Restaurant HELP ??? where to go and not to go

[bymorris]

Ok let me break it down. Me and my fiancee are going to Disney May 4-10th for our Honeymoon.

We didn't get the Dinning Plan, because I've heard some bad things and I heard about 2008 you can't get appetizers. But anyway I just want to see if some people can help me picks out some RESTAURANTS that are a must and some dubs that we should stay away from. I've been to Disney a bunch of times but I couldn't tell you one nice restaurant.

So some suggestions on (1)What are some really good places and where not to eat would be great if you guys could help me out. And (2) what are some peoples favorite and most romantic restaurants.

I know one reservation I am making is the dinner with Cinderella in the castle, I'm actually making those reservations for that tomorrow.

 

[engle]

If you want a full experience, I would suggest at least one other character meal besides CRT (Donald's Safari Bfast at AK, any meal at Crystal Palace at MK and others) as well as at least one "country" dinner at Epcot...let's see, I would say either Teppan Edo (not romantic as you'll sit with others but FUN) or Morocco or Chef's de France (if you have the cash, Bistro de France...definitely romantic!). I would also suggest a nicer non resort restaurant like California Grill or if you have the cash Victoria and Alberts.

V&A is TOTALLY worth EVERY penny. It is an experience to remember!! VERY romantic, very indulgent, very nice, very FUN.

Other places that I recommend....
BOMA or JIKO at AKL
Flying Fish at BW
Raglan Rd at DTD
Brown Derby at DS

Check out menus on www.allearsnet.com

Have a great time!!

 

[Fall1]

Definitely California Grill....others we like are Le Cellier in Epcot, Kona Cafe at the Poly. Have fun!

 

[Pakey]

First of all, congrats on the upcoming honeymoon!!!! Secondly, welcome to the discussion boards.

Now onto your question. Since you are already staying at the GF for part of your stay, I would definitely consider going to Victoria & Albert's one night for dinner. It's very nice, has a dress code, will take a couple of hours for your dining experience. It would make a very special evening for you and the food is the best on property, by far.

We also love Bistro de Paris in Epcot. It's upstairs in France and if you can get a window table for 2, it's usually very quiet (not many kids eating here) and you can overlook the World Showcase. Food is also very good here.

Next down I would pick Ca Grill at Contemporary. Although it's noisy when it's packed, the views of the Magic Kingdom are spectacular at night. And if you time it right for your reservation, you can watch the Wishes fireworks from there and it's the best view of them anywhere.

There are other nice places to eat--JIKO is very good and is often a quieter dining experience. Brown Derby at MGM will be the most intimate experience at that park. We also liked Portabello Yacht Club and Wolfgang's Upstairs at DTD. For seafood, we prefer Flying Fish on the Boardwalk and I've heard that bluezoo at the Dolphin is very good also.

Most places, even if they have good food, are noisy and busy because that's part of Disney.

Places to avoid. For me that would be San Angel in Mexico at Epcot--really terrible food. I also did not like Citricos at GF. The setting is nice and the food sounds good but we didn't care for it. We also dislike Rainforest Cafe.

 

[MJMcBride]

My top 2 choice are Boma and the San Angel Inn. I would also recommend Le Cellier, Chefs de France, House of Blues, and 'ohana

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We honeymooned at WDW 13 years ago and now take our 4 kid back with us at least once a year. I sure wish I would have had this forum to help me plan back then.

Our favorite place on our honeymoon, was Hollywood Brown Derby. I also would recommend California Grill, Jinko, Teppen Edo, Le Celliur. Plus do at least one character meal. One of our favorites is the Princess Breakfast in Norway. My DH still enjoys this as long as Jasmin is there. Congrats and have a blast. We will be in the World at the same time with our four.

