Restaurants not in parks?

[Pancakes]

Me and a group of friends are going to Disney World for graduation and the day we arrive is one of my friend's birthday. My friend and I would like to surprise her by going out to dinner to celebrate but we don't plan to go into a park that day.

We're looking for something affordable...we're only 18 and have a limited budget. This will probably be the only dinner we can do. I'm not sure. We've done some research, but really couldn't find anything. We were interested in the 1900 park fare, but people here say the entertainment is good, but the food was not and with our budget we don't want to spend that amount of money for a meal we won't enjoy.

Are there any you would recommend? We're up for almost anything in our price range. I would love to read some reviews and see pictures of food. Thank you

 

[NJ Mets fan]

You did not mention if you had a car or not but if you do, there are a whole bunch of chain restaurants in the area just beyond downtown disney you could do that are cheaper than Disney. There are also a bunch of places to eat at the Boardwalk. The Big River Grille and Brewing Co is pretty good and there is also an ESPN club there. You also have the restaurants in the yacht and beach club to chose from as well as the nearby Swan and Dolphin. After dinner you can walk the Boardwalk and check out the entertainers and catch some of the fire works from the Epcot illuminations show (better view walking over toward the yacht club). You could also rent a multiperson bike after dinner to ride around the Boardwalk that can be fun. Enjoy tour trip!

 

[NJ Mets fan]

Also forgot to mention that you could check out the menus and reviews for all disney restaurants at allears.net if you wanted more info.

 

[oc_tony]

You might also check out Kona Cafe at the Polynesian or Raglan Road at Downtown Disney. Both have entree prices ranging from $15-$30. You can view these and all the WDW restaurants at http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm#dd. You'll find menus, prices, and often photos and reviews, too. Happy dining!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Downtown Disney would be a fun place to hang out - you could dine at Raglan Road, which is one of my favorite restaurants. If you go later in the evening, you can catch live Irish music and a dancer. They start around 9pm.

Wolfgang Puck Cafe is also tasty, so is House of Blues. Both are at Downtown Disney and not very pricey.

Y'all could have dinner somewhere down there, see a late movie, or end her special day with ice cream at Ghiradelli. There is a lot of stuff to do in one spot.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Character -Chef Mickey
Wave
WCC
Reglan Road

 

[Pixiedust1983]

I would recommend O'hanna at the poly.
It's a set price £30.99, great food, fabulous desert - banana bread pudding with ice cream with warm caramel sauce poured all over mmm (im drooling lol)
All ears.net has the menu.
If you time it right you can see Wishes fireworks when your eating desert!
and if you tell them when ur booking that your there to celebrate a birthday they will bring out a birthday cupcake and sing happy birthday in a different language (sorry not good with the geography not sure what language it is - im sure someone will let me know and I'll be kicking myself!! lol)

 

[Kimberle]

Trails End over at FW is affordable, and the foods good, too! You could have a late dinner, then check out the Chip & Dale Campfire/movie.

 

[Jenngoofys]

Id say Chef Mickeys yes it has Characters but it is Disney after all and for a celebration it seems to be your best choice. They welcome celebrations of all kinds there so when booking let them know it is a birthday you may get some disney extras at your table. You can also order a cake, that they deliver to your table. Not to mention it is an all you can eat Buffet best buy for your money. Good Luck!!

 

[Pancakes]

How hard is it to get ADR's? I'd really like to try Ohanas...especially if we could see Wishes. All your suggestions are so great and I appreciate it so much.

 

[jszczur5]

How hard is it to get ADR's? I'd really like to try Ohanas...especially if we could see Wishes. All your suggestions are so great and I appreciate it so much.

You didn't say when you were going - but I would presume that you will have a hard time getting into 'Ohana. We are going twice next month. I was on the phone at 7:00 a.m. (on the dot) at the 90 + 10 mark, and one or our ADR's is still for 9:35 p.m. We couldn't get 50's PTC at all. I would agree with a lot of other posters here that DTD is a great alternative. Lots of food options, and you can make a whole evening of it. Be warned, however, that the AMC is VERY expensive, and may not fit into your tight budget. So sad that the Virgin Megastore is gone though, you could easily spend an hour or so in there.

