Okay, my turn!

[bicker]

I've seen lots of these threads, and thought it would be fun to be on the other side of the thread this time....

The requisite background info: It's my wife and I (42 and 52), my brother and his wife (35 and 35), six year old Benjamin, and one year old Mikkel. Mikkel wears a size 3T, so that gives you a little more insight into our little darling. The trip is my treat; my brother's going to cover his family's transportation and admission; I'll be covering my family's transportation and admission, the hotel (a 2 BR villa at VWL), and everyone's meals. I'm doing that because my brother's finances are a little tight, and I'm unwilling to do counter service, but by the same token, I don't want them feeling TOO uncomfortable about the financial picture (so that's why we're not doing Citricos, Flying Fish, Blue Zoo, and some of our other pricey favorites).

Saturday dinner - Whispering Canyon Cafe
Sunday lunch - CRT
Sunday dinner - Artist Point
Monday lunch - Sci-Fi (Prime Time is closed)
Monday dinner - Brown Derby
Tuesday lunch - Tusker House (I hate Rainforest Cafe)
Tuesday dinner - Boma
Wednesday lunch - Sunshine Seasons
Wednesday dinner - Chefs de France
Thursday lunch - ?
Thursday dinner - Liberty Tree Tavern

What do folks think? Suggestions for substitutions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LiteBrite]

I think your lineup looks good, assuming that you're used to eating table service twice a day anyway. (Whether the kids are up for two sit-down meals every day is another question, but you know them, so I'm assuming you've thought that through.)

If you're going to be at the MK on Thursday at lunch time, how about the Plaza? I haven't been there, but I've heard good things about it. My favorite MK lunch is at the LTT, but since you'll be there for dinner that night, I guess that's out. Another idea would be lunch at the CP, which I'm sure would be a hit with the kids.

Tusker House is a good CS choice for a non-CS type person. I think you'll like it.

 

[bicker]

Benjamin is a real gentleman, so I think two TS per day will be fine. If Mikkel needs a break, we've got the kids outnumbered 4-to-2, so there will always be an adult to take her back to the hotel, at a moment's notice.

(I didn't mention before: We're doing all breakfast in the villa.)

The Plaza -- what can you tell me about this place? It holds the distinction of being the only restaurant in the MK that I not only haven't eaten at, but I don't think I've ever actually walked into. Is it more like Peco Bills in Frontierland, or like the ABC Commissary in D-MGM, or is it true TS?

--
Edited to add: I just read the Overview of the Plaza Restaurant on Disney's Web Site. Yeah, I must have walked passed this place 200 times and not noticed it. They put it in the same category as Tony's and LTT, so that would make it more like true TS than either Pecos Bills or the ABC Commissary. Very interesting. Do I need ADRs for this place?

 

[LiteBrite]

Yes, it's real TS, just with a more "casual" menu. I know you *can* make ADRs here, so you might as well (if you decide to give it a try). You might or might not need them - better safe than sorry.

 

[gigi1313]

personally, if i were doing two TS' a day, i would make one of them breakfast (maybe at a later seating , like brunch time) and the other dinner... that's a lot of food so close together (assuming you're not doing 9pm dinners w/kids that young?)... will you be on the dining plan?

 

[bicker]

No no dining plan. (We're DVC members.) The "loads of food" issue is a good point, though I wonder if we wouldn't, as a consequence, end up doing a lot of appetizers-instead-of-entrees. A good point though, and one I'll definitely bring up to my wife in a few minutes.

However, there are some givens: We will do breakfast in the room every day, no matter what. Also, I don't want to cook either lunch or dinner, no matter what.

So, given that, what is the practical alternative to two TS meals per day that doesn't include "crap"?

Looking a little closer, we actually only have two TS meals set up for Sunday and Monday. (Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday we have lunch at CS, and Thursday we're still deciding about...) I really love Artist Point, so I think I'll be okay with 2 TS that day )) so that leaves considering an alternative to Sci-Fi. What can we do at D-MGM for lunch that is both light and comparably healthful?

 

[dcgrumpy]

The new menu at Studio Catering Company looks good http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_scc.htm

 

[bicker]

And the DIS members come through, BIG TIME, in less than four minutes. Thanks, dcgrumpy. That looks like an incredible option.

 

[Kaycee]

For lunch on Thursday, if you want to do a CS, I highly recommend Columbia Harbour House. We think the food there is a definite step above other counter service, and better than a couple of TS restaurants. I personally really like the vegetarian chili and the lighthouse sandwich (broccoli slaw and hummus). DH really like the anchors aweigh (delicious tuna) and the clam chowder.

If you want to do TS for lunch that day, I really like the Plaza. The food is really good, better than most CS, but lighter than typical TS so you won't be overly full for your dinner at LTT. The atmosphere at the Plaza is great for lunch too - it's light and airy, with a casual feel. Perfect for a lunch break.

 

[gigi1313]

on thursday, how 'bout considering a late breakfast/brunch at crystal palace? the little ones would really enjoy pooh (most likely) and the meal is outstanding... gotta try the breakfast lasagne!

 

[bicker]

My initial instinct for lunch on Thursday was to grab something at the pool at the WL during a midday break from the park. The Plaza looks very intriguing as a back-up plan.

