Resort restaurants dinner thoughts?

[java]

I will be with 2 tween boys. It is our arrival day. We are staying in the Epcot resort area but will have a car.

Where should we eat dinner? No park tickets this day.

Chef Mickey gets a big NO from us.

Suggestions? Favorite resort meal with kids?
Oh and how do I tell what price a buffet is when they show a range?

 

[alliecat523]

There are a ton of options at the Epcot resorts. I would just stick close by there. Boardwalk in particular. You could eat and then stroll and have fun.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

There are a ton of options at the Epcot resorts. I would just stick close by there. Boardwalk in particular. You could eat and then stroll and have fun.

I agree. There are so many great restaurants at the EP resorts and there is so much to do there at night. There is no need to drive anywhere.

I would consider Trattoria al Forno at BWI. The food and service are very good. You can then see the entertainment on the Boardwalk, play the carnival games, rent a surrey bike, etc.

If you like seafood, check out Cape May Cafe at BC or, for simply a good meal, try Capt. Grill at YC. The restaurants at Swan/Dolphin are also outstanding - Kimono's for sushi, Il Mulino for Italian and bluezoo for seafood and other dishes.

There is also Fantasia mini-golf across the street from Swan/Dolphin if you are looking for something to do.

EDIT: I forgot to mention Beaches and Cream at BC and The Fountain at the Dolphin. Both are soda fountain style restaurants with sandwiches, burgers and salads plus ice cream sundaes. There is also ESPN and Big River Grille on the Boardwalk, but they don't take reservations and the food isn't great IMHO.

 

[Parker Clan]

I would have to second Trattoria -- excellent food and service. Highly recommend it
Also you cannot go wrong at Trails End Buffet at Ft Wilderness!!! This is an absolute must for us-- the food is great quality and there is a ton of variety for growing boys lol

 

[erinch]

Our first destination for resort dining is Boma at AKL. Wonderful theming, and fun to use night vision to see the animals.

 

[iheartbelle87]

We love Boma as well! Kona Cafe is excellent too. We've never eaten at the TS on the Boardwalk (someday!), but we are trying out Narcoossees and Ohana for the first time this year .

 

[cmph]

Oh and how do I tell what price a buffet is when they show a range?

The range they show is b/c time of day will make a difference (breakfast vs dinner). If you're only thinking of dinner - you'll be at the highest price in the range. Tweens will be adults too.

We also love Boma, but I would personally only head there on my first night if you arrive a decent amount before dinner time. It would be kind of rough to check-in after traveling, and immediately hit the road to drive to another resort. I know if my kids had a choice on arrival day, and if we weren't going to the parks - we would just hit the pool and get quick service at or near the resort.

 

[alex9179]

If it's Mon-Thurs, Disney Springs has a huge variety and those evenings aren't as busy as the weekend. We enjoyed Raglan Road and are thinking of trying the QS Cookes of Dublin on our arrival day. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express are well thought of and have good prices/portions. The others on our list to try are Frontera, Homecoming, and Morimoto's.

If you'd rather stick to the resort area you'll be staying, DisneyWishes14 hit on them. Unless the tweens have discerning palates and like finer dining, I think I'd remove the S/D signatures from the list and save them for a solo or date night evening.

Trail's End gets a lot of love so that's on our list to try, too. If you take your car, you'll still have to get on an internal bus to get to Pioneer Hall because the parking lot is on the opposite side. When we try this buffet, we're going to bus to MK then take the boat to FW. It docks right by the main buildings. You can take the boat over to WL, too, and explore.

 

[isabellea]

If you like mexican food, Maya Grill at CSR is really good!

 

[Hopefully]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/buffet-character-shows-aycte-pricing.3108466/

Buffet pricing thread here on the Restaurants Forum. Rusty keeps it updated as they become available.

 

[java]

Thank you ALL! Great ideas! Maybe on the drive over we will stop for lunch in Celebration. We love the town restaurant there. Then head to the hotel. Hit the pool. Relax. And just do hurricane Hannah's.

One of them is a very adventurous eater.

 

[kastoney]

Another thought is beaches and cream since you are right there. Or have course head over to DTD and maybe do Raglan Road or TRex with them

 

[java]

Beaches and cream says no availability.

 

[alex9179]

Thank you ALL! Great ideas! Maybe on the drive over we will stop for lunch in Celebration. We love the town restaurant there. Then head to the hotel. Hit the pool. Relax. And just do hurricane Hannah's.

One of them is a very adventurous eater.

That sounds like a good plan. Most of the restaurants aren't worth going out of your way for dining. They're just a fun option. I saw, a while back, that the bar has some food options in addition to HH's qs stuff. Maybe ask for their menu and see if there is anything more interesting to order.

We're wanting to stay YC next year and HH's is on our list of easy meals while there.

 

[rosiebean]

When I stayed at YC with my two boys (not quite tweens then), they loved hanging out at the pool and eating at Hurricane Hannah's. I don't think you can go wrong with that.

However, if you keep looking, something at Beaches and Cream could open up.

I occasionally splurge on in-room dining with my kids when we're on vacation. Usually we do breakfast (on our designated 'lazy' day), but occasionally order dinner. They get a big kick out of room service. And they love the 'luxury' of sitting in front of a tv with cable (we don't have cable) while they eat 'fancy' food .

 

[CraigInPA]

I'd head to Disney Springs. During the week, and depending upon the season, you might even be able to do a walk-up at a table service there.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We went to Raglan Road our first night this last trip and really enjoyed it. If just handing out at the resort the Crew's Cup Lounge at Yacht Club has pretty good food.

 

[nikkij]

We ar doing Ragland Road for our arrival dinner...I look at it like 2 birds one stone. Knock out dinner and a trip to Disney Springs all in one trip. And mid-week you are likely to get walk-ups. FYI: performers and music doesn't start until 4, so if you want all that (which imo is part of the RR experience ) book try for after 4. Or if you aren't sure, try 330 then you won't have the noise all while you are eating.

 

[GoBears 1980]

I would eat at Il Mulino at the WDW Swan. It is one of the best Italian restaurants in Orlando, not just WDW.

Celebration Town Tavern is good if you want to get away from being on property, Columbia is good as well.