Recommendations for kids....

[aimlyles]

I know we are late in making reservations but we just planned/booked our trip for the end of August. We have used the free dining plan before (2007) and I can remember most of the restaurants we tried and would like to try some different ones.

Here's the catch, since 2007 we have added another child and lets just say we do not eat out often so the restaurants REALLY need to be kid friendly. He isn't into the "Disney Characters" Mickey, Donald, etc.. so character dinners aren't mandatory. I remember in 07 that it seemed the kids menus were basically the same, mac n cheese, chicken strips, pizza; I know DS9 would like a better variety, he's an eater, DS3 would eat PB toast all the time if I let him.

So please throw out any suggestions/recommendations. From looking at the menus online, which I know can change, I'm looking at a few of these possibilitis:

-Maya Grill (DS9 LOVES salmon and it was listed on the kids menu)
-Coral Reef
-Shutters we are staying at CBR so it makes it easy
-Kona Cafe
-Chef Mickey since they have a buffet
-50's prime time
-Cape May (OK this one would actually be for DH and myself)


Some of the ones we have been to before were:
T-Rex
Hoop De Doo Musical Revue
Boatwrights Dining Hall
Chef Mickeys
Whispering Canyon Cafe (very kid friendly but may be too over the top for DS3)
Sci Fi Dine In Theater

TIA for your help!!!

 

[smitch425]

I know we are late in making reservations but we just planned/booked our trip for the end of August. We have used the free dining plan before (2007) and I can remember most of the restaurants we tried and would like to try some different ones.

Here's the catch, since 2007 we have added another child and lets just say we do not eat out often so the restaurants REALLY need to be kid friendly. He isn't into the "Disney Characters" Mickey, Donald, etc.. so character dinners aren't mandatory. I remember in 07 that it seemed the kids menus were basically the same, mac n cheese, chicken strips, pizza; I know DS9 would like a better variety, he's an eater, DS3 would eat PB toast all the time if I let him.

So please throw out any suggestions/recommendations. From looking at the menus online, which I know can change, I'm looking at a few of these possibilitis:

-Maya Grill (DS9 LOVES salmon and it was listed on the kids menu)
-Coral Reef
-Shutters we are staying at CBR so it makes it easy
-Kona Cafe
-Chef Mickey since they have a buffet
-50's prime time
-Cape May (OK this one would actually be for DH and myself)


Some of the ones we have been to before were:
T-Rex
Hoop De Doo Musical Revue
Boatwrights Dining Hall
Chef Mickeys
Whispering Canyon Cafe (very kid friendly but may be too over the top for DS3)
Sci Fi Dine In Theater

TIA for your help!!!

What about breakfast at H & V in HS? They have Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, etc. from the (formerly) Playhouse Disney lineup (newly renamed Disney Junior). Plus it is a buffet so your 9 year old would still have variety. You could either do it as an early breakfast or get the latest breakfast time as an early lunch.

 

[candielips]

If your 9 yr old likes more adult type meals, why not upgrade him to an adult?
As for your 3 yr old, we are doing all of our dining this yr based on our children, as last yr was a nightmare with our dining. We had too many ADR's and too many TS restaurants that were plated and not buffets.
So this year we are:
1) Doing lunches instead of dinners when we can. That way if they get fussy by mid afternoon, we can just leave and head back to the resort. And if the restaurant you want doesn't do lunch, try to do the earliest dinner.
If you book a Coral Reef lunch for when they first open, you will be more likely to get tankside seating
2) Trying to keep all of our meals in the parks that we will be in. So if we are DHS one day, we are eating there. We do not want to have to go back to the resort in between parks and meals.
My children do not do well going back to the resort in the middle of the afternoon for a rest. It is just way too much traveling for them, causing them to get cranky.
3) Doing a lot of buffets. We are not fans of buffets, but they let you get in and out quicker as you are not having to wait to be served and wait for food.
4) Doing a ton of character meals. I know you mentioned your DS is not a character fan, but even just seeing them there in the restaurant will act as some entertainment for him.
5) Only doing one TS a day. My kids are young and def do not want to spend hours every day sitting in a restaurant when they are at the happiest place on earth.

This is how we tackled our ADR's this year, so hopefully it will be better than last. We will find out soon

Now you better go and make your ADR's soon as things are filling up fast!

 

[Rgonzalez79]

I was going to suggest T Rex (DD5 loved that place) but I see that you've already been. If you can get down to the Boardwalk, Kouzzina by Cat Cora was amazing. The wait staff was friendly, prices were reasonable and you can walk along the boardwalk after the meal. THe have lots of street performers at night (magicians, dancers, plate balancing). DW and I loved it.