Thoughts or Advice regarding our plan

[dleeg5199]

I am looking for input on the choices we have made and what you think. We will be traveling with 2 adults and 3 kids (10,7,5)
Dates 11/19/11 - 11/26/11

11/19 Sat. Coral Reef @ 7:15 in order to see the 9:00 Illuminations.

11/20 Sun. Dinner at The Wave or Cafe Beach Club?

11/21 Mon Dinner at Cafe Beach or Kona?

11/22 Tues Dinner at 'Ohana

11/23 Wed Dinner at Whispering Canyon

11/24 Thur Lunch at Rainforest Cafe (for the kids)

11/25 Fri Dinner at T-Rex (for the kids)

Depending on our choice Sun will determine where we eat Mon and Wed night. Out of The Wave, Cafe Beach Club, Whispering Canyon and Kona, which 3 should we chose?

thanks for any advice.

 

[coltsfanatic]

The Wave, Whispering Canyon and Kona

 

[Pakey]

I think you are cutting it too close on Coral Reef. This restaurant is always behind on it's seating, sometimes by 30 minutes, and the service is slow here. Add on that it's a Saturday night and will be crowded. Plus you have to get from Coral Reef to the World Showcase after eating.

I don't know what Cafe Beach Club is. Are you referring to Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club that has seafood buffet for dinner and character breakfasts? If so, I would choose the Wave over Cape May as I'm not fond of buffets.

I would eliminate Whispering Canyon first, I think it's one of the worst places at WDW, food quality wise, and you have other meals that are "for the kids".

 

[lovin'fl]

If Cafe Beach Club is Cape May Cafe, then I'd pick: Kona, Whispering Canyon and Cape May...no Wave. I liked Whisp. Canyon...bottomless milkshakes...yummo! My entire family LOVES Cape May and I cannot wait to try Kona. The Wave looks a little froo-froo for me.

 

[Pugmalion1]

Assuming you mean Cape May Cafe when you say, "Cafe Beach Club," I would have to know which park you think you will be visiting on which days to really make an informed recommendation.

Based solely on personal preferences, and not taking into account touring plans, here is what I would go with:


11/19 Sat. If possible, a restaurant for a similar time that is actually in the World Showcase would be better. You're really cutting it close for IllumiNations with the current reservation at Coral Reef. I would recommend La Hacienda or Chefs de France, if you can get them.

11/20 Sun. Assuming a Magic Kingdom day, I would choose the Wave of the two, but I would choose the Grand Floridian Cafe over both.

11/21 Mon Kona

11/22 Tues Dinner at 'Ohana

11/23 Wed If you really want to do the clambake at Cape May Cafe, this is probably your best night to do so.

11/24 Thur Lunch at Rainforest Cafe (for the kids)

11/25 Fri Dinner at T-Rex (for the kids)

 

[dleeg5199]

Assuming you mean Cape May Cafe when you say, "Cafe Beach Club," I would have to know which park you think you will be visiting on which days to really make an informed recommendation.

Based solely on personal preferences, and not taking into account touring plans, here is what I would go with:


11/19 Sat. If possible, a restaurant for a similar time that is actually in the World Showcase would be better. You're really cutting it close for IllumiNations with the current reservation at Coral Reef. I would recommend La Hacienda or Chefs de France, if you can get them.

11/20 Sun. Assuming a Magic Kingdom day, I would choose the Wave of the two, but I would choose the Grand Floridian Cafe over both.

11/21 Mon Kona

11/22 Tues Dinner at 'Ohana

11/23 Wed If you really want to do the clambake at Cape May Cafe, this is probably your best night to do so.

11/24 Thur Lunch at Rainforest Cafe (for the kids)

11/25 Fri Dinner at T-Rex (for the kids)

Yes, I did mean Cape May Cafe. Sorry about that. My wife loves crab legs so we were going to try this place.

Would we be safer with a lunch at Coral Reef because I can't get an earlier time for dinner?

Sun, we will be at MK and our reservation at The Wave is 5:00

Mon, we will be at Hollywood Studios. I chose this day for Cape May so we could take the boat from the park.

Tues not sure where we will be but this was the only time all week we could get into Ohana.

Wed probably Animal Kingdom.

thanks

 

[Pakey]

Yes, I did mean Cape May Cafe. Sorry about that. My wife loves crab legs so we were going to try this place.

