Non-Park Restaurant Recommendations

[ryetrga]

I have a family of five- two adults and three children. We are staying at SSR and AKV for nine nights in June and are buying the DDP basic plan. We are not sure at this point whether or not we are going to buy park tickets this year as my children really want to hang out at the pools and water parks and not necessarily walk around the parks. Therefore, we are looking for recommendations for good TS restaurants that do not require park admission. Most of hte recommendations I have seen require 2 TS, and in order to stretch our DDP to include a sit-down meal every night we need to have options that are only 1 TS. Please help!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I can't help you much with how many credits per place, but I can tell you some of the non-park restaurants that we've enjoyed.

YSH is really quite nice. We've always had excellent food there and good service. Ricardo, a server there will provide you with incredible service.

Cape May Cafe is a great buffet for a group with widely divergent tastes. There truly is something for everyone. The Cape May Character Breakfast Buffet is really nice too. :yes: Lots of character interaction and a very nice selection on the buffet.

We hated the Yacht Club Galley, by the way.

Spoodle's is ok. It's gone downhill like a stone since it's stellar beginnings but it's still ok.

Boma, of course seems to be a favorite, although we prefer Jiko.

We don't much care for Chef Mickey's but did enjoy 1900 Park Fare.

We did NOT like Narcoosee's food and dreadful service!

Beaches and Cream is loads of fun, and is one table service credit (I overheard that when there once). Great place for burgers and ice cream.

Oh, last I knew Raglan Road took DDP. Nice place if you choose the right menu item. Do NOT choose fish and chips from there. Get those from Cooke's of Dublin. Hotter and fresher.

The Turf Room is one of the best kept secrets on property.

We're the odd two who have had three very decent dinners at Boatwright's.

We didn't care for the Wave at all... California Grill is nice, but I think that's 2 credits?

WL has Artist Point and that is one of our favorite places. Whispering Canyon is also there. We don't much care for it, but loads of folks do.

We've been really disappointed with Kona Cafe and 'Ohana this year, but others seem to be happy with those restaurants.

Olivia's at OKW is decent enough for a non-fancy meal. If you are looking for a quiet place to have dinner or lunch you may want to try there.

We didn't care for breakfast at the full service restaurant in CSR (the name escapes me right now).

That's all I can remember right now. I'm not a fan of the DDP, having only used it for one visit and had the absolute worst experience with it, so I'm not the best to advise you.

We do (well, before the advent of DDP and subsequent fall in service and food quality) or rather we did like to dine with Disney quite often.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I don't have too much experience with TS at resorts because probably the last time I ate at one was when I was a child. However, I walked past Cape May the other night, and OMG it smelled amazing.

 

[Hootch]

as is Kona in the Poly. Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge is possibly the best one table service resort locations. It's a buffet if that is an issue. (It's one of the benefits because there are a lot of flavors to sample. Raglan Road in DTD would also work for you. (It' not currently listed on the DDP for next year but will probably be added) Olivia's in Key West. Beaches and Cream for a simple but good meal. Warning no ADRs there.

 

[BCV23]

Ragland Road and Wolfgang Puck Cafe are both one credit restaurants located in DTD (so convenient to SSR) and we've enjoyed the food at both very much. Both get crazy loud as the night goes on if that matters to you.

As said, the Turf Club at SSR is very good. We enjoyed it much more this Fall than the year during our stay there in 2007.

Olivia's is just a boat ride away at OKW although we've not dined there in several years.

Boma at AKL has a very nice buffet that is one credit. The new restaurant in Kidani Village should be open by the time of your visit and sounds interesting.

If you're willing to drive or use WDW transportation to other resorts, we've enjoyed meals at Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe, and The Wave in the monorail resorts. However, it might be very hard to be on the monorail or boats and not go to the MK.

We've enjoyed meals at Spoodles and Captain's Grill in the Epcot area.

All of the restaurants I've mentioned are one credit on the DDP.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

We love to eat at the resorts. Some of my favorites are 'Ohana and Chef Mickeys. We also do California Grill, but that is 2 TS.

I liked Boma fine, and my sister went to Jiko this past September and loved it. If you're doing the regular DDP, you'll find good places like Captain's Grille (which my DH tried this year with my dad and LOVED) and Shutters at CBR. There are lots of fun places to try! We like Kona and Spoodles too.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Since you are stayin at AKV you should try either Boma or Jiko.

 

[Hopefully]

Are you a DVC owner? Otherwise you will need to purchase at least a one day Park ticket for each member of your party in order to purchase the DDP.
We have enjoyed the Kona Cafe and 'OHana at the Poly, the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club, we used to love the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary and have not yet tried the Wave. We have also enjoyed the ESPN Club and the Big River Grille at the Boardwalk.
Have a Great Trip