Restaurant at Down Town Disney

[Poohbeck]

We will be in Orlando in two weeks for a non-Disney vacation.

Friends of ours from town will be there the same week because their daughter's are dancing at Disney and Universal for the week. We wanted to meet up with them the evening they are dancing at Down Town Disney.

We have never eaten dinner at Down Town Disney when we've gone to the World, so, I figured the night they dance at 9pm would be perfect for us to get down there, eat, shop, watch the dance, and then meet up with our friends.

I'm having a hard time deciding where to eat. I've listed 8 restaurants that look like they'll fit our budget and have items on the menu my family would like to eat. The cast is: Me, DH, DS13 and DS11.

I have a concern that T-Rex might be a bit juvenile for them, but, let me know.

Thanks so much!

 

[funkbucket007]

Any reason Wolfgang Puck Cafe (as opposed to Wolfgang Puck Express) isn't on your list? That's where I'd whole-heartedly recommend you go.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Wolfpuck Express is Great but Wolfpuck Cafe is a baby step up.You cant go wrong with either but the Cafe is a TS

 

[Brook1099]

all ages can go to Trex is has the best ravioli I have ever eaten and look forward to it again on my next trip. It is the only place my kids request on our vacation they are 10 and 8, so younger then yours but it is really cool in their and I am old.

 

[Poohbeck]

Any reason Wolfgang Puck Cafe (as opposed to Wolfgang Puck Express) isn't on your list? That's where I'd whole-heartedly recommend you go.

I guess I didn't notice the difference on the menus. The "Dis" section of Down Town Disney kept freezing my computer so I had to go to a different website to see what restaurants are offered down there. I'll look again.

Wolfpuck Express is Great but Wolfpuck Cafe is a baby step up.You cant go wrong with either but the Cafe is a TS

I want TS, so I guess I made a mistake. Thanks for the help.

 

[missminniemouse]

Our kids (DS10 and DD14) enjoyed Portobello a lot.

They also enjoyed the food and entertainment at Raglan Road. I know that's not on your list, but certainly worth considering in my opinion.

We haven't tried T-Rex yet, but after looking at their menu and prices, it didn't strike us as a very good value. We'll probably break down and try it anyway at some point. I have heard a lot of good things about it.

 

[Poohbeck]

So, it looks like WolfGang Puck Express is the leader, although, I guess I meant to type Cafe.

I just checked the information on the Express and it said it didn't need reservations. Is that true?

 

[tinkandpan]

We love Bongo's it is such a great atmosphere. Also really like Raglan road although not on your list. Something to think about it you have a car and a budget, is the Orlando Ale House right outside the gates of DTD- great food and good prices.

 

[Hopefully]

What about Raglan Road? We have been there a few times and always enjoyed it. The restaurant is beautiful and the food is good.
There is nightly entertainment and all in all it was a fun, enjoyable evening

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

So, it looks like WolfGang Puck Express is the leader, although, I guess I meant to type Cafe.

I just checked the information on the Express and it said it didn't need reservations. Is that true?

Wolfgang Puck Express is a CS but it is not a typical CS. You are served from REAL PLATES and Silverware, your food is brought to you, and they have a GREAT menu Spaghetti, Wraps, Salads Gourmet Pizza, Rotissere Chicken, and Pasta. It is the BEST CS in all of WDW. No you don’t need a reservation this place is a must do for me and my son every trip we go at least 2 to 3 times. The Cafe is a step above the express, it is also good and yes you do need an ADR. If you get a chance go to the allears website and check out the menus

 

[disney4us2002]

We've been to both WPE and Cafe and enjoyed both of those. We also really liked House of Blues but it is at the opposite end of the shopping and stage area.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

What about Raglan Road? We have been there a few times and always enjoyed it. The restaurant is beautiful and the food is good.
There is nightly entertainment and all in all it was a fun, enjoyable evening

Another vote for Raglan Road. We all love it, including our boys (10 & 13).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

What about Raglan Road?

I was surprised I didn't see it on the poll. While I love atmosphere, music, food, and drinks, my biggest reason for going here is that it is unique. There is only one other Raglan Road in the world. Rainforest Cafe, Wolfgang Puck's, Planet Hollywood's, House of Blues, etc. all exist in most major cities. Raglan Road and T.Rex are unique to Disney and maybe one other location.

 

[ncc1701]

So, it looks like WolfGang Puck Express is the leader, although, I guess I meant to type Cafe.

I just checked the information on the Express and it said it didn't need reservations. Is that true?

The Cafe is TS & takes reservations. The Expresss is a CS(altho upscale CS) so no reservation needed.There is also a Upstairs at the Cafe which is more upscale & pricier

 

[bluejasmine]

I voted Trex, its a must do atleast once, altho we are going back, thats how much we enjoyed it. The chicken fried steak was amazing, the cotontini was yummy and the exteniction dessert was to die for! I wasnt expecting to like it as much as I did but we all loved it DH, DD13 and DS 16. We dont care for RFC bland food at high prices which is weird since the same company owns both..

 

[Priorityonecb]

My husband and daughter went to T-Rex on our last visit and didn't enjoy it at all. It was too loud and overstimulating for dd, and dh didn't feel the portions were worth the cost. Neither of them liked thier meal either. A dud all around for them.

My vote would be for Wolfgang!!

 

[DisneyBunny15]

I voted for Bongos & House of Blues

Bongos - great atmosphere, very lively, great cuban steaks & chimmichuri sauce

House of Blues - live entertainment, dancing, very country!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted for Wolf Gang Puck Express because after Earl of Sandwich it's the only other dining location in WDW we would go to and when we have went there in the past I remember we thought their food was very good.

 

[Homesick for Disney]

Wolfgang Puck Express is probably our favorite restaurant in all of Disney. The food is always good, and it's a great value.

 

[B-Ride]

Of the choices you had I voted for Wolfgang Puck Express. If you are paying OOP it falls somewhere between a CS and a TS restaurant.

If you want to stick with TS, I would recommend either Wolfgang Puck Cafe or Raglan Road. We tried them both last year for the first time and liked them so much we are returning to both this year.