TS dinner during break from MK?

[basketlacey]

On our MK day, I am looking for a TS dinner that is outside the park (I think). I am thinking we may like a break midday and then return for parades and EMH. I don't really want to eat at my resort (POR).

It is me, dh, dd (11), ds (9) and dd (6). I don't want a signature restaurant. I am thinking dinner and then back to the resort or maybe dinner and straight back to the park (depending on the mood of the kids).

Any suggestions?

 

[TDC Nala]

What do you consider "midday?" Dinner is usually 5-5:30 and after. If you're looking for earlier than that you'd need lunch, and some of the available restaurants are not open for lunch.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We really like Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. You can take the boat or the monorail from the MK.

The Grand Floridian Cafe and the Wave are good choices, too.

 

[tobylars]

Ohana is great for a dinner break. I like to go at 5:00 with kids.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Ohana and Whispering Canyon Cafe are good options. Monorail to Ohana (Polynesian) and boat to WCC (Wilderness Lodge).

Also there's Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, 1900 Park Fare and Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian. All three are accessible via the monorail.

My personal fav is Whispering Canyon Cafe but it can get loud in there with all of the antics.

Maybe check out the menus on AllEars.net and see which ones suit your family so you can narrow it down a bit.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Super easy to get to a nice TS dinner from MK and back again using either the monorail or a boat.

I don't know if you're going on a dining plan or out of pocket, but here are our favorites, in order from least expensive to most (not counting Signatures):

Trail's End at Fort Wilderness - cheapest buffet on property, simple food but it's always good quality and fresh. Bonus here is that if you are so inclined, it is easy to get to the Chip & Dale Campfire Singalong & Movie after dinner. Just as easy to head straight back to MK too.

Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge - there is an all-you-can-eat option or you can order a la carte. I have enjoyed most of the dishes I've had here over the years.

Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian - one of my favorite 'hidden gems' which never seems to get much attention. It's a little more expensive than Whispering Canyon or other options, but it's worth it.


There are a few others which get raves but which I do not count among my personal favorites, like Kona at the Polynesian (I am always disappointed here, except for breakfast which I like) or the Wave at the Contemporary (never again).

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I really like Kona Cafe at the Polynesian.

 

[tinker&belle]

I LOVED the Grand Floridean Cafe. There is also a character dinner next door.

 

[basketlacey]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I think my family would love WCC. I checked out the menus. It wouldn't be my first choice (I want to go to Kouzzina) but I think the kids would have a great time. They only have a 2:20 open as of right now. I like the dinner menu a lot better so I think I will keep checking!

We are on the DP so cost isn't really an issue as long as I stay away from signatures.

 

[ncc1701]

Have you thought about going to DTD ?
Both the Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Raglan Road are on the DDP.
You can take the boat back to/from POR and relax before heading back to the parks

 

[staceycrouton]

I think that Downtown Disney is a great suggestion! There are some fun restaurants that the kids would like (T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe', Planet Hollywood, etc.). You can easily take the boat back to POR after you eat to rest or take a quick dip in the pool and then return to MK whenever you want.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I think that Downtown Disney is a great suggestion! There are some fun restaurants that the kids would like (T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe', Planet Hollywood, etc.). You can easily take the boat back to POR after you eat to rest or take a quick dip in the pool and then return to MK whenever you want.

Downtown Disney could work with the access to/from your resort and relaxing either before or after dinner... but if you want to get back to MK for fireworks/etc, then I would suggest you stay in the MK area. The commute times to and from MK would 'eat' a lot of your dinner-break time and/or time after dinner (sorry for the pun...)

Plus, as a side note, T-Rex and the Rainforest Cafe are both not on the dining plan.

 

[pixarmom]

Downtown Disney could work with the access to/from your resort and relaxing either before or after dinner... but if you want to get back to MK for fireworks/etc, then I would suggest you stay in the MK area. The commute times to and from MK would 'eat' a lot of your dinner-break time and/or time after dinner (sorry for the pun...)

I agree. We love Disney transportation, but have always found transportation to DTD to be slow and time-consuming. May be an entirely different story for OP at POR, but then they still want to end up at MK that night, which involves that DTD bus. So I'd also suggest the MK area for dinner, too.

We used to make Ohana our resort dinner break from MK, and loved it for years. The last time, it wasn't as great as in the past, so it's out of our rotation for a while. But if you've never been there before (and only one of your three kids is paying as a "disney adult" for the family style meal) then I would recommend it! Someone also suggested Kona, which doesn't have the family style prices, but I understand they have some of the best components of the Ohana meal (we love the salad, potstickers, wings, etc.)

And I know OP doesn't want signature, but just had to mention that we've taken our boys (aged pre-school to pre-teen) to California Grill for a 5:35pm ADR and everyone loved it. One of our boys deemed the mac and cheese there the best in all of WDW and all three of them loved the views. (I loved the sushi and the great wine list!)