Would we be safer with a lunch at Coral Reef because I can't get an earlier time for dinner?

Sun, we will be at MK and our reservation at The Wave is 5:00

Mon, we will be at Hollywood Studios. I chose this day for Cape May so we could take the boat from the park.

Tues not sure where we will be but this was the only time all week we could get into Ohana.

Wed probably Animal Kingdom.

thanks

If seeing Illuminations is important to you, I'd definitely switch to a Coral Reef lunch. You need to plan on being at the World Showcase a good bit before 9pm if you are wanting a decent view. On a Saturday night, I wouldn't expect that you'll be able to walk up at 8:45 and get front rail spots.

Sunday and Monday, I'd leave the way you have them. Keep Ohana on Tuesday and work around your schedule in order to go there.

I'd see about changing to Rainforest on Wednesday if you are going to Animal Kingdom since there is one right there at the park entrance. (Of course, I'd drop Whispering Canyon no matter what as I said in prior post).

 

[Ramsfan28]

Move up Coral Reef by about a hour or so if you want to see Illuminations.

'Ohana is horrible but if you really want it I would do breakfast over dinner.

 

[Aunt Bee]

I am looking for input on the choices we have made and what you think. We will be traveling with 2 adults and 3 kids (10,7,5)
Dates 11/19/11 - 11/26/11

11/19 Sat. Coral Reef @ 7:15 in order to see the 9:00 Illuminations.

11/20 Sun. Dinner at The Wave or Cafe Beach Club?

11/21 Mon Dinner at Cafe Beach or Kona?

11/22 Tues Dinner at 'Ohana

11/23 Wed Dinner at Whispering Canyon

11/24 Thur Lunch at Rainforest Cafe (for the kids)

11/25 Fri Dinner at T-Rex (for the kids)

Depending on our choice Sun will determine where we eat Mon and Wed night. Out of The Wave, Cafe Beach Club, Whispering Canyon and Kona, which 3 should we chose?

thanks for any advice.

You've made good choices, except, of course for the time line for Illuminations and Coral Reef, as others have mentioned.

Sounds like you've picked places that the kids will enjoy.

We love 'Ohana; were just there and your kids should enjoy it, too. Our kids always like 50's prime time; that's a fun spot if you get a chance to eat there.

 

[Huff]

Kona is excellent. One of the best meals we've had consistently every trip.

TRex and Rainforest are so-so to me. Rainforest is ok but they are a national chain and thus nothing unique for our Disney experience. TRex I believe is owned by the same parent company.

Coral Reef has always been good for us. I have not tried Whispering Canyon because of consistent poor reviews and the menu doesn't appeal to us.

We ate at The Wave its first year and it was quite good. It has since moved to its permanent location and we'll be trying it on our upcoming trip.

 

[crabbygal902]

I agree with much of the advice already given, especially about the time concerns with Coral Reef and Illuminations.

We went to T-Rex on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2009...BIG mistake! DTD was P.A.C.K.E.D.! The restaurant itself was NUTZ. We had no problem getting seated because we had reservations, but the noise and crowd level were unbearable. I could not wait to leave...and I am an elementary school music teacher who is used to (and likes) lots of little people and and lots of noise.

Black Friday + DTD = bad, bad, bad.

Might I suggest Teppan Edo? The chef did a wonderful job of entertaining and involving the four children in our party during the meal.

Of your list, I have been to Cape May (quite good, especially the mussels and the crab legs) 'Ohana (love, love, love it!) and The Wave (just fantastic!)

 

[gabzee]

I am looking for input on the choices we have made and what you think. We will be traveling with 2 adults and 3 kids (10,7,5)
Dates 11/19/11 - 11/26/11

11/19 Sat. Coral Reef @ 7:15 in order to see the 9:00 Illuminations.

11/20 Sun. Dinner at The Wave or Cafe Beach Club?

11/21 Mon Dinner at Cafe Beach or Kona?

11/22 Tues Dinner at 'Ohana

11/23 Wed Dinner at Whispering Canyon

11/24 Thur Lunch at Rainforest Cafe (for the kids)

11/25 Fri Dinner at T-Rex (for the kids)

Depending on our choice Sun will determine where we eat Mon and Wed night. Out of The Wave, Cafe Beach Club, Whispering Canyon and Kona, which 3 should we chose?

thanks for any advice.

