Since the deluxe resorts don't have food courts...

[onceuponadream]

Where do you all "grab a quick bite". I know this may seem like a dumb question but...we usually eat breakfast in the room or grab something from the food court. We eat lunch at the park. We return late evening and order a pizza to be delivered or go to the food court and grab chicken strips or a salad..etc. We would love to try a deluxe but we try to avoid paying for expensive meals in a restaurant (except for a few character meals). We are interested in AKL, WL or Poly. I know the deluxes near Epcot have the Boardwalk but what do you do for a late night meal if sitting with 4 tired kids in the restaraunt is out? For example, at CBR we ordered and ate out by the pool. Very relaxing...can you do this at the deluxes?? Thanks for any help!

 

[GEM]

Roaring Forks is the counter service snack bar at the Wilderness Lodge. They have bugers, sandwiches, chicken strips, salads, nachos, etc. We usually got something quick and carried it out to eat beside the pool. They also have inside seating. They are open pretty early for breakfast and stay open pretty late.

There are similar places at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (Mara) amd the Polynesian (Captain Cooks). They aren't as big as food courts at the moderates, but they will do just fine for what you are talking about.

Here is a link to a place where you can check out the menus for Roaring Forks, Mara, and Captain Cooks.

http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm

 

[josierac]

WL, AKL, Polynesian, Contemporary, Grand Floridian all have a counter service place to pick up something quick

 

[jwfla422]

The Epcot resorts also have their own places besides the places at the Boardwalk.

YC/BC has Beaches & Cream and the S/D has Tubbi's which is open 24 hours. Tubbi's is actually located in the Dolphin but it's just right across from the Swan.

And, in the mornings the Swan bar offers various muffins, danish, bagels along with coffee and oj.

 

[onceuponadream]

Thanks for the great link and all the replies! I'm sooo excited that we don't have to rule out the deluxes because of lack of counter service!! Now which one to choose.....

 

[Tink]

We stayed at the Poynesian last year. It was our first trip as a family to a Deluxe (the last time was our honeymoon, so the food court wasn't much of an issue). We usually stay at a moderate and love the food courts. Especially since we have little kids. It's so easy to just pick up breakfast and eat it in the room, or in the food court.

Originally, we were booked into the Beach Club, out the we knew there wasn't a large selection of "take out" and we wanted to be able to refill our mugs ourselves. We switched to the Polynesian. Captain Cook's is open 24 hours. We could fill our own mugs, and get quick food. The selection is not as large as at the moderate/value food courts, but it is good enough.

It's amazing when you have little kids how a food court figures into your decision. I never would have thought it - but our next trip is back to POFQ. Great Price and we know our pickly 3 1/2 year old will be able find something.

 

[Greg K.]

This is the Grand Floridian's answer to the "no food court" problem -- a lively little joint where you can grab a muffin or some cereal in the morning, or a sandwich at lunch, or a snack for after hours. Just outside, there are a handful of tables with umbrellas adjoining the marina -- you get a GORGEOUS view of the castle.

In the early morning, with fog rising off the lake, it's unreal. A wonderful, and wondrous, spot for that first jolt of java in the morning

At night, it's a great spot for watching the fireworks.

Also fun: they have ducks that wander around looking for handouts. Some will nudge their way right up to you. They are harmless. And very endearing.

 

[wareagle]

We just returned yesterday from the Polynesian and had no problems. We ate at Capt. Cooks and had good food. We also went over to the Contemporary and ate at their food court. The monorail works great to go to the other resorts and eat at their food courts. We had good food and good service there. We took our food out to the pool one night and watched the fireworks while having dinner.

 

[Patio]

I stayed at AKL and I always got breakfast at Mara to take back to the room while my family slept. I'd pick up 2 cartons of cereal, 1 milk that would fill both cereal bowls, for the kids, usually a bagel for myself, danish for dh, 2 Krispy Kreme donuts, and refill my mugs, all for about $10- $12. I'd put everything on a tray and carry the tray back to the room and then wake my family. Worked out great. There are tables outside of the Mara to eat, also. AKL is a wonderful resort, can't wait to go back!!

 

[Schmeck]

Patio, thanks for the AKL food court info! We'll be staying there for the very first time in about two weeks. We've always done a moderate, so it's nice to know that AKL has many of the same food items that we usually get in the morning!

Schmeck, still planning on bringing a lot of the breakfast stuff, but thinking of checking out Mara once or twice. Maybe it was the words Krispy Kreme

 

[WolfpackFan]

Regarding the AKL foodcourt. We were very pleased with it. We ate breakfast and dinner there several times. The cheeseburgers were very good. Make sure to try the chocolate chip cookies. They were absolutely delicious. You have to get them early though as they do run out. Breakfast was good also. I would say the AKL foodcourt is one feature that would cause us to choose AKL again over other Deluxes. It did not look to me like the foodcourt at WL was as larger or had as good a selection as AKL and I haven't seen any foodcourts at any other Deluxes.

 

[onceuponadream]

Do any of these food courts have pizza?? How about ice cream?? Thanks for the info !

 

[Desnik]

Gasparilla Grill at GF has pizza, very good too, and soft serve ice cream and toppings you can make yourself, or the frozen ice cream bars and ices. They also have those delicious Mickey bars! Here's a menu
http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_gasper.htm