Two dining questions...please

[carol9999]

Hi... question 1: Can someone describe Chef Mickey's to me..i believe it is in the contemporary resort...i am not staying on site , but would like to do a lunch or dinner there on one of the days we are not going to any parks... can we go there and park at the contemporary and eat there...do i need to make advance reservations? question 2: on our day at epcot (me,dh,and 3 kids), i would like to eat in one of the countries....i am interested in opinions on the ones you felt had the most WOW effect..i'm thinking wow in terms of ambiance and atmosphere even more important than the food (of course, i like good food too) thanks(going in mid october)

 

[carol9999]

woops!! didnt mean to have a sad face on that one.... i am very excited to go back to disney after all these years and now with our 3 great sons!!!!

 

[wmarsich]

I haven't done this but the knowledge that I have gained from these boards is incredible. I believe you will have to make a PS reservation and be ready to show this number at the gate to the motel and then you will be able to park. As far as Epcot dining, what are you looking for? There are tons of restaurants highlighting all different types of food. I've heard good things about quite a few places, but it depends on what you are looking for and what kind of food you like. Having said that ... if it's an expereince that your after, the Coral Reef offers dining while watching sea life right next to your table!

 

[carol9999]

I love italian food, but from what i remember so long ago is that although it was a gread italian restaurant in italy, it was just a restaurant....i want a restaurant with some kind of memorableness about it... for instance, i remember mexico having a beautiful atmosphere about it....is there anywhere else like that now? thanks BTW the coral reef sounds nice..where is that?

 

[Aimeedyan]

Chef Mickeys is ALL Disney. It's bright. It's crowded. It's packed with kids. It's got "the" characters. I think its a must do for families, esp on their first trip. YES you need a PS, it does book up. All you have to do when arriving at the Contemporary parking lot is tell the guard you have a PS and have the number available just in case they don't find you on their list. The food is buffet style, with loads of offerings, though the quality is hit and miss. We've done the breakfast, but many others say the dinner is good. I recommend checking it out! Be sure and bring autograph books and plenty of film!

Epcot... gosh, there are loads of places to eat! My fave is Marrakesh, it's in Morocco, and I think the environment is incredible. There is a belly dancer and band inside, and its' just relaxing. Food is GOOD. Mexico is incredibly themed, but it is crowded and dark inside, and many think the food tastes like Taco Bell quality. I enjoy Tex Mex, and not true Mexican, so we don't eat here. You can still see the restaurant by just going inside the Mexico pavillion, it's very cool. Your kids may beg to eat there once they see it, though, I know I did as a kid! You can sit near the water and watch the people on the Mexican boat ride go by. It's just very cool. Alfredo's in Italy doesnt' get very good reviews, and we've never eaten there because of that... you can probably search and see what others think. Teppenyaki is cool if your kiddos haven't been a Japanese steakhouse like Benihanas before! You know, chef cooks it all in front of you. That's pretty unique if you've never been...

Good luck! Hope you get loads of great advice here, and enjoy your trip!

 

[wmarsich]

The Coral reef is at the Living Sea. I've included a link with some pictures and a list of the restaurants at Epcot below. I don't know how old your DS's are, but they also have character dining at the the Garden Grill (Mickey and friend) and in Norway (Pricess Storybook Breakfast).

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningListing?id=EPDiningListingPage

 

[carol9999]

thanks for the info... do the restaurants in epcot countries have kids menus, if so, about how much $.thanks

 

[Aimeedyan]

Carol, yes, they all have kids menus, and you can see ALL the menus and prices at www.allearsnet.com under dining. =)

 

[LAWalz23]

Definately go to Chef Mickey's with your boys. And take autograph books, large pens and plenty of film. Make your PS, 90 days out so you will have a choice of times. When you get to the gate of the Contemporary hotel just tell them you have a PS at Chef Mickeys and you will be able to park. Another alternative is if you will be spending the day at the MK, just hop on the monorail to the Contemporary and take the monorail back to the park or parking lot.
You might also want to try the Biergaten in Germany, it is a buffet and has a band and a little show that most kids seem to enjoy. Just be warned that you may sit at a table with others as they are set up in the traditional biergarten way. Long tables that hold about 12 people.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Your kids will love Chef Mickey's and the food is really good. I would much prefer dinner to breakfast there as all that commotion in the morning was just too much for us. So I know you guys will have a great time.

Epcot is our favorite place to dine because there are so many offerings. As for ambience I would have to say Mexico's San Angel Inn. They also have a very child friendly kid's menu. By that I mean lots of choices for kids that most kids like. The prices on the kid's menu run around $6. If you were asking about great food I would pick somewhere else although we have eaten a few very nice meals there and we do intend to go back.

Now, if you are willing to eat somewhere besides a country and want to impress your kids and yourselves with good food and and a really cool setting, I suggest The Garden Grill at the Land. The restaurant itself rotates and you can enjoy all the scenes from the boat ride down below and the food is great! We go there alot too.

Anywhere you pick - you will have a great time.

 

[DanPadavona]

As others have stated Chef Mickey's is a bright, fun, loud place full of children and characters. It is darn close to a must-visit for us each trip. There is no "ceiling," basically you are off to one side of the Contemporary resort. Depending on your seating, you might see the monorail driving in and out while you eat. Pretty cool.

If you want "WOW" in Epcot - I say go to the Mexican pavillion and take a look at the San Angel Inn. That place is amazingly themed...all other Epcot restaurants/pavillions pale in comparison in terms of theming. In terms of great food, I sorta prefer Norway's Restaurant Akershus, but everyone has their own tastes.

 

[dawgfan]

Chef Mickeys is a must do. We did this last week and loved it. Wondeful character interaction here.

In Epcot-We looked at Alfredos as I too love good Italian food. Nothing on the menu really caught my eye and we left. Pasta and more pasta. Not much on meats and dishes with meat. Just lots and lots of pasta dishes.

I have not tried the Mexican pavilion but I wish I had after hearing all that has been said here about lately.

We like Teppanyaki.

We loved the Coral Reef (expensive)

We tried Le Chefs de France this time and we really liked it.

As far as the land is concerned, it would be neat for a lunch maybe. It was sort of like a rotating cafeteria though as far as scenery and looks. I would not try a supper there. Just a personal note.

Le Cellier is good. As far as WOW Coral Reef has my bet due to the scenery in the fish tank. Do not go to the Living Seas until after the meal. Save that until after everyone has oggled over the fish in the wall tank.