There's no particular food we really like/dislike.
Buffets are fine, never done family style but would assume it would be fine too.
It really doesn't matter when it comes to Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
I'm guessing most of the meals will be in the parks because I don't really want to waste the time to leave the park, eat and come back unless it's on a day where we will plan a nap. So somewhere that has a good lunch outside of the parks would be good too.
I'm working on figuring out what we are doing each day right now.
If you could pick 1 TS meal for each park, and 1 TS for all the resorts combined, which are your favorites and for what meal of the day (b/l/d)?
If I pay OOP, I usually book the less expensive TS bfasts or lunch. Using
DDP, we usually book more TS dinners since on average dinners cost a little more, more bang for your buck
It's going to depend if character bfasts are higher on your priority than having the higher value sitdown dinner. The thing is, with the DPP, you're going to all have 1 snack & 1 counter service per day. Using those for your bfast/lunches and TS for dinners IMO is the way to go.
EPCOT: You have a b-fast in Norway, I would then choose a dinner at one of the countries in EPCOT that serves food that most appeals to your group. Personally, I think the themeing of the countries is a fun cultural experince for the kids & a nice way for the parents to have a lovely meal. All the countries (except USA) have a sit down dinner so just check out the reviews & that should be pretty easy for you to decide which appeals to you most. Since you're doing bfast, I'd recommend planning a later dinner, around 7pm. Once you finish up you can find a spot to enjoy Illuminations.
ANIMAL KINGDOM: We really like Tusker House, it's a buffet with something for everyone. There are no characters for dinner, but if you book b-fast there will be. Have not eaten at Yak & Yeti, it gets good reviews but again, if your group doesn't enjoy Asian food it might not be for you. Also, the Rainforest Cafe is at the AK, however I'm not sure they take DDP. If you choose not to eat at AK, the nearest resort being the AKL has 2 very nice restaurants: Boma's is also a buffet, we really liked it but don't go anymore since Tusker House is available in AK. Also, AKL has Jiko's which gets good reviews. I haven't tried it but my DS is a picky eater so we tend to lean towards buffets. Taking the time to see AKL at least once IMO is worth the trip because its a unique resort & seeing the savannah outside is an experience.
STUDIOS: Seems to get the least positive reviews of all the parks for restaurants. You can book what is called a Fantasmic Dining Package at 3 of them (Brown Derby, Mama Melrose or Hollywood & Vine). Having a Fantasmic package will give each in your group a voucher to enter a separate seating area for fantasmic that night to avoid the possibility of waiting in a long line to see the show. You'll have to check into the pros & cons of this, some love it, some don't for their own reasons. Anyway, you do have to call disney dining to get a Fantasmic package, just booking a ressie at any of these 3 won't get you the package. ALso, there is the Sci-FI and 50's prime time cafe to eat at, themed really neat but opinions vary about the food.
MAGIC KINGDOM: We like Crystal Palace best, it has Pooh & friends for all 3 meals, it is a buffet and very convienient to eat at while touring MK. If you book at meal at Cinderella's Royal Table, inside the castle, it will require 2 TS credits per person. THere is also Liberty Tavern, Tony's or the Plaza restaurant for TS dining inside MK.
RESORTS: It's very easy to eat at a monorail resort when touring MK. We like several, starting with Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. The Polynesian offers O'Haunas & the Grand Floridian offers 1900 Park Fare if you want a character B-fast. All 3 resorts have dinner TS options as well.
In addition, the Boardwalk area outside EPCOT has many interesting options & is easy to access from either EPCOT or the Studios.
Hope this helps. Relax and ENJOY your planning
I think it's part of the fun in planning a WDW trip!
so we didn't eat anywhere with much "different" food
for doing Crystal Palace early in the a.m. -- you will love it. If you want to do a breakfast before you check out, you might want to go over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and go to Boma -- a great buffet with lots of choices and you could take a look at the animals too.