 

[LiteBrite]

bicker, I've been thinking about this, and no matter how well-behaved your neice and nephew are, two sit down meals a day is asking a lot of kids that young. Not to say it necessarily won't turn out well, but you might want to consider a back up plan if it starts to wear thin after a day or two.

Here are some CS places that I think are a step above "crap" -
In the MK, I'll second Columbia Harbor House. Try the Starboard Deck or Lighthouse sandwiches. I also enjoyed the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station last month - reallly enjoyed the Shrimp Pad Thai and the Ginger Creme Brulee. Pinocchio Village Haus also has an intriguing new menu, but I haven't tried it myself.

At the Studios, your only acceptable CS choice is the Studio Catering Company. We loved the Steak Gyro Wraps and Vanilla Panna Cotta.

At Epcot, you've already chosen Sunshine Seasons, which is a good idea, as is the Yakitori House in Japan, or Tangeriene Cafe in Morocco.

Finally, AK has 3 fairly good option for CS - Tusker House (which, again, you're already planning on); Flame Tree, and Pizzafari (try the Italian Deli Sandwich instead of pizza).

Again, these are just some suggestions to have "on-deck" in case the little ones have a hard time with the 2 sit down meals a day.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I would be remiss if I did not say that I was not impressed with the Plaza, actually, I thought the food was less than mediocre and the service terrible.. everyone sits on top of each other, I would never go back. I know people rave about it, but we were very disappointed.

One more thought here, will you be in MK that whole day as I see you have the Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. I am not sure if you will be at Epcot in the morning, how about some of the take out places that go along with the countries.

 

[Belle5]

Bicker,

You have always been a wealth of information on these boards. It is weird to see you on the other side of the questions!

I agree with two TS a day getting tough for the little ones. I would have some good CS back ups.

The Trail's End at FW (lunch or dinner) would offer such a great breather for those little ones. You would enjoy better than counter service offerings. The kids would get the animals to look at near the restaurant or a few minutes of playground time, maybe a boat ride and because there should be little or no wait time to get seated (and you can serve yourself right away) not an unbearable wait for little ones. Oh, yeah...the price is great!

Sorry for the run-on sentence--I am in a hurry! That is so neat how you're treating your brother's family! I wish I could have my brother back to do the same thing. Instead, we're taking his kids and wife in January...

 

[jjohnson]

Have you considered having lunch on Thursday at one of the monorail resorts? I bet the kids would love to go for a ride.

 

[luvsTink]

I must put a plug in for Beaches and Cream

 

[TwingleMum]

As the Mother of 3 small boys (5,2,2) I would suggest you consider only the 1 TS meal a day. CS is great because you can get the food and go much quicker. My boys love Chef Mickeys. Lots of characters and action (napkin twirling, monorail watching is a huge favorite) also buffets allow the parents to get food ASAP for kids and My DH is a low carb fan so he can have his fill of protein while I can get the kids food. The boys also will try new things they see on a buffet they normally wouldn't try (broccoli believe it or not , who knew). What a nice brother .

 

[bicker]

Yeah, I'm pretty much convinced that we're going to do the 2 TS thing only one day during our trip, at this point. I'll keep the Plaza in reserve, though, in case things work out differently.

 

[erikthewise]

bicker,

I think your lineup looks great -- in fact it looks a lot like ours, only a little more compressed. Have we been reading the same reviews?!

A few comments:

-- You don't say when you're going. If it's before Feb 1, be glad you're doing CRT under the old pricing scheme. If after Feb 1, drop CRT like a hot eel.

-- There are a number of worthwhile table service spots, unless you are an insufferable snob when it comes to dining, which I doubt. You've beaten me to the punch by already listing a couple. Tusker House, Columbia Harbour House, Sunshine Seasons, Backlot Express, Tangierine Cafe are ones that I and/or a whole bunch of other people recommend. Also Beaches & Cream, though actually table service, delightfully fills the role of a good counter service spot.

-- Plaza Restaurant is a pleasant, somewhat overpriced sandwich spot and would be a good choice for Thurs lunch. It's somewhat similar to Beaches & Cream actually but not quite as good or as popular. Another good possibility though more time consuming is to take the monorail to Polynesian and have lunch at Kona Cafe.

-- Don't apologize for choosing Sci Fi. It's fun and the one place our boys insist on whenever we go. The burgers are good and everyone says you take your life in your hands if you order anything else, but we wouldn't know because we never have. DW has had the $14(!@#$) chicken breast sandwich and it's OK too.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I think you have some good TS that the kids will like. When my kids were 4 and 1 they loved Sci Fi. They have also always done very well at Boma. We've done two TS restaurants a couple of days and they have been fine. I think it kind of relaxes my kids and gets them reenergized.

I will agree that Columbia Harbor House is a step above most CS restaurants. If you decide to do a monorail restaurant, I think Chef Mickey's food is just passable. That said, my kids love it. It is also very loud so not really a break from the park. But, it is nice to get Mickey and friends' autographs and not have to stand in line at the parks for them. You might also consider going to Kona at the Polynesian. I've never eaten there myself, but it always gets great reviews.

Have fun!