Resorts with good food courts/QS

[halssister]

Currently booked for CBR this July, and like many others, trying to decide what to do about the massive construction going on there. One idea we are having is to spend part of our mid day breaks (after we leave the pool!) checking out other resorts. We already plan to visit AKL and eat at Mara. What other resorts have fun/interesting/particularly nice food courts (or quick serve places) where we can eat our early dinners? Not interested in any table serve places, and my boys are pretty picky/unadventurous eaters, so burgers etc are fine for them (but I like to mix it up some!) Looking for maybe fun, different theming, exceptionally great service, wide selection - my son loves to explore different buildings etc so looking for something preferable over the tents and trailers that we will have available at CBR. I've heard good things about the POP food courts, anywhere else worth visiting?

 

[Disneylover99]

AofA, POR, POFQ

 

[loves to dive]

Poly has a pretty decent one.

 

[carlandellie31]

We like Coronado Springs. In addition to the typical burgers and pasta, they have mexican options, too, that we've found tasty and shareable portions.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

CSR, POR, AoA

 

[Canooknic]

POR. The build your own salad and pasta stations are a huge hit with my kids and there is a big selection of burgers/sandwiches etc too

 

[Mousemommy1]

We enjoyed the selection of the food courts at POFQ, POR, and AoA.

 

[hakepb]

Contempo Cafe in the Contemporary is pretty good for a Deluxe and is in the main concourse with the monorails passing by.

If you go on an off time, Poly's Captain Cook has a really nice variety from plain foods to more unique options, and is a order your food at the counter, find a table, and they bring it to you experience.
And there is a nearby Dole Whip stand.
(Unfortunately, the indoor seating area is small. There is outdoor seating, but that is in view of Poly's great kid water splash playground...which may be torture to a little kid that wants to go there)

Otherwise, at Mara get some Zebra Domes (adult only). And at PORFQ, get beignets!

 

[halssister]

Thanks everyone for some great suggestions, didn't realize Poly had a food court! Should have mentioned that we actually are very familiar with the POR food court and love it - it's our favorite resort and we wanted to stay there this trip, but the budget said CBR. So if we end up keeping the CBR ressie, we would probably explore other new resorts (otherwise I may get sad that we didn't just book POR to begin with haha!). Eating at POFQ may be an option now that they e gotten rid of the creepy giant faces though, we didn't even like walking through there before because of those things

 

[jillt2ph]

Another vote for Contempo Cafe. I love the pot roast dinner!

 

[mcurran]

Contempo Cafe in the Contemporary is pretty good for a Deluxe and is in the main concourse with the monorails passing by.

If you go on an off time, Poly's Captain Cook has a really nice variety from plain foods to more unique options, and is a order your food at the counter, find a table, and they bring it to you experience.
And there is a nearby Dole Whip stand.
(Unfortunately, the indoor seating area is small. There is outdoor seating, but that is in view of Poly's great kid water splash playground...which may be torture to a little kid that wants to go there)

Otherwise, at Mara get some Zebra Domes (adult only). And at PORFQ, get beignets!

Mara? Hated it. Zebra domes were overrated (sorry to all who like em) but Mara was tiny. Food was ok but with low ceilings and small kitchen it felt so cramped. It kind of feels like they forgot to create a qs when they built it and shoe horned it in. But AKL was awesome.

 

[hakepb]

Mara? Hated it. Zebra domes were overrated (sorry to all who like em) but Mara was tiny. Food was ok but with low ceilings and small kitchen it felt so cramped. It kind of feels like they forgot to create a qs when they built it and shoe horned it in. But AKL was awesome.

I agree, the feel of the seating area is the "worst" themed public area in an otherwise awesome Jambo house.

In terms of selection, I thought Boma was a better overall QS than Boardwalk, YC/BC, OKW and SSR.
I realize that Zebra domes are not loved by all, but I think a "homemade" QS dessert is better than pre-packaged junk most in-park QS locations have.

 

[halssister]

I agree, the feel of the seating area is the "worst" themed public area in an otherwise awesome Jambo house.

In terms of selection, I thought Boma was a better overall QS than Boardwalk, YC/BC, OKW and SSR.
I realize that Zebra domes are not loved by all, but I think a "homemade" QS dessert is better than pre-packaged junk most in-park QS locations have.

Hmmm, well, we just switched to POR, which we LOVE, so now probably WON'T be visiting a lot of other resorts, as we can eat at Riverside Mill now. But I still want to visit AKL - I'm wondering if we should scrap the plan to eat there and just do an early dinner at our resort, then just visit AKL and walk around before returning to AK for evening hours. DH and DS won't like it if it is cramped feeling!

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

My favorite moderate food court is CSR, they have a wonderful variety of foods.

I also recommend Capt. Cook's at Poly also. They have some delicious food. Plus the pineapple lanai is around the corner from it as well.

 

[mindy lou]

Mara? Hated it. Zebra domes were overrated (sorry to all who like em) but Mara was tiny. Food was ok but with low ceilings and small kitchen it felt so cramped. It kind of feels like they forgot to create a qs when they built it and shoe horned it in. But AKL was awesome.

We visited AKL one afternoon/evening and ended up eating at Mara. I agree that the inside seemed small and dark. But we found a great table right outside (with an umbrella) and enjoyed the atmosphere and our food.

We also visited Contempo Cafe. DS loved having the monorail overhead (since we didn't do Chef Mickey's this was a thrill for him)! We thought they had some different dishes. They also had "homemade" chips that we all loved.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Poly does not have a "food court" per se. It is one quick service location, Captain Cooks.

 

[Cinderella94]

If you like pizza, I would recommend heading over to the Boardwalk pizza window. (Unless you're on the Dining Plan and trying to use QS credits, in which case this won't help you). This is outside on the Boardwalk itself, not inside anywhere. The QS options in the Boardwalk area are very underwhelming. But, we like the pizza window and sitting a table outside and wandering around.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

I wouldn't avoid the Mara based on someone's opinion of the aesthetics. If the weather is nice, you can always sit outside and enjoy the scenery. The food is great. The produce tastes and looks super fresh. The heirloom tomato flatbread tasted like the tomatoes came straight from a garden and onto the plate within minutes. I doubt that was the case, but I'm happy they tasted like it. The soups are the same that they serve at Boma. They always have the butternut squash, and they also have a "soup of the moment". There are some fun, interesting food options as well as picky-kid-friendly options. The Mara is a good choice for vegetarians, too. And the desserts are fabulous. They have more than just zebra domes, and I personally enjoy the other desserts more.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Another idea for AKL would be to visit Sanaa and share the bread service, other appetizers, or split an entree or two. It's not QS, but Sanaa is cheaper than Boma or Jiko - especially if you share or just do drinks and appetizers. If you go during the day, you can watch the animals while you eat.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I wouldn't avoid the Mara based on someone's opinion of the aesthetics. If the weather is nice, you can always sit outside and enjoy the scenery. The food is great. The produce tastes and looks super fresh. The heirloom tomato flatbread tasted like the tomatoes came straight from a garden and onto the plate within minutes. I doubt that was the case, but I'm happy they tasted like it. The soups are the same that they serve at Boma. They always have the butternut squash, and they also have a "soup of the moment". There are some fun, interesting food options as well as picky-kid-friendly options. The Mara is a good choice for vegetarians, too. And the desserts are fabulous. They have more than just zebra domes, and I personally enjoy the other desserts more.

The only problem I found with the Mara and eating outside is that so many guests are just plain pigs and don't clean up after themselves.