Newbee with teens want to know-Where should we eat?

[samiet620]

Hi, I'm new to the whole Disney scene. My children are in their teens and don't seem overly enthusiastic about having a character dinner. Regardless I would like to have a nice dinner at one of the themed restaurants. Due to our obsession with places like Chilli's and having a picky eater I was thinking of making reservations at Planet Hollywood. We looked at the menu as a family and feel it would be great(it also fits our budget nicely) but as with all new things I'm not sure. I want the sit down dinner to be fun and tasty!!!
We thought of Rain Forest Cafe but we have been to the one here in MA a few times so I figured we should go somewhere that we could not find close to home.
For those of you with teens, where could we go? Is Planet Hollywood a good choice?

 

[Iott Family]

Yes, Planet Hollywood is a good choice. have you given much thought to your in park dining?

 

[blessedby3]

I have 2 teens, one boy and one girl, and they both LOVE Ohanas for breakfast. I know you asked for dinner places, but we love to go to Ohanas for a huge breakfast and then we dont eat again until dinner. Its family style, all you can eat. They ask to go back every year. It is a character breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto or Goofy. We also liked Planet Hollywood. We ate there on our last trip for the first time. We had 2 PH $15 meal vouchers that came with our travel package and we used them. The food was good and they had big servings. We ate there at lunch time to get even cheaper prices. We usually eat our biggger meals at breakfast or lunch because it is so much cheaper and then eat counter service if we eat dinner.

 

[Rylee]

There are lots of fun restaurants with great themes thoughout WDW. You can read about them on this site... click on "Dining" or go to the allears site.

 

[samiet620]

I'm not sure what options would be best with in the park. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[samiet620]

By counter service you mean.... like a concession stand or something like that?

 

[Tammysue5]

Last year we took DS16, DD8, DD5 and at first DS thought he would be too old for WDW.. (our first trip) BUT... he was wonderful... He decided he could either have a great time or not...He posed with ALL the characters... CInderella, Pooh, Tigger, Lilo and stitch.. (I could go on) his sisters LOVED IT! I think they got a greater kick out of watching big brother pose then anything else. When Jasmine came to our table he 'posed' in an Alladin pose... it is the whole families favorite pic. When he posed with Lilo and Stitch he did the "muscle thing" and Lilo and stitch imitate him,.... it was great! This year DS19 is able to go with us... and they are both planning on making the best of whatever meal we do.

To answer your question though, PH is great... We liked the food and looking at all the movie 'stuff' was great! Although DD5 was not thrilled at first that she had to 'sit' next to the CHUCKY Doll but she 'posed' with him anyway.

My son really liked Chef Mickeys, Sci-fi, PH, CP, Ohana.

 

[powellrj]

By counter service you mean.... like a concession stand or something like that?

Counter service is just what it sounds like, you walk up to the counter and get service and then you carry your own food back to your table!!! WDW has some wonderful counter service meals!

My kids like Planet Hollywood, but it is very loud and crowded.

My kids really don't like character meals very well these days. They loved them when they were younger, but not so much these days.

Have you checked out this page, it tells you what is available in each park and hotel with a copy of the menus. You might also check out the resturant board on the DIS. They even have threads that show the pictures of the meals!!!

http://www.allears.net/din/dining.htm

 

[Aliceacc]

How about the Coral Reef in Epcot? One wall is a huge aquarium-- it's beautiful without being too childish.

And, if you're so inclined, you can request personalized menus. You can email pictures and they'll take care of it for you-- your kids are bound to get a kick out of it!

 

[all4fun]

Just got back with our 10 and 14yr old nephews. They enjoyed the Sci Fi Dine In (Hollywood Studios). You sit in cars and watch old "B" movies while you dine. Quite fun.

We've done Coral Reef (Epcot) in the past and enjoyed it. Wonderful atmosphere (but it seemed noisier than some of the other restuarants for some reason).

Check out the menus at www.allearsnet.com and that should help you narrow down which places you want to visit. Definitely call disney dining and try to make a few reservations. We were there a couple of weeks ago in April and quite a few times I noticed a sign at the front of the park that said there were no more Table Svc restaurants that had availablility. Because of the popularity of the dining plan, this is not uncommon, so it can pay to plan ahead if possible.

hth!

 

[Rylee]

By counter service you mean.... like a concession stand or something like that?

Hi,

For Counter Service (CS) restaurants, think fast food style restaurants. There is a large variety of foods available, but the idea is the same... walk up to the counter, place your order, carry your tray to a table.

