restaurants outside buy close to WDW?

[suevee]

I would like to see a thread about restaurants close to WDW. With the holiday pricing at the buffets from Memorial Day to past July 4, enforced tipping on the DDE card, reduced benefits on the DD plan and the reduction of quality of the food itself, we are thinking of taking more of our meals outside of WDW. The problem is I don't like driving to far from WDW. As many times as I have gone (around 15 trips) I can not remember EVER eating off property. I am afraid that now the time has come. So could you post your favorite and closest off-site restaurant?

Maybe we should even ask the moderators if this deserves a separate home like the other Orlando Attractions????

Thanks

 

[grimley1968]

Probably the closest to WDW, but still "offsite" would be in the Downtown Disney area, where there are lots of hotels and chain restaurants.

 

[just another guy]

Probably the closest to WDW, but still "offsite" would be in the Downtown Disney area, where there are lots of hotels and chain restaurants.

Yup, mainly the intersection of 535 and 535: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=28.385284,-81.507204&spn=0.027713,0.02811&t=h&z=15&om=1

Just go north or south on 535(also called Apopka Vineland Blvd) and within a mile each way there are tons of option. Problem is, you'll be fighting it out with everyone staying at all those holiday inn type hotels right there. During July, you'll be waiting 30-60 minutes for a table at Chilis, or other chain restaurants.