Thanksgiving meal outside of the World?

[mchelle77]

I may have done the impossible and convinced my husband to leave for Disney the day BEFORE Thanksgiving, rather than keep with tradition and have dinner with his (giant) family. We won't be checking in at WDW until Saturday and will probably stay somewhere around I Drive for the few nights leading up to check in.

Suggestions for Thanksgiving dinner in that general area?

 

[eangel12]

Do a search--someone just asked this exact question!

 

[4kids4karen]

The consensus from the other thread is if you are looking for a traditional thanksgiving meal to go to Cracker Barrel.

 

[mchelle77]

The consensus from the other thread is if you are looking for a traditional thanksgiving meal to go to Cracker Barrel.

Gross. That won't be happening! I live literally 8 minutes (walking) away from one and I despise it.

Not looking for "traditional", looking for "Floridian". Not so much for a Thanksgiving meal, but a special meal on the holiday (meaning, they'll be open and are rated fairly highly by locals.) Not really up for a chain restaurant but someplace we can only go to when in the Orlando area.

 

[mjplantz]

You may want to check out the Gaylord. They will have several tradition and non traditional dining choices and they will have other activities to do as well.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

You may want to check out the Gaylord. They will have several tradition and non traditional dining choices and they will have other activities to do as well.

We had TG dinner here a couple of years ago. I think the restaurant's name was "Villa de Flora". You will need make reservations soon, it does fill up. It was amazing! Delicious and lots of variety! We also went through the Gaylord's ICE exhibit...it was a fun day.

 

[4kids4karen]

Gross. That won't be happening! I live literally 8 minutes (walking) away from one and I despise it.

Not looking for "traditional", looking for "Floridian". Not so much for a Thanksgiving meal, but a special meal on the holiday (meaning, they'll be open and are rated fairly highly by locals.) Not really up for a chain restaurant but someplace we can only go to when in the Orlando area.

The OP on the other thread was looking for traditional Thanksgiving. I live in Tampa, Florida and can not think of any "Floridian" style meal. Florida is full of transplants. I would say the closest to Floridian food would be Cuban food. Keep in mind there is a very distinct difference in the Florida Panhandle/Northern Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida. They are very different.

 

[mchelle77]

The OP on the other thread was looking for traditional Thanksgiving. I live in Tampa, Florida and can not think of any "Floridian" style meal. Florida is full of transplants. I would say the closest to Floridian food would be Cuban food. Keep in mind there is a very distinct difference in the Florida Panhandle/Northern Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida. They are very different.

Floridian in terms of, a place I can't go to in the Northeast. Not necessarily Florida "cuisine"

I'll check out Villa de Flora, thanks to you all!

 

[4kids4karen]

Floridian in terms of, a place I can't go to in the Northeast. Not necessarily Florida "cuisine"

I'll check out Villa de Flora, thanks to you all!

Villa de Flora doesn't have good reviews. I have walked through the restaurant while staying at the Gaylord but we chose to eat at other locations within the hotel. http://www.yelp.com/biz/villa-de-flora-mediterranean-restaurant-at-gaylord-palms-kissimmee Also, Gaylord charges a parking fee. I think another post says it's like $18 now.

I am not sure what to recommend to the OP as I am not sure what she is looking for. I have been to Boston. My ex was from Meuthen. So I would say no Italian cause Boston as an abundance of Italian restaurants.

My recommendation is for OP to look at places on I-Drive to see what appeals to her family.

 

[stmize]

It's Cracker Barrel for us 10. Can't spend $40+ per person for a so so thanksgiving meal on property. Have done it in the past if on ddp but not since using tiw

 

[jmasgat]

I would suggest looking on Chowhound for a recommendation. There is a Florida board that gets some traffic and I have seen some good recommendations there in the past--not for Thanksgiving, just general dining.

Barring that, as it gets closer, something like the Orlando Sentinel may have some restaurant reviews/suggestions.

 

[mchelle77]

We've booked a suite with a kitchenette so we're leaning more towards cooking our own dinner and making it a bit more intimate. I think it'll end up being a game-time decision! I'll remember to check the Sentinel as we get closer though, as a backup.

