Recommendations: Theming over Food Quality

[Bektasmic]

Taking 6 year old DS to Disney, and wanting to maximize the themed dining experience for him. Not overly concerned with food quality, as we might just be popping in for desserts. He turned down offer of character dining, and I'm not wanting to waste travel time on resort restaurants. So far, we're planning on the following:
T-Rex
Rainforest
Teppan Edo
Pinnochio's Village Haus (he heard about "spying" on the Small World ride)
Toy Story Pizza Planet
Sci Fi


What are we missing? Looking for the restuarants that have the best theming or entertainment factor (not necessarily dinner shows) for his age.
Thanks!

 

[Leanne1977]

I'm glad you have the Sci-Fi on there as my boys loved it there. Great theming.

I know you said you didn't want to waste time travelling to resorts but I think he may enjoy Whispering Canyon Cafe. Thats a fun place and he will probably like riding the hobby horses around the restaurant. You can get a boat to Wilderness Lodge from MK so it wouldn't take you long.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Chef Mickey's is the best for kids in my opinion.

 

[cinderellamom123]

Not a hudge fan of Teppan Ido. Did it with my twin 6 year olds. You would no be able to stop in for dessert as the have specific seatings, you sit with another family (usually 4 and 4) and the chef cooks in front of you. Fun, but the food was very bland and not great.

Pinnochios is counter service, you could go in any time.

 

[Ava]

I know you said he wasn't interested in character dining, but I have to ditto ROEDISNEY's Chef Mickey's recommendation. It's really fun. And it's at the Contemporary, so it's just a short monorail ride to MK.

The San Angel Inn also has great theming. It's not necessarily geared towards kids, but even if you don't eat at the restaurant you should check out the inside of the Mexico pavilion. There's a boat ride that your DS will probably enjoy, and it's a nice way to take a break from the hot sun for a bit while you look in the shops.

 

[kyirish25]

My DS also loves 50's Prime Time. He thinks it is complete hoot to see the adults get in trouble. Plus the themeing is really cool for him to see how things were when Grandma & Grandpa were younger.

 

[Bektasmic]

Fantastic Suggestions! Please keep 'em comin'! I didn't mean to imply resort meals would be wasted time with travel, but I'm pg, so even though we have the 4/3 deal, we dont' have park hoppers, and I'm trying to plan in resting time for the afternoon...plus we're doing a 2nd day at DHS for SWW, so I'm feeling like time is more limited than it might be otherwise.

On Teppan Edo, DS says similar place here in town is "better than a trip Six Flags!!!", but looks like maybe not all tables have the "cook it in front of you" factor...do you think it's better to skip since we can get the exprience at home for around 40 (vs. estimated 65 at Disney)?

Also, any thoughts on Pizzafari? Read another post talking about the different themed rooms, but if it's just pictures on walls, maybe not so much...

Thanks for all the expert opinions. This will be our first family trip (DH and DS have never been, and my 6 trips were all prior to '98), and I'm really glad to benefit from the advice!

 

[lou7401]

I agree about Chef Mickey's - themed plus characters and only a short distance on the monorail. The Rainforest, Sci-Fi and 50's Prime Time are also great ones. I've never been to T-Rex or Teppan Edo so I don't know about them. The Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern are pretty cool too, but they are character meals.

For counter service - Cosmic Ray's.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I second Prime Time!! If you're willing to get made fun of, have your veggies fed to you a la airplane and get in trouble, your little one will have a blast. DNiece(then)5 just thought it was hilarious that our waitress kept calling my mom "little sister" and playfighting with her.

I love PTC!! Lunching there in less than a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MinnieLee]

You have Rainforest - what about T-Rex. Same company, just different theming.