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

[fbarker]

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

We were lucky we are going at end of March and just made our reservations this week. I was able to get a 5:40pm reservation at BOG on Easter Sunday and a back up one on the following Thursday at 6:00pm

 

[lubob]

You can start making reservations midnight est ohana dinner be our guest for lunch and raglan road in disney springs

 

[EricInPA]

Will echo PPs comments: take the suggestions here, but then check out the menus to see if they offer things that you and your family will like.

 

[MatzoBelle]

Wave for breakfast, Sanaa for lunch, Raglan Road for dinner. Second choice for dinner: 'Ohana.

 

[raddisneyfan]

My 3 recommends for must dos would be:
1. California Grill for dinner at the Contemporary--Table Service--must do ADR at 180 days
2. BOMA at AKL for breakfast buffet--Table Service
3. Tangierine Cafe for lunch at EPCOT (Morocco Pavilion)--Quick Service

 

[JZCubed]

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....

Where you are staying matters.

Do Character meals matters.

Do you prefer/avoid buffets?

Do your girls like leisurely dinners?

Would you like to go to Signatures/Table/Counter/Qwik-Service?

Would you like fireworks/show?

In a nutshell:
1.) With few exceptions, traveling for food makes little sense (little food at Disney is that good).
2.) By and large, going resort-to-resort is not easy if using Disney transportation.
3.) Breakfast ADR's often means giving up valuable opportunity to enjoy Attractions while Parks are least crowded in the morning.
4.) Some dining rooms are beautiful/unique enough to not worry about food quality (that's a personal choice).
5.) Some dining experiences come with a show or 'free' tickets.
6.) Making ADR's for the earliest time for each meal (8am breakfasts, 11am lunch, 5:30pm dinner) means never having to wait to be seated and a kitchen that is not yet backed-up.
7.) Some families prefer a large midday lunch over dinner. Signatures lunches are not easy to find (particularly at Resorts).

With more clues, I can offer more advice.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Where you are staying matters.

Do Character meals matters.

Do you prefer/avoid buffets?

Do your girls like leisurely dinners?

Would you like to go to Signatures/Table/Counter/Qwik-Service?

Would you like fireworks/show?

In a nutshell:
1.) With few exceptions, traveling for food makes little sense (little food at Disney is that good).
2.) By and large, going resort-to-resort is not easy if using Disney transportation.
3.) Breakfast ADR's often means giving up valuable opportunity to enjoy Attractions while Parks are least crowded in the morning.
4.) Some dining rooms are beautiful/unique enough to not worry about food quality (that's a personal choice).
5.) Some dining experiences come with a show or 'free' tickets.
6.) Making ADR's for the earliest time for each meal (8am breakfasts, 11am lunch, 5:30pm dinner) means never having to wait to be seated and a kitchen that is not yet backed-up.
7.) Some families prefer a large midday lunch over dinner. Signatures lunches are not easy to find (particularly at Resorts).

With more clues, I can offer more advice.

At DLR, we tend to do one big meal a day with a lot of smaller snacks. We are park openers so I would say that breakfast is the least important, as we like to take advantage of lower crowd times when possible. My girls think they're too old for character meals. I like getting special privileges with a meal if it's a decent value - we're not HUGE show people, so I'd avoid breaking the bank for this, but if there's a meal that comes along with a good experience I'd consider that (e.g., I used to love the (now defunct ) Fantasmic Dessert seating in at DL). We probably eat more counter service than sit down, but want to experience unique to WDW things, and I understand dining is much better there. We're also not particularly adventurous eaters.

 

[vinotinto]

Some of our favorites:

MK Area
1. California Grill - Resort dinner near MK
2. The Wave - Resort breakfast buffet near MK
3. BOG - It's a must do for many, but it seems to me it's declining in quality. Try to get lunch (CS) or dinner (TS), but don't worry if you don't.
4. Grand Floridian Cafe - When you just need a lunch respite from the parks

AK Area
5. Sanaa - Resort lunch or dinner near AK
6. Tusker House - Best breakfast or lunch with characters. Surprisingly good food for a character meal (AK)

Epcot Area
7. Biergarten - Most lively buffet (in Epcot)
8. Tangierine Cafe - Best CS in Epcot

DHS
9. 50's PT - good food, retro atmosphere, usually funny service (in DHS)

 

[JZCubed]

At DLR, we tend to do one big meal a day with a lot of smaller snacks. We are park openers so I would say that breakfast is the least important, as we like to take advantage of lower crowd times when possible. My girls think they're too old for character meals. I like getting special privileges with a meal if it's a decent value - we're not HUGE show people, so I'd avoid breaking the bank for this, but if there's a meal that comes along with a good experience I'd consider that (e.g., I used to love the (now defunct ) Fantasmic Dessert seating in at DL). We probably eat more counter service than sit down, but want to experience unique to WDW things, and I understand dining is much better there. We're also not particularly adventurous eaters.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/#/unique-themed-dining/

Hollywood Studios:
-- Fantasmic! Dinner packages at Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose, & Brown Derby. You're buying a three-course meal and it comes with 'free' tickets to some of the best seats available (you must still arrive about 30 minutes in advance).
-- 50's Prime Time & Sci-Fi Theater are two 'uniquely Disney options.

