Restaurant suggestions for little kids

[hulk51382]

This is our first trip to Disney with our two sons ages 3 and 1 and need suggestions on restaurants to eat at. We are going during free dining. We aren't looking for anything real fancy, just fun for the kids. We already booked breakfast at Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and Cape May. Also booked lunch at Rainforest Cafe in AK. We want to add more, but are not sure which ones. Thanks for any help.

 

[DisneySarah80]

This is our first trip to Disney with our two sons ages 3 and 1 and need suggestions on restaurants to eat at. We are going during free dining. We aren't looking for anything real fancy, just fun for the kids. We already booked breakfast at Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and Cape May. Also booked lunch at Rainforest Cafe in AK. We want to add more, but are not sure which ones. Thanks for any help.

You are taking your child to Disney!!!! Feel free to take them into any restaurant without an age restriction like Victoria & Alberts.

Getting on my soap box....
Personally, I don't care what others say / think and I'm personally getting tired of people making comments about kids in signature restaurants. This is Disney World people - kids like the place! Yes, as an adult, you can like it to (I know I do!) but you have to realize that this is a place that is geared towards kids, so theres a good possability you may be eating next to one. If you don't like it, then go eat off property!!! Oh wait, there may be kids there too.....
Off my soap box....

The only place I personally wouldn't take a little on is Tepon Edo - the Japanese Steak house. When my girls were little, they used to get a bit spooked by the hot fire when the chef would do one of his tricks. But, if you don't think you kids will react negativly to it, then go ahead and take them. Have a great trip, and remember, your in Disney!

 

[Disney52303]

My kids love Disney Jr so Hollywood and Vine is often on our list. Not sure where you are staying but we often book one night at the TS place at our resort for a low-key night. Maybe an italian place - will your kids enjoy that... never done Via Napoli but we enjoy the ambiance of Tony's as it's such a great location.

Crystal Palace is one of my favorite restaurants, I'm glad to see you chose it! It's so pretty!

 

[nanni]

If I had kids that age and was on the dining plan, I'd try for mostly buffet or family style restaurants so the kids could eat off the buffet. Plus, many have characters which helps entertain the kids and the total meal time is often less because you don't have to wait for food.

I'd add Garden Grill and Akershus to your current list, and possibly 1900 PF.

 

[hulk51382]

Thanks for the advice everyone! We added Hollywood and Vine. We weren't planning on going to Epcot so Garden Grill is out. Are there any Toy Story themed restaurants? My 3 year old would love that?

 

[Mom2micayla]

No Toy Story theme restaurants, unfortunately. My kids would love that too!

A lot of people take their kids to Sci Fi so they can dine in a car. I haven't ever been so I can't speak for the food (although it gets mixed reviews on Dis)

We're taking our 4 kids to: Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, T-Rex, Rainforest, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare, 'Ohana, Tusker House, Kona and Mama Melrose. The majority of those ADRs were made specifically with the kids in mind. I do agree with DisneySarah though.. look over the menu and chose what sounds best to you. Don't worry about whether it's a "kid" restaurant. There are bound to be plenty of other kids in the restaurants, and I'm sure they will do fine.

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

I will be the next in line to suggest Akershus, which is a great princess breakfast. My son, who first went at 3 and is now 5, loves meeting the princesses and thinks it's great; plus it's part buffet and part family style for breakfast. T-Rex is also a good place, although not on the dining plan. We prefer T-Rex to Rainforest Cafe, but usually do both.

I would be careful with the Garden Grill depending on what your kids eat. When we were there last year, kids were expected to eat off the family style plates the table received. When our picky son was not interested in the beef, turkey, or fish (insert eye roll here), or most of the sides he was pretty much out of options - no chicken nuggets or PBJ there.

Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace and Cape May should be perfect for you.

And don't be afraid to go a place or two for the adults. The Disney restaurants are kid friendly enough that you can go someplace like Le Cellier and the kids will still have a good time (mine did).

 

[DisneySarah80]

Thanks for the advice everyone! We added Hollywood and Vine. We weren't planning on going to Epcot so Garden Grill is out. Are there any Toy Story themed restaurants? My 3 year old would love that?

DHS has Pizza Planet as a quick serve. I've never been in it, but heres a link.


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=142

 

[ktlm]

Biergarten is usually a bit hit with the little ones (as well as with my DH). They have a show with a German Band and the kids can get out on the dance floor and dance during the show. DD has had that place as a "must do" since she was 3 (she is now 5). A friend took his 2 year old son there, and he loved it too. DD is a pretty picky eater and she always finds plenty of things on their buffet that she will eat.

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

Hi! I say this all the time on the boards - but Disney does such a wonderful job with kids menus that you and DH should choose a restaurant for yourselves! Pick a couple of top choices for y'all and then look at the kids menu to see which one would be the best!
In jan/Feb we went with DD (turning 4) and DS (10 months). BTW - DS is a very active little Boy.
With the baby - and since we had almost a week - we booked lots of table service!
For TS We went to Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, CRT, the Plaza, LTT, YnY, 50's prime time, Tutto Italia and Le Cellier. All went well- but as they are little we were always ready to change plans if need be. So have fun picking and I know y'all will have a great time!

 

[happy2go2wdwmom]

Love all of the recommendations and your choices...had to add Whispering Canyon Cafe. Funny and fun for all ages. Kids get to ride wooden ponies around the restaurant.

 

[coltsfanatic]

Try places such as:

Hollywood and Vine
Tony's
Crystal Palace
Coral Reef
Teppan Edo
Boma-be sure to check out the animals at the Lodge

Hope I helped!!

 

[EvilQueenT]

other than the signature venues, all the disney restaurants are done with kids in mind so i'd say look at the menus to make sure they have something everyone in the family will eat, then look at what else they offer...such as is it character dining, or have something extra like the coconut races at ohana, the wooden pony at whispering canyon that sort of thing.

 

[Disfan20]

I second Coral Reef. For us it is the best atmosphere in alll of Disney. My kids loved watching the fish, sharks and giant sea turtle swim by as we ate. The food gets mixed reviews, but I feel it is worth going especially since you are on free dining.

Also, I don't think the Rainforest Cafe is on the free dining plan. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.