overwhelmed, somebody choose for me please!

[FosterA]

I've only been to WDW once for a quick weekend with a friend. We only ate counter service places though we did go into the Mexican place in Epcot with the boat ride and volcano (which I thought was super cool). We didn't even eat there, I just saw it and was like "wow, cool place"
anyhoo...will be going in Nov. for a week w/ husband and kids which means I'll need to start thinking about ADRs around May.
I figure we'll eat at table service places maybe 5-6 x total and counter service the rest. I just don't know where to eat though! This is what I'm really interested in and ya'll can guide me along. I'm wanting to go wherever there is the most "wow factor" as far as atmosphere. Of course we like the food to taste good too but in all honesty, I just want to go into some places that my kids and husband will think look super cool. Kiddos are 14 and 11. We don't care about the characters (please don't shoot me!). We will have hoppers and will be staying at Poly and doing all the parks. I'm ok with going to different resorts to eat also. Also...I figure we'll do a table breakfast just once (me and kids don't care about breakfast but husband will be happy with one nice sit-down breakfast). The rest of the table places can be lunches or dinners.
What do you guys suggest for fabulous atmosphere as far as fun and Disney detailed? Corral reef? Sci-fi? Remember...not particularly interested in characters (though if they are there, that's ok too). My main criteria is atmosphere.
Thanks!!

 

[CathieArms]

I've only been to WDW once for a quick weekend with a friend. We only ate counter service places though we did go into the Mexican place in Epcot with the boat ride and volcano (which I thought was super cool). We didn't even eat there, I just saw it and was like "wow, cool place"
anyhoo...will be going in Nov. for a week w/ husband and kids which means I'll need to start thinking about ADRs around May.
I figure we'll eat at table service places maybe 5-6 x total and counter service the rest. I just don't know where to eat though! This is what I'm really interested in and ya'll can guide me along. I'm wanting to go wherever there is the most "wow factor" as far as atmosphere. Of course we like the food to taste good too but in all honesty, I just want to go into some places that my kids and husband will think look super cool. Kiddos are 14 and 11. We don't care about the characters (please don't shoot me!). We will have hoppers and will be staying at Poly and doing all the parks. I'm ok with going to different resorts to eat also. Also...I figure we'll do a table breakfast just once (me and kids don't care about breakfast but husband will be happy with one nice sit-down breakfast). The rest of the table places can be lunches or dinners.
What do you guys suggest for fabulous atmosphere as far as fun and Disney detailed? Corral reef? Sci-fi? Remember...not particularly interested in characters (though if they are there, that's ok too). My main criteria is atmosphere.
Thanks!!

It sounds like you've only been once and then only for a brief time with a friend. It also sounds like your kids have never been. With that in mind, DO NOT dismiss the characters!!! You'll be sorry, and this is why:

I took my kids in '09 - DD13 and DS4. I never in a gazillion years thought that my 13 going on 25 year old DD would have ANY interest in the characters. In fact, I made bags for both of my kids to use for autographs, and she rolled her eyes at me the whole time. She was just way too cool to enjoy Disney like the little kids.

And then we got to Disney, and my Oh-so-cool 13 going on 25 year old daughter regressed about 5 years and suddenly was a child again. She seriously enjoyed the characters and she SHOCKED me on about the 4th day when she said, "Why don't I get to eat with the princesses????" I was FLOORED! She was so bored every time I brought up Disney prior to going, and so I'd pretty much catered to my 4 year old and what he would enjoy. But we got to Disney and she was ALL about the whole experience! She even talked me into going back to MK on our last night there so we could stand in line for an hour or more to meet the fairies! I'm totally not kidding! We didn't stand in line for ANYTHING ELSE the entire week we were there, but she wanted to stand in line for the fairies! I was FLOORED!

Don't make the mistake I did. Don't assume your kids aren't interested because of their ages. Seriously. Even if they tell you they don't care, second-guess them because you might be surprised.

We're going again in June and DD (now 15) is bringing her BFF, who has never been. DD is ALL ABOUT being sure her BFF has character meals to enjoy and gets to eat with the princesses. She's already asking what we're going to "make" for autographs because her BFF - having never been - seriously needs to get the whole experience.

Just give it more thought before you write the characters off, especially since it sounds like the kids have never been. You might be completely surprised.

And, with that in mind :grin:...

I strongly recommend...

