Opinions on these resort restaurants please?

[bangzoom6877]

We are looking into the basic a la carte resort restaurants at WDW. Here are the ones that may interest us, in no particular order:

1. Grand Floridian Cafe (Grand Floridian)
2. Captain's Grille (Yacht Club)
3. Boatwright's (Port Orleans)
4. The Wave (Contemporary)
5. Maya Grill (Coronado Springs)
6. Kona Cafe (Polynesian)

We are looking into a dinner at one (or possibly more than one) of these restaurants on our 10-night trip next year. Looking for something more low-key than a character meal or your basic buffet or restaurant with some entertainment (like Whispering Canyon, which is already on our list!). Something good for us and for the kids, but just a regular dining experience with good food. All of the above menus seem appealing to us, just interested in food quality, quality of the desserts, and service. I would have put Spoodles on the list, but it will be closed already when we go and we are planning on dining at Cat Cora's new restaurant.

So if you have any experience at any of the restaurants I listed, I would like any opinions...good, bad, or the ugly!! Or any others that come to mind that have the same feel to them. Thanks!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Kona and The Wave are two of our favorites. Kona is a bit louder, I think. The Wave was very quiet the night we were there last year. Food is excellent in both places. I like Kona's desserts better (love the fondue!) but The Waves little dessert samplers are really good, too. I think we had better service at The Wave but no complaints at either.

I haven't eaten at any of the others. Well, did have breakfast at Boatrights but they don't have that any longer.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

We ate lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe last year and it was fantastic. I had their Grand Floridan burger with lobster and asparagus, best burger I've ever had. I would assume their dinners would be good also.

Kona Cafe - I love their breakfast. We've eaten there for lunch too but it wasn't anything to write home about. Never had dinner there.

 

[alidelargy]

We have eaten dinner at Kona twice and it was really good both times.
We tried The Captain's Grill last year for the first time and couldn't believe that we hadn't gone sooner!

 

[bangzoom6877]

We have eaten dinner at Kona twice and it was really good both times.
We tried The Captain's Grill last year for the first time and couldn't believe that we hadn't gone sooner!

Wow, Captain's Grille would be so convenient...we are staying at BWV right across the lake and we could walk there!

Kona seems like it would be better for breakfast, as we would be able to try Tonga Toast! Grand Floridian Cafe still looks great, I did see that burger and it looked interesting.

Anyone have any thoughts on Maya Grill or Boatwright's for dinner?

Are the restaurants I listed different from each other, or if we eat at 2 or 3 of them will we feel like we are eating the same food over and over again? We do like some variety on our vacation...one of the reasons why we love to eat in the different countries at Epcot!

 

[Mich123]

We had a mediocre meal at Kona in February and at Boatwright's in 2007. I'm not sure if we were at Kona on an off day or not, it was extremely crowded and the wait with an ADR was more than 45 minutes. We had the same idea that you did, a quiet meal on a ten day trip wedged between the wonderful California Grill, Boma and Tutto Italia.

For the same money, I think it's worth it to head back to the restaurants of Epcot or Sunshine Seasons. You might also try Wolfgang Puck's Cafe at Downtown Disney.

 

[bangzoom6877]

We had a mediocre meal at Kona in February and at Boatwright's in 2007. I'm not sure if we were at Kona on an off day or not, it was extremely crowded and the wait with an ADR was more than 45 minutes. We had the same idea that you did, a quiet meal on a ten day trip wedged between the wonderful California Grill, Boma and Tutto Italia.

For the same money, I think it's worth it to head back to the restaurants of Epcot or Sunshine Seasons. You might also try Wolfgang Puck's Cafe at Downtown Disney.

We're looking for a quieter and less hectic place than the character restaurants and than places like Whispering Canyon, but not necessarily a very quiet dining experience. I know it is Disney and the restaurants are kid-friendly, and I have 2 small children myself. I just was looking for something more low-key in the way I described...just to sit down and have a "regular" meal, but with good food.

We have 2 possibly 3 days planned at Epcot so we are taking advantage of the restaurants there, at the WS. Wolfgang Puck's is also an option, it looks good too! Thanks for that tip!

 

[Leanne1977]

We really enjoyed the Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast, lovely and fresh. Service was good too.
We enjoyed Kona, thought the food was good but it was let down by the poor, slow service.

Can't wait to try The Wave I have heard great things about it.

The only other one we have done from your list is the Maya Grill and it has been our worst onsite meal to date. Poor food and poor service, we won't go back.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have only been to Kona for lunch, but it became a family fav instantly. Dinner didnt look as appealing. Never been to the others mentioned.

