Recommendations for a week of dining?

[Rubicon_SS]

I'm going to be able to start making our dining reservations for November in a couple of weeks but I'm really at a loss as to what we should try.

We'll be on the dining plan this time around so even though we've been before in the summer when it's hot and we tend to eat light we've never really enjoyed all of our meals onsite. Now that we get a snack, a counter serve, and a sit down each day for 8 days during what will hopefully be cooler weather and our appetites are bigger I want to make sure I make the most of it.

With that in mind, any recommendations for first-time-dining-planners to try?

 

[shortnsassy730]

Tusker House is my fave character meal for both quality and interaction. Sanaa, Raglan Road, Be Our Guest (QS lunch), Flame Tree, Wolfgang Puck Express, Via Napoli, Biergarten, are just a few of my favorites. I also think Boma has the best breakfast on property.

 

[Hopefully]

Who is in your party? What are their ages? What are your dining preferences? Are you interested in character meals/ All you care to eat meals/ buffets?
Do you have any food restrictions/picky eaters?
More info will help us to help you

I also highly recommend reviewing the restaurant menus to see what appeals to your group. What I like and recommend you may hate.
There are menus here on the DIS and also on allears.net
You will get recommendations here from folks, but they will be their personal opinions.

Good Luck

 

[Rubicon_SS]

Two adults and two children (8 and 12). No food allergies and none of us are picky eaters. Well, except for the 8 year old who refuses peanut butter and jelly. But that's it.

My biggest fear is squandering our reservations on meals or places that would have been poor choices compared to something else available at the time. If that even makes sense. We've never eaten at Chef Mickey's and I'd like to try that but not if another similar type character buffet is better.

Oh, and I would say that we do prefer buffets for the choices.

 

[Rubicon_SS]

Tusker House is my fave character meal for both quality and interaction. Sanaa, Raglan Road, Be Our Guest (QS lunch), Flame Tree, Wolfgang Puck Express, Via Napoli, Biergarten, are just a few of my favorites. I also think Boma has the best breakfast on property.

Thank you! Biergarten sounds good for our Epcot day. I've read lots of recommendations for Boma for breakfast but what about their lunch or dinner?

 

[shortnsassy730]

Thank you! Biergarten sounds good for our Epcot day. I've read lots of recommendations for Boma for breakfast but what about their lunch or dinner?

Sadly, they don't do lunch at Boma. Dinner is pretty good but their breakfast has my heart lol. You really can't go wrong with any of the restaurants at AKL or with Tusker House. Biergarten is so much fun and the food is pretty decent for buffet. I personally don't care for the food at Chef Mickey's.

 

[kevgraub]

We do a lot of character meals/buffets to cut down on standing in line for meet and greets at the parks.

If you are looking for breakfast options, I would try Ohana. Our oldest was 9 last time we went, and the Stitch breakfast was his favorite meal.

We also enjoy Crystal Palace dinner and Tusker house breakfast.

Garden Grill dinner was good last time, but it was spoiled a little for us last time as we had to wait over an hour past our ADR to be seated. That has been several yeas ago, and may have just been an off night.

 

[Tink&Belle's Mom]

We love Crystal Palace (Pooh and Friends) or Cape May (Minnie and Friends) for breakfast buffets. Akershus is fun if you have a princess lover, and the food is standard at breakfast. It's not a buffet, but my crew has always loved Teppan Edo, and they have asked to go there again in September. I highly recommend Tusker House and Boma as well.

 

[MegMac]

You mentioned Chef Mickey's, so I wanted to reply. A lot of people always bash Chef Mickey's, but it is honestly not that bad food wise. None of the buffets are "Oh my goodness, this is the best thing I have ever had!" to me. The characters are a lot of fun here, and you can see the monorails going by - which I think your kids would love. I also think a lot of character meals will depend on which ones your kids are into. One post above mentioned 'Ohana. We loved 'Ohana for supper, so I am sure the food is great, but if your kids don't like Stitch, I wouldn't think this would be fun for them. Same with Chef Mickeys if they could care less about the Fab Five. Have a great trip - regardless, they will LOVE just being there!!

 

[crabbygal902]

Here are my suggestions to get you started:

'Ohana: AYCTE, Polynesian-themed, grilled meats, fabulous pot stickers, delicious bread pudding/ice cream/caramel dessert, entertainment during the meal, your waitstaff are "cousins", and perhaps a castle view depending on your table location. My family's #1 favorite.

Biergarten: The restaurant feels like an evening at a...wait for it...Beer Garden in Germany, you are seated with other groups at tables of 8, great beer, a bountiful meat-and-potatoes-heavy buffet (there are lighter selections also...the pretzel bread, cucumber salad, and tomato/basil salad are my faves), and entertainment during your meal if you time it right.

La Hacienda: Delicious Mexican food (The Paradillada Del Mar is my favorite) and margaritas (avocado...mmmmm!) and a wonderful view. If you time if right, Illuminations could be a part of the meal.

Cape May Character breakfast: This is probably my favorite character meal. When we were last there, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald were in their beach wear. The buffet food was good and the atmosphere more relaxed than other character meals I've been to. This may be a good choice before or after a morning at Epcot to reduce traveling around WDW.

