Suggestions for ADRs with young kids?

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Since I'm on maternity leave until October, we decided to actually use our Economic Stimulus check to help the economy and head to Disney for free dining! (I'm a teacher, and we don't usually get to go during this time of the year.) At the time of the trip, we'll have a 7 yr. old DD, 4 yr. old DS and 5 month old DS (yes, we're a little nuts). We're looking at making ADRs, and we're a little stuck. We want to hit several character meals, but would also like to eat at least on or two normal TS meals as well. We've had good luck with Disney in the past in terms of dining, and I've looked at lots of food reviews here on the DIS, but we were hoping to try some different things. So far, we know we want:
* Chef Mickey's (a must-have with our older two, and a favorite from when I went as a kid) for dinner
* Crystal Palace for breakfast (never done before, but something we've wanted to do)
* We're also thinking of a dinner at Whispering Canyon (couldn't get in last time). We've been to Mama Melrose's the last two times we were down, and really enjoyed it, so we could go there again. But we'd really like to try something new.
* We've hit both CRT and Akershus for DD in the course of the last two trips, and we think we're princessed-out. Don't tell DD, though!

I guess my concern is that we need to go to places that can tolerate three young children! My two older kids are used to eating out, but they can still get cranky when they are overly tired from a day at the parks. I don't know how my youngest will do, of course (he's a whole two weeks old at this point). Anyone have any suggestions for us? I need to make our ADRs before we're out of luck for the places we like! Thanks in advance!

 

[danielle782001]

My kids and family loves:

*Tusker House (AK) for breakfast with Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Goofy
*Whispering Canyon for breakfast or dinner
*Cape May Cafe (BC) for breakfast
*Sci-Fi (DHS)... For you I would recommend a table car instead of a standard car because of the baby
*Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner
*50s Prime Time (DHS)... I know you said you like MM but maybe you should try something different
*Rainforest Cafe (DTD)

 

[jessica23]

My dk's are almost the same ages (7,4 and the youngest will be 15 months when we go), so far we are going to Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare (great buffet and your 7 year old would love Cindy and Prince Charming), Whispering Canyon, Boma, Cape May for breakfast, and Akershus, we are sticking to mostly buffets as they are usually more kid friendly, right?!

 

[1hero2princesses]

We are going for free dining and are trying most of them, but if you are going to be there then please make your adr's now so you can get something. I had made mine at the 180 day mark before free dining was announced. Tried to change something after it was announced and things are really booked up. The only thing open one night was an 8:30 and my kids are really little so that didn't work. I was able to get everything I wanted but instead of a breakfast I ended up with a lunch and the same thing for one of my dinners. I haven't been yet, so I can't really make suggestions but I would book now and amend later if you have too!

 

[mickeynut1]

We really like Cape May Cafe at the BC (great for both breakfast AND dinner....characters at breakfast only), Boma at AKL, Wispering Canyon at WL, and Ohana at the Poly (also good for breakfast AND dinner.....characters Lilo and Stitch and at breakfast only). Have a great trip

 

[Tink888]

My kids favorites are Sci-Fi, Ohana, Biergarten and Chef Mickey's

 

[sss]

Hi,
We have 5 y. o. twins and a 3 y.o. (all girls who love those princesses) and we have taken three trips to wdw with them. ON the first trip the twins were 14 months old and our youngest wasn't born yet, on our second our twins were 3 and our youngest 14 mos. and on our last trip they were 4 and 2 years. 4 mos. We've done CRT, Crystal Palace and the Jojo breakfast at hollywood and vine at mgm...we go to CRT every time, not because we love it so much but they do so what the heck...i thought Crystal Palace was atrocious (sp?) and I would never ever go back..why?
a. they were poorly organized
b. the food was beyond awful (if i won't eat it, it's bad)
c. the characters were handeled very poorly (which can result in crying children, why if it's unnecessary?) and i've heard the same kind of problems from other people over and over again.
Our very favorite ever was the Jojo breakfast..great food, well organized, characters were fabulous, i cant say enough great things...the little einsteins make an appearance at this breakfast too, fyi.
WE love and keep going back to:
boma, spoodles, whispering canyon
we have taken them some pretty fancy places and those restaurants had not only great food but were very used to and welcoming to children...those were:flying fish, CA grill (when the girls were 14 mos...they have crayons at the table), jiko, and artist point...remember though in terms of your kids, are they used to eating out and don't forget timing is EVERYTHING.
hth and have fun
sss

 

[brad3640]

a must for us is 50's Prime Time Dinner. We've done it for the past two years and have booked again for Sept. We really love it.
We are trying Grand FLoridian Cafe this time we like the reviews we usually go to COncourse but they will be closed by then.
Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's and Garden Grill (not a huge fan of the food but the kids are huge chip n dale fans.
we are doing ohana's love it
We really liked whispering canyon. We thought the food was great. and my oldest son loved the horse race around the restaurant.

 

[thatgirl23]

I know you want to hit several character meals, so have you thought about Ohana? It has Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto and is served family style. I was thinking that might help, them bringing the food to you, considering you'll have the baby. Liberty Tree Tavern (MK) and Garden Grill (EPCOT) are two other options for character meals that aren't breakfast. LTT has Minnie, Goofy, Chip, and Dale. GG has Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. Both are served family style.

As for non-character meals, I'd suggest Whispering Canyon and/or Ohana (dinner). Ohana has parades and games for the kids and again it's all you can eat but served family style. Whispering Canyon I haven't been to personally but have only heard great things about. The wait staff and the funny things they do should be fun for your kids as well.

Rainforest Cafe might also be fun, but some people have said their kids get scared by the animatronic animals that make noise and/or the thunder. The rain/thunder only lasts for a few minutes though.

Of course with anything, I'd suggest looking at the menus to make sure there's something that each member of your family will eat. (I'm not sure if you have any picky eaters.)

 

[twinscandc]

FairyGodmotherJen

Just wanted to say hello from a fellow Hoosier!! We are in Columbus!

Just my two cents....

We are a family of 5 also with twin DD's, age 11 and then a 2 year old DS. DS has already been to WDW twice!! The first trip was when he was 6 weeks old!

We are excited to be trying Liberty Tree Tavern this year. It's family style which will be nice to have the food brought to us and also be a character meal!!

Anyway...happy planning!!

 

[abc999]

Dinner at Ohana would be great for two older kids.. the hula dancing, coconut races, etc...

Also, if you have a Little Einstein and Jojo fan, Hollywood and Vine is really good.