Restaurant advice for non Disney in laws

[focusondisney]

I would suggest making all your ADRs for 6 if you can, then they can decide right before if they want to go or not. Theres no penalty for showing up with less people but it might be hard to add them later.

 

[mistysue]

My parents are also the "boring American food" / meat and potatoes type and I've noticed they keep repeating Raglan Road, and inside Animal Kingdom park Nomad Lounge. They have also asked me to get them ADRs for Liberty Tree Tavern. Have you thought of taking them over the Disney Springs?

A few weeks ago my parents stumbled into Topolino's terrace and were quite pleased with themselves.

You are probably set leaving them to find breakfast at the Poly, but Captain Cook's is good for a cheeseburger and otherwise you might be getting complaints that the menu is weird. I would say Contempo Cafe if they seem to be giving in on things feeling like Disney, as their menu is a little more bland than QS in the Poly or the Grand Floridian.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think DS works unless you rent scooters. Sounds like you'll need 2.

 

[FSU Girl]

I would suggest making all your ADRs for 6 if you can, then they can decide right before if they want to go or not. Theres no penalty for showing up with less people but it might be hard to add them later.

Good idea! I definitely get the feeling they’ll be making a lot of last minute decisions

 

[FSU Girl]

I don't think DS works unless you rent scooters. Sounds like you'll need 2.

My FIL can’t do a scooter he uses a wheel chair to get around most places and wouldn’t be able to steer the scooter. My MIL walks normally but has bad knees so can’t do a lot of walking. It would be hard because she’d need the scooter but usually pushes the wheel chair. My husband could push the wheel chair but they don’t want to have long days and be with us the whole time and we have two single strollers for the kids so that makes it hard with pushing everyone. If it’s a short distance my MIL could walk to a restaurant but Disney springs is a bit spread out so that might be hard

 

[Disneydawg74]

I know from your posts that you are an excellent Disney planner! Please lay some of this on your DH if possible. They are his parents and he should be doing some of the heavy lifting here (even if it’s just taking responsibility for the choices you make). Have a great trip!

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

My FIL can’t do a scooter he uses a wheel chair to get around most places and wouldn’t be able to steer the scooter. My MIL walks normally but has bad knees so can’t do a lot of walking. It would be hard because she’d need the scooter but usually pushes the wheel chair. My husband could push the wheel chair but they don’t want to have long days and be with us the whole time and we have two single strollers for the kids so that makes it hard with pushing everyone. If it’s a short distance my MIL could walk to a restaurant but Disney springs is a bit spread out so that might be hard

Are you sure your MIL couldn't walk further by pushing either the wheelchair or a stroller?
I know my parents always do better when they have something to push.
My mom liked to push the stroller at Disney when we still had littles in the group.
And my dad who is getting a knee replacement soon has started realizing he walks much faster at the grocery store leaning on the cart and does also bring a walker with seat to places he know he will be walking a lot.

I'm just a bit concerned for your in laws that they are going to possibly end up literally sitting in the room or making it not be as fun for you if they have that hard of a time getting around and not being Disney people and not wanting to just go with you throughout the day.

 

[liamthompson]

Have you considered doing breakfast together? Most Disney breakfasts are very standard eggs/cured meats and breads. And since you're staying at one of the new poly towers...if your in-laws are anything like mine, they'll be very pleased that their palates are so adventurous that they ate at a polynesian restaurant.

 

[liamthompson]

Just a bit concerned for your in laws that they are going to possibly end up literally sitting in the room or making it not be as fun for you if they have that hard of a time getting around and not being Disney people and not wanting to just go with you throughout the day.

Do we all have in-laws in the same mold? Hahaha

OP, I understand your desire to include your in-laws and make memories with your children but please remember that you're not responsible for making sure they have a good trip! They own their own attitude. If they have not expressed any desire for you to help thrm

I would plan the trip you want, with some invitations to dine with you, and leave them to figure out the rest by themselves.

 

[liamthompson]

Do we all have in-laws in the same mold? Hahaha

OP, I understand your desire to include your in-laws and make memories with your children but please remember that you're not responsible for making sure they have a good trip! They own their own attitude. If they have not expressed any desire for you to help thrm

I would plan the trip you want, with some invitations to dine with you, and leave them to figure out the rest by themselves.

Hit reply too soon

If they have not expressed any desire for you to help them with with planning, then I would assume they don't need help.

 

[jcolvin5]

My parents are also the "boring American food" / meat and potatoes type and I've noticed they keep repeating Raglan Road, and inside Animal Kingdom park Nomad Lounge. They have also asked me to get them ADRs for Liberty Tree Tavern. Have you thought of taking them over the Disney Springs?

A few weeks ago my parents stumbled into Topolino's terrace and were quite pleased with themselves.

You are probably set leaving them to find breakfast at the Poly, but Captain Cook's is good for a cheeseburger and otherwise you might be getting complaints that the menu is weird. I would say Contempo Cafe if they seem to be giving in on things feeling like Disney, as their menu is a little more bland than QS in the Poly or the Grand Floridian.

