Opinions: dining, non park, atmosphere, maybe characters

[Mysteryincorp]

We are staying at Universal but I was thinking about doing a dining “experience” one night, we would just uber over from Universal. We are doing one day at AK but otherwise we will not have park tickets.
So....looking for opinions on best non park dining. Maybe characters but atmosphere is important as well. It will be myself, my mom and my 8 year old daughter. I was thinking maybe 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, we’ve done Ohana for breakfast but not dinner. Maybe California Grill and then see fireworks from the balcony? Something special, exciting, extra perk, special characters....something . Any opinions? What was your most memorable non park dining experience?

 

[Arielfan98]

Why not give Hoop-De-Doo a try? I heard it's an excellent and fun dinner show. I also want to add that Ohana doesn't have characters for dinner so be weary of that. Your hotel character dining options are Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fare.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I should have added, we did Hoop de doo last time and absolutely loved it. I would actually consider doing it again...
thanks for the info on Ohana

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I’d do Cali Grill. When we are in Orlando but not at Disney, Cali is one of our first choices. The food is quite good, but the fireworks are spectacular- especially on a beautiful night when you can watch them from the roof.

You could also do Ohana and watch the fireworks from the Poly beach. We loved the food and atmosphere at Ohana, but there is not as much variety as at Cali.

We love Sanaa because of the atmosphere, and the food is outstanding. My mom and daughter (she’s 11 now, but we’ve been going to Sanaa for years) love it, too. We go just about every trip. Book a table early (5 pm) for your best chance of getting a savanna view. You definitely want to eat before dark and plan some time to enjoy viewing the animals and exploring both AKV and maybe even Jambo House. You won’t see fireworks, but you will get a wonderful African experience.

We’ve been disappointed in both of our experiences at 1900 Park Fare. We’ve tried breakfast and dinner, and both times we were rushed and the service was not good. I think they overbook and don’t have enough servers and the characters have to rush. Of course, all character meals can be hit or miss. It really depends on how many people are there, how many reservations have been booked, and whether some guests are “hogging” the characters’ time. We sat next to a table at Chef Mickeys where the family wanted ten pics with every character and yelled at the characters every time they walked by. Characters hardly had time for other tables. Things like that can mess up a meal for sure.

 

[Kewz1]

My family, including the picky eaters, all love Boma. Since you’re doing AK this would be in the “neighborhood.”

 

[Tksolomom]

We like all of your suggestions. Every time we have gone to California Grill the food has been wonderful and the fireworks from the balcony are awesome. We also love the character interactions at 1900 Park Fare, especially the step sisters. The food has been good as well, especially for a buffet. We have really enjoyed the food at OHanas as well, and got to see the water parade sitting by the window.

 

[mdelano4]

Hoop Dee Doo would have been my first choice, but since you've done it, I would go to Spirit of Aloha. Cute luau show. California Grill for fireworks would be next for me. Good luck!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We are staying at Universal but I was thinking about doing a dining “experience” one night, we would just uber over from Universal. We are doing one day at AK but otherwise we will not have park tickets.
So....looking for opinions on best non park dining. Maybe characters but atmosphere is important as well. It will be myself, my mom and my 8 year old daughter. I was thinking maybe 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, we’ve done Ohana for breakfast but not dinner. Maybe California Grill and then see fireworks from the balcony? Something special, exciting, extra perk, special characters....something . Any opinions? What was your most memorable non park dining experience?

I would do Cali Grill and stay for the fireworks or do 1900 and watch the fireworks from the GF marina or boat dock. O'hana was pretty much a bust when we went in December. They seem to have done away with the coconut races and limbo or they do them very sporadically throughout the night. We were there for 90 minutes and they never did any of the games.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

Thanks for the ideas everyone.....I’m leaning towards Cali Grill and fireworks so far but I would love to hear more suggestions and experiences. I really wanted to try Ohana dinner, so water parade view would be great, but it really seems like reviews have been unflattering lately.

 

[KenHutch]

Ohana's is my families favorite restaurant for dinner but if your going to be at Animal Kingdom anyways have you checked out the menu at Jiko's? While I love Ohana's I really do believe that Jiko's is the best restaurant at WDW.

 

[Arielfan98]

Just a thought....when are you going? Mickey's Backyard BBQ could be fun if you're going when they have it.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Are you only looking for (as far as characters) dinner recommendations? If not, we've had terrific experiences at the character breakfast at Cape May Café!

 

[Mysteryincorp]

Just a thought....when are you going? Mickey's Backyard BBQ could be fun if you're going when they have it.

We are going the end of November, we really enjoyed HDDR, so this might be interesting. Weather should be ok in November? Have you been?

 

[Mysteryincorp]

Are you only looking for (as far as characters) dinner recommendations? If not, we've had terrific experiences at the character breakfast at Cape May Café!

I’m leaning more toward dinners but I’ll check out cape May.i think we went there for dinner on our first trip to WDW

 

[jacknsally19]

I love California Grill and seeing the fireworks from there is awesome.

I was just going to say that the Boardwalk hotel is kind of fun at night. They usually have jugglers, magicians in the evenings and boardwalk type games. I also love the decor of that hotel.... quite whimsical. The restaurants are good Trattoria al Forna & Flying Fish but not necessarily a special experience. That being said Beaches and Cream (across the water & like 5 min walk) is a burger place that has the kitchen sink which is really fun to order.

Raglan Road at Disney Springs is a fun experience. They have Irish step dancers and live music. Lot of fun and great food.

 

[jacknsally19]

Btw you can see the water parade from the Contemporary if you end up doing CG

 

[Arielfan98]

We are going the end of November, we really enjoyed HDDR, so this might be interesting. Weather should be ok in November? Have you been?

Sadly I don't believe it is offered in November. Would you consider a dessert party? They have the Firework Pal Voyage from the Contemporary and you can watch the fireworks from a boat. So maybe have a light dinner then do that? What does your child like?