Out of the Parks suggestion

[rodeo65]

We have an ADR for Tusker House for the morning we are going to be at AK. Originally we had another ADR for Y&Y for dinner the same night, but now I think we'll want to leave before then and not come back later just for dinner.

We are staying at OKW without hoppers and on the dining plan, although we are using an extra credit for a California Grill dinner one night so will be paying OOP for something along the way.

So far we have booked: HDDR, Tony's Town, Les Chefs, Boma, Tutto, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, California Grill and 50's for dinners, plus Tusker House for breakfast.

On a previous trip we've also eaten at 1900, WCC, The Wave and Garden Grill.

I'm worrying about Chef Mickey's - our ADR is for 6:50 and while DD would love to see Minnie (I think she's there?), I hear such bad food reviews that I'm wondering if I should switch to another resort or DTD.

Our kids are 8 & 9 and I also have a kind of grumpy DH to contend with, who I am trying to win over with a much better trip than our first.

What are your best out of the parks dinner suggestions and why?

 

[Agri]

If you've had a buffer dinner at Disney, you'll have eaten a lot of the foods that might be available at Chef Mickey's. We try to eat here once every trip because its easy to get pictures with the fab 5. We usually do breakfast, but we had dinner there once and it was just as good. It's not going to be phenomenal, but its better than a quick service burger. I don't think the food is bad, but I wouldn't pick CM for the food alone.

My other suggestion is to do QS at whatever hotel has the menu you like best and let that be your OOP meal.

 

[Ro Z]

Your kids will love T-REX. The place is amazing! Food is good too. For CS at DTD Wolfgang Express is a really good meal. A great bang for you DDP bucks.
Y&Y was not our favorite place. If kids are picky I'm not sure they will be happy there. Although the kids menu prob has something for picky eaters. Also AK is a very long ride from just about everyplace in WDW. So if you are not already gonna be there I would change the plan. Oh yea.
CM is better for breakfast in my opinion!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

First I will say no need to worry about Chef Mickeys - we really enjoyed our meal there last week. yes, Minnie was there.

Our favourite "out of park" meals are Yachtsman Steakhouse (not sure you wnat another 2 signature meal though), Raglan Road at DTD (never had a bad bite of food there after many visits, and good atmostphere), House of Blues (if you don't mind paying out of pocket) and Boma (best buffet on site, interesting, tasty foods).

Photo's and reviews of all those to follow in my food report (in my signature below!) but we found all of those really good last week!

 

[CathieArms]

What about 1900 Park Fare? I've heard the food is good, and I'm told the stepsisters and Lady Tramaine are a hoot.

 

[rodeo65]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Ro Z - I forgot to mention T-Rex. We ate there last trip, loved it and have it booked for lunch this trip again.

I had been thinking of a QS as well Agri.

PHP - Thanks for telling me of a recent visit to CM. I think DD would love to see Minne (she sleeps with a Minnie toy). I'm excited that you have started another review. I hadn't seen it yet but have read all of your others and LOVE them! I'm heading there next.

CathieArms - I debated 1900, although we did eat there last trip and you're right the steps area a riot! The kids had been to BBB and DS had a spiky thing with glitter and mickey heads in it. The sisters kept poking it and calling the glitter gel pixie snot. For an 8 yr old boy having to sit through a "princess" meal he thought that was hysterical.

 

[choirchic]

Have you thought about Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge for you and the kids? We had a blast this past trip...I can't wait to go back again!

Beaches N Cream is also very fun. I LOVE watching the kids try to eat the Kitchen sink, or pretty much any dessert they have on the menu...and there's an arcade next door just in case there's a wait.

Have fun no matter what you do!

 

[Tink1971]

We usually do Chef Mickey's for breakfast each year. The buffet is similar to other restaurant buffets throughout WDW. I wouldn't say it's outstanding but we have never had a complaint. I love the Mickey face waffles. The characters really spend a good amount of time with your table and allow you to get all the pix you want.

Also down't forget about Cape May's Character Breakfast at Disney's Beach Club --- Minnie is there but not Mickey in her beach attire. IMO Cape May has more space between the tables than Chef Mickey's so you feel like you have more room. I thought the breakfast buffet was a little nicer than Chef Mickey's but nearly the same identical food.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'll be honest; I'm more about transportation options than the type of food when deciding on where to eat. If I was at OKW and I had already been at a park that day, I wouldn't want the hassle of getting to another resort. I'd pick Olivias at OKW, Turf Club at SSR (take the boat there) or a DTD restaurant (take the boat there). Any other resort will require bussing to a park then hopping on another form of transportation to get the resort. Then you have to repeat in reverse to get back. If you have a car or are willing to spring for a cab then definitely other options are available but if you're relying on Disney transportation, stick with what's easy. I have a kind of grumpy DH to contend with as well and I know he gets more than just kind of grumpy with longer transportation options after a long day at a park.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We have always had a good meal at HOB.

If you are paying OOP, they also offer an AP & DVC discount as well as TiW AND sometimes you can get deeply discounted gift certificates on restaurant.com

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Wow. There are soooo many options....I love Capn' Jack's in DTD. It's right on the water so you'll have a great view, plus the food is good. Also, how about Olivia's Cafe right at OKW??? The food there is GREAT and I love the atmosphere.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I'll be honest; I'm more about transportation options than the type of food when deciding on where to eat. If I was at OKW and I had already been at a park that day, I wouldn't want the hassle of getting to another resort. I'd pick Olivias at OKW, Turf Club at SSR (take the boat there) or a DTD restaurant (take the boat there). Any other resort will require bussing to a park then hopping on another form of transportation to get the resort. Then you have to repeat in reverse to get back. If you have a car or are willing to spring for a cab then definitely other options are available but if you're relying on Disney transportation, stick with what's easy. I have a kind of grumpy DH to contend with as well and I know he gets more than just kind of grumpy with longer transportation options after a long day at a park.

Turf Club is a GREAT idea as well! Some of the best food I've ever had is right there at Turf Club
And i also just thought of Planet Hollywood in DTD...fun atmosphere for kids of all ages.

 

[PrincessPapercuts]

If you don't mind the whole transportation thing (which a previous poster mentioned), don't forget about THE WAVE in the Contemporary. IT IS AWESOME!! Lots of organic (if not the entire menu), fresh menu choices. We have eaten there on a couple different trips (with ressies and without) and it has been AWESOME each time.

Have a GREAT trip!!!