 

[Quiksilvr]

My wife and I went to DW on our honeymoon just last month. We also did not do the Dining Plan... we didn't want to be strapped to the Disney restaurants. We were in WDW for quite a while so we tried tons of the restaurants. Some of our favorites:

Shula's (not quite as romantic, but the steak is awesome. I've eaten steak at Peter Luger's in Brooklyn and Shula's was almost as good).
California Grill - very romantic, watched fireworks, food was unbelieveable and the service impeccable.
Flying Fish - excellent service, excellently prepared food, fun atmosphere, and they really treat you nicely if you're on your honeymoon
Hollywood Brown Derby - food also excellent, classy honeymoon treatment (free champagne, strawberries, and dessert)
'Ohana - food is pretty good, but they also put on the dog for you if you're a honeymooner. We had excellent seats and got to participate in the fun.
Coral Reef - fun experience, romantic setting, good food, nice honeymoon touches with dessert

Avoid: Raglan Road, Garden Grill, Liberty Tree Tavern, Rainforest cafes

I would agree with the poster who said to go to another character meal. We got loads of attention from the characters because it was our honeymoon...I don't think they would have bothered otherwise. We wore those "Just Married" pins the entire time we were there and it paid off in better seating, free desserts, free champagne, better service, the whole nine yards. Have fun!

 

[believen]

I know one reservation I am making is the dinner with Cinderella in the castle, I'm actually making those reservations for that tomorrow.

Just to make sure, but Cindy isn't there for dinner, just breakfast and lunch.I might be wrong, but I wouldn't want you to be disappointed. Someone here will know for sure.

 

[bymorris]

Just to make sure, but Cindy isn't there for dinner, just breakfast and lunch.I might be wrong, but I wouldn't want you to be disappointed. Someone here will know for sure.

yeah you are right, i think we are going to do breakfeast

thanks guys,

i have no idea where some of those restaurants are and what parks they are in , but I will look those up... I think I have heard of the California grill before.

 

[Tara]

I echo what others have said about California Grill at the Contemporary - it's a must for the combination of wonderful food and view. We've eaten there three times with a fourth to come next month and it has always been worth every penny. Jiko (AK Lodge) is very, very nice, too, and a good bit quieter than CA Grill. Artist Point (at Wilderness Lodge) is another lovely choice.

I happen to think that San Angel Inn (Epcot - Mexico pavilion) is wonderful -- very romantic and the food has always been very good IMO, but not Tex-Mex.

 

[audisight]

First of all congrats on your upcoming wedding!
I agree that Cali Grill is a great choice. DF and I were planning to have our wedding reception there until our guest list grew. The food and the view are awsome. If you time it just right and tell them it's your honeymoon you might be able to see Wishes (the MK firework show) from your table. For the ultimate romantic dining experience I've heard Victoria & Albert's is the best choice,DF and I plan to eat there on our honeymoon. You might also want to try...
Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Le Cellier at EPCOT
Coral Reef at EPCOT
Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club

If you want some Disney fun places try
50's Prime Time Cafe at MGM
Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge
Ohana at the Polynesian

Have a happy honeymoon!
PS: If you have not, check out the wedding and honeymoon board. They have some great tips there.

 

[Got Quattro?]

Me and my fiancee are going to Disney May 4-10th for our Honeymoon.

help me picks out some RESTAURANTS that are a must and some dubs that we should stay away from.

I know one reservation I am making is the dinner with Cinderella in the castle, I'm actually making those reservations for that tomorrow.

From your criteria...i would break it down like this.

Charecter Breakfast.....Chef Mickey at contemp, or Cape May Cafe at Yach/beach Club. These are the 2 best charecter meals you can get. the food is pretty good and the interaction with the charecters is un beatable.

Romantic meals....California Grille at the contemp.....Artist Point at the wilderness lodge. The food is great and the atmosphere is dark and romantic.

Normal meals....OHana at poly.....whispering canyons at wilderness lodge.....Wolfgang Puck at downtondisney.....lecelier

I would skip Cinderella Breakfast in the castle. The food is bad, the princesses give very little time to each table....it's all about screaming 6 year olds. Not what a new couple would want to see....you'd never have kids.

 

[MassJester]

Congrats on your wedding!