Topolino's is a GREAT option!

 

[kwdw]

Steakhouse 71 for lunch or dinner, Kona Cafe for breakfast. I think everyone can be happy with the food choices at both of these and they aren't overly crowded seating.

Cali Grill, Citrico's, Ohana's - also solid choices based on monorail access are the fact you are staying at Poly.

If you think they will go to a park with you:

At EP - Garden Grill for a character meal because it is family-style and they won't have to get up for a buffet. And, if they give up after the front of the park, you aren't deep in World Showcase.
At AK - Tiffins is fabulous - though a bit adenturous (Well, the burger and short-rib are pretty meat n potatoes.
At HS - Mama Melrose or Brown Derby (I don't think Sci FI or Prime Time will work well for you.) If they like bbq, Woody's is another great family style.
At MK - LTT.

 

[FSU Girl]

I know from your posts that you are an excellent Disney planner! Please lay some of this on your DH if possible. They are his parents and he should be doing some of the heavy lifting here (even if it’s just taking responsibility for the choices you make). Have a great trip!

Thanks! I’m trying to get him and them involved so I can at least get some ideas of what they’d like. My husband doesn’t plan at all if I left it up to him we’d end up doing nothing lol. And I think they’d be overwhelmed with decisions so some suggestions to them will help. I think I’ll have him tell them everything so it’s coming from their son which will make them happier

 

[FSU Girl]

Are you sure your MIL couldn't walk further by pushing either the wheelchair or a stroller?
I know my parents always do better when they have something to push.
My mom liked to push the stroller at Disney when we still had littles in the group.
And my dad who is getting a knee replacement soon has started realizing he walks much faster at the grocery store leaning on the cart and does also bring a walker with seat to places he know he will be walking a lot.

I'm just a bit concerned for your in laws that they are going to possibly end up literally sitting in the room or making it not be as fun for you if they have that hard of a time getting around and not being Disney people and not wanting to just go with you throughout the day.

I think pushing the wheel chair does help her get around a little easier with something to lean on so that’s a good point. MIL loves pools so that would be a great option for her, but with it being February my luck it’ll be freezing lol

 

[FSU Girl]

Have you considered doing breakfast together? Most Disney breakfasts are very standard eggs/cured meats and breads. And since you're staying at one of the new poly towers...if your in-laws are anything like mine, they'll be very pleased that their palates are so adventurous that they ate at a polynesian restaurant.

We love character breakfasts did a ton on our last trip. I think they’d like that although probably not the characters lol. Ohanas breakfast skillet is probably basic enough they’d like it

 

[FSU Girl]

Do we all have in-laws in the same mold? Hahaha

OP, I understand your desire to include your in-laws and make memories with your children but please remember that you're not responsible for making sure they have a good trip! They own their own attitude. If they have not expressed any desire for you to help thrm

I would plan the trip you want, with some invitations to dine with you, and leave them to figure out the rest by themselves.

I’m just worried if I leave the planning to them they won’t get much scheduled which is hard with Disney and then they won’t have a good time. With my parents on our last time I booked everything and just told them when and where we were going. We changed some stuff last minute but overall they followed what I booked.

 

[FSU Girl]

Topolino's is a GREAT option!

We love topolinos! Not sure if it’ll be something they’d like for breakfast the items are a little more unique than they are used to but I could run the menu by them

 

[FSU Girl]

Steakhouse 71 for lunch or dinner, Kona Cafe for breakfast. I think everyone can be happy with the food choices at both of these and they aren't overly crowded seating.

Cali Grill, Citrico's, Ohana's - also solid choices based on monorail access are the fact you are staying at Poly.

If you think they will go to a park with you:

At EP - Garden Grill for a character meal because it is family-style and they won't have to get up for a buffet. And, if they give up after the front of the park, you aren't deep in World Showcase.
At AK - Tiffins is fabulous - though a bit adenturous (Well, the burger and short-rib are pretty meat n potatoes.
At HS - Mama Melrose or Brown Derby (I don't think Sci FI or Prime Time will work well for you.) If they like bbq, Woody's is another great family style.
At MK - LTT.

These are great suggestions thank you!

 

[liamthompson]

I’m just worried if I leave the planning to them they won’t get much scheduled which is hard with Disney and then they won’t have a good time. With my parents on our last time I booked everything and just told them when and where we were going. We changed some stuff last minute but overall they followed what I booked.

Yup, I totally get this. I'm going through it right now too with my in-laws. They get annoyed because I'm asking what they want to do and they say they don't care but I'm afraid they're going to show up and struggle because nothing has been planned.

Years ago, I had a manager at work who was stressing out about a team that was going to miss a deadline and our director said: "let them fail". It was really eye-opening. So that is what I've decided to do. I've offered help, it's been rejected, so now I'm going to let them handle it themselves. It's been a weight off me haha

 

[MsChristy12]

Have you thought about going off property for a couple of these meals? There are some steakhouses and Ale house near DS that might work? I would avoid any restaurants inside the parks since you already said you aren't sure if they'll go into any of the parks. It will be a waste of money to get them ticket just to eat.