Off Park restaurants

[Sunshein]

We are trying to plan a family vacation for March break 2011 and while my in-laws are staying onsite with us they only have two days of parks tickets. They don't really have much interest in touring the parks, but would rather lounge at the resort and maybe take in a round of golf.

My dilemma is that they want the whole family to meet for dinner each evening. This means that the majority of our dinners will have to be at off park restaurants and since they haven't gone for my idea of the deluxe dining plan I have to keep it single table service restaurants. There are so many park-side restaurants that I had wanted to try and now I am at a bit of a loss as to where to turn. Any suggestions?

 

[WDWBW09]

We are trying to plan a family vacation for March break 2011 and while my in-laws are staying onsite with us they only have two days of parks tickets. They don't really have much interest in touring the parks, but would rather lounge at the resort and maybe take in a round of golf.

My dilemma is that they want the whole family to meet for dinner each evening. This means that the majority of our dinners will have to be at off park restaurants and since they haven't gone for my idea of the deluxe dining plan I have to keep it single table service restaurants. There are so many park-side restaurants that I had wanted to try and now I am at a bit of a loss as to where to turn. Any suggestions?

Wow let me say I feel bad for you. They really don't know what their missing. How about DTD their are a lot of great places to eat all in one spot. Planet, Rainforest, T-Rex...We really like Puck's express. Food is fresh and really good.

Do the Flying Fish at BWI or the Cali Grill at the Contemporary. They're both signatures but great food and in-laws will like them too. Cali Grill and Flying Fish are $$$$ but well worth it. Fireworks at the Cali Grill overlooking the MK are fantastic!

It's nice to stoll the Boardwalk and DTD at night...

Off site I've had dinner at Landry's you can't go wrong there. Being that it's a resort area you'll find great places to eat off site if you must.

Goodluck with your planning!

 

[Silver Queen]

Actually, we think that the resort restaurants offer better quality than most of those in the parks (with the exception of Epcot). I agree with the poster who recommended Flying Fish,, it's one of our favorites. We also like Boma, Jiko, Sanaa, the Turf Club at SSR, the Grand Floridian Cafe, Citricos, Narcoosees, Kona, Kouzzinza, and this January we are trying Il Mulino for the first time. We're also going down in March and hope to try Blue Zoo then.
You didn't mention where you will be staying so I couldn't factor in the convenience factor. We prefer to go to DTD for lunch because it gets quite crowded at dinner and except for the Portobello Yacht Club we haven't been impressed with the restaurants there. Hope that all of you have a good time!

 

[winterman]

There are many very nice 1TS restaurants close to the parks - The Wave, Kona, GFC are a short walk or boat ride away from MK. Others at the EPCOT area resorts. But, I really think that your wife needs to have a talk with her parents. This is a FAMILY vacation, it shouldn't all be about the in-laws. If there are in park places that you want to eat, you should. Of course, if the in-laws are paying for everything, that probably means you're stuck doing it their way.

Whatever happens, don't let it dampen your fun. You can still have a great time and great food.

 

[mickeymotto]

I would seroiusly consider the recommendations of the pp to encourage you to select some of the resort restaurants or DTD. It will make it more convienient for EVERYONE. And after all, the trip is for EVERYONE, right?

With that being said, I also agree that some of the resort dining options are way better that the in park offerings. This way you can still participate in the dining plan.

My suggestions to consider would be:

Ragland Road
California Grill
Flying Fish
Jiko
Kona
Narcoossee's

If you decide not to do the dining plan that I would consider some of the locations that offer discounts from Restaurant.com You will save almost half off your bill in some locations. I believe most of Swan & Dolphin restaurants are participating and some of the DTD places too, like House of Blues. Anyway, they would also be pretty central locations to meet up with everyone as well.

Good luck planning and let us know how you work it out.

 

[Sunshein]

My in-laws are paying for the trip so we are kind of limited to their decisions, however they have basically given me carte blanche to book whatever we want for the whole family. Thanks for the great suggestions! So far I have booked:

Kona Cafe
Ohanas
The Wave
Whispering Canyon Cafe
The Flying Fish Cafe
Shutters

Any thoughts?

 

[TheTurners]

I would tell your in-laws to go jump in Bay Lake!

 

[itchin2go]

My in-laws are paying for the trip so we are kind of limited to their decisions, however they have basically given me carte blanche to book whatever we want for the whole family. Thanks for the great suggestions! So far I have booked:

Kona Cafe
Ohanas
The Wave
Whispering Canyon Cafe
The Flying Fish Cafe
Shutters

Any thoughts?

Flying Fish is excellent, but it is 2TS credits on the DDP. You can still do it, but you will need to budget your TS credits accordingly. You could balance it out by doing CS one night - maybe Wolfgang Puck Express? It's kind of a TS/CS hybrid, but it counts as CS. You order your food at the counter, but then it's brought to your table. IMO - FF is worth juggling your credits around. It's amazing.

I think booking DTD area restaurants is an excellent idea. There's lots of variety there.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would tell your in-laws to go jump in Bay Lake!

And then they would probably point out that they are paying and just decided to leave you at home!

 

[catne]

My in-laws are paying for the trip so we are kind of limited to their decisions, however they have basically given me carte blanche to book whatever we want for the whole family. Thanks for the great suggestions! So far I have booked:

Kona Cafe
Ohanas
The Wave
Whispering Canyon Cafe
The Flying Fish Cafe
Shutters

Any thoughts?

My first thought is where are you staying? And if you're setting up your reservations based on which park YOU are going to be in that day (since parents are not going to be at the parks every day, but I assume you are?) Second question is, do you have your own transportation? If not, you will definitely want to make sure your meals match up with your park choices or easy access from your hotel. So if you're staying at monorail resort and/or going to Magic Kingdom 4 days then Kona, 'Ohana, The Wave and Whispering Canyon(that's a boat ride of course) will be convenient IF you're at MK or a monorail resort (or Wilderness Lodge) Flying Fish is kind of a pain to get to if you're NOT at Epcot that day...bus service will take you to front entrance of Epcot, but you'd have to have a park ticket to walk through Epcot to the Epcot resort area. Otherwise, you'd have to bus to one of the other parks & then catch the Boardwalk bus from that park. LONG trip...and as others have pointed out, Flying Fish is 2 TS per person and you mentioned you were wanting 1 TS places. If you're set on going to a Boardwalk area restaurant, try Captain's Grill or Cape May Cafe --both 1 TS.

Shutters I'd cancel entirely unless you're staying at CBR--way too much travel time for a not-spectacular restaurant.

 

[CommandoDawg]

None of the restaurants you have posted are in a park. With the two park days, you might consider trying in park restaurants on those dates. Boma is great is you need another restaurant that is not in a park.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

With the exception of Epcot, we have never been impressed with the table service restaurants in the parks.
Here's some favorites:
-Kona & Ohana at the Poly - both have great food. Kona has better food, Ohana has better atmosphere.
-Boma at the AKL - great food, best buffet on property. And the AKL is gorgeous and needs to be visited to fully appreciate how awesome it really is.
-Whispering Canyon at the WL - it's loud, busy, and boisterous. The food is good, but if you are wanting to have a good time, try this one. Lots of interaction and tomfoolery.
-the Boardwalk - it's just fun to walk around plus there are several things to choose from. We LOVE Kouzzina, but it's not for everyone. Lots of options there.
-DTD - For counter service, we love Earl of Sandwich and WPE. I haven't had a table service there, but like the Boardwalk, a lot to choose from.




Good luck with your planning and have a great trip!!!