Cape May Cafe for Breakfast (Minnie, Goofy and Donald)
Akershus for Dinner (the princesses)
Crystal Palace for any meal (Pooh and Friends)

Additionally, my kids both LOVED Biergarten in Germany at Epcot and Teppan Edo in Japan.

Have fun!

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I also recommend Biergarten in Germany.

The Sci-Fi Drive in Theatre is really interested with the theming.

50s Prime Time Cafe was great, but I don't think kids will appreciate it.

Chef Mickey's is always a must for me, I love the atmosphere.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[dismichael]

Tony's Town Square DEFINITELY! Right in the heart of Main St.- with that said The Plaza Restaurant is also cool. Sci Fi has a very cool and unique atmosphere, as does Coral Reef. HOWEVER, if your looking for the BEST possible atmosphere, you MUST try a meal at Cinderella's Castle. That is by far the ultimate Disney Dining experience, even though the food is not always up to par with much of Disney's other restaurants.

 

[LaurenT]

You want WOW...with that in mind:
Sanaa - this is in Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. You will be surrounded by authentic African art, the cuisine is really more Indian than African in my opinion...though it has been tamed down to appeal to the masses...still, they receive rave reviews from almost everyone, and if you want them to spice it up, they'll be happy to oblige! One of the best perks to this place is the view! Ask for a window seat (it's still a hidden gem so you have a great chanze at a window)...you'll be able to watch the african wildlife right outside the window...Zebra, giraffe, ostrich, wildbeest etc. The service, food and ambiance are all top notch - and it's only 1 TS credit if you're doing the dining plan.

 

[Agri]

Crystal Palace for breakfast - this can also get you in the park early for some GREAT photos

Coral Reef for lunch or dinner
Sci-Fi for lunch
Restaurant Marrakesh for lunch
San Angel for lunch - this is the Mexico ride view, the food is hit or miss, but the atmosphere is nice

Garden Grill for dinner - characters AND you get neat views of the Living With the Land ride as it rotates while you eat

Wishes Dessert party - great view of the fireworks and the castle

Other places I'd recommend based on the food:
Yachstman Steakhouse
Kona Cafe for lunch or breakfast
The Grand Floridian Cafe breakfast or lunch
Cape May for breakfast or dinner

There aren't a lot of restaurants with a really awesome setting like inside the Mexican Pavilion or with the tank at Coral Reef. There are a lot of places with really good food, though.

 

[SPOERLX3]

The 2 places that are a must for my family every trip:

Sci Fi for lunch- Great burgers, onion rings and shakes and the atmosphere is AMAZING! I will never forget my kids eyes when we walked in and it looks like it is under construction, then the car hop comes to get you on skates, takes you around the wooden walls and it is like you are transitioned back in time to a drive in movie from back in the 60's. It is dark with stars in the sky and you sit in cars and watch movie trailers. We are now taking our grandkids (a few at a time) and their parents (my kids) always say "make sure to take them to Sci-fi). It is a memory they all love.

O'hana for dinner! AMAZING! Fun atmosphere and amazing food plus it is right there in the Poly.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I think the one cool breakfast for DH would be Boma. You can go and see the animals after breakfast. Counter it with your Animal Kingdom day if you are going, it is across the street and only takes a few minute ride to get there.

I would also try Kona for dinner, it is right at the Poly. Now the sitting area doesn't WOW you, the food and the dessert showcase will.

50's Primetime diner at H.S. is fun, atmosphere is Wow.

Whispering Canyon on a Magic Kingdom day. You get a restaurant WoW and a resort Wow.

Teppan Edo at Epcot or Coral Reef are both great restaurants at Epcot, both have great food, different style of seating atmosphere.

**Just a note, you can interchange the Boma/Kona restaurants. Kona has really excellent off the menu breakfast that is definitely for the "real" man and dinner at Boma provides the same Wow as breakfast.

Enjoy your visit.

 

[FosterA]

Original Poster here,
you guys are the best! Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm taking notes!
I'm so excited because my husband and kids have never been before and I just have done one super quick trip and just skimmed the surface of the parks. My husband is convinced that Disney is just some over-priced 6-flags so I'm even more determined to prove him wrong! I was only at Disney for 10 minutes when I fell in love w/ it. So clean and friendly and amazing!
anyway...alot of people have mentioned the places at animal Kingdom lodge so I better check out those. Husband loves to drink so maybe the Biergarten place too. Oh...we do like seafood so I need to figure out which one of those places is the best. I want to try so many places so maybe we'll have to just have a drink or appetizer at a couple of them just to get inside and see how beautiful they are. We can't possibly eat full meals at ALL the places I want to see. lol

 

[Jessica527]

I would do Tony Town's Square too. But make your ressie for like 30 minutes before the afternoon parade. It will give you the opportunity to ask for outdoor seating and will be great for you to see the parade. It is like you have front row seats!

