VERY, VERY Dining Confused!

[sueandkent]

We are new to Disneyworld, never been and pretty much know nothing about it. Quite honestly, these boards are very overwhelming with information (which is good but yet mind boggling). This trip is just my DH (45) and me (45). We did not take the free dining option, in case this information is of value to my question.
So here goes, we really just want to eat. We don't much care about characters or the such. Should we be planning this now Our idea of a vacation is to just go with the flow, eat and sleep when we feel like it. Do you have any suggestions on where is nice for two adults to have meals. We're talking moderate priced meals, not expensive romantic stuff. Is there any meal activity that shouldn't be missed (and that would appeal to two adults).
P.S. I don't really like kids much and yes, I am aware I've chosen to go to Disneyworld but I wanted to see it too so I'm prepared for all the over-hyped youngsters. ANy help on more appropriate for adults or can't miss dining is greatly appreciated. Sorry to ramble on!

 

[pumba]

There are plenty of times just hubby and myself have gone to Disney and it can be mind boggling.....I do think you should look over the dining restaurants on the dining page which is at the top of this page .....and look at what the restaurants have to offer....and here is a link to our adults and solo doing disney.......hope this helps..

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

and here is the dining reservation on line and you can look at the choices in each park.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/

 

[iloveeeyore]

Where are you staying? Which parks are you visiting? We always try to plan