Shula's - keep it or go for something different

[Golden Rose]

We booked Shula's for our upcoming trip when we still thought my DstepF was coming on the trip. (He is healing more slowly from knee surgery than he'd hoped, and just doesn't feel up to WDW.) DstepF loves my kids, but doesn't love the way they sometimes behave at dinner when they are overtired on vacation. So, we had decided that on the night we checked in the BWV, we would walk to Shula's and put the kids in the (free if you are dining) kids' club for the evening.

We want to eat in the Epcot resort area. The need for putting the kids in kids' club is gone, although I still think it might be nice to have a quiet dinner with DH and DM. I'm sort of divided about what to do. Does anyone have any must do's in the Epcot Resort Area, either with or without kids?

Is Shula's fairly quiet and relaxing? Is it worth doing, or just another generic steakhouse?

 

[Clare Voince]

Shula's was deserted both times I went. I may have just hit it at an off time. The food and service is excellent. It's very dark in there, but there's not much to see anyway. I wouldn't take the kids, there's nothing for them there.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Is Shula's fairly quiet and relaxing? Is it worth doing, or just another generic steakhouse?

1) Shula's, for the most part, is VERY quiet and reserved.
. . . the atmosphere does not lend itself to boisterous behavior
. . . parents even make sure their kids don't run around or make loud noises!
. . . we had a table of fourteen near us, with six kiddies, AND BARELY heard them talking, let alone making a scene
2) It is definitely worth the trip to eat for both food quaity and service *
3) The quality of the meat is excellent, and superior to your local steakhouse.

* Coincidently, we ate at Shula's YESTERDAY for my birthday dinner. The food was top notch. I order filets "Pittsburgh Style", which is heavily charred on the outside and medium-rare inside, and it was perfectly prepared. We requested our usual waiter, Perry, but were (sadly) given Thomas. I haven't called a manager to the table or complained in-writing to Corporate in a long while, but after Thomas, I did. To paraphrase the song from A Chorus Line, Food:10, Service:2. (It must be said that this is the FIRST bad experience for us at Shula's in over seven years. I think Thomas just looked at older folks and decided we give lower tips and don't deserve his best efforts. He did the same to another table with an older couple. However, a third table came is with four 40-somethings, and they got the whole treatment. Which, frankly, all diners should enjoy, as did nearby guests with the other waiters.)

 

[JZCubed]

My child enjoys the Camp at Dolphin.....dinner for the children is served at 6:45 at Piccabu & they can select ice cream......

My wife & I enjoy our dinner and then our child is sometimes energized to subsequently Park hop (which would not have happened were it not for the Camp).

We are fish people (blueZoo) more than steak, but we still enjoy Shula's on occasion (my wife loves the souffle for dessert).

 

[staceyrhood]

Keep it...sooooo good!

 

[Golden Rose]

Ok, I'm convinced. We're keeping it. The kids have reservations in Camp Dolphin.

We like bluezoo and have been multiple times, but my DM will be with us, and she does not eat much seafood. She doesn't eat steak either, but she thought several things on Shula's menu looked good.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

My child enjoys the Camp at Dolphin.....dinner for the children is served at 6:45 at Piccabu & they can select ice cream...... . . .

1) So, what's not to like for the kiddies?
2) I think even I could go for that!
3) Keep the charred steak and give me a monster dish of Butter Pecan with Vanilla Sauce.

 

[JZCubed]

1) So, what's not to like for the kiddies?
2) I think even I could go for that!
3) Keep the charred steak and give me a monster dish of Butter Pecan with Vanilla Sauce.

My just turned 6 y.o. can distinguish between the food and/or goodie bag she receives from any particular 'Camp'.

But she really enjoys the mac-n-cheese and ice cream (self-serve & soft-serve) at Picabu.

And Camp is free with the purchase on an entree.

Also, Swan & Dolphin Signature affinity program along with the Starwood bonus (all after TiW) - and they almost pay me to eat at these places.