Need advice, rookie making ADR's!

[Jengi4]

Hi all! I've been lurking for a long time and just got so excited I had to jump in!

Like most of you, I'm drafting out my ADR's way too far in advance! (come on...you know you are doing it too!). I have until June 4th to decide. (we are going dec 1-dec 8)

We have the DP and I have two TS's that I can't decide on. Two different situations.
Here's the scoop, we are going with my wonderful MIL and FIL, so there will be 6 of us, including our two boys (4 and 8). My dh and FIL are very meat and potatoes, somewhat picky, non-adventurous eaters.

Ok, so knowing that:
1. Where would you suggest we have dinner in Epcot before Illuminations? I was told to reserve outdoor seats at Rose & Crown and watch from there. The menu looks fantastic to me, but I'm just not sure they will really love the menu choices. So I'm looking for other options... I would even be open to eating CS for dinner...are there places where you can sit outside and just relax and watch?

2. We could do a breakfast on what I think will be an AK day...after looking/drooling over the Boma breakfast pictures and raves, I'm leaning toward that, but again, am concerned about the picky eaters...What about the Donald's Safari breakfast?

Ok, lemme have it!! Thanks in advance.

I should probably let you know the other places I have on the 'list'
1. Liberty Tree Tavern before MVMCP
2. Whispering Canyon Cafe dinner
3. ESPN club (My dh's b-day choice, not on DP though)
4. Chef Mickey's for breakfast
5. Sci-Fi Drive in for dinner
6. Garden Grill for lunch last day

 

[KatMark]

First, you CANNOT reserve outdoor seats at Rose & Crown. You can make an ADR for dinner and then when you arrive ask at the podium if you can sit outside. Out of six tries, I think we've been able to do this twice as it is very popular.

I think Boma would be terrific for breakfast. It looks like your typical buffet...but better looking food and more choices.

We have done Chef Mickey's for breakfast, but we prefer Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom (different set of characters instead of the regulars).

We haven't done Garden Grill in years. At the time, I think it was a "menu" and not family style. We have read mixed reviews on that one.

Instead of Rose & Crown or Garden Grill at Epcot, why not LeCellier. They have wonderful steaks, terrific cheese soup and pretzel bread. Think your DH and FIL will like that.

 

[Jengi4]

First, you CANNOT reserve outdoor seats at Rose & Crown. You can make an ADR for dinner and then when you arrive ask at the podium if you can sit outside. Out of six tries, I think we've been able to do this twice as it is very popular.

I think Boma would be terrific for breakfast. It looks like your typical buffet...but better looking food and more choices.

We have done Chef Mickey's for breakfast, but we prefer Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom (different set of characters instead of the regulars).

We haven't done Garden Grill in years. At the time, I think it was a "menu" and not family style. We have read mixed reviews on that one.

Instead of Rose & Crown or Garden Grill at Epcot, why not LeCellier. They have wonderful steaks, terrific cheese soup and pretzel bread. Think your DH and FIL will like that.

Thanks for your help. I didn't know you had to wait until you got to Rose & Crown to request the seats, but that makes perfect sense. I've heard really good things about LeCellier, not sure why I didn't have that on my list.

Isn't Garden Grill the one that rotates? A DVC friend suggested it, but they have different tastes than us, so I wanted to get more advice.

Again, thanks!!

 

[KatMark]

Thanks for your help. I didn't know you had to wait until you got to Rose & Crown to request the seats, but that makes perfect sense. I've heard really good things about LeCellier, not sure why I didn't have that on my list.

Isn't Garden Grill the one that rotates? A DVC friend suggested it, but they have different tastes than us, so I wanted to get more advice.

Again, thanks!!

Yes, Garden Grill rotates. But like I said, it has been years since we were there and we did lunch. We really like Biergarten at Epcot too. It is a buffet and they have live entertainment and a dance floor. Kids seem to love the music and dancing on the dance floor. You have a lot of choices, but I am sure you will do great!

 

[marivaid]

1. Where would you suggest we have dinner in Epcot before Illuminations? I was told to reserve outdoor seats at Rose & Crown and watch from there. The menu looks fantastic to me, but I'm just not sure they will really love the menu choices. So I'm looking for other options... I would even be open to eating CS for dinner...are there places where you can sit outside and just relax and watch?

Cantina de San Angel in Mexico is a great spot to see Illuminations. You do have to arrive early if you want a table next to the water,but IMO it's worth it. The food is okay, and you can always buy some burgers/hot dogs in another CS for your picky eaters if they don't like the mexican(ish) stuff.

Boma's breakfast is amazing. Look the food pics thread, where MickeyNicki posted photos of the whole buffet recently. You can't go wrong there!

We personally didn't like Garden Grill much. Do you think you'd enjoy Coral Reef ?

 

[Jengi4]

Cantina de San Angel in Mexico is a great spot to see Illuminations. You do have to arrive early if you want a table next to the water,but IMO it's worth it. The food is okay, and you can always buy some burgers/hot dogs in another CS for your picky eaters if they don't like the mexican(ish) stuff.

Boma's breakfast is amazing. Look the food pics thread, where MickeyNicki posted photos of the whole buffet recently. You can't go wrong there!

We personally didn't like Garden Grill much. Do you think you'd enjoy Coral Reef ?

I'll definitely note the Cantina in Mexico, thanks! and great idea to just have others get burgers (my dh would eat a burger every day if he could )

I did see MickeyNicki's review (loved it!), that's really how I was convinced to go to Boma for breakfast, such great pics too.

I hadn't looked at Coral reef too much, not sure why (information overload I guess, had to stop somewhere!), but I will add it to the list. Thanks so much!

This board, in combination with the great guidebooks that I have are really making this trip planning so much fun!!
I promise to come back after my trip and post pictures and tips!