffet plus the resort gives you something to do after breakfast - stick around, check out the lobby and view the animals. Have you thought about going to Disney Springs on your day off? Tons of restaurants to choose from there.

 

[StarSeven7]

I think we're going to go to Disney Springs on another day off. Honestly, we don't spend too much time there because my kids are really high energy and shopping with them is torture!! Thanks for the suggestions everyone, this gives me something to think about!