Need some Help deciding where to eat!

[bubsmoljo]

Ok Guys-I'm going Jan.21-28th and my ADR day is coming up here in 14 days so I'm trying to figure out where to make my ressies-I'm going nuts trying to figure this out. This is myself and DH's first trip in over 15 years so we really have NO background on the restaurants. We will be joined by our 4yo DS and we want this to be the best week of his life-so far haha. Anyway, this is what I have tentatively planned:
CRT Lunch
Askerhaus Dinner
Tusker House B-fast
Crystal Palace Lunch
Hollywood & Vine Lunch
O'Hana B'fast
My son is in love with Princesses (pretty ladies and all) and Mickey and his pals. He also indicated an interest in Pooh and friends and Stitch. I want to get the most bang for my buck though. Something is telling me that CRT is just not worth the cash? I guess I want to know what you all think about my line up (in that order-BTW) and could I do better? Also, at one of our meals I want to have a cake delivered for his birthday-which one is best to do this? Other options???? HELP AHHHHHH

 

[VickieMouse]

I know Chef Mickey's gets a lot of bad press around here, but we loved it for dinner. It was our best experience by a mile. The characters were great, and we found the food to be fine. Not sure you would need to do Ohana breakfast, Tusker House, and Chef Mickey's, but I would definitely drop one of those for Chef Mickey's. And if he loves the little "ladies", who can resist Minnie in her pretty red dress and yellow shoes. She was beautiful!!! You won't see her at either TH or Ohana.

As far as CRT, my girls liked it and remembered it well. I didn't find much difference between CRT (dinner) and Akershus breakfast. We thought the food at Akershus was far superior, character interaction equal at both, but the castle for some reason was far more magical and memorable for my girls (maybe because we went there before Akershus so when we got to Akershus it was kind of a been there done that). We also saw the exact same 5 princesses at both.

If it were up to me, I would do CRT or Akershus - not both. Chef Mickey's (and possibly Ohana or TH), but then I would throw in a dinner or two that are not buffets - something that is more of a quiet TS dinner to sit and relax that appeals to the adults. Those are special moments too!!!

Good luck with your decisions!

 

[everythingALICE]

I think if you're doing Akershus, you have the princesses covered. The character interaction, included photo, and delicious food make this a wonderful meal, and it is less expensive than CRT. I don't think you need to do both, unless you have your heart set on eating in the castle.

If you're trying to stick to character meals for your son, Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club has characters at breakfast, and Garden Grill in Epcot has characters at lunch/dinner...I haven't been to either, but they both get pretty decent reviews on here.

 

[nanni]

Personally, I'd nix CRT and put in Garden Grill or 1900 PF. If you want more bang for your buck, I'd stick with more dinners than breakfasts, although it seems like the character breakfasts are well liked so that might be more important.

 

[bubsmoljo]

I"m inclined to take your advice and put in a nice TS for DH and myself maybe San Angel Inn after drinking around the world! Keep the idea coming for the character meals-thanks again....

 

[scottrc]

Personally, I'd nix CRT and put in Garden Grill or 1900 PF.

A big thumbs up for the Garden Grille, with all the World Showcase dining, this one is overlooked, but it is a true hidden gem. It's served 'family style', not buffet. I know buffets are popular...but you really don't get the best quality food. Also, i have to recommend Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK...another great family style served hidden gem.

And in AK...3 words...Yak and Yetti. If you like Chinese food, they are kinda a PF Changs ripoff...but still very good...do NOT leave there without getting the fried wontons for dessert. You WILL thank me!

 

[minnie mum]

Also, at one of our meals I want to have a cake delivered for his birthday-which one is best to do this? Other options???? HELP AHHHHHH

You can arrange for a special cake to be delivered during one of your meals. If you go to the WDW site and click on Things To Do, at the bottom of the drop down is something like 'Customize Your Special Occasion'. Click on that, then Select Birthday. When you scroll down the selections, there are a couple of different cake options. I think it will involve a phone call to a special phone number. Hope this helps.

 

[bubsmoljo]

Thanks Minnie Mum-I was wondering where you can add in your special occasion! Scottrc-I've been hearing great things about Garden Grille and I think we'll give it a shot. Thanks everyone!

