Non-buffet favorites for families with 10-14 year olds?

[ewasilau]

Hi all -

We are just now planning a May 9-14 trip, so missed the 180 day ADR window. Add to that the complication of having a 10 year old who is definitely NOT going to eat his money's worth at any buffet, and we are not sure what to book. We haven't been to WDW in 5 years, and back then we had three Disney children (a 9, 7 and 5 year old) and now we have three Disney adults (ages 14, 12, and 10)!

So, while we plan to have the vacation be a fun treat for all, we do want to make smart (not bank breaking) choices, and we don't think the DDP will be worth it for us. We have loved a lot of the buffets - both character and non-character - in the past, but we think we will do just 2 this time (one character, likely Cape May as we are staying at Yacht Club) and 'Ohana, if we can get it (currently have a 9:30 pm - a little too late.... will keep checking).

Any recommendations of table service places with really good food or atmosphere - or, ideally, both? Not signature (unless really really worth it) and not buffets (too expensive for the amount the two younger kids will eat - think we can order more smartly off the menu). Older two kids, and DH and myself, are adventurous eaters.

Thanks!!

 

[acarsme123]

My son is not an adventurous eater, so I can't make a recommendation based on that. But based on all the places we ate two years ago, I would say T-rex and Rainforest Cafe were his favorites restaurants. He was 7 at the time. T-rex food was much better in my opinion than Rainforest.

We are going in a few weeks, and are trying some new restaurants. Yak and Yeti is one I am looking forward to the most. This might be something you're looking for. I'll report back after our trip on what I thought about all of our restaurants.

Also on Ohana, you may want to try using Touring Plan's reservation finder. We couldn't even score Ohana except 9:30pm reservations. So we didn't even bother reserving something that late. But we signed up for the reservation finder alerts, and got a notification that a 5pm reservation became available. We just happened to be looking at our phones when the alert came in, so I was able to jump on it immediately and score it.

 

[3gr8boys]

My 15 year old is looking forward to Liberty Tree Tavern- lunch is an a la carte menu instead of AYCTE.

Skipper Canteen will be new for us on our upcoming trip- looking forward to the atmosphere and trying some of the food. You will find several Skipper Canteen review threads on the Dis.

 

[VAfamily1998]

We have kids 11-17 right now. On our trips over the last several years they have really enjoyed Raglan Road and Sci Fi for non buffet/AYCTE.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are willing to make the trek to WL, my DS10 LOVES WCC. IMHO, breakfast is best (for food quality), but lunch and dinner are good, too.

I would consider Sci-Fi. Food isn't great, but the atmosphere is amazing. Arguably the best themed restaurant in WDW.

In DHS, also consider 50's Prime Time which is fun.

In EP, we love Spice Road Table. No antics or characters, just great atmosphere, terrific food and wonderful staff. If you want something with more of a theme, consider Coral Reef or San Angel (again, food not great, but lovely atmosphere)

In MK, we love Skipper Canteen.

In AK, Yak & Yeti is very good and the atmosphere is pretty cool. If you get a Landry's Select Card you will get priority seating whenever you show up, so you don't need an ADR (this will work at Rainforest and TRex as well).

My DS10 also loves just going to Nomad Lounge in AK and having "mocktails" (which are delicious) and apps. You can order off of the Tiffins menu in there as well.

If you like sushi, I would recommend going to Kimono's at the Swan one night. If your kids like sports, my DS10 loves going to ESPN Club on the Boardwalk. Food is typical American fare, but it's a fun to watch all the games.

 

[Roxyfire]

We do mostly a mix of QS and TS and enjoy comfort food so this may not fit the bill for adventurous:
50's Prime Time
Yak and Yeti
Via Napoli
Sci-FI Drive in (although the burgers were good, my son thought his portion was actually too small)
Rose and Crown looks like it would be a good contender (we're trying it next time)
Kona Cafe has "standard" kid's food but an interesting adult menu as well.
GF Cafe, same point as above

 

[KenHutch]

You should check out the menus at AllEars.net and youtube the restaurants but we like

Magic Kingdom Skippers Canteen
Epcot Rose & Crown (we do as close to Illuminations as possible)
Hollywood Sci Fi ( I force this one on my girls)
Animal K Yak and Yeti

Outside of the parks there is Whispering Canyon my perhaps the best restaurant in WDW Jiko's.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

DD15 loves Sanaa, seriously - her 2nd favorite restaurant at WDW. She just eats the bread service (we share), and dessert. Her absolute favorite is Via Napoli. She also likes 50's PTC. She's a very picky eater, and at some places all she orders is fries. We went on a cruise last summer, and all she ordered for dinner was a baked potato. Sometimes with a salad, but always just a baked potato for dinner. The servers started calling her Potato Girl. On our last morning at breakfast they told her "No, you cannot have a baked potato".

 

[GillianP1301]

Sci-Fi has amazing atmosphere and good selection for a pickier eater or for a lighter eater, there are some appetizer choices that could make a good meal. I personally love the buffalo chicken appetizer.

Via Napoli is a good choice for meal sharing because you can get a family size pizza for everyone.

