Trying to please a teen-any res. suggestions?

[redfieldmr]

I'm taking my granddaughter to WDW in Jan. After looking at menus for the purpose of reservations, it's become a challenge to find sit down restaurants (on-site) which fit her 14 year old palate. I wish things were a bit different, but, well they're not. She's a basic pasta, salad, chicken, pizza kid. Is there anything sit down that is basic, but still has a nice evening out vibe? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[lizzytizzy]

bump

 

[nanalisa]

Our granddaughter is 14 as well and also eats simply. We are taking her and one of her friends in December. We've been taking her to Disney almost every year and these are her favorites; Tony's, Teppan Edo, Coral Reef, Le Chefs de France (because she says the French waiters are cute), Mama Melrose, Ohana, Le Cellier, Coral Reef, Sci Fi, 50's Prime Time Cafe and Cinderella's Royal Table (eventhough she thinks she's too old it always winds up on her list). Have a great time in January!

 

[SilverSynchro919]

'50's Prime Time would be a great bet. It's got a fun and quirky atmosphere with familiar food! Mama Melrose, Tony's, or Tutto Italia could be good as well. I just recently turned 20, and my favorite restaurant at Disney is definitely 'Ohana.

 

[The Hendies]

I second Sci Fi, Teppan Edo and Mamma Melrose's. Prime Time 50's only if she up for some playful teasing. Do you think characters would interest her? Buffets are getting pricey, but she might enjoy Crystal Palace.

 

[goofy4tink]

Dd, now almost 18, has been going to WDW, with her 'discriminating palate', since she was 5. She has yet to go hungry!!! There is always something she could find to eat. She would eat from the childrens area at buffets, or order off the children's menus at table service spots. Now that she has discovered steak, it's better. But, up until she was about 15, she existed on plain buttered pasta, chicken strips/nuggets, grilled cheese, plain pizza, and peanut butter (creamy only!!). Now she eats more meat...not a ton, but more.
Your granddaughter should be fine. Every table service restaurant will offer chicken nuggets/strips, and pasta, and usually pizza.

 

[redfieldmr]

I've looked at all of your suggestions and am thankful for your help. She's making some choices as I speak (write). I do think the character idea is a good one. We'll check that out as well. Thanks again.

 

[disney.nut]

My daughter is 14 years old also. She loves to eat at the following: Le Cellier, 50's Prime Time, Teppan Edo, Ohana, The Garden Grill, Via napoli, Sci-Fi, and Rose&Crown.

 

[Quin]

I agree with some prior posters that buffets are often the way to go for Disney-adult kids who would really rather have basic kid-food options. For character meals I'm not so sure about CRT. I'd suggest dinner at 1900PF instead. If she's feeling girly she can chat with Cindy and the Prince, but if she has a case of the teenage snarks that night you can turn her loose on the StepSisters and Lady Tremaine; they're perfect for that sort of thing. I'd think about maybe a breakfast at CP. Teens seem to feel less awkward about liking the Pooh characters.

Good dinner choices would be Ohana for an MK day, Biergarten for Epcot, Cape May for a DHS day (when my DD was a teen she'd have HATED 50sPT), and Boma for an AK day. Don't let the exotic themeing of Boma fool you. While there are some really interesting things she can try if she wants, they also have all the basic food groups - cheese pizza, chicken nuggets, and desserts.

 

[c&m]

My DDs will be 13 and 16 when we go in March. They wanted to go to:
Crystal Palace, Tusker House, Teppan Edo, 'Ohana, Boma, Garden Grill, Sci-Fi Dine-In, La Hacienda, and Kona. They chose a mix of fun, character places and some other more adult places.

Only thing to consider is how the teen is feeling on the day you go to dine at the restaurant - whether she is in a fun mood or in that funky "teenage" mood . That will most likely determine the enjoyment factor.

 

[Olallamom]

I am taking my 13 yr old son next week and here are some of his ADR requests:
Sci Fi
Crystal Palace
Mama Melrose
T Rex

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

'50's Prime Time would be a great bet. It's got a fun and quirky atmosphere with familiar food!

This was going to be my suggestion, also.

We were just there last month with 2 boys (ages 13 & 14) and they loved it.

We had been there several times before and my 13 year old said this trip, it was his favorite. Of course, we had a really GREAT waiter (George) ... which can make all the difference. My 13 year old still mentions George, almost daily.

 

[angierae]

My incredibly picky 16 year old has agreed to the following after looking at menus:

Ohana (dinner)
Teppan Edo (lunch)
Garden Grill (dinner)
Sci-Fi Dine In (Lunch)
Turf Club (dinner) (she's going to get the burger without the lobster, I believe is her plan.)
Spirit of Aloha dinner show (she's not sure about the food but wants to go to the show. Heh. She'll probably end up snacking later.)
Tony's Town Square (lunch)(her fave restaurant from our 1st trip)
Plaza Restaurant (Dinner)
Les Chefs de France (lunch)
Captain's Grille (Dinner)
1900 Park Fare (breakfast)
Kona Cafe (dinner)
Akershus (breakfast)

These were all based off the menus at Allears.net

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Ohana, Kona Breakfast, Chefs de France, Via Napoli, Mama Melrose, Liberty Tree Tavern, Cape May Cafe Dinner Buffet

Keep in mind when you read the menus, you can pretty much tailor most of the meals. For example, taking the sauce off the steak/chicken, adding fries instead of the fancy potatoes, etc etc. They're very good with this!

 

[Belle5]

I have six sons..two are still teens. If I ever have the pleasure (again) of taking a young lady to WDW, I would take her to the tea at the GF (Garden View Lounge). I have done it myself with my sons many times and also a couple of times with just my mother. When I took my two nieces to WDW at ages 13 and 18, I bought them tiaras and took them to the castle for lunch. They absolutely LOVED it and knew they were "indulging" their aunt by giving her some "girl moments"!

 

[disney55]

ESPN if she likes sports

 

[krissyh]

I'm taking my granddaughter to WDW in Jan. After looking at menus for the purpose of reservations, it's become a challenge to find sit down restaurants (on-site) which fit her 14 year old palate. I wish things were a bit different, but, well they're not. She's a basic pasta, salad, chicken, pizza kid. Is there anything sit down that is basic, but still has a nice evening out vibe? Thanks for any suggestions!

Does she eat steak? If so, Raglan Road might be an option. It has more of that "nice evening out vibe" and is more grown up, with the band and Irish dancers. It isn't as much of a place for the little ones and, at 14, she might appreciate the more grown up night out that Raglan Road and shopping around DTD would give.
Check the menu and remember, most sides can be replaced with fries!

 

[Patience]

For dinner, my 17 year old really liked Boma, Sci Fi Diner and Tutto Italia (for the lasagna). For lunch, she loved Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. We ate one table service breakfast and that was at Crystal Palace and she enjoyed it.

 

[nklooz]

Raglan Road
Germany in EP WS
Japan in EP WS
(all 3 are lots of fun and can be interactive)
Le Cellier (2 crédits)

 

[redfieldmr]

Love the ideas you all have passed on - I may cancel Chef Mickeys character buffet and go with the GF idea... I know I would like that better.

Haven't done dinner res. yet but will make choices based on the suggestions here. And yes, she loves sports, good tip!

Best to you all.