Taking 71 yr. old mother on 1st trip and need suggestions

[Twinklee]

I'm taking my mother on her first trip in late April and need some dining suggestions. Here's our situation. We're not renting a car, so we're pretty much sticking to dining at the parks. We've decided on picking two sit down meals each. My mother wants to go and "see" things, so she's more for the atmosphere of the restaurant. She's decided she wants to eat at the Beirgarten and Marakesh since she wants to try something different. This is mom's first trip, but I've been many times, in fact my family is going 3 weeks before my mom and I are. I'm really up in the air about my two restaurants since I want "atmosphere" and really don't want another Epcot restaurant. Any ideas out there for something and older woman would enjoy? I mentioned the Prime Time Cafe and she said she thought it would be boring.

Toni

 

[webray]

What about Sci Fi drive in. Prime Time does have good food though, that is where we usually eat in the Studios.

Yak and Yeti in AK.

Flying Fish on the Boardwalk, and then you can check out all the resorts.
IL Mulino in the Swan.
Artist Point
Those all have great food and nice resorts/atmosphere.

Raglan Road

By the way..your mom made two fantastic choices.

 

[J&J]

how about a chacter meal they can be a lot of fun.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

We really loved Artist's Point. It's fun in itself to walk into the Wilderness Lodge Resort. Check out the menu at allears.net. It's very unique.

 

[dawnbu40]

We took my DM65 in December and her favorite meal was HDDR. She loved the food and all the corny jokes.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I really think you mom would have a lot of fun in Prime Time. My parents do hey are 75. We ove it there to. The food is good it's fun and it's a nice atmosphere.

 

[famouschinesec]

I would 2nd prime time. It has loads of atmosphere, and I can't help but think it would be a trip down memory lane for your mom.

 

[PrincessDisney96]

I agree, 50s Prime Time Cafe would be a good choice. The food is good, and the atmosphere is great. We try to go here every trip. I know this would make a good memory for her

 

[dustyraye]

Have you considered the Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian? Since it's on the monorail, it's easily reached from the MK. We had a wonderful time there on our last trip, and we've got a reservation for our next trip too. It is a lovely, relaxing break from the usual craziness of the parks, and IMHO, the standard tea packages are more than enough food for lunch. (They also have a la carte options.)

I have been dying to bring my Mom (age 74) to the tea, but I haven't gotten her to agree to dates for a WDW trip yet.

 

[ktlm]

My 72 year old mother loved the Crystal Palace at MK. She thought the restaurant was pretty; the buffet good; and she loved seeing Pooh and friends. I know you don't really want another Epcot restaurant, but Mom's absolute favorite is the San Angel Inn. She loves the way it feels like you are outdoors. She loves Biergarten too although we didn't make it there on our recent trip.

 

[toocherie]

I would go to the Brown Derby--especially for someone her age I think she would enjoy seeing the memorabilia and the atmosphere can't be beat! And the food was great!

 

[mhmcduff]

my mother is 70 and we brought her and my dad 71 years young to Crystal palace in December for the 3rd time in 3 years - they love it- a buffet so we helped alot with going back up for them etc but the characters are great= winnie and friends and food great and atmosphere purely disney- also Chef Mickeys is good for character atmosphere- you should go to one character meal as it helps at any age get in the Disney mood of your inner child!!- Also my mom love the Polynesian show and my family LOVES Hoop Dee Doo.
Other thougths
AK- Yak and Yeti
DHS- Sci Fi or Mama Melrose
Epcot- love the choice of Biergarten or Tempan Edo
Enjoy!!

 

[zima-cheryl]

I'm taking my mother on her first trip in late April and need some dining suggestions. Here's our situation. We're not renting a car, so we're pretty much sticking to dining at the parks. We've decided on picking two sit down meals each. My mother wants to go and "see" things, so she's more for the atmosphere of the restaurant. She's decided she wants to eat at the Beirgarten and Marakesh since she wants to try something different. This is mom's first trip, but I've been many times, in fact my family is going 3 weeks before my mom and I are. I'm really up in the air about my two restaurants since I want "atmosphere" and really don't want another Epcot restaurant. Any ideas out there for something and older woman would enjoy? I mentioned the Prime Time Cafe and she said she thought it would be boring.

Toni

Have you been to Restaurant Marakesh? It is actually one of my favorites. If you've never been, give it a chance; you may really enjoy it. Time it right and you will get to see the belly dance show. She may really get a kick out of that. And for dessert don't miss the Marakesh Delight -- really yummy!

Also, Have you considered any of the Downtown Disney restaurants? Ragalan Road is very good. And Fulton's Crab House has great seafood. I've also heard good things about the Flying Fish Cafe near the Boardwalk, although personally have never been.

 

[ScottJoseph]

Your mom sounds great! I love it that she wants to try new things. Good for her.
Does she know sushi? Tokyo Dining might be her cup of black leaf tea. Or she might get a kick out of the Teppan Edo "dinner show" -- not something I usually recommend, but we're looking for fun here as well as food.
Spoodles at the BoardWalk has lots of different things on the menu for adventurous diners, too.
Hope you and your mom have a terrific time.

Scott
www.scottjosephorlando.com

 

[Mich123]

Your mom sounds great--I like her choices! So, now the pressure is on...I've been to WDW twice with my parents who are your mom's peers and they really liked California Grill, Brown Derby (with the Fantasmic! package--pay OOP if you're on the DDP and save your 1TS for California Grill or Jiko) and Boma. Boma has a lot of fun food choices which I think are really different from anywhere else in the USA.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[disneymeister]

I think that she would be surprised how much fun she would have at Prime Time. I took a large group of varied ages there a few months ago and everyone just had such a wonderful time..still talking about it.

I also think the Brown Derby would be an equally memorable experience if you don't mind spending the extra $$.

 

[Kimann]

I took my 78yo mom in September and she had specifically requested the Brown Derby because she knew the history from the one in Hollywood.

Now don't be surprised, but we celebrated her Birthday at Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner and she LOVED it. It truly does capture the feeling of WDW to be able to walk in the castle and eat dinner. She loved the fairy godmother and said it was one of her favorite meals. (plus the food was not that bad).

I don't know if this is something to consider, but my mom has mobility issues and I tried to avoid buffets as she moves slow has trouble getting around in them.

 

[Twinklee]

Thanks for all the replies. I've been thinking about the Brown Derby because she seemed interested when I mentioned it the other day. On the other hand, I know she will not like the prices there. I think my other choice will be the Liberty Tree in the MK for later in the week. Since we just booked this trip last week for April I hope I'll be able to get all our choices.

Toni