Table Service without characters

[VicRock]

If you were going to do only one sit-down, table service meal while at Magic Kingdom, what would you suggest? It needs to be child-friendly (We'll be celebrating our sons 7th birthday during our trip). It needs to not have characters walking around (our son is petrified - he's OK from a distance but if they get too close, he's likely to end up under the table in tears). Preferably on the lower end of the budget but if there's a show involved, we're OK paying a bit more.

Thanks

 

[NYCgrrl]

Of course you have HDDR which has comfort food that most all will enjoy: fried chicken and ribs, a green salad, beans, corn and a seasonal veggie as I recall. Also a really really REALLY good strawberry shortcake that is baked in a cast iron skillet. Check the menu in case I forgot something. The last time we went there was 4th of July 2017 with 2 children then aged 11.5 and 8 years old and they clamoured for a return this coming 4th of July. A goofy vaudeville type show complete with corny jokes that will make you grin through the entire meal and even after you leave. Audience participation is built into the show and the actors enjoy helping you to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other touchstone events. You'll still have entertainers walking through category 2 so don't feel like you must pay for category 1 seating unless you weally want a better chance of getting on the stage.

The above restaurant is not in MK but is easy to access using boat transport.

Another nearby possibility is 'Ohana, located @ the Poly Resort. Beloved by families and one of the hardest ADRs to get. Reasonable cost as Disney goes, $45.00 p/p adult; $25.00 p/p children 3-9 years old. AYCTE but not a buffet- table service with a set menu with offerings for dietary restrictions. No characters at dinner time instead they have interactive games kids can play like the coconut race. The guava and other juice non alcoholic drink is to die for and also included in the meal.

HTH and may your son have a memorable 7th birthday!

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

The Plaza fits all your needs. Plus the food is excellent. Enjoy!

 

[VicRock]

Of course you have HDDR which has comfort food that most all will enjoy: fried chicken and ribs, a green salad, beans, corn and a seasonal veggie as I recall. Also a really really REALLY good strawberry shortcake that is baked in a cast iron skillet. Check the menu in case I forgot something. The last time we went there was 4th of July 2017 with 2 children then aged 11.5 and 8 years old and they clamoured for a return this coming 4th of July. A goofy vaudeville type show complete with corny jokes that will make you grin through the entire meal and even after you leave. Audience participation is built into the show and the actors enjoy helping you to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other touchstone events. You'll still have entertainers walking through category 2 so don't feel like you must pay for category 1 seating unless you weally want a better chance of getting on the stage.

The above restaurant is not in MK but is easy to access using boat transport.

Another nearby possibility is 'Ohana, located @ the Poly Resort. Beloved by families and one of the hardest ADRs to get. Reasonable cost as Disney goes, $45.00 p/p adult; $25.00 p/p children 3-9 years old. AYCTE but not a buffet- table service with a set menu with offerings for dietary restrictions. No characters at dinner time instead they have interactive games kids can play like the coconut race. The guava and other juice non alcoholic drink is to die for and also included in the meal.

HTH and may your son have a memorable 7th birthday!

You're the second person to recommend Hoop Dee Doo to me. I did show him a youtube video & he vetoed it but I'll show him again when it gets closer because he's 6 - worse than me for changing his mind.
I don't know what AYCTE means - I haven't quite figured out all the acronyms yet. He likes interactive activities so that one might be good for him.
Thanks. I'm sure we'll have a great time.

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

You're the second person to recommend Hoop Dee Doo to me. I did show him a youtube video & he vetoed it but I'll show him again when it gets closer because he's 6 - worse than me for changing his mind.
I don't know what AYCTE means - I haven't quite figured out all the acronyms yet. He likes interactive activities so that one might be good for him.
Thanks. I'm sure we'll have a great time.

AYCTE=All You Care To Eat

 

[VicRock]

AYCTE=All You Care To Eat

Thanks. I was looking at all the abbreviations & couldn't find that one

 

[KenHutch]

My vote is for Ohana's as well. For dinner you won't find any characters but they do have coconut races for the smaller ones and if he can stay away a little longer you can make the ADR for after 20:00 hours and watch the fireworks while eating.

 

[NYCgrrl]

You're the second person to recommend Hoop Dee Doo to me. I did show him a youtube video & he vetoed it but I'll show him again when it gets closer because he's 6 - worse than me for changing his mind.
I don't know what AYCTE means - I haven't quite figured out all the acronyms yet. He likes interactive activities so that one might be good for him.
Thanks. I'm sure we'll have a great time.

Sorry about that. I know when I first started on this forum I had to leave a tab open just to google what most Disney acronyms meant, LOL.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you want to stay in the park, I would do Skipper Canteen. It isn't interactive, but the food is good and the atmosphere is fun.

If you don't mind taking a boat ride from MK, I would go to Whispering Canyon at WL. They do all kinds of funny antics there (ask for ketchup!) and the food is good!

 

[VicRock]

Sorry about that. I know when I first started on this forum I had to leave a tab open just to google what most Disney acronyms meant, LOL.

that's OK, I did find several lists of abbreviations but that one wasn't on any of them.

 

[momtwoboys]

for in park then try Plaza restaurant. or if the menu looks good Liberty tree tavern in MK. Both sitdowns and no characters.

 

[gillep]

My favorite TS in MK is The Plaza.

 

[gharter]

In MK, Skipper Canteen or LTT. LTT is family style, comfort food done well.
Skipper Canteen, if you get a good server, is fun and filled with lots of bad Jungle Cruise type jokes.
The Plaza is another good option.
I would look at the menus and see where he wants to go.
On the Monorail loop, Ohanas is probably your best choice. At Wilderness, Whispering Canyon is another option.

 

[VicRock]

thanks for all the suggestions

 

[Indio]

Just so you know, Hoop De Doo and O'hana are NOT On the lower end of the budget. Both of those are VERY expensive. I'd go with the Plaza or Be Our Guest for lunch - dinner at BOG is now signature and expensive.

 

[VicRock]

Just so you know, Hoop De Doo and O'hana are NOT On the lower end of the budget. Both of those are VERY expensive. I'd go with the Plaza or Be Our Guest for lunch - dinner at BOG is now signature and expensive.

Thanks. We prefer lower budget but if entertainment is included, we're OK with paying a bit more. I'll definitely look at prices. My son wanted to ride the amphibious cars in Disney Springs (I REALLY need to cut out the Disney Channel - that's where he gets all of his ideas - haha) so since I vetoed that due to the expense, we can probably compromise on budget for dinner I'm already resigned to the fact that NOTHING in Disney is budget friendly.