 

[Quin]

Since you are already looking at 5-6 TS meals, once you have an idea of your restaurants you should cost out the DDP as it might make good economic sense for you.

Special atmosphere: Eat once at one of the restaurants at the AKL. Sanaa is 1 TS credit where you order off a menu so make sure everyone in your group would enjoy the foods; if you are not sure, go with Boma instead. Boma is a buffet and while you can try all kinds of different African-flavored foods there are also some pretty basic items for picky eaters.

Dinner at Ohana (1 TS credit) is a wonderful experience and is all you care to eat but the food is brought to your table.

Coral Reef (1 TS)- how many times do you get to sit inside the aquarium to look at the fish?

Sci-Fi (1 TS) - food might be better for lunch but the theming is way cool.

Biergarten (1 TS) is another buffet that has good food choices and neat theming.

If your family likes authentic Mexican food (again, pull the menu on AllEars or from the link on this site) then try San Angel (1 TS) inside the Mexico pavillion. There is also the new Mexican restaurant; while it is very pretty, it does not have the 'wow' factor you are looking for.

I agree that you need to schedule 1 or 2 character meals just......because. Consider 1900 PF for dinner. Cinderella, Prince Charming, the wicked Stepmother, and the ugly Stepsisters each stop by your table. The Steps stay very much in character and can really engage older kids (and adults) who 'get' the humor and sarcasm more than the wee ones might. Another idea is Crystal Palace, especially for breakfast - especially especially especially if your family can get up early and do an 8 am breakfast ADR when the park does not open until 9. You get to enter the park and walk up Main Street without hordes of tourists. The food is good and the characters, from Pooh, are sweet.

Tony's on Main Street in the MK is also very classical theming for lunch or dinner.

One evening you might want to do a 2 TS show: HDDR or the Luau are both good and would really just depend on which type of food (fried chicken & BBQ or Hawaiian) appeals to you more. These shows do not include Disney characters but are wonderfully themed.

Finally, make sure you hit a variety of CS places. I always feel awful when someone comes back and grumbles about having eaten overpriced hamburgers every day. You CAN have hamburgers if you want, but you could also spend several weeks at WDW eating at CS restaurants and never touch a hamburger, hot dog, or chicken nugget. On MK days, take the monorail to Contempo Cafe in the CR (neat food choices and you eat while the monorail goes by over your head) or Captain Cooks (only place in WDW where you can get a Dole Whip for your dessert). Take the bus from a park to CSR and check out Pepper Market; a different day take the bus to Pop and try the tye-died cheesecake at the food court there. At Epcot the possibilities are endless; every country has a CS location as well as a TS restaurant and frankly I prefer some of the CS places (the desserts alone in France are to die for).

 

[Quin]

Ah, you posted while I was typing my book above.

To get something to drink while you eat I definitely recommend Biergarten. And maybe to stop in the pub at Rose & Crown, even if you don't schedule dinner there.

Best seafood actually might be the non-character seafood dinner buffet at Cape May. Nearly all the restaurants have one fish or seafood item and all the buffets seem to have a salmon dish but Cape May has the full spread including all-you-can-eat crab legs. Or if you want to splurge, check out Flying Fish on the Boardwalk (2 TS, though).

I want to try so many places so maybe we'll have to just have a drink or appetizer at a couple of them just to get inside and see how beautiful they are. We can't possibly eat full meals at ALL the places I want to see. lol

NO - this just means that you have to come back again and try different places on your NEXT trip!

 

[mom2travel]

I agree w/ PP about not dismissing character meals. DS(15) always requests a character meal - usually a breakfast which includes Goofy.

Some family favorites:
@Poly - Kona breakfast; Ohana breakfast or dinner
@AK - Tusker House character breakfast; Yak & Yeti or Rain Forest Cafe lunch
@MK - The Plaza; Crystal Palace
@Epcot (lunch and/or dinner) - Via Napoli; Rose & Crown; Le Cellier; San Angel Inn
@Yacht Club - Yachtsman Steakhouse
@DTD - Fulton's Crab House; House of Blues
@AKV - Sanaa dinner

Have a great time!