Sit-down dinner ideas at resorts

[justKim]

For our first night, I want to have a nice (not fancy) restaurant dinner with our two small children, but I don't want to go into a park. We would love suggestions that would be casual and possibly near the Wilderness Lodge. There are so many choices that I am daunted by the task. We don't want to go off-site to eat that first night, and we already have PS for Artist Point for another night. Let the brilliant suggestions start flowing...

Thanks,
Kim

 

[jel0511]

Well... Here are a few ideas, close to the WL.

First off, the BEST place IMO would be Chef Mickey's located at the CR. It's a character dinner with Mickey, MInnie, Goofy, Chip, Dale and usually Donald as well. It's buffet, and the food is very good, IMO for a buffet. My kids love it!!

Another good place is Ohana at the Poly. This restaurant serves mean fired grilled on skewers right at your table, all food is served family style, and it's great. There are coconut races and hulahoop contests for children.

Also at the Poly is Kona Cafe. A hidden gem, the food is WONDERFUL and rather reasonable using WDW standards. Kona has the best desserts on property, IMO, so if you're a dessert person this would be a good stop.

Don't count out Whispering Canyon Cafe at WL out. It's a "hooten, hollerin'" good time!! They do stick pony races once an hour around the restaurant, and the servers do have some funny anctics. Since you're at WL, it might be a good choice.

The GF cafe is a great place, very quiet, and reasonable as well. It just re-opened for dinner, and would be a great opportunity to see the GF as well.

At the GF is also Cinderella's Gala Feast. It stars Cinderella, Prince Charming, Suzy, Perla and Fairy Godmother. IT is a charater dinner, just like Chef Mickeys, but different restaurant, food and characters. If you have a princess crazy member of your family, this might be a good stop.


Now, that I've given you all the dining opportunities around the WL, I'll tell you that if you don't already have reservations for Chef Mickey's, I'd go there. It's the best way to start off a trip, we always have our first dinner at WDW there!!!!

 

[disney queen]

how about trail's end buffet at fort wilderness? and then the children could go to the petting zoo? or even the family could enjoy a carriage ride. jel0511 had some great suggestions. the children might have a fun time there at whispering canyon cafe and the stick horse races.

 

[sotoalf]

I'll second most of jel0511's suggestions, with particular emphasis on Kona Cafe and Grand Floridian Cafe. Now that the latter has reopened for dinner, it's another reasonably priced option.

If money is no object, then hit Citricos. It's the best restaurant on property.

 

[stacy6552]

Forget Artist Point...Eat at teh Whispering Canyon. This was our first ever Disney meal and it remains a favorite, must do every trip. Be sure to have breakfast there also.

The other great start for your trip would be to hop over and see the Hoop DEe Doo at FW. If youre gonna splurge on one thing, this is it!

 

[Grumpy92]

Whispering Canyon would be fun for the entire family.

You also might consider a short boat ride to Chef Mickey's, Concourse Steakhouse or Trails End.

 

[JKanownik]

It's not near WL, but how about Boatwright's at Port Orleans Riverside. Once you are through with your meal, you could take the boat to DTD and go through the shops.

 

[CHIPSTER]

Grand Floridian Cafe would get my vote. If you time it right you can go outside and watch Wishes. Travelling if you don't have a car to the GF from WL wouldn't be a problem. Boat ride to MK and get on the monorail or bus to TTC and get on the Monorail.

Another resort restaurant that we like is Olivia's at Old Key West. They have a great variety there.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I vote for Ohanna's. We did WCC our first night at the WL this trip and we were really too tired to enjoy it. I'm not a big fan of the food there anyway but my guys LOVE it. Another idea that i might consider is to rearrange your PS and do artist point the first night. Asumed you are staying at WL. It's nice but not fancy and kids are not only welcome but adored here. We also love trails end buffet but that's what I would call a nice sit down. Great food at a good price. Try to eat at least one meal here. Just a short ride from the WL. Thank about us as you are at our favorite resort!!!


Jordans' mom

 

[Uncleromulus]

Narcoosee's at the GF would be my choice. Go around fireworks time and you can walk out on the porch and watch the show.

 

[oogieboogie]

1. Whispering Canyon
2. Whispering Canyon
3. Whispering Canyon

Can you tell I like it there? If you're going to stay at WL, then Whispering Canyon is fun! Nice short walk from your room, great food, great fun, and then, to burn off some of that good food, walk straight to the pool! HEAVEN!!!!

 

[lwestwise]

I would suggest Trails End. The atmosphere is not as hectic as some of the others and it is more casual than most. It is a buffet, but the kids love it and adults too. There is so much to see at FW, if you have never been. Peacocks, white and colored. Horses, goats, ducks. Who knows you may be run over by a rabbit or two. Depending on what time you have dinner, After dinner you could walk out to the dock or beach and watch the fireworks or the parade of lights on the water, before catching a boat back to WL, . the light pageant is at 9:45 and ofcourse the fireworks is Wishes from MK.
Whatever you do, enjoy.

 

[justKim]

Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! We already have plans to visit several places that you guys recommended -- nice to hear some more approval. I hadn't considered Trail's End. If we want to try it, should we get a PS? De you pretty much need a PS to eat at any restaurant in the park? We will have small children with us and waiting 30 min or more for a table is difficult.

I am getting very crazy trying to get PS arrangements for our meals. I have double PS for four meals and I'm trying to decide which ones to cancel. On one hand, I want to have a relaxing vacation and not push the kids too hard or fast, but I also want to plan our meals and we will likely eat almost entirely on site.

Thanks again for all the great ideas. I am adding everything to my spread sheet!

Kim

 

[jel0511]

We will have small children with us and waiting 30 min or more for a table is difficult.

Based on that statement alone, make a PS for ANY sitdown you plan on being at. If you don't feel like it, you can always cancel. Better to have a plan, then get to a restaurant and find out it's a 45 minute wait for a table. I also have small children and always have PS's. We've had to wait sometimes 45 minutes WITH a PS, so imagine how it would have been without. It is much more convient to know you'll be seated shortly, rather than having a lenghly wait. My kids can sit for up to 2 hours for dinner, but if there is a wait before that, than that time goes down with the wait time!!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Whispering Canyon(WL)
Ohanas(Poly)
Boma(AKL)

in that order!

 

[BCV23]

Kona at the Polynesian or Narcoossee's at the GF are my votes. Do make PSs...sounds like you already know that.

For either, the fastest way to get there other than by car would be to take the bus to the TTC and then the resort monorail to the Polynesian or GF.

But you could also take the boat to the MK and without entering the MK, hop the small launch to the GF and Polynesian. Wonderful way to travel the World. The launch docks right next to Narcoossee's at the GF and not far from the GCH at the Polynesian.

 

[justKim]

Thanks, thanks and more thanks...

Kim