One day only outside the parks. Where would you eat?

[nkereina]

We will be visiting my snowbird parents in Tampa in February. Their condo is one hour from Disney Springs, so we've convinced them to spend a day there. It will be their first visit to WDW property since the late 90s, so I'd like to see and do as much as possible with them, without entering the parks.

I'll be making a dining ADR for our dinner that night, but am looking for suggestions on where we should go. Homecomin' was my initial thought, but then I thought maybe the Boardwalk/Epcot resort area or a monorail resort would be better to see more. We will likely stop at a place or two for a drink as well. I'd prefer no buffet, and something more substantial than burgers and fries.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would do the Boardwalk area. Then you can watch the magicians on the boardwalk. Hop on the boat and take a ride. Watch the fireworks. I think someone in their 90's would like this over going the a crowded shopping mecca. Or splurge and go to Spirit of Aloha dinner show

 

[Disnsyncey]

I would go Jiko and explore the hotel, but that's about all you have, not much chance for visiting other resorts.....

if you do boardwalk, I would try Yachtsman?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Drag them to Hoop Dee Doo!

 

[VAfamily1998]

If you decide on Disney Springs, consider a visit at Raglan Road--either for dinner itself or for a few drinks afterwards. Go when the dancers are doing their show.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I'd dine at Ohana for supper. It's so good.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would either pick something in the Boardwalk area (we like Trattoria al Forno, bluezoo and Kimono's) and then spend the evening walking around. bluezoo and AbracadaBAR are fun lounges to visit as well.

OR

Go to the Poly and go to Trader Sam's for drinks (it's SO fun!) and then have dinner either at O'hana or take the monorail over to CR and eat at Cali Grill to see the fireworks!

 

[nkereina]

Thanks all for the ideas! Jotting them all down.

I think someone in their 90's would like this over going the a crowded shopping mecca. Or splurge and go to Spirit of Aloha dinner show

My parents are in their 60s, but the idea still applies so you're right! The last time they were there, they spent a few nights at Pleasure Island so I'm sure they'll be surprised to see how things have changed!

 

[elaine amj]

The monorail loop can be fun. The last time we had off-siters (who hung out nearby without entering the parks), we met for dinner at the Poly. Then took the monorail to CR (not that exciting unfortunately) and then on to the Grand Floridian (beautiful and we spent a fair bit of time in the gorgeous lobby!).

Alternatively AKL is pretty cool. Lots of fun to go check out the animals. Then again, people I have taken have typically enjoyed the Wilderness Lodge lobby more. Would they be interested in resort hopping throughout the day?

 

[JZCubed]

We will be visiting my snowbird parents in Tampa in February. Their condo is one hour from Disney Springs, so we've convinced them to spend a day there. It will be their first visit to WDW property since the late 90s, so I'd like to see and do as much as possible with them, without entering the parks.

I'll be making a dining ADR for our dinner that night, but am looking for suggestions on where we should go. Homecomin' was my initial thought, but then I thought maybe the Boardwalk/Epcot resort area or a monorail resort would be better to see more. We will likely stop at a place or two for a drink as well. I'd prefer no buffet, and something more substantial than burgers and fries.

Thanks for any suggestions!

If you want to keep your visit to just one resort:
-- Animal Kingdom Lodge is the 'best-themed'. Arrive during daylight and enjoy walking out to view the animals on the Savannah. Many vista-points have been installed for your pleasure; continue that view from restaurant Sanaa if 'exotic curry' works for your family. Boma is a worthy dinner substitute (if you've walked through the resort to enjoy the Savannah in daylight).

There are two places I consider 'stroll-worthy', one is indoors the other outside:
-- Inside - Grand Floridian. Arrive in the afternoon to enjoy the live band playing jazz music. These shops are 'the best'. Signature restaurants include Citrico's & Narcoossee's (and the incomparable Victoria & Albert).
-- Outside - Boardwalk. In the evenings, there can be some live entertainment between the few shops. Folks can stop in at the moderate-priced eateries (ESPN, Big River Grill), or Signatures at nearby Swan & Dolphin (our favorites), and even Disney Signatures Flying Fish or Yachtsman's Steakhouse.

For the adults:
-- Sunday Brunch at House of Blues (Disney Springs), California Grill (best view, Contemporary), and/or Narcoossee's (calming).

For the child in you:
-- A few Character Buffets have 'better buffets' - 1900 Park fare & Cape May.

