Suggestions for Mom and 13 year old boy.

[theresamom]

Hi!

My 13 year old son and I are going Disney World during the last week of January.

We are on the free QS dining plan, but I would like to spring for one special meal for us during our trip.

Here's some extra info...

*** Son loves food and loves to eat. (But nothing too terribly exotic). Good food and, quite often, lots of it.
*** He's pretty mature for his age.
*** We'd like something that won't take a long time away from the parks since our time there is limited. So anything in the parks, Downtown Disney, or something fairly close and easy to get to via Disney transportation would suit the bill.

I'd love to hear some of your experiences and suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

What about Biergarten? It is a German buffet, so nothing TOO crazy food wise, and they have a german band that plays, which is kind of fun!

Via Napoli is nice. They have pizza as well as other entrees, but the reason I suggest it is because the pizzas are fairly large. They are ITALIAN STYLE so don't expect a big, thick crust, but I love their pizza and I imagine a 13 yo would be satisfied with the amount of food.

Trails End Buffeteria is just a boat ride from MK and they have traditional American "Homestyle" foods. Again, a buffet, so no worries about quantity. I enjoy the campfire style chili and cornbread!

 

[SCDisneyMom]

I have a 13 year old son, too.

Does your son like sports? My child is a sports nut, so his favorite restaurant at WDW is the ESPN Club at the Boardwalk.

The Garden Grill is his favorite EPCOT restaurant. The restaurant rotates and they'll bring you as much food as you care to eat. It's a character meal, though, so I'm not sure if your son would like that or not. Mine still enjoys taking silly pics with Mickey & the gang.

He also likes the Sci Fi at Hollywood Studios. The food here doesn't always get the greatest reviews, but we usually just order cheeseburgers/milkshakes and have always enjoyed them. The atmosphere is his favorite part about the restaurant.

I asked him to name some more (he's sitting here right beside me on the couch, lol), but he says those are definitely his top three.

 

[MatzoRella]

Liberty Tree?

 

[mickey916]

My 13 year old son loved the Garden Grill and Sci Fi Dine-in, too. We also really liked Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club resort (a short walk from Epcot)...if you want to go the burger route, I'd do the Sci-Fi or Beaches & Cream but if you want to do the "all you can eat", Garden Grill is the way to go...

 

[theresamom]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I'm researching them. Great ideas!!

I love that you guys are including "experiences" as well. I'm just hoping for a little extra magic I suppose.

Keep 'em coming. I'm enjoying researching all these options!

Thanks!

P.S. Does anyone know anything about T Rex at DTD?

 

[SCDisneyMom]

P.S. Does anyone know anything about T Rex at DTD?

We've eaten at T-Rex twice - we really like it. It's a pretty cool restaurant, and we think the food there is much better than the food at the Rainforest Cafe. The portions are huge and the service has always been excellent. DS usually requests that we eat at T-Rex when we go to DTD.

 

[theresamom]

Thank you so much!!!!

Any other ideas or suggestions to add an extra little "magic" to supplement our dining plan?

 

[mickey916]

I already answered but I just asked my current-13 year old son. I didn't tell him what I had answered but he said I liked the rotating place (Garden Grill) and then I asked what about T-Rex - "oh yeah, that ones good too, those are the two best!"

 

[Tori 2001]

What a fun time you will have!

One idea might by the royal buffet in Norway at Epcot. My children remember their experience there well. The setting is very impressive, the food is good and not so exotic that a teenage appetite will not be satisfied, and the service is amazing. A great "special" experience - and one that won't take a ton of time away from play waiting for food to be prepared. The Germany meal is also special, if sitting at a communal table and meeting other people would be comfortable for your son. Great cultural learning opportunities too.

Dana

 

[gogo]

I've been going to Disney with my son for a number of years and he really enjoys Sci-Fi (really good milkshakes and hamburgers plus a neat setting). And, I second Beaches and Cream. He really enjoys the No Way Jose Sundae with an added brownie for dessert.

We also did Teppan Edo once and we enjoyed that. It was fun watching the chefs prepare the food. It might be interesting for your son to watch the chefs rather than just sitting and waiting for the food to arrive at other sit down restaurants. It may take a little more time than a standard sit down.

Chef Mickeys was always fun because its loud, a lot of hustle and bustle something a young teen would probably enjoy. For me the food is okay but there is a lot to choose from and it's just a very Disney atmosphere. Plus, Contemporary is a great resort to visit.

I know my son likes chicken wings so we always try and visit a restaurant that has these. Ask you son what he wants to eat and you might let that be your guide.


Have fun!