Quick service at Poly, Contemporary, Grand Floridian

[jen7233]

I'm looking for some alternatives to table service at resorts on the monorail, at the Poly, Contemporary, or Grand Floridian during our next stay. We already have table service booked at some places, but don't always want to do that, and also have some other plans outside of Disney. My family doesn't always want a table service long meal, and I wouldn't mind cutting back on the expense either. I was looking at the quick service places on the monorail such as Captain Cook's, Contempo Café, and Gasparilla. I looked at the menus, and think these look good. How is the experience, any comments about food quality, line, places to sit, etc.?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Captain Cook's tends to be a madhouse most of the day. The queue setup there is poorly designed. Breakfast is especially mayhem.

That said, we enjoyed the noodles, the flatbreads, and the meatballs.

There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

 

[Jennasis]

Contempo Cafe is perhaps our favorite resort CS place. Great food. Lots of choices.

 

[megs1313]

This is actually the way we always handle meals on MK days. We love to resort hop.

Captain Cook's at Poly:
Pros: food is really good. the nachos in particular are TDF.
The Poly is a must see resort
The restaurant is just a floor down from the monorail stop, so it's easy to get to and depart from

Cons: Seating is limited
it is always at least somewhat crowded. always.
the selections are limited

Gasparilla Grill at GF:
Pros: lots of customizable options
more seating, including some great outdoor spots with an MK view
dessert!

Cons: seating isn't particularly comfortable, IMO
a bit tucked out of the way (not too bad, but not as convenient as other options)

I can't speak to the Contempo as we've never eaten there (not a Contemporary fan in general.)

Our favorite (and I hesitate to even share it! LOL) is to take the boat launch over to the WL and eat at the Roaring Fork. The WL is a must see resort and the Roaring fork is rarely crowded and very comfortable to just sit and relax for a while. I also love the boat launch to the WL and FW. The only con is that you don't have the monorail option. Otherwise, the roaring fork is a little hidden gem, IMO, and we always make sure to hit it at least once during our trip.

 

[roxymama]

I enjoyed getting a flatbread pizza and a beer at the Contempo in the Contemporary several times during our trip. Good cupcakes too. Fun to watch the monorail go by and not as hectic as Chef Mickey's which is just over the wall from it. There is no theme...it's just open seating with the monorail and hotel rooms overhead, but at least its walking distance to the MK. I wouldn't go way out of my way to eat there though, but the food was good.

 

[addiln]

When we stayed at BLT a couple trips ago we really like the Contempo Cafe. The food was one of the better qs meals I have had at WDW and it did not take long at all. I have wanted to try Captain Cook but have not had the time as yet.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Contempo has better choices and more seating.

 

[Marthasor]

I really like Gasparilla's but haven't been there since the refurb. The food was good, the restaurant was bright and cheerful with ample seating and you have the option of sitting outside.

Contempo Cafe has good food and it's fun to watch the monorail go by.

Capt. Cook's - ugh - as PP's have said, the ordering set-up there is awful. It's crowded and chaotic and there is not enough seating to accommodate everyone. I love the Poly, but with limited TS (it's impossible to get into O'hana without snagging a reservation FAR in advance) and the QS situation, we will probably never stay there again.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

I loved Contempo. My favorite resort CS so far. A nice variety, lots of seating.

Gasparilla's was fine; the thing I appreciated most at the time is that it was open 24 hours, but the breakfast was tasty and they made good coffee.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

To each his own, but Cap't Cooks would be at the top of my list out of these three by far. Especially if it was a nice day and I could sit at one of the outdoor tables.

Contempo is a nice setting in the middle of the atrium and all, but I found the food relatively basic.

Gasparilla's is just blah all around for me... from the location, decor, setting, and food choices. I mean, sure, I will continue to eat there... it's just kind of boring all around.

Interesting question BTW, really got me thinking about our experiences at each!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Captain Cooks has good food, but not enough seating and the layout is odd. Line to order is short and the condiment and soda/coffee area seem in the way all the time. It's my favorite for breakfast (Tonga toast and the best breakfast wrap) but I avoid it for other meals.
Contempo Cafe is my favorite all around. The atmosphere, the food, the monorail passing overhead, and the cupcakes....I love the cupcakes.
I haven't been to gasparilla grill yet, but it's on the list for our next trip when we have the quick service dining plan booked.

 

[Mainemama]

Contemporary is fantastic. The widest range of menu items. I used to love CC before the refurb, but we have had problems with the taste and quality of the dishes we have orders since. Greasy, lukewarm, and crowded is my current impression. Now, we just visit the Dole Whip window! (Eat at Gasparilla's, then stroll to the Poly for a relaxing break ending in Dole Whip!) gasparilla's brings your food to the table, which is a nice touch. The menu there is more standard American.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Contemporary is fantastic. The widest range of menu items. I used to love CC before the refurb, but we have had problems with the taste and quality of the dishes we have orders since.

From the context I think that by CC you mean Captain Cook's, but this could also stand for Contempo Café.

I've enjoyed Contempo Café a lot. Tried Captain Cook's food once so far, and what I had was OK. Haven't tried Gasparilla.

 

[Mainemama]

From the context I think that by CC you mean Captain Cook's, but this could also stand for Contempo Café.

I've enjoyed Contempo Café a lot. Tried Captain Cook's food once so far, and what I had was OK. Haven't tried Gasparilla.

Yes, sorry!

 

[Chrelaine]

Capt. Cook's - ugh - as PP's have said, the ordering set-up there is awful. It's crowded and chaotic and there is not enough seating to accommodate everyone. I love the Poly, but with limited TS (it's impossible to get into O'hana without snagging a reservation FAR in advance) and the QS situation, we will probably never stay there again.

This was our exact experience last year. DH and I were disappointed with our Poly stay and this was one of the reasons.

 

[jen7233]

I'm so excited to try these all! I'll have to brace myself for a crowded Captain Cook's but we'll still try it. We must try these cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe!!!!

I'm going to go through and see if there are posts on best quick service recommendations at MK now!

Yep, we've stayed at WL and went to the Roaring Forks during our stay. After pool time, that's where we did lunch.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

IMHO there are better QS options at the resorts than within MK. Contempo Café stands out to me for the sandwiches and sides (not only the cupcakes) and it's one of the very few QS places where I don't feel I'm missing out on a great dining experience by not doing TS.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I havent been since 2015, but have heard/read that the Poly now has an outdoor grill / restaurant area by the new Oasis pool. It was all under construction when I was there, but it is now complete and Im sure someone here can give good info on it.

 

[kaybird]

We love both Cap'n Cooks and the Contempo. As previously stated, Tonga toast is legendary, and it is home to delicious flatbreads, my favorite Aloha pork sandwich, and a great new favorite, pork nachos.

Contempo has a super breakfast sandwich on challah, Mickey waffles, Cupcakes to die for, and some of the best flatbreads on property, really wonderful sandwiches and salmon!

 

[buzzrelly]

Out of the three, both Contempo Cafe and Gasparilla Grill are very good. We didn't care for Cap'n Cooks AT ALL (dinner).