 

[dottiegirl]

we ate at captains grille last year. It was the best meal, and service, of our trip. I highly reccommend it.

 

[Pirate Me]

I can only comment on Kona Cafe but your list has some places that I definitely want to try. Kona was so good! I really liked the apps there. The sticky wings and shrimp roll were great. I also like the Kilauea Torte for dessert. I've always wanted to try Kona Cafe for breakfast but we never got to.

I really want to try the Wave. I've heard so many good reviews on it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Here is a link to a great review about The Wave.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/reviews/the-wave.htm

 

[figment814]

I've only eaten at two of the restaurants you listed.

The Wave is now one of my favorite restaurants on property. And by far the best non-signature restaurant (better than Le Cellier in my opinion) I've eaten at.

The dessert trios rock!

Review here:
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31110540&postcount=63

I also ate at Captain's Grille. Food was good, service was good, but wasn't overly impressed with the atmosphere. We did go over to Boardwalk after ant it was a nice place to eat before that, because they had some good not so heavy options.

Review here:
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31148222&postcount=70

 

[tinkgurl]

IMO, the Maya Grill is one of those hidden gems. I've never really heard much about it on here. But it was SO good!

 

[KatMark]

Even though we stay at the CSR every year, we've never done Maya Grill for dinner (only breakfast). I've seen good and bad reviews on it.

We did Boatwright's two years ago and it went on the short list of Disney restaurants we won't go back to. The service was terrible, the food mediocre at best (and that was after sending mine back twice) and you could hardly hear the person sitting next to you during a conversation between the food court on one side and the bar on the other side with the piano player. I would not recommend it.

 

[Crystal_27]

Of your list, I have only ever eaten at Kona, but it truly is a hidden gem of Disney restuarants. We always get the terriyaki steak as an entree and it really is a unique and tasty dish. Truthfully, Kona is in our top 3 of Disney restaurant favorites. For what it's worth, I have read really great things about The Wave as well. Anyway, good luck with your planning!!

 

[colonialtinker]

IMO, the Maya Grill is one of those hidden gems. I've never really heard much about it on here. But it was SO good!

I agree We went in January and loved it. The food was great, even picky DD liked her's.
We must eat a lot as we have eaten at all the restaurants you listed On a scale of 1 - 5 here is our take on the restaurants
1. Grand Floridian Cafe (Grand Floridian) - 4, food was good
2. Captain's Grille (Yacht Club) - 4, quiet and food was good
3. Boatwright's (Port Orleans) - 3, very noisy, food not very good the day we ate there
4. The Wave (Contemporary) - 4, loved the desserts
5. Maya Grill (Coronado Springs) - 5, great food and quiet
6. Kona Cafe (Polynesian) - 4.5, this would have been a 5 except it is very noisy

 

[abc999]

We ate at Boatwrights last Sept and enjoyed it. However, it is not worth the trip if you are not living at POR or POFQ.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thanks everyone! So far it looks like I would like to try to fit in dinners at The Wave and Captain's Grille. The Wave would be nice on a night we go back to MK for the parade, and Captain's Grille would be nice for dinner on a day we are spending at BWV just to relax by the pool and enjoy the activities at the resort. It would be nice not to have to travel anywhere one day!

What about Olivia's Cafe at Old Key West or Turf Club at Saratoga Springs? The reasons I did not ask about them in my original post were 1, because they are right by DTD and we thought if we were there we would enjoy Wolfgang's or Raglan Road and 2, the desserts don't look all too appealing at those places. But how are they for dinner? I am curious.

 

[MickeyNicki]

1. Grand Floridian Cafe (Grand Floridian) Been for breakfast, nice and quiet, great view of the monorail if you sit in the back circle of the room. Great food, some say the portions are small but the food is very rich and filling. Been for dinner too, sat in the front part with a pool view, very very very good food! Would go again in a heartbeat.

2. Captain's Grille (Yacht Club) Been to breakfast twice, ordered off the menu and it was eh and ate the buffet and it was terrible. Been for dinner and had the best pork chop I ever had. Awesome rolls and salads too.

4. The Wave (Contemporary) INCREDIBLE MEAL! We had dinner here last month (tons of pics and full review in my March link) and we just loved this place, such a relaxing setting and the food was amazing.

6. Kona Cafe (Polynesian) Great breakfasts, we love this place. Did dinner once and was not impressed, DH loved the teriyaki steak and wings but I didnt like my shrimp lo mein, too sweet. Very loud restaurant since it is right out on the upper lobby area with the noise from Ohana and the people going to and from the monorail.