My thoughts will echo some of those of PPs, and I've had some experiences that are contrary.

My favorite restaurant is the Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. The seats that allow you to dine while watching the chefs work provide an excellent show/dining experience.

Coral Reef inside EPCOT (it's in the Seas pavilion) allows you enjoy a pretty good meal while seated in front of the enormous aquarium.

California Grill on top of the Contemporary Resort I think is a must - - I plan reservations to coincide with the Wishes fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. You also can get a peak at EPCOT's fireworks from here as well.

The Brown Derby at MGM combined with the Fantasmic show has never done me wrong.

The buffets at BOMA (both breakfast and dinner) provide a most excellent variety - but there will be no swing dancing afterwards

In your hotel, unlike a PP, I very much enjoy Citricos, so I'd give that a look. I've been to Victoria & Albert's once. I'm glad I did it, but it is unlikely I'll ever go again. It's very expensive, and the only place I'd wear a jacket and tie.

I frequently enjoy Wolfgang Puck's in DTD before taking in the Cirque Du Soliel show (I wouldn't miss that if you haven't seen it).

As far as character breakfasts, my two favorites are Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort, and the Crystal Palace in the MK -- the latter because I can make an early reservation and walk down Main Street toward Cinderalla Castle before the park is open. Very cool

Please tell us what you select and how you liked them!

 

[bymorris]

ok thanks guys I really appreciate it !!! this is helping me out big time

So far I think I'm going to stick with the Cinderella breakfast at MK on the first morning we are there. And I did just make reservations at California Grill @ the Contemp the last night we are at Disney on Friday, and the lady said she hooked me up with a Window Seat 1-hour before the firework show and she put on the reservation notes that it is the honeymoon so they should hook it up.

So I guess for during the week, we will ride it out. Unless you guys think that I should go ahead and make reservations for some other places????

 

[Pakey]

I'm so glad you snagged a window seat at Ca Grill. It will be amazing for you guys.

Yes, I would book all of your meals that you are going to want to eat at a table service restaurant (as opposed to counter service). With the dining plan having gotten so popular, getting seated by walking up last minute at a restaurant has become next to impossible.

Enjoy your honeymoon.

 

[N.Bailey]

Wow, I'm shocked that no one has mentioned this site to you yet. I think you've got some really great recommendations, so take those and visit this site to see each menu.

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

Duh me, I missed the link in the 2nd post. LOL BTW, congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

 

[Shmily1]

Congratulations!! I would suggest Coral Reef at Epcot first. We all loved it and you can get a diver to bring a sign and have special menus made... the works!!! The food is great and so is the atmosphere. For character breakfasts, I would suggest Cape May Cafe breakfast and the Crystal Palace. The Yacht Club Galley has great food (check out the appetizers). Also, we love the Rainforest Cafe. The worst food we have ever had at WDW was at 50's Prime Time at MGM. Have a great time!!!

 

[Pakey]

Congratulations!! I would suggest Coral Reef at Epcot first. We all loved it and you can get a diver to bring a sign and have special menus made... the works!!! The food is great and so is the atmosphere. For character breakfasts, I would suggest Cape May Cafe breakfast and the Crystal Palace. The Yacht Club Galley has great food (check out the appetizers). Also, we love the Rainforest Cafe. The worst food we have ever had at WDW was at 50's Prime Time at MGM. Have a great time!!!

The diver is no longer available.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

California Grill & Jiko would be the two I suggest. They are our two favorite places to dine at WDW. I would also recommend Le Cellier, Coral Reef & Brown Derby.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Have you checked out the Dining Review board? People post their reviews and often pictures of the meals.

Have you seen the food porn thread? There is a sticky at the top of the page with popular links. Lots of pictures worth drooling over (plus in another thread there is a linked guide to finding pictures from specific restaurants)

And there are the DIS menus. Lots of the menus have pictures of the restaurant and some have added food pictures.

Have a ball planning your trip. You are going at a fantastic time of year.