 

[Pancakes]

You didn't say when you were going - but I would presume that you will have a hard time getting into 'Ohana. We are going twice next month. I was on the phone at 7:00 a.m. (on the dot) at the 90 + 10 mark, and one or our ADR's is still for 9:35 p.m. We couldn't get 50's PTC at all. I would agree with a lot of other posters here that DTD is a great alternative. Lots of food options, and you can make a whole evening of it. Be warned, however, that the AMC is VERY expensive, and may not fit into your tight budget. So sad that the Virgin Megastore is gone though, you could easily spend an hour or so in there.

Oh, we're going June 21-29. So I assume that June is a pretty popular month and it'd be hard to book. I kind of like Raglan Road's menu and prices, so if we can't get into Ohanas, I think that's what I would like to try, but I have to talk about it with the rest of my group. I agree that Downtown Disney would be a great place to spend the night, even if we don't go to the movies.

 

[Pancakes]

I have another question :/
Do all ADR's require Credit Cards?

 

[5Parks]

One restraunt is Chief Mickey.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I have another question :/
Do all ADR's require Credit Cards?

No not at all

not sure if you like sushi, but at the swan is kimonos and they have great sushi and Karaoke after 9:00. can be fun, and great atmosphere for a group

 

[Pancakes]

No not at all

not sure if you like sushi, but at the swan is kimonos and they have great sushi and Karaoke after 9:00. can be fun, and great atmosphere for a group

Whew, ok good! I mean, we could probably get a hold of one of our parents' credit card and give them the money for it, but it'd be a lot easier if we didn't have to do that. Is there a list of restaurants that require credit cards for ADR's? I've heard some require you to pre-pay.

We all love karaoke! But I think I'm the only one out of our group who likes sushi.

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

Yes --- some you do need to present a credit card ...

Those would be California Grill, Victoria & Alberts. They also want them in advance for the Spirit of Aloha show, and The Hoop-Dee-Doo Review, which are dinner shows. Additionally, if you wanted to book the Fantasmic Dinner Package, that requires a credit card, but that show, you would need to enter the park for ... so, per your earlier post, you would not consider that an option. I can not recall any others that require a credit card in advance, but I am sure others can advise.....

But -- the good thing is this ----
The restaurants you mention, and those within the price range you are looking --- none of those would require a credit card to book the reservation.

O'Hana would be good as you say --- not a bad option at all!! You know the price up front, plus, you see Wishes!

Good luck and have fun planning!


I can give you other ideas ... where you you staying? I do not recall seeing you mention that in the thread...

 

[Pancakes]

Yes --- some you do need to present a credit card ...

Those would be California Grill, Victoria & Alberts. They also want them in advance for the Spirit of Aloha show, and The Hoop-Dee-Doo Review, which are dinner shows. Additionally, if you wanted to book the Fantasmic Dinner Package, that requires a credit card, but that show, you would need to enter the park for ... so, per your earlier post, you would not consider that an option. I can not recall any others that require a credit card in advance, but I am sure others can advise.....

But -- the good thing is this ----
The restaurants you mention, and those within the price range you are looking --- none of those would require a credit card to book the reservation.

O'Hana would be good as you say --- not a bad option at all!! You know the price up front, plus, you see Wishes!

Good luck and have fun planning!


I can give you other ideas ... where you you staying? I do not recall seeing you mention that in the thread...

Thanks! Right now we're deciding between AKL and BWV. It's a really tough choice, we love them both, and right now the it's 50/50. Half wants one, half wants the other. I think I'm leaning towards BWV.

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

I would go with Boardwalk .... access to MGM / Epcot is sooo easy... it just gives you so many options.

Other dining ideas
1) Cape May Buffet - at Beach Club
2) O'Hanas - at Poly
3) Boma ( if you stay at AKL)


Check out allears.net for the dining menus @ resorts / downtown disney

Have fun !!

 

[Pixiedust1983]

I have another question :/
Do all ADR's require Credit Cards?

u don't need a credit card to book Ohanna
Its mostly the biggys like california grill, artist point, hoopededoo etc that require cc details.
If ur not going till next June u should b ok getting a booking. You need to phone as soon as you can get ur ADR's. Its 90 days b4 just now for adr's but ive heard it's changing to 180 days like it used to.
Also 4 an example me and my b/f wanted to go to O'hanna but couldn't get a booking so we turned up without adr and was put on standby. They said we could be waiting up to 45 mins. We only waited 15 mins and was seated. Might just be good luck who knows!! Also it was January so it wasn't peak season. Hope this helps