Table Service (TS) restaurants means being seated and having the waitstaff take orders and bring your food.

I saw some of your other post... how exciting this being your first trip!

Will you be visiting all 4 parks?

Planet Hollywood is located at Downtown Disney (DTD). If this is where you choose to eat, be sure to figure traveling time and visiting the DTD area into your touring plans.

I have 5 children, ages 26, 22, 17, 9 & 6. They love all things Disney, so they're easy to please... even for dining choices. Anyway, here are some of the places my children have enjoyed...

Si-Fi Dine-In @ Hollywood Studios (HS). One of the best themed restaurant at Disney... sit in cars at the Drive-in Movies. Food receives mixed reviews but the kids love it here.
Chef Mickey's @ Contemporary Resort - Character buffet. Easy to get to from Magic Kingdom, (MK) get to check out the resort and see the monorail drive through the building.
Coral Reef @ Epcot. One entire wall is an aquarium. The food here is good, but a little fancier than Chilli's.
50's Prime Time Cafe @ HS. Interactive waitstaff act as "one of the family" and might get "Mom" to come out and tell you to finish your veggies or help clear the table.
San Angel Inn @ Epcot - Mexican food. You'll dine in a twilight setting and at certain tables, you can watch the boats from the Rio Del Tiempo attraction go by.
O'Hana's and Kona Cafe - these 2 restaurants are both located @ the Polynesian Resort. Both have good food, O'Hana's is served family style.
Cape May Buffet @ Beach Club. While not really "themed" it is a beautiful boat ride from HS.
Yak and Yeti @ Animal Kingdom - Mostly Asian food, I think... we will be trying this restaurant for the first time in August.

Since you mentioned Rainforest Cafe, there is one at DTD and one at Animal Kingdom. The one is AK gets better reviews.

I could go on and on, but there's a few ideas. We have eaten at many other restaurants at WDW, so if you have any other questions, I may be able to help.

When you choose where you'd like to eat, you should call the dining number to make an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR"S).

*Remember, if you aren't buying "hopper tickets" be sure to schedule your meal in the park you will be visiting on that day, or at DTD or a resort restaurant near the park you will be visiting. Also, lunch is cheaper than dinner and a great way to take a break from the afternoon heat and crowds.

Have you made a list of "must-do-and-see" attractions for your family?

Any other questions... just ask.

Have a magical trip!

 

[BigMike10]

I have three boys, two that are older. Although they love to eat, the whole restaurant experience is not important to them at all. Think I'm hungry, lets eat!! The only real dinner we eat at Disney is at the Cape May Clambake Buffet at the Yacht and Beach Club resort by the Boardwalk. It is Buffet style, so hunger is satisfied quickly. They can eat as many clams, mussels, shrimp as they want. They can be eating desert while we are still eating our salad. Then, they can eat more clams. It is a restaurant that makes us all happy. After dinner (you will be extremely full), it is nice to walk around the Boardwalk or walk to Epcot for Illuminations. Oh, they also like the ESPN reataurant. If they finish before us, they can hit the arcade and there is always something to watch on the tvs. Other than that , they like Caseys Corner for hot dogs in MK.

 

[samiet620]

Hi and thanks for the imput...I'll have to get the kids to come sit read and then talk about your advices.
As for having hopper passes thats a big yessss!!! Six days of parks parks parks! On the seventh we rest, enjoy touring the hotels and the resort pool-CSR! Thats the plan anyway.We go 8/12-8/19.
The Coral Reef was a choice-until we looked up the menu-not us so we skipped it. Kids eat seafood just not enamored with it...I shouldn't say seafood, they really only like shrimp and fried at that.
Well, thank you!

 

[donac]

If you have on e day without a park then think about Trails' End. It is a buffet right next to Hoop De Do Review in Fort Wilderness. It is the best buffet for the price in DW. It is a great place for pickey eaters. Real basic food.

My two sons (almost 23 and 18) love Trails End, Sci Fi Cafe, 50's Prime Time, the Japanese place in Epcot. They also love any of the counter serve place.

They are looking forward to go this Aug. Yes it is a family vacation but they can't wait to go. We are meeting up with their cousins so they will be gone with them most of the day.

 

[moredisneyplease]

I agree with the SciFi dinner theather and the 50's Prime time cafe at Hollywood/MGM!! Coral Reef in Epcot is also great!

You should have THEM look at all of the dinning options and let them pick!!