Epcot:
-- Anything, but Nine Dragons, is good food.
-- Biergarten - buffet & 'Um Pa' music. Fun for the entire family.
-- Coral Reef - some complain about the food (we like it). All tables face a HUGE aquarium.
-- Marrakesh - Moroccan with a bit of Bellydancing. Spice Table - also Moroccan, but no Bellydancing.
-- San Angel - 'fair' Mexican, but you feel as if inside Mayan ruins.
-- Via Napoli - not just huge pizzas, but that is their specialty.

Animal Kingdom:
-- Nothing too special, but Tusker House is a Character Buffet with 'exotic' curry flavors of Africa.

Animal Kingdom Lodge:
-- Boma - buffet, better food than Tusker House (worth the trip??)
-- Sanaa - see the animals during daylight and enjoy more curry.
*** Animal Kingdom Lodge may be the one resort worth traveling to, but it still takes time and food is going to be 'exotic'.

Magic Kingdom:
-- Be Our Guest dinner is table service and you may get a photograph with The Beast (not at lunch or breakfast).

(Downtown) Disney Springs:
-- Much to chose from.
-- Morimoto Asia - newly opened restaurant from 'Iron Chef', mostly Chinese & Japanese.
-- Boathouse - high-quality steaks & seafood.
-- Splitsville - inside bowling alley, food better than expected.
-- House of Blues - Gospel brunch on Sundays; great before/after Cirque de Soleil.

Also, at Resorts:
-- Swan & Dolphin Signatures - best at Disney (along with Four Seasons which may have views)
http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/#
http://www.fourseasons.com/orlando/dining/?c=t&_s_icmp=mmenu

-- Narcoossee's - Disney Signature with possibility of fireworks. Grand Floridian is a lovely hotel with shops.
-- California Grill - Disney Signature with possibility of fireworks. Best view at Disney.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

BOG, 'Ohana, and Sanaa.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thank you so much, everyone!

Anyone tried the Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian?

 

[dachsie]

I did that several years ago and enjoyed it.

My favorite table service are Ragland Rd, BOG and Kona cafe breakfast

Favorite quick service are Tangierine cafe, Columbia harbor house, and Le Halle's Boulangerir Patisserrie

 

[webcreatrix]

My 12 year old daughter would recommend the following:

MK - Be Our Guest
AK - Yak & Yeti
HS - Sci Fi
EP - Chefs de France
DS - House of Blues

 

[webcreatrix]

Thank you so much, everyone!

Anyone tried the Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian?

Yes! She would also highly recommend the tea at the Grand Flo!

 

[NewbieMouse]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/#/unique-themed-dining/

Hollywood Studios:
-- Fantasmic! Dinner packages at Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose, & Brown Derby. You're buying a three-course meal and it comes with 'free' tickets to some of the best seats available (you must still arrive about 30 minutes in advance).
-- 50's Prime Time & Sci-Fi Theater are two 'uniquely Disney options.

Epcot:
-- Anything, but Nine Dragons, is good food.
-- Biergarten - buffet & 'Um Pa' music. Fun for the entire family.
-- Coral Reef - some complain about the food (we like it). All tables face a HUGE aquarium.
-- Marrakesh - Moroccan with a bit of Bellydancing. Spice Table - also Moroccan, but no Bellydancing.
-- San Angel - 'fair' Mexican, but you feel as if inside Mayan ruins.
-- Via Napoli - not just huge pizzas, but that is their specialty.

Animal Kingdom:
-- Nothing too special, but Tusker House is a Character Buffet with 'exotic' curry flavors of Africa.

Animal Kingdom Lodge:
-- Boma - buffet, better food than Tusker House (worth the trip??)
-- Sanaa - see the animals during daylight and enjoy more curry.
*** Animal Kingdom Lodge may be the one resort worth traveling to, but it still takes time and food is going to be 'exotic'.

Magic Kingdom:
-- Be Our Guest dinner is table service and you may get a photograph with The Beast (not at lunch or breakfast).

(Downtown) Disney Springs:
-- Much to chose from.
-- Morimoto Asia - newly opened restaurant from 'Iron Chef', mostly Chinese & Japanese.
-- Boathouse - high-quality steaks & seafood.
-- Splitsville - inside bowling alley, food better than expected.
-- House of Blues - Gospel brunch on Sundays; great before/after Cirque de Soleil.

Also, at Resorts:
-- Swan & Dolphin Signatures - best at Disney (along with Four Seasons which may have views)
http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/#
http://www.fourseasons.com/orlando/dining/?c=t&_s_icmp=mmenu

-- Narcoossee's - Disney Signature with possibility of fireworks. Grand Floridian is a lovely hotel with shops.
-- California Grill - Disney Signature with possibility of fireworks. Best view at Disney.

Wow - thank you!

My 12 year old daughter would recommend the following:

MK - Be Our Guest
AK - Yak & Yeti
HS - Sci Fi
EP - Chefs de France
DS - House of Blues

Yes! She would also highly recommend the tea at the Grand Flo!

Thanks for the recommendations from a 12 year old!

 

[stinkpickle]

BOG, Biergarten, and Via Napoli are all worth a try. Keep in mind that even with park hoppers, jumping around for ADRs takes a lot more time at WDW than at DL. On a four day trip, I might only do one TS meal, two tops.

 

[Hans Olo]

My top 3:
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Mama Melrose
Crystal Palace breakfast

My kids were 9,7,5 and 4 and they loved all those places