Non-park lunch

[MusicalAstronaut]

Where would you eat lunch before heading into MK for MNSSHP? We want a big/late lunch to help us get through the park on snacks alone. I'm checking Beaches & Cream every day haha, but in case the refresh strategy fails me, where would you eat if you were NOT going into a park that day? DH doesn't have an annual pass like me, sadly. We are staying at YC but don't mind traveling around Disney property!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm staying at BWV and doing MVMCP. Our plan is to grab a QS in the area. If we feel up to it we will make a same day ADR but I don't think that's going to happen because we want some pool time before the party.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

I'm staying at BWV and doing MVMCP. Our plan is to grab a QS in the area. If we feel up to it we will make a same day ADR but I don't think that's going to happen because we want some pool time before the party.

I've never eaten anywhere on the Boardwalk (crazy, I know!). Any suggestions?

 

[VAfamily1998]

Well, we are doing MVMCP in December, so similar.

We are going on a Sunday, so we are doing a brunch at Raglan Road at Disney Springs. Our brunch time is at noon, so we figure between the food and entertainment, we will kill some time there, then shop around Disney Springs, then head over to MK for the party at 4.

If we were going on a weekday, where brunch was not an option, I would probably consider a later breakfast at Boma (AKL) or a lunch at Sanaa (also AKL) to check out the animals.

If neither of those was an option, I'd probably choose another nice lunch at Disney Springs.

 

[Hettie]

Sanaa would be my first pick because it is so delicious and filling, particularly with the bread service, which is a must. The savannah views and animals are an added bonus. Walking around the lodge is such a fun experience on its own, I think it's perfect for a non-park morning/midday.

 

[Farro]

We ate lunch at 1:45 at Whispering Canyon - kept us stuffed until we went to party and snacked all night.

I would also recommend the Wave either for a late lunch or early dinner. If you eat a little before 2, you can make it last until 3, walk over to MK and be right on time to get in at 4! (assuming they still let party people in at 4?)

 

[jillt2ph]

I know you probably don't want to waste any party time eating, but we had a 3:30 ADR at The Plaza last year on our party night and really enjoyed watching everyone coming through the back walkway in their costumes as we were eating. We were seated in the far glassed in section right near the walkway exit where they were handing out that prepacked bag of candy.

 

[jillt2ph]

Now that I got my park suggestion out of the way, what about Contempo Cafe for a non-park suggestion? I think it is one of the best quick service places on property. Then you could just walk over to MK when you are done.

 

[Axel]

I've never left the Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona Cafe with anything less than a full stomach, and both are on the monorail loop for MK, making them a super convenient pre-party stop.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I've never eaten anywhere on the Boardwalk (crazy, I know!). Any suggestions?

Right now I'm looking at Boardwalk Bakery or the pizza window since it's been updated with a new chef. We could also hop over to the Swan and Dolphin and grab something from one of their places. We will just see how we feel that day. We don't want to make an ADR.

 

[v.t.]

We ate lunch at 1:45 at Whispering Canyon - kept us stuffed until we went to party and snacked all night.

We enjoyed Whispering Canyon at 4:00 and the kids stayed full, well maybe a few cookies. But since you don't want reservations you could try Trail's End. I don't think reservations are always a necessity. Plus, the boat ride is always a nice break.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Why not try Ale & Compass right at YC? We had breakfast there in March and it was delicious! If you aren't on the dining plan, you could also walk over to the Fountain at the Dolphin.

Or, take the bus over to MK and eat at one of the monorail resorts (or WL or Ft. W) before heading to the party. The Wave would be super convenient, but any of the 1 TS restaurants in the area would be doable. The skillet at WCC would certainly fill you up before the party!

 

[Pumbaa_]

The fountain at the dolphin. Similar menu to b&c but better

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

I've gone to the Grand Floridian Cafe before MVMCP and just snacked throughout the party. I think Homecomin' might be a great option at Disney Springs--really yummy and filling.

 

[dkmulder]

If you don’t want to make an ADR, I’d suggest the quick service options at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian. They have the bonus of being on the monorail line for easy access, and the offerings are super yummy, not your usual fair (pulled pork nachos, fish tacos, sushi, Chinese).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

The fountain at the dolphin. Similar menu to b&c but better

This is one of the places on my radar. I’ve heard a lot of good things about them.

Do you need an ADR?

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

I've never left the Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona Cafe with anything less than a full stomach, and both are on the monorail loop for MK, making them a super convenient pre-party stop.

I haven't tried the GF cafe yet! They are closed from 2-5 but it says I can make an ADR for 1:55....is that sort of pushing it if we want to eat & hang out for a while?

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Why not try Ale & Compass right at YC? We had breakfast there in March and it was delicious! If you aren't on the dining plan, you could also walk over to the Fountain at the Dolphin.

Or, take the bus over to MK and eat at one of the monorail resorts (or WL or Ft. W) before heading to the party. The Wave would be super convenient, but any of the 1 TS restaurants in the area would be doable. The skillet at WCC would certainly fill you up before the party!

We were going to do breakfast at Ale & Compass on our last day! What did you like about it?

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

We ate lunch at 1:45 at Whispering Canyon - kept us stuffed until we went to party and snacked all night.

I would also recommend the Wave either for a late lunch or early dinner. If you eat a little before 2, you can make it last until 3, walk over to MK and be right on time to get in at 4! (assuming they still let party people in at 4?)

The Wave is another one that stops lunch (at least stops accepting ADRs) at 2 and starts dinner at 5. Is it ok to make an ADR for almost 2 & hang out there for a while? That would be perfect!

 

[AndreaDM]

We are doing the same thing next month, no park ticket on our party day. Staying at AS Sports so want something nicer than the food court lunch, so heading over to the Poly to have a late lunch at Kona and wander around before the party. Haven't stepped foot in the Poly in 11 years! My next choice would be AKL, but since we are relying on Disney transportation, getting there is an added step.