Disney Springs:
-- Boathouse for steaks and seafood (with shareable and affordable options as well) is the hotspot. Paddlefish is likely to be a bit less 'hectic' than Boathouse with their 'southern-flavors'. Homecoming is rockin' the fried chicken scene. More plainly, competition at Disney Springs is so good - the customers are the winners for the 'elevated' options that will soon include The Edison & Jaleo. There are no dining mistakes to be made these days in Disney Springs if the menu appeals to your tastes.

Heck, I could write a paragraph about ice cream (Ghirardelli, Sprinkles - and their cupcake 'ATM', and Vivoli il Gelato), pastries at Amorette's, chocolates at Ganachery, gluten-free at Erin McKenna's, the Food Trucks, Splitsville Bowling Alley's eclectic menu of excellent 'pub-grub, and maybe even the show at Raglan Road.

 

[JerseyJanice]

@JZCubed Great post full of excellent suggestions.

 

[gharter]

i would vote for one of 3 options. The monorail trail with Trader Sams to start, possibly stop at Grand Floridian, then dinner at California Grill to watch fireworks.
or
Jiko at Animal Kingdom, enjoy the lounge and stroll around the Savana
or
Flying Fish and enjoy the Boardwalk after. You can even see a lot of Illuminations from the bridge.

 

[kniquy]

ohana is a good choice but will be tough to get with out having a resort reservation at 180 days out. but if you want the poly or monorail area you could choose Kona -- very good inside the poly, the California grill would be a great experience if you can get later reservation (7:45) and then watch the fireworks from there. This could be a monorail resort hopping in the evening with the final stop at CG.

AKL would be a good option too with the unique theme and Savanah, but if you want the Disney feel i think you can't beat the fireworks at CG.

 

[Bound and Rebound]

ohana is a good choice but will be tough to get with out having a resort reservation at 180 days out. but if you want the poly or monorail area you could choose Kona -- very good inside the poly, the California grill would be a great experience if you can get later reservation (7:45) and then watch the fireworks from there. This could be a monorail resort hopping in the evening with the final stop at CG.

AKL would be a good option too with the unique theme and Savanah, but if you want the Disney feel i think you can't beat the fireworks at CG.

You don't need a resort reservation to make ADRs

We are also looking for a place to eat without going into the parks, taking some of these suggestions to the DH for choices, thanks everyone

 

[Moliphino]

You don't need a resort reservation to make ADRs

No, but resort guests have the benefit of being able to make ADRs for their whole trip (well, up to 10 days) at 180 days out from day 1. So they have the ability to book at 180-190 days out, where non-resort guests can only do 180. This makes places like Ohana and Be Our Guest very hard to get for non-resort guests.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I would stay at Springs and treat them to the Boathouse. If it is a nice evening, sit outside and enjoy the ambiance.

 

[kniquy]

You don't need a resort reservation to make ADRs

I was just noting this because the resort guest get the 180 day mark plus 10 days to make reservations -- Ohana is one of those reservations that if you don't put at the end of your trip you might have a tough time getting or tough time getting the time slot that you want. I just looked 180 days out from today and there are reservations but at 4:00 and 8:20. So prime dinner time of (5-7pm) is not available and this is looking at Mid March - so not a super busy time.

We are also looking for a place to eat without going into the parks

We like Kona at Poly. We also did Wave at contemporary. Cal grill i think for a clost to 8pm reservation would be great and then you can watch the fireworks.

 

[disneyvoice]

Yes to Homecomin'!!

My DH and I ate there on our last trip and we LOVED it!! We are building a house about 20 minutes from WDW and my DH decided Homecomin' will be our new go-to restaurant/bar.

There are other places you can go that will have more of a Disney to feel them or that will be more upscale but I honestly think Homecomin' is hard to beat.

The other place we really like is Jiko but Homecomin' is much more laid back.

 

[Bound and Rebound]

We like Kona at Poly. We also did Wave at contemporary. Cal grill i think for a clost to 8pm reservation would be great and then you can watch the fireworks.

Staying at poly in January and have Kona for our off site trip in 3 weeks. I WAS able to get breakfast at Ohana at 7:40 monday morning after marathon weekend, so that was lucky I guess. Looking for Sunday after the race, we are thinking about Hoop Dee Do at 4 which we have never done or try the Cal grill for fireworks, probably have to do the reservation finder for that one though. I only fear hoop dee do and ohana back to back would be too much food.

Our TIW doesn't expire until the end of Jan but we won't be going to parks because our APs expire Jan 1.