Only 24 hrs in WDW: Which restaurants?

[TotallyAngelic]

HI
Next October we will be disembarking the Disney Magic after a transtlantic cruise and we have allowed ourselves one night in WDW - because we are only there 24 hours I would like to stay on site to save time, and also to be able to use the Magic Express from the port. We will visit one park - and it will likely be Magic Kingdom, and the following day before we fly we will go to Downtown Disney.

We will be looking for a nice sit down table service restaurant in the evening, either in Magic Kingdom or one of the nearby resorts for 2 adults. The following day we will need lunch at Downtown Disney.

So the questions is this: if you only had 24 hours in WDW, which restaurants would you choose to eat in?

I am hoping for some inspiration as I am finding it very difficult to choose.
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[hulagirl87]

DH and I just had this conversation! We were planning what we would do if we could only spend one day in a park. How fun that you actually get to do it

For lunch in Downtown Disney I would definitely go to Earl of Sandwich - yum!!! And for a sit down meal for 2 I would go to the Grand Floridian Cafe. It is a beautiful restaurant and it was one of our favorite meals on our last trip. Have fun!!!

 

[vicki_c]

I think I would pick Citrico's if you're willing to do a signature. I have to say I haven't been there yet - we had to cancel our reservation there last trip - but I have only read very good reviews.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Well.. I must admit... we would choose Chef Mickeys! We are all adults and LOVE going there for dinner!

 

[Missytara]

I have a friend that specifically loves to go to Narcoosee's (spelling?) in GF - he said last time they were there, the server even timed their apps and their entree so they could step out and see the fireworks. They go there every time they go to the World.....it is their special night out w/o the younguns!

 

[princssdisnygina]

Oh... for a quiet meal we like The Wave at the Contemporary. Or Ohana at the Poly.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

For a signature, I would pick California Grille (although we haven't been to Citricos yet and are really looking forward to it!). For a non-signature, I would pick The Wave. We had a truly terrific meal there. If you can squeeze in a breakfast on your DTD day, I would go to 'Ohana for a quick character fix!

I agree with Earl of Sandwich in DTD! Yum!

 

[wdwfan22]

To be quite honest, if I only had one day in DW I would not spend time eating at a sit down restaurant. I love many table service restaurants there, but you will just have spent time on a cruise eating many nice sit down meals. I would pick counter service and see as much of the park as you can.

In the MK, I like Columbia Harbor House or Cosmic Rays. At DTD, I would choose Earl of Sandwich.

 

[MickeyNicki]

If you are looking to stay in the MK area I would go to Main Street Bakery for a ham egg cheese croissant, CHH for a chicken BLT salad and The Wave for a fantastic dinner!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The Wave at the Contemporary is getting very good reviews, check out the menu on allearsnet.com. We are trying it next Febuary. At DTD, we've enjoyed Wolgang Puck Express and T-Rex was fun and also had good food. I like the Earl of Sand. but we have one almost next door so I usually opt for something else.

 

[Planogirl]

If you want to maximize your MK time, I agree that it might be wise to eat in MK itself. I like the Crystal Palace for breakfast and maybe Columbia Harbour House for a quick dinner.

Otherwise I'd go for the California Grill. I'd like to try the Wave though after everything I've read about it.

 

[kiwicassie]

For your sit down meal for 2, I'd do Kona Cafe or Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[eventamy]

Hmmm, tough one!
I would definitely want a unique "Disney" experience for my 24 hours there, even if I'd been a million times before. I would also want to maximize my park time, especially since it's just the two of you! That sounds so fun!
So if I was in the park all day I would co CS at Columbia Harbour House (MMM, Lighthouse Sandwich and chowder! Fish n Chips are good too!) with a nice meal around 7:30 at California Grill where I could then view Wishes from the deck. OR... I would head over to the Poly, watch Wishes from the Beach (did this last February on a date night sans kids) and then have dinner at Kona or O'hana (at Kona try the Tuna Oscar, best entree ever!).

For DTD the next day I would definitely do a little shopping and then hit Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express. At Earls I would get the Caprese and at Wolfgang one of the pizzas!
ENJOY! I'm so jealous of the transatlantic cruise! Definitely on my bucket list!

 

[cbg1027]

I would highly recommend Citricos in the GF. It's a short monorail hop over from the MK and it fits the bill for a nice sit down dinner for 2 adults.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Thanks - some great suggestions coming in - will have to start checking out the menus !!!!

 

[Sawhiskey]

If you can get to Boma then do it. Its great...

If not, I would say either O'Hana or Kona Cafe..

 

[sarah4770]

If I had only one day in the MK, and I left the park for dinner, I probably would not go back to the park after dinner. That is just me, but after a nice dinner I get all tired and relaxed, especially after a day of traveling. I would either plan on eating in the park, or have a later dinner at one of the Magic Kingdom resorts, that way you can still see the fireworks and the EWP from the resort you are eating at.. I definelty would not travel, go to the park, and run back to my resort and change for a signature dinner, then go back to the park. That would be way too much for me.
As for downtown disney, if you like seafood, fultons is nice for lunch, wolfgang puck has sushi as well as a regular menu, I like wolfgang puck express as well.

 

[wilbur]

If I only had 1 park day I would want to make the most of it & eat cs (CHH or Cosmic Rays)

But if you are really wanting ts I would go for The Wave. DH & I ate here last month. It was the best meal of the trip. Outstanding food & service.

DTD would be WP Express in the Marketplace for cs or WP Cafe on the Westside for ts.