Suggestions for dining with little boys

[TKH]

My boys are 6, 4, and 1. Can anyone make a suggestion for a restaurant at each park? I know there's one where you sit in cars, but can't remember which it is? We've never made reservations before, and therefore end up eating lots of burgers and chicken strips because the restaurants are booked! Hoping to avoid that this February! We're not on a dining plan, so anything is okay. Fast or quick service, doesn't matter. Just not chicken strips! Thanks for any help!

 

[jdisnut]

In your post, you referred to the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests sit in cars, as the experience simulates an old-fashioned drive-through movie theater. Most reviews around here complain about mediocre food, but every Disney fan should try the place at least once! The same goes for the 50's Prime Time Cafe, located in the same park. There, you will sit in a miniature recreation of a stereotypical 1950's American kitchen, eat traditional comfort food and deal with playful servers acting like a sitcom mother. Your children will likely enjoy both places.

Have you considered any character meals? All four parks offer them, and you should choose one based on the characters your boys like the most. Do they just love Mickey and the gang? I recommend Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom. Pooh fans? Try Crystal Palace at the end of Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

I also suggest considering Coral Reef in Epcot. The restaurant features a gigantic aquarium, and every table boasts a wonderful view of the marine life while you eat.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[TKH]

I appreciate your suggestions jdisnut. Thank you!

 

[Big Kid]

Heartily agree with the previous poster about character meals. You might also try a couple of the restaurants that serve family style meals. The menu is set and the server brings the meal to your table in dishes to be shared by your family (and only your family!). Since there is no menu gazing and order taking, the process is relatively quick.

The two that we have tried and enjoyed are Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom and Garden Grill in Epcot. Garden Grill only serves dinner, but is also a character meal on a (slowly) rotating platform.

Have a great trip!

 

[gabrieltorres]

I agree with the comment about the aquarium restaurant in Epcot. My kids loved it so much we could not get them out of the restaruant - they will be fascinated - enjoy

 

[trac96]

if your heading to downtown disney at all the t-rex might be a good option. not sure how the 1 year old would be with it because it's loud but...it's just like the rainforest cafe if you been there but with dino's.

i would also say crystal palace in mk for breakfast one morning. if you get it for first thing in the morning you get admission into the park before it's opening and to get pictures without the crowds in front of the castle is well worth it. basically priceless! pooh characters are there.

of course as mentioned above ak has the rain forest.

 

[LilGMom]

Sci-Fi at DHS has always been a hit with my boys (5 & 9). They've been going since they were toddlers and the campy sci-fi movies have never scared them. Crystal Palace at MK is a good one for Pooh and friends - especially breakfast (yummy!). Casey's is a good one for hot dogs and they have a little baseball stand where kids can watch movies. Inside seating is very limited though. Cosmic Rays is a pretty good CS at MK. Garden Grill at Epcot is another good one for characters and the food is good. Rainforest Cafe, at DAK or DTD, is a good place to eat and often on their website you can find good discount coupons for kids. RFC just had some coupons (it might be good until the end of the year) for $0.99 kid meals with the purchase of an adult entree (limit of two).

Some of the resorts also have great restaurants that can be entertaining to kids.