Resort Lunches...Fresh or GFC?

[onelilspark]

In December, my family is doing the Yuletide tour and then we want to do lunch. Here's our situation, Mom, Dad, and I have AP's. My brother did, but his will expire before our tour. He's heading to England to study abroad in January, so we don't want to renew his (they all live in FL, I don't, but that's why I have one!) but he doesn't need a park ticket to do the tour. Because he's leaving for England, and I'm leaving the next day to go home, this will be one of our last nice family meals for quite some time, so we'd like it to be special, BUT because he doesn't have a ticket, we have to stick to resorts. (Got it all? Phew...) Oh, one more thing, we definitely want to do a lunch, because we don't want hours to kill before having a dinner (already checked with the boss lady on that one!)

The problem is that hardly any of the resort restaurants that are a little nicer (we're not talking ESPN here) are open for lunch! So after being on the phone with Disney Dining and going through a lot of options, we narrowed it down to two restaurants (though I'm open for suggestions) that are Fresh at the Dolphin, which I know nothing about except one review that said it had slow service, so that makes me nervous. And Grand Floridian Cafe, which we've done breakfast at...the last breakfast we had here wasn't that great, so that makes me nervous. I'm at a loss and it's my job to come up with the restaurant. Another option was Kona, but I think my family would like the menu at GFC a little better (though Kona is on our list for dinner sometime) plus the atmosphere at GFC is a little more what we're looking for.

Help? Anyone

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

What did you order for breakfast at GFC?

I have ordered their Eggs Benedict on several occasions and been so impressed. It's my favorite breakfast spot. I would trust GFC. The GFC lunch menu offers some great options.

I did look at the menu for Fresh, and it looks delicious, too. I have never stayed at the Swan or Dolphin, so I am unfamiliar with restaurants at either of those two resorts.

I would try Fresh, if I wanted to be adventurous. If I wanted traditional Disney, I would go with GFC.

 

[BCV23]

We have lunch at GF Cafe virtually every trip and absolutely love it.

We haven't had lunch at Fresh but have done breakfast there. Breakfast is quite good but it is a buffet and I think lunch is as well. I don't think that would be nearly as relaxing for your family meal. The restaurant isn't as attractive as GF Cafe either in my opinion. Typical hotel's casual dining room IMO.

So I would pick GF Cafe in a heartbeat.

 

[onelilspark]

What did you order for breakfast at GFC?

I have ordered their Eggs Benedict on several occasions and been so impressed. It's my favorite breakfast spot. I would trust GFC. The GFC lunch menu offers some great options.

I did look at the menu for Fresh, and it looks delicious, too. I have never stayed at the Swan or Dolphin, so I am unfamiliar with restaurants at either of those two resorts.

I would try Fresh, if I wanted to be adventurous. If I wanted traditional Disney, I would go with GFC.

It wasn't really what we ordered at GFC the last time. My Dad's entire meal came out cold and the service was terrible. My Mom and I had been up for a previous brunch (they live close, so we head up for brunches often when I visit) and it was fantastic, great meal and service. So we've had one wretched experience and one amazing one...yet no experience at Fresh (and not many people have! especially for lunch!)

We have lunch at GF Cafe virtually every trip and absolutely love it.

We haven't had lunch at Fresh but have done breakfast there. Breakfast is quite good but it is a buffet and I think lunch is as well. I don't think that would be nearly as relaxing for your family meal. The restaurant isn't as attractive as GF Cafe either in my opinion. Typical hotel's casual dining room IMO.

So I would pick GF Cafe in a heartbeat.

Thanks. From what I understand Fresh just switched over from a buffet at lunch to a fixed menu. (We don't really do buffets.) If it's a typical hotel's casual dining room, that might help us choose.

Any other opinions??

 

[BCV23]

I didn't know that Fresh had changed to a fixed menu. Thanks. Is that lunch only?

We're not fans of buffets either although an occasional breakfast buffet is OK.

 

[BCV23]

Here's a link for Fresh . There's a 360 view embedded in it.
http://www.swananddolphin.com/fresh/index.htm

 

[onelilspark]

I didn't know that Fresh had changed to a fixed menu. Thanks. Is that lunch only?

We're not fans of buffets either although an occasional breakfast buffet is OK.

I know it's definitely for lunch, but I'm not sure about breakfast. It's per the menus on All Ears. Thanks for the link.

 

[onelilspark]

Anyone else have an opinion??

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

DH & I ate at GFC for dinner in September and while I didn't enjoy the meal at all my DH thoroughly enjoyed his. The atmosphere was great, but I just didn't care for the food on the menu. Service was a bit sketchy as it was during free dining and they were pretty full at the time we went. Don't think we'd try GFC again though as we weren't on the dining plan.

 

[jgazda]

What about the Wave at the Contemporary?

 

[onelilspark]

What about the Wave at the Contemporary?

I'm afraid we're not that adventurous. It looks interesting, but I'm just not sure about it. That was one we discussed. (So if anyone is curious, that one IS open for lunch!)
Thanks for the suggestion though