 

[Candleshoe]

How about Wolfgang Puck's in DTD? It's pretty darn special!

 

[mchelle77]

How about Wolfgang Puck's in DTD? It's pretty darn special!

Not a bad idea ... we last went on our honeymoon and loved it there.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Villa de Flora doesn't have good reviews. I have walked through the restaurant while staying at the Gaylord but we chose to eat at other locations within the hotel. http://www.yelp.com/biz/villa-de-flora-mediterranean-restaurant-at-gaylord-palms-kissimmee Also, Gaylord charges a parking fee. I think another post says it's like $18 now.

I am not sure what to recommend to the OP as I am not sure what she is looking for. I have been to Boston. My ex was from Meuthen. So I would say no Italian cause Boston as an abundance of Italian restaurants.

My recommendation is for OP to look at places on I-Drive to see what appeals to her family.

On Trip Advisor, Villa de Flora is ranked #30 out of 691 Kissimmee restaurants. The reviews are almost all excellent. I have eaten there, and it was amazing.

 

[4kids4karen]

On Trip Advisor, Villa de Flora is ranked #30 out of 691 Kissimmee restaurants. The reviews are almost all excellent. I have eaten there, and it was amazing.

So that is 29 better places to eat? How about from the top 10 list? LOL. Given the places it ranks behind, I don't give the ranking any thought of seriousness.

#1 Savion's
#2 Krispy Cream
#3 Texas Roadhouse
#4 Longhorn Steakhouse
#6 King O Falafel
#7 Five Guys Burger and Fries
#8 Abracadabra Ice Cream Factor
#9 Starbucks
#10 Cracker Barrel
#11 Flippers Pizza
#12 Woodsby
#13 Bonefish Grill
#14 Bahama Breeze
#15 Medieval Times
#16 Sweet Tomatos
#17 El Tenampa
#18 Chick-fil-a
#19 IHOP
#20 Carrabba's
#21 Capone
#22 Chuy
#23 Outback
#24 Vintage Vino
#25 Jerusalem Middle East Restaurant
#26 Olive Garden
#27
#28 Sharks
#29 Red Lobster
#20 Villa de Flora

 

[mchelle77]

I have no issue with Krispy Kreme being second LOL We don't have them up here anymore, but when we did (when I was PG with my daughter) they were a Godsend!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If you decide to eat out, you may want to consider Columbia restaurant in Celebration. http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/celebration.asp It's unique to Florida. The one here (in Tampa) is advertised as Florida's oldest restaurant. We've eaten at ours on Christmas Day. They have traditional holiday fare or you can order off the menu. The food is great for the price. I'm not sure about the one in Celebration, but you definitely need a reservation here on holidays.

 

[4kids4karen]

If you decide to eat out, you may want to consider Columbia restaurant in Celebration. http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/celebration.asp It's unique to Florida. The one here (in Tampa) is advertised as Florida's oldest restaurant. We've eaten at ours on Christmas Day. They have traditional holiday fare or you can order off the menu. The food is great for the price. I'm not sure about the one in Celebration, but you definitely need a reservation here on holidays.

I agree Columbia is a Florida specific Restaurant and well-know. However,
I posted last week about my experience at the Columbia in St Augustine (in the St Augustine post). I would no longer say Columbia in an outstanding restaurant just average at best, but more below average for the taste of the food. I am also a Tampa resident. I suppose if the service was better it would be a better experience, but the food is just average at best. Leroy Selmon is also unique to Tampa Bay specific. Too bad they don't have a location in Orlando (I just checked online). Steak there is much better than Columbia restaurant, plus fried green tomatoes are awesome!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I agree Columbia is a Florida specific Restaurant and well-know. However,
I posted last week about my experience at the Columbia in St Augustine (in the St Augustine post). I would no longer say Columbia in an outstanding restaurant just average at best, but more below average for the taste of the food. I am also a Tampa resident. I suppose if the service was better it would be a better experience, but the food is just average at best. Leroy Selmon is also unique to Tampa Bay specific. Too bad they don't have a location in Orlando (I just checked online). Steak there is much better than Columbia restaurant, plus fried green tomatoes are awesome!

I've never tried the one in St. Augustine, but we've always enjoyed our meals at the one in Ybor.