MK area counter service

[Dis703]

I'm trying to plan out our reservations for a trip in November. We are going to spend most of our time between Epcot and Magic Kingdom. One of the days we are there the park closes early and we were going to do TS at Chef Mickeys after, but now I'm thinking maybe we'll just do counter service and call it an early night since we have so many other late nights during our trip. (I'm hearing the wait and time it can take to get through the line, etc. at CM can add up to a long dinner)

My question is are there any great counter service places in the resorts right near magic kingdom so we could go after the park closes at 6:30?

Thanks!

Heather

 

[JeffGoldblum]

Captain Cooks at the poly is very good

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm trying to plan out our reservations for a trip in November. We are going to spend most of our time between Epcot and Magic Kingdom. One of the days we are there the park closes early and we were going to do TS at Chef Mickeys after, but now I'm thinking maybe we'll just do counter service and call it an early night since we have so many other late nights during our trip. (I'm hearing the wait and time it can take to get through the line, etc. at CM can add up to a long dinner)

My question is are there any great counter service places in the resorts right near magic kingdom so we could go after the park closes at 6:30?

Thanks!

Heather

In my opinion? No, not really. If you're staying at a Value resort or most of the Moderate resorts, I think the food courts are better than the quick service places found at the monorail resort hotels.

If I were staying at Pop Century, for instance, I'd rather head back there to eat than eating at a Magic Kingdom resort quick service.

 

[Dis703]

Really? I guess I just thought nicer resort might have nicer counter service options. We are staying at the POFQ and I've never really heard much about their counter service food. Other than the beignets.

Heather

 

[asdfghjkl13]

I love Captain Cooks at the Poly!

 

[pixarmom]

Just a few thoughts on the MK area for after MK park closing. First, transportation. If you are relying on Disney transportation, I'd suggest checking on the how long the bus back to your resort will be running after MK closes.

I'll admit my rookie planning mistake from college in the early 90's. We were staying at Sports and went to Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian for dinner after an early MK closing. Of course, since MK had closed a while before our dinner ended, they were no longer running buses to our resort from MK. Since we were relying on Disney transportation, we were a bit stranded. A wonderful CM offered us a ride back. Of course, that's not an issue if you just take a cab or drive your car to the resort where you'll eat dinner. But since then (and now with three kids) we're always watching the dining plans to make sure the timing works out and we will have Disney transport back to the resort.

Just another thought for OP to consider. When MK closes early, we often take the monorail to EPCOT for dinner. That's easy for us because we like to stay at the Beach Club, but OP could just hop on a bus after dinner back to Port Orleans. We like the monorail ride from MK to EPCOT, we don't have to watch the time to catch Disney transport, and EPCOT has so many good TS and CS dining options.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[marielynn724]

if saving time and not having a long night was your objective, i wouldn't go all the way to the moderate or value resorts from the magic kingdom. sometimes the bus routes take a while. plus then you have to transfer back to a park afterwards to get back to wherever you are staying. by the way - where are you staying? maybe your own resort has a nice place.

but to answer your question, you could hop the monorail to the GF, Poly, or Contemporary, and then easily hop the monorail back to MK to catch a bus back to your resort. (I don't mind riding the monorail, it's more fun than the and less hassle than taking 3 bus rides) Of the 3 resorts, definitely Captain Cooks at the Poly has the best counter service.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We like The Contempo Cafe at The Contemporary (http://allears.net/menu/menu_contempo.htm) for quick meals while staying there. Not sure I'd go out of my way at all for it, though...

 

[ilovejsparrow]

Another vote for Captain Cook's. I love their stir fry noodles.

 

[ThreeKMom]

Since you're going in Nov. is the MK closing for MVMCP? If it is transportation back won't be an issue. The busses need to run for the party people.

We are also going in Nov. and are planning to have dinner at Kona Cafe at the Poly and then head to the beach to see the Hoilday Wishes fireworks - we are not attending the party but want to see the fireworks. We considered dinner at Captain Cooks for the same reason .

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would highly recommend the Contempo Cafe at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

 

[ThreeKMom]

I would highly recommend the Contempo Cafe at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

What's the menue like there?

Sorry didn't see the previous link!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

What's the menue like there?

Sorry didn't see the previous link!

My favorite items from there is the Chicken Ceasar Salad with the dressing already tossed in, Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza, Spice Crusted Mahi Sandwich and the 6 oz. Angus Cheeseburger.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We like The Contempo Cafe at The Contemporary (http://allears.net/menu/menu_contempo.htm) for quick meals while staying there. Not sure I'd go out of my way at all for it, though...

We rented a boat from the CR and had lunch here in August! It was lovely! We really enjoyed the food!

 

[tndisneyfan]

I like the food court at the Comporary. I think it's called the Comtempo. We ate there several times our last trip.

 

[KAA1972]

The cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary are fabulous. The remainder of their menu is tasty too... Haven't tried Captain Cook's. If you have a car, I would drive to Pop Century. Their food court is the best on WDW property.

 

[jdisnut]

Add me to the list of people who like the Contempo Cafe. I definitely prefer it to the counter service locations at the other Magic Kingdom resorts. I agree with a few posters who wrote that the Pop Century food court offers considerably more variety, but I argue Contempo serves more creative food of higher quality.

 

[prncess674]

I would plan an early night back at your hotel. Head back and have one parent and the kids head to the hotel to start the cleanup bathing process. Other parent heads to the food court for the family and brings it all back to the room. Other option is to order pizza and have a fun family movie night while eating. Kids will konk out early and you will bright and early soldiers ready for a long day.

 

[greg42]

Logistically this may not be the best. If MK is chucking you out early for the hard ticket party, then yeah, you could run over to Contemporary or Polynesian, then go back to MK to get your bus home. But if MK is just closed period, then after dinner you'll be stuck with at least a two-step bus ride home to POFQ, assuming you weren't driving (which I think is a good assumption. )

Even if it is the MVMCP that night, it still won't make for an especially early night if you don't leave the MK much before 6:30.

If I were in that spot and wanted variety in CS instead of the hotel, I think I'd go to Epcot. A few options there, including brand new one at Mexico that I wish I had gone back to properly sample the food (only got margarita). Or DTD, but that makes for a longish night of getting there (but maybe worth it for WGP Express, if using dining credits). POFQ is not quite the long ride back from DTD that ASM was for us, but to get there from MK it's pretty long, with a quick stop at Contemporary first.

If you want early night (and it might be good to have one if you have full schedule), best is to go straight home to POFQ, only way to get truly early night IMO.

 

[SAGE]

We trying the QSDP.... I never thought of heading over to the Contempo Cafe (while visiting MK).
DS usually requests a hamburger but I don't really like them. The menu for CC looks great for me! (+ they have burgers)!!
Thanks!!