I agree with PP that you would be pushing it with Coral Reef. If you really want to go to Coral Reef I would do a lunch but I feel that there are so many better option at Epcot in the World Showcase. I would choose Cape May over the Wave for dinner. However, Whispering Canyon is terrible and would highly suggest that you cancel it. Also, the Rainforest Cafe and T- Rex are nothing special; in fact, the have a similar animal theme. I would highly suggest Yak and Yeti instead of Rainforest Cafe for lunch (it is in AK). If you told us what kind of food you and your family like it would be easier to make better suggestions for the restaurants that aren't the best.

 

[NorweJenNY]

Everyone clearly has varying opinions here...

With a family, I think Whispering Canyon is a blast! Fun, plus we love the bottomless skillet. If you're a family of shy vegetarians, however... then don't bother. It's especially a nice dinner to have after a day at MK, in my opinion, since it's such a delightful boat ride from the front of the park... though we've gone by bus from other parks too.

Cape May is a great idea after a day at the Studios! (I love those boat rides.) Especially if you've got seafood lovers in the family - as there are quite a few seafood dishes there. (I hesitate to go with non-seafood-eating people again...)

I say keep the one 'Ohana ressie you've got! It's hard to get an ADR there, and there's a reason for that - it's popular... many people love it. My family sure does! Great meats (we're carnivores) and I love that pineapple bread pudding with bananas foster sauce for dessert... oh baby!

Our kids love Rainforest & T-Rex - atmosphere is so cool to them. I remember just feeling so-so about the RFC food, but I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty our food was at T-Rex! Our party thoroughly enjoyed the lasagna, ribs, and chicken... even the veggie side dish was quite flavorful!

I echo the thoughts of others on the Coral Reef timing... but you never know... it might turn out ok - perhaps if you make sure you're early, maybe if others are running late you'll get in there and served with decent timing? If you can do that for lunch instead or eat dinner in the World Showcase, you might be better off... but keep trying, just in case you can get an earlier Coral Reef ADR at the last minute.

Enjoy finishing up your plans! And have a great trip!

 

[Huff]

Might I suggest Teppan Edo? (just fantastic!)

If there is no teppanyaki restaurant locally then Teppan Edo can be a fun experience. But as teppanyaki places go, Teppan Edo ranks rather low to me. Near DTD just outside WDW is Kobes, far better food, show and prices. Benihanas in most major cities is superior. But I do agree, Teppan Edo is a good family restaurant.

 

[dleeg5199]

I was able to get a 2:00 reservation at Coral Reef so I think will will move that up to lunch. While doing so, I noticed that Liberty Tree came open on Sun (MK day) for dinner. We have reservations for The Wave this day but are considering Liberty Tree as kind of our official Thanksgiving meal. Any thoughts on Liberty Tree? We have also decided to scratch Whispering Canyon.
thanks

 

[nkereina]

We liked WCC, and would go again. We are two adults so we didn't get many of the antics but the food was good and we love WL.

I agree that Coral Reef is too late if you want to catch Illuminatons. We had a 7:35 ADR at Rose & Crown and weren't seated until about 8:20. That time of night was very busy at Epcot and I'd bet you don't get seated on time.

Also, I wouldn't do T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe back to back. I believe they are owned by the same company and are basically the same restaurant, except one has dinosaurs. We didn't find the food anything to write home about either. If I had to do one, I'd do T-Rex because I know RC can be found in other cities but I haven't seen T-Rex outside of DTD.

 

[Pakey]

I was able to get a 2:00 reservation at Coral Reef so I think will will move that up to lunch. While doing so, I noticed that Liberty Tree came open on Sun (MK day) for dinner. We have reservations for The Wave this day but are considering Liberty Tree as kind of our official Thanksgiving meal. Any thoughts on Liberty Tree? We have also decided to scratch Whispering Canyon.
thanks

I think the food is better at the Wave but I also enjoy Liberty Tree, especially for a Thanksgiving meal. I'd probably go with LTT in this case.

 

[dleeg5199]

I think I have finalized our dining plans. Changed slightly.

Sat. lunch at Coral Reef

Sun. dinner at The Wave

Mon. dinner at Cape May Cafe

Tue. dinner at 'Ohana

Wed. dinner at Kona

Thur. lunch at T-Rex

Fri. dinner at Raglan Road

Thanks for you input.