Top Three Dining Recommendations for an (almost) first timer....

[NewbieMouse]

We are going to WDW in May (for 4 days) and are unlikely to return for some time. I have been there before, but the last time was 18 years ago, so I'm sure lots has changed. We go to DLR in California annually, but I understand dining is a much more significant part of the experience at WDW these days.

Our reservations window is opening up in a few days and I am just wondering what advice you would give a "Newbie" about dining if you could pick three recommendations that are 'not to be missed'? Doesn't have to be sit down, ambience isn't a huge thing - just good grub!


ETA: We are a family of 4 with 12 year old twin girls, if that makes a difference....

 

[AntJulie]

Ohana for dinner...Be Our Guest for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Ohana for dinner...Be Our Guest for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I'm gathering with Be Our Guest, you need to get on and reserve right away (midnight?)

 

[AntJulie]

Yes...we never did manage to get a dinner reservation for BOG...only breakfast twice and lunch once (both counter service meals but still need ADR)...I still would like to try dinner there (maybe next time)...Ohana was very good and I would go again...Most of the other meals we had were character meals for the kids, so I would only do again if the kids absolutely insisted.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

I'm gathering with Be Our Guest, you need to get on and reserve right away (midnight?)

Not at midnight. Dining reservations start at 6:00am online/7:00am on the phone EST. As for great food:

Here are more than three, but you can check them out.
Epcot-Via Napoli and LeCellier--Les Halles de Boulangerie & Patisserie-quick service
MK-Be Our Guest dinner/Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast
Hollywood Studios-50s Prime Time and Sci-Fi
Ak-Yak and Yeti
Resorts-Kona Cafe breakfast (Polynesian)
Boma breakfast and dinner-Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney Springs-Wolfgang Puck Express Marketplace side-quick service
Earl of Sandwich-quick service

 

[maryj11]

Here are my 3 favorites Ohana , Teppan Edo and Be Our Guest

 

[eastendlights]

AK-Tusker House buffet for breakfast or lunch, Yak & Yeti
MK-Liberty Tree Tavern, Be Our Guest (I would only recommend dinner) highly anticipated new location Skipper Canteen opening sometime in Dec
Epcot-Rose and Crown, Le Cellier, Sunshine Seasons
HS-Mama Melrose, '50s Prime Time, Hollywood Brown Derby
resort-'Ohana breakfast, Kona Café-Poly, Beaches and Cream-Beach Club, Wave-Contemporary, Shula's-Dolphin, Whispering Canyon breakfast, Artist Point-Wilderness Lodge

 

[Planogirl]

If you need a quick serve in MK I recommend Columbia Harbour House.

I see that you are staying at POFQ. You might want to eat at Disney Springs too since it's just a pleasant boat ride away. Lots of places opening up but a few to consider are Raglan Road and the Boathouse. We enjoyed our food at Splitsville too and you can (but don't have to) bowl! https://www.disneysprings.com/dining/

 

[Nancyg56]

With two 12 YO girls I would go to 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian. The Tremaine Family is hysterical and the girls may enjoy it ver any of the other character meals. My 14 YO DGD enjoyed it in August.

BOG pre park opening breakfast is a good choice too IMO. You can see the Castle, have breakfast and then get over to Fantasy Land for those attractions. I know most folks head to the Mine Train, bu we went straight to Peter Pan so we could see the SB Queue. It was really nice and you miss it if you have a FP.

If you cannot get BOG dinner in the MK, and Skippers Canteen ( I never remember the name of this new, not yet opened restaurant) is not what you want, try Crystal Palace. I know it is Pooh and friends buffet, but it really is a lovely restaurant.

I would book a Fantasmic Dining package in DHS. Mama Melrose is a favorite for my family, and if you are on the dining plan, it is a good value.

You might also want to dine at AKL if you have time. This is a lovely resort that has plenty to keep a family interested, including animals roaming on savanas. Boma is a nice buffet, but if you like Indian inspired foods, head over to the DVC side and have dinner at Sanaa.

Honestly, dinner in CInderella castle is pretty cool too!

 

[maryj11]

Sorry Nancyg56 don't mean to be rude but we had dinner in the castle and it was the worst meal we have had at Disney and expensive.

 

[Ewoks]

Breakfast buffet: The Wave (Contemporary Resort)
A la carte Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe (Grand Floridian)
Lunch buffet: Biergarten (EPCOT)
A la carte Lunch: Sanaa (Animal Kingdom Lodge)
Casual Dinner: Rose and Crown (EPCOT)
Fancy Dinner: California Grill (Contemporary Resort)


I'm not a fan of anything besides counter service places at Magic Kingdom. For your MK day you might consider going to a nearby monorail resort for a meal. If you stay in the park, Liberty Tree Tavern is your best bet. For Hollywood Studios, the best place by far is Hollywood Brown Derby. I also really don't recommend any food at the Polynesian Village, it's all very overrated, and usually not a clean environment in our experience.

 

[maryj11]

For MK BOG dinner and quick service has had some really good reviews . We had lunch there and I thought the braised pork was really good. We plan on doing dinner there next trip.

 

[Nan P]

Two places we really enjoyed because of the food and the "entertainment" Rose & Crown in EPCOT and BOG in Magic Kingdom. We had 8 pm dinner reservations for Rose & Crown. When we got there we requested an outside table and told the CM that we'd love to see the 9 pm illuminations from our table. Our wish was granted and we had a tasty dinner and the best view of illuminations. At BOG, just dining in the Beast's castle is a treat. Last December our waiter suggested we stop by the foyer on our way out for a photo with the Beast. Hardly a wait line, and nice pictures taken with our phone.

 

[BrokeMack]

Be our guest breakfast if you can get a pre opening res. Lunch for the best value (my wife and I split a sandwich). Dinner if you want to meet beast. (just one. Don't do all three in one trip)

Ohana or Tusker House for character breakfast.

Biergarten for late lunch at Epcot.

 

[Mikeb1892]

Our favorites are (in no particular order) California Grill, Tucker House, BOG (Any meal), Boma and Via Napoli.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thank you all so much. There are just so many choices! I must remember to pack my fat pants...

 

[B-Ride]

Our favourites:
Boma - if you are reasonably adventurous the best buffet at WDW
Raglan Road - Large selection at reasonable prices
Chefs de France or Tutto Italia for an Epcot meal
'Ohana for the amazing desert.

 

[ilovebassets]

Our favorites are Via Napoli, Boma (pricey but good for dinner, much more reasonable and still very good at breakfast), Tusker House for character meals, and Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[mkla2015]

My top 3 rec's would be 1-BOG dinner, 2-Ohana dinner, 3-Tusker House breakfast. You'll get lots of mixed reviews... everyone had different experiences here at all restaurants but for us BOG and Ohana are must do's!! And, we always like to throw in a character breakfast somewhere- Tusker House is our favorite followed by Ohana. I would suggest looking at the menus to find what you think your family would enjoy the most and go from there.

 

[Bbdavis]

BOG lunch and 'Ohana dinner