Restaurant in MK Resort Area or Not????

[cjsmom5]

We are coming in and renting a car from the WDW car care center around 5pm. We are then to drive to Vero Beach. We were thinking it might be easier to just grab a meal at one of the MK Resort restaurants. Don't want to go into the parks.

Was thinking of Kona's. Anyone have any other suggestions or thoughts on Kona's in the Polynesian? It will be two mom's and their two 7 yr old sons. No need for characters as we will be returning 4 days later. We were just thinking it would be easier to grab a bite there before we started our trip to Vero Beach.

 

[crisi]

We are coming in and renting a car from the WDW car care center around 5pm. We are then to drive to Vero Beach. We were thinking it might be easier to just grab a meal at one of the MK Resort restaurants. Don't want to go into the parks.

Was thinking of Kona's. Anyone have any other suggestions or thoughts on Kona's in the Polynesian? It will be two mom's and their two 7 yr old sons. No need for characters as we will be returning 4 days later. We were just thinking it would be easier to grab a bite there before we started our trip to Vero Beach.

You sure you want the MK resort area? For my kids when they see the castle -- its all over. So we avoid that area until we are ready to go into the parks.

Kona is a great value and we liked it alot. Whispering Canyon Cafe could be fun with the kids (and they might not see the castle). We like Narcoosee's a lot, but its more expensive.

 

[cjsmom5]

Being at WDW and seeing the castle that evening isn't that big of a deal for our kids as we are on the way to Dodgertown to hook up with their "friends" ... some of the younger players with the Dodgers. They are more excited to get there than WDW ... but after four days will be ready to be at WDW. So, it is just a matter of finding a good place to eat. Narcosse's is good but a bit much for what we had in mind.

Have never been to Whispering Canyon ... can you tell me a bit about it? Didn't even think about WL being in that area although we have been there several times for a "drop in."

 

[BCV23]

I think Kona is a great idea. Great food and service and very convenient to the Car Care Center although you have to be a little careful going "back" to the Polynesian as most of the traffic is exiting the MK there. But there is a road in that direction...just be careful not to join the MK traffic.

If you aren't certain of the roads, it might be easier to go to the Epcot resort area. Beaches and Cream or maybe ESPN for your little sports fans.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Kona is really great and they have really great desserts. The Kiddie Kone is really spectacular for kids.

Another option may be Trails End Buffet at Ft Wilderness. It is a buffet of the food from Hoop De Doo. I've only been for lunch and find it a great escape from the parks so I don't know how convenient you'd find it for you. You'd have to park and take a bus back to Trails End. But we found the food and service to be good and the price very reasonable.

 

[Dopey's Girl]

Whispering Canyon is one of our favs...just do a search on the boards and you'll get LOTS of info on it. We love the food and the bottomless milkshakes! Yummy!

We also like O'Hana. The food is good and they do some of the same fun game things kind of like Whispering Canyon. It's got a great view of the MK if you get to sit near the wall of windows.

JMO, but we didn't really care for Kona. The food was good, but I felt like we were sitting out in middle of where people were walking around. i just didn't feel like we were "in" a restaurant. It was a little uncomfortable.

 

[OntFamily]

If you're not going in the parks, I'd have a meal at the Contemporary (either Concourse Steakhouse or Chef Mickey's). Dependent on MK closing hours, you may be able to watch the fireworks from the 4th floor observatory.

 

[cjsmom5]

Thanks everyone for the help so far. I really appreciate it.

We are trying to grab a meal that doesn't take tons of time and then get on the road since we will have a couple hours to Vero Beach and we will have been traveling since 9am (our time which is 11am FL time)... that is why I was avoiding one of the character buffets.

As I hear more and think about it I am beginning to wonder if we might be better to just get on the road and hit a restaurant on the way. I thought about the Contemporary Snack Bar but the arcade would be a HUGE draw for our boys so won't do that. I was wishing that Capt. Cook's was remodeled as last time we were there the selection wasn't that great. And, am still entertaining the ESPN idea.

I looked at Kona's menu and while it looks wonderful I think our party would probably like the lunch menu better -- figures -- but since the plane doesn't get in until 3:30pm we won't make that one.

Ah...such decisions ... ones which I am so glad I have to make, though, since it means we will be at WDW and Vero Beach!

 

[crisi]

I think most people do WC as an all you can eat place. Its "American BBQ" ribs and fries. We weren't in an all you can eat mode, and had plentiful and good "Outback Steak House" caliber steaks. The atmosphere is loud and noisy, and its like 50s Prime Time in the waitstaff is encouraged to interact with you and make it loud and noisy - not the place for a quiet meal.

But I think its time consuming for what you want, and I think you'd be better off offsite. It will be a lot quicker.

 

[OntFamily]

We are trying to grab a meal that doesn't take tons of time and then get on the road since we will have a couple hours to Vero Beach and we will have been traveling since 9am (our time which is 11am FL time)... that is why I was avoiding one of the character buffets.

If time is crictical, eating at a MK resort is probably not a good idea. I think your idea of grabbing something on the road is a good idea.