 

[DisneySarah80]

Ok Guys-I'm going Jan.21-28th and my ADR day is coming up here in 14 days so I'm trying to figure out where to make my ressies-I'm going nuts trying to figure this out. This is myself and DH's first trip in over 15 years so we really have NO background on the restaurants. We will be joined by our 4yo DS and we want this to be the best week of his life-so far haha. Anyway, this is what I have tentatively planned:
CRT Lunch
Askerhaus Dinner
Tusker House B-fast
Crystal Palace Lunch
Hollywood & Vine Lunch
O'Hana B'fast
My son is in love with Princesses (pretty ladies and all) and Mickey and his pals. He also indicated an interest in Pooh and friends and Stitch. I want to get the most bang for my buck though. Something is telling me that CRT is just not worth the cash? I guess I want to know what you all think about my line up (in that order-BTW) and could I do better? Also, at one of our meals I want to have a cake delivered for his birthday-which one is best to do this? Other options???? HELP AHHHHHH

Heres what I would do....
Askerhaus - Dinner
Tusker House - Breakfast
Crystal Palace - Dinner
1900 Park Fair - Breakfast
Chef Mickeys - Dinner
O'Hana - Breakfast


My biggest piece of advice is NOT to do any lunches. You have a little one, and that time is best spent as down time at your hotel. Your plan should be to get to the parks at rope drop, tour till about 2pm, take a break back at your hotel, and then back out for dinner and more touring.

Have a great trip!!!


ETA - You asked about a cake.... Personally, I wouldn't want to pay $$$ on a custom cake at a buffet when there are a bunch of desserts already that, that you've already paid for. You could plan an early dinner at Sanaa - You could ask for a window seat so your DS could eat and watch the animals at the savanah. Order a custom cake for that dinner. I suggest this, because its exactly what I'm doing! LOL

 

[wdwmom0f3]

planned:
CRT Lunch
Askerhaus Dinner
Tusker House B-fast
Crystal Palace Lunch
Hollywood & Vine Lunch
O'Hana B'fast

I would skip CRT (over priced) & Hollywood & Vine (Bad food). I would also not do San Angel Inn because of the food. It's sad too because we love Mexican food but we have tried it 3 or 4 times over the years and we all left disappointed each time.

I also don't do breakfast meals much for a few reasons. First we like to get to the parks early and see as many attractions as we can early before it gets packed. Second, my kids are not big on breakfast meals so we keep this cheap by bringing something for the room or eating something simple in the food court. With that said, if I were going to do a breakfast it would be at Tuskar House.

Crystal Palace was a nice change for us this past time. We always do Chef Mickeys and while I still love it, and we will most likely always go there, I really enjoyed Crystal Palace. I would put both of them on my list.

We love Ohana, but we go for dinner and our children love it. Another BIG surprise at the Poly is Kona Cafe. It has been one of my most favorite meals on the last few trips. The kids will also love the Kona Cone for dessert!!

While at DHS, out all time favorite place to eat is at 50"s Prime Time Cafe. Just recently they have added a new option where you and get meal with chicken, meatloaf & pot roast along with the regular sides. This is great for first timers as well as regulars who love it all. The food has always been great and the desserts are fantastic!

We have never been to Askerhaus for dinner. Some friends of mine went there for breakfast recently and they loved it. While at Epcot, your children would probably love Coral Reef. It can be a hit or miss, but our visit last month was really good. Just don't get the sugar free cheesecake because it was gross. I should have gone with the chocolate wave, but hey, I saved some calories.

Have fun planning!! It's almost as much fun as the trip for me!!

 

[bubsmoljo]

Thanks for the input guys, here is my amended list:

Rainforest Cafe in DTD the evening we arrive
Full Day 1: Crystal Palace for early lunch
2nd day: Chef Mickeys for birthday celebration early dinner at 5 hopefully and then pirates and pals fireworks cruise
3rd day: Tusker house b'fast
4th day: O'Hanna b'fast
5th day: Akershaus late lunch at 1
6th day: 50's prime time since F! probably isn't playing while we are there

Now what are you opinions??