Looking For Something New At Disney Help

[brynnsandra]

THIS JUNE WILL BE OUR FIFTH TRIP TO DISNEY. WE HAVE DONE ALMOST ALL OF THE CHARACTER MEALS. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GOOD MEALS OR SOMETHING FUN TO DO THAT WE ARE MISSING. NEVER BEEN TO DOWNTOWN DISNEY. IS IT WORTH IT IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE 5 AND EIGHT?

 

[GIGIW]

My kids love the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. The food is OK, but the atmosphere is fantastic. Every hour the lights dim inside and it simulates a volcano erupting along with "thunder and lightning". They have animatronic jungle animals such as apes, elephants, leopards that move above and around you. We go to disney every year and we always go to the Rainforest for dinner.

 

[mommystieg]

Have you been to the Hoop dee Doo or any of the other dinner show type meals?
We visit DTD every trip--there are lots of different kinds of shops and some good places to eat. You could easily spend the better part of the day wandering around there.
http://allearsnet.com/btp/downtown.htm

 

[Parkhopper]

Have you had dinner at O'Hana's at the Poly? We find that to be a "must" every trip. They have children's games (hoola hoop and coconut races) during dinner - Lots of fun!

Suzi

PS I would also "Second" the Hoop De Doo Review!

 

[mckay15]

my kids love to shop and look around in all the downtown disney stores. they especially LOVE the lego store and all of the statues made of legos.

 

[blitzkrieg048]

Got to go to DTD, it's a must! They have a toy store called Once Upon a Toy. You're kids will love it. They also have a great Christmas store and the World of Disney, it's the bigggest Disney store. Go, go, go!!!!!!!!!

 

[bonnick98]

Downtown has lots of great shops, the West Side is Fantastic! House of Blues, Bongos and Wolfgang Pucks are great places to eat. O'Hanna's at the Polynesian is also great. But the single best place to eat is Alfredos @ EPCOT, best Italian food ever!

 

[damiel]

Have you had dinner at O'Hana's at the Poly? We find that to be a "must" every trip. They have children's games (hoola hoop and coconut races) during dinner - Lots of fun!

Suzi

PS I would also "Second" the Hoop De Doo Review!

We always have a late dinner at O'Hana's and then go down to the beach to watch the fireworks while sitting on a hammock. It's a great evening. Have your kid's gone on the Pirate adventure? My son loved it at age 5 and wants to do it again at age 7. It gives Mom and Dad a few hours of alone time to do something just for adults.

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

I plan multiple trips to Downtown Disney each visit. I love to just stroll around there (and buy lots of stuff at Basin). Also, the Earl of Sandwich is the best quick service in the World.

We love Portobello Yacht Club at DD. They have probably the most varied menu I've seen. Everyone can find something they like there. No characters or show, but a good meal.

Other meals your kids would LOVE are:

Whispering Canyon - My son wanted a big drink, so they brought his out in a gallon Mason jar! And...where's the ketchup?!!!

Hoop Dee Doo - We've been here more times than I can count. You might find it pricey, but the show is great, and the food is good and plentiful too!

Biergarten - Have you eaten here? This is the one place I actually get to eat. The kids scarf down some food and then spend the rest of the time on the dance floor doing the chicken dance, etc.

DON'T go to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. We found the price (which is the same as the Hoop) to be way out of line for cold hot dogs and beans. You eat at picnic tables and listen to a country band. The band was good, but there's really no "show", just a big dance floor, where I lost my kids several times. We tried to celebrate my son's 5th birthday there, but I don't think any of us had a good time. And he lost his Happy Birthday pin from AK on the dance floor. bad memories...

 

[twojo21]

we love ghiradelli's at dtd it is the best chocolate & icecream in the usa! definetly give dtd a chance there are some good restaurants fultons, rainforest cafe theme, portobello yacht club, earl of sandwich and there are many stores for you & the kids to enjoy, we love the world of disney, the many days of christmas store & the art of disney (& im sure your kids will love the legos) there's also cirque de soleil at dtd westside which is unlike the circus you know and even fishing excurstions from dtd.

we also enjoy alot of the backstage tours at wdw dolphins in depth & backstage safari are our favorites (although for your kids ages they might like the family magic tour at mk) the gf spa, the waterparks, golfing, parasailing at the contemporary, boat rentals & specialty firework cruises, hayrides at ft wilderness and there's also some neat kid activities like the wonderland tea party & adventures in cooking at the gf and the albatross pirate cruise at the yc.

 

[siouxi31]

We had never been to Fort Wilderness so on our last trip we saw HDDR and on another night ate at the Trails End Buffet. It was a nice change. We usually go the week after Thanksgiving so what was really cool was to see all of the Christmas decorations on people's campers throughout the grounds. They really go all out with decorating.
O'Hana's is great for the kids as well.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Try DTD it's a blast, Ghirardelli's is the best, Pucks is wonderful; the shops are amazing too! And don't forget to wander around the Boardwalk and also have a nice meal!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

My kids love DTD almost as much as I do (shopaholic ). My husband on the other hand doesn't like to shop. After a couple of stores he takes our little boy to people watch. They sit on a bench with popcorn or icecream and watch the people go by while the girls and I get our fill of all the stores. It just wouldn't be the same not going to DTD. We always eat at Rain Forest Cafe (kids favorite) .

 

[manhattan]

Now don't laugh at me.....but when my kids were younger, they went through a stage where food was a big issue. So we compromised, one day we would pick where to eat, next evening they would pick......and guess where they would pick to eat on their evening? McDonalds... so we would go and do all the great things to do at dtd and then eat a McD. It really is a great way to spend an evening. And once on our evening we went to the Portobello Yacht Club and my kids loved the food there. So definitely include it in your plans.

 

[Lindaon]

Try the backyard barbeque if you like line dancing, country music and a fun time. It is great for your age children. It is alittle pricey but it includes tip and beer and wine. Alot of fun and your children get to dance with the characters!!! That's something they don't get to do at most character dinners.

 

[robind]

"DON'T go to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. We found the price (which is the same as the Hoop) to be way out of line for cold hot dogs and beans. "

IMHO - I would disagree with this opinion. First the BBQ is $39 versus Hoop which is $50.99 - I found the food to be much better at the BBQ - tossed salad, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, cornbread, burgers, hot dogs, smoked chix, BBQ ribs. They also brought out tons of watermellon and ice cream for desert (in carts like at the parks). Drinks included, lemonade, ice tea, water, fruit punch, beer and wine (alcohol is included).

I was there Mother's day weekend, it wasn't totally packed, I'd say about 80% capacity. I am going back in Aug w/ a different group of family who after seeing the video wanted to go - I just hope we don't die from the heat.