Overwhelmed with Restaurants!

[firemomof3]

I need your help
I have finally decided on staying at the Poly (thank-you to everyone for your help ) but now I have to decide what to do about food. Our kids are 2, 4 and 6 so eating out at fancy rest. really isn't our thing & we're not going with any meal plan. I do plan on having most of our meals in the room on our own but if we do decide to go out do we really need to have a reservation? We eat dinner around 4pm if that helps.
Thanks!

 

[kramer222]

When are you going to WDW?

 

[jacksmom]

Since you are staying at Poly, you should try Ohanas! Your kids will enjoy it also!

 

[firemomof3]

When are you going to WDW?

May 17-21

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

Yes, you really do need ADRs if you want a table service meal. You may get lucky, but walk ups for sit down reastaurant are hard to find (at least at the parks).

Chef Mickey's would be perfect with your kids - it's a fun atmosphere for kids with lots of choices. We found a "hidden gem" in Feb. It was a last minute trip and I couldn't get any of the ADRs I wanted... so I tried the unknown and it was fantastic! The Garden Grove is in the Swan Hotel (near the Boardwalk area). The room is cute for kids with a big tree in the center (reminded me of the Hundred Acre Woods!). It serves a buffet dinner with different themes each night-we had the Mediteranean (yummo!) and different characters are there each night. We had visits from Goofy and Pluto. The place was practically empty for a while (we had the opening time ADR), though the waiter assured us it would fill-up (and it did, but not to 100%). Another favorite of ours (and our kids) is Ohana's at Poly. We've been for dinner several times. Food is great and kids get chances to get up and "play". Coconut races and limbo seem to be standards, and my kids have participated in a restaurant parade too. Biergarten at Epcot is a good choice too. Buffet with lots of choices, a bit of a tight squeeze, but they have a dance floor and when the "band" is playing, the kids have a ball out on the floor.

 

[kramer222]

That being said, you shouldn't feel like you HAVE to eat at table service restaurants. There are plenty of comparable counter service opportunities.

 

[firemomof3]

Besides Ohanas character breakfast, and dinner at Biergarten @ Epcot are there any other *great* restaurants worth visiting?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We have little kids too and have a blast dining with them especially at WDW! This trip we'll be going with a 6, 5, 4, 3, and 1 yr old!

You should definately consider eating dinner at Ohana if you can get a reservation. I think the earliest is 5pm though. It's delicious and there are activities to keep the kids busy. The kids can order whatever they want from the kids menu for no additional cost if they don't like the family style offerings.

Breakfast at Kona Cafe is my favorite! Although I guess you can get some Tonga Toast from Captain Cook's if you don't go there. I'm not sure the quality is the same though or if they have the strawberry puree and yummy sausage links.

You should definately jump on the monorail to the Contemporary to go to Chef Mickey's (call for an ADR now! and keep calling until you get it!) The kids will have a blast! I like to go there for dinner (but I'm not a big fan of breakfast--except Kona. )

I like Crystal Palace at the MK for lunch. Another Character Buffet, but some good offerings IMO.

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a monorail and boat ride (half the fun, right?) away and has a couple of activities for kids during your meal as well and a lincoln log table for kids to play with while you wait.

We also had a great time at Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness but that is a whole evenings activity! Fun!

Like I said though, kids are certainly welcome everywhere in WDW. We don't do Signature dining often, but we do everything else! Have fun!

 

[B-Ride]

Personally I would go mostly CS with kids that young, although I would book one or two TS restaurants.

I would recommend 'Ohana and Crystal Palace. We have never eaten at Chef Mickey's but it would probably be good for you as well.

I just tried booking online and was able to get a 5:00PM slot for 'Ohana on the 17th and a 4:00PM slot for Crystal Palace on the 18th. If you do want to book something you should definitely do it ASAP.