Akershus Princess Dinner: The restaurant itself is lovely, the princesses visit the tables, and there is a cold buffet with cheeses, fish, and salads (it's not as weird as it sounds!) You are served a plated meal of your choosing, also. It is a great way to spend your DDP credits because it is very expensive OOP.

Hope this helps!

 

[Rubicon_SS]

I totally forgot about Cape May! Thank you everyone for some great suggestions!

 

[Huff]

With kids I'd opt for Ohana (Kids can have fun with coconut roll participation) and Coral Reef (Kids love the aquarium).
The character buffets are always kids favorites and the food mostly good.
Teppan Edo is always a kids favorite, food is very good although if you have a local Teppanyaki restaurant it may not be a priority.
Kona Cafe has excellent food and some of Disney's best desserts.

 

[SunnieRN]

For QS meals,
Flame Tree BBQ,
Tangierine Cafe, (there are not the greatest kids meals here, so you could get food for those that want it here and transport it to another location)
Liberty Inn has a steak meal that's tasty.
BOG for breakfast or lunch (both QS).
Les Halles has yummy QS and snacks.
Yorkshire County Fish Shop.
Starring Rolls, not the most food, but you can get a wedge sandwich, a huge cupcake or other pastry and a drink. The cupcakes are massive!
Wolfgang Puck Express, SO good!

TS,
Hollywood and Vine: Minnies seasonal dining,
Cape May Cafe for a seafood dinner,
Crystal Palace, Pooh and friends,
1900 Park Faire, with Cinderella, the evil step mom and sisters,
TH, friends in safari suits and yummy food.
Boma, I love dinner here. There is night time viewing of the animals with special goggles also.
Sanaa for lunch as you can request a window table and watch the animals as you eat. If you don't get a window table, the area to watch the animals is beautiful!
Teppan Edo, to watch the show and have great food.
Kona Cafe, yummy.
Raglan Road. Dinner and a entertainment. Extensive menu

 

[Parker Clan]

It's not a character buffet but Trails End is really good! And has something for everyone! We do it every year and although it's just the two of us, families have told me there that it's the best bang for your buck

 

[amycakes]

Buffets/family Dining Recommendations: 1 TS

MK: Crystal Palace (Pooh and Friends, good food choices)
AK: Tusker House (Mickey and Friends, good food choices)
HS: ?
EPCOT: Teppan Edo (entertainment, good food choices), Garden Grill (Chip and Dale, Mickey, haven't been but my friend raves about the character interaction), Akershus (Princesses!... we did not care for the food but the kids loved the princesses), Biergarten (has entertainment.... we did not care for the food but enjoyed the entertainment)

Poly: Ohana (Characters at breakfast , entertainment at dinner... our last dinner food was 'ok')
Grand Floridian: 1900 Park Fare (Characters... good interaction but our last dinner food was 'ok')
Animal Kingdom: Boma (just a great buffet... we liked looking at animals after and relaxing by fire pit)
Cape May Disclaimer: heard good things but we're from Nova Scotia... better seafood at home


At HS, my kids enjoy the antics at the 50s Primetime... and Sci-Fi is a fun experience (not buffets but unique choices for the kids)... I am sure everyone would find something they liked to eat.

Chef Mickey's was not as good as Tusker House (our children agree). My son always wants to go to Tusker House, Teppan Edo, 50s Primetime and TRex at Disney Springs. My daughter chooses Crystal Palace and Boma (she loved the princess buffet when she was younger but didn't care for the food... my son loved the princesses as well... they make a big deal over the boys!) We choose the rest... not buffets... Sanaa, Raglan Road, and Grand Floridian Cafe will be new to us this time!

In addition, at MK, I would try to get a reservation at Be Our Guest for a counter service lunch. Good use for a counter service credit... they go fast!

Good Luck getting what you want!

 

[Rubicon_SS]

Thank you, this has been so helpful. Now I wish we were staying a few more days because I'm running out of meal credits. LOL!

Trails End sounds great, going to check that one out more. We aren't really big breakfast eaters since we like to hit the parks early so I think the pattern is going to be pretty consistent with counter service for lunch and table service for dinner.

 

[amycakes]

Trail's End is nice too... just a little out of the way. We enjoyed the boat ride over and relaxing on the patio. We tend to go for 10 days so we try to squeeze in some relaxation Lol. All depends on your touring style : ) It's been a while since we have been there. The dinner show there is kinda cute... but 2 TS credits so if you're struggling now pretend I haven't mentioned it!!

 

[SBWB48]

Thank you, this has been so helpful. Now I wish we were staying a few more days because I'm running out of meal credits. LOL!

Trails End sounds great, going to check that one out more. We aren't really big breakfast eaters since we like to hit the parks early so I think the pattern is going to be pretty consistent with counter service for lunch and table service for dinner.

We are having this same issue! Although we have 8 nights, it still seems like it's not enough to try a lot of places I've been reading about don't even know where the time went! 8 TS at first seemed daunting, but now, I'm deciding if we need to reprioritize!