Skipper's Canteen at MK is great for the more adventurous eaters and again have some nice apps that could be good for your lighter eater. We loved our meal there, food, service and atmosphere were all great.

T-Rex or Rainforest cafe are fun environments and lots of opportunity for meal sharing there for saving $ because the portions are pretty huge.

In general, I would suggest checking menus for appetizers because there are a lot of great options that sub well for a full meal and would satisfy your light eater.

 

[Eastern]

'Ohana, if we can get it (currently have a 9:30 pm - a little too late.... will keep checking).

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/reservation-finder

'Ohana is my three sons' favorite ADR. They also like to 'eat around the world' at World Showcase CS.

For CS they like Pecos Bill (MK) Sunshine Seasons (EP) and Flame Tree BBQ (AK).

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

We went to Prime Time Cafe last year for the first time and the kids loved it. Our waiter was so funny. We split 2 fried chicken dinners and a salad among the 4 of us and it was plenty of food at a price not much more than a quick service would have been.

 

[gharter]

MK - Skipper Canteen is fun and they have food for the non adventurous as well. LTT was good comfort food. Pecos Bill was also good.
HS - Sci-Fi was lots of fun. Good burgers and milkshakes.
EPCOT - so many good TS and QS meals, you should be able to find something for everyone. Via Napoli is a good option. The pizza is good, nothing special, but much better than pizza elsewhere in WDW.
AK - love Satu'li Canteen. May not be your picky eaters favorite. Flametree is another good option. Also Yak and Yeti.

Best answer is to look online at the menus to see what he will eat. Many restaurants may have safer choices even if they cater to the more adventurous ones.

 

[bbak30]

We are fans of Rainforest Cafe and Sci-Fi. We are traveling with some friends later this year and my DD is insisting on taking them to Sci-Fi. Food is decent and it has a neat atmosphere.

 

[crabbygal902]

Here's my boys' pre-teen/teen favorites:

Sci-Fi Dine-In - the burgers/fries/shakes are what this place does best, which is what my boys like while watching B movie clips in cars.

Tokyo Dining - my boys love Japanese culture and watch anime. The thoroughly enjoyed the food and meeting the people who work here. They also like Teppan Edo and the CS location in Japan. The Japanese pavilion is their favorite, they would spend all their money in Mitsukoshi if I'd let them!

Tangierine Cafe - Shawarma, so delicious. Hummus. Pita Bread. Mmmm. Enormous portions. We adore it.

Les Halles - This is our favorite breakfast and snack location. On our last family trip, I put a couple desserts in front of my arguing, hangry kids and poof! Smiles and good moods all around. See pic below...

 

[jacknsally19]

Hi all -

We are just now planning a May 9-14 trip, so missed the 180 day ADR window. Add to that the complication of having a 10 year old who is definitely NOT going to eat his money's worth at any buffet, and we are not sure what to book. We haven't been to WDW in 5 years, and back then we had three Disney children (a 9, 7 and 5 year old) and now we have three Disney adults (ages 14, 12, and 10)!

So, while we plan to have the vacation be a fun treat for all, we do want to make smart (not bank breaking) choices, and we don't think the DDP will be worth it for us. We have loved a lot of the buffets - both character and non-character - in the past, but we think we will do just 2 this time (one character, likely Cape May as we are staying at Yacht Club) and 'Ohana, if we can get it (currently have a 9:30 pm - a little too late.... will keep checking).

Any recommendations of table service places with really good food or atmosphere - or, ideally, both? Not signature (unless really really worth it) and not buffets (too expensive for the amount the two younger kids will eat - think we can order more smartly off the menu). Older two kids, and DH and myself, are adventurous eaters.

Thanks!!

Staying at Yacht Club - you should definitely do Beaches and Cream. Definitely not pricey.... and very fun. We've also really enjoyed eating at Trattoria al Forno for dinner at the Boardwalk.

Another place that we like and you need to be slightly adventurous is Restaurant Marrakesh. IMHO Moroccan food is pretty good - slightly exotic but a lot of flavors you are used too - plus they have live music and belly dancer during the dinner hour.

 

[Amanda999]

My tween boys love sci fi cafe.

 

[NYCgrrl]

My 12.5 y/o DGD and 8 or 9 y/o grand nephew have the following as table service favorites:

the Boathouse
O'Hana's dinner meal served as room service (they've never been to the actual restaurant)
Flying Fish for DGD; we ate there twice over the December holidays (grand-nephew wasn't there for this trip)
Via Napoli. She likes the meatballs and spaghetti and both love the pizza. Had no problem splitting a salad either.
We all loved Tokyo Dining and can see the possibilities of Teppan Edo.

 

[tabrizia]

T-Rex
Sanaa
Raglan Road

 

[Mainemama]

We love Grand Floridian Cafe. It is peaceful, great food and service, and reasonable. There is a range of food options that has pleased our picky and foodie kids. It makes a great lunch break from MK! Sanaa, Rose and Crown, Tokyo Dining, the Wave, House of Blues, and Beaches and Cream would also top my list as you describe your needs.

 

[absolutmey]

My DS10 loves Sci-Fi, Rainforest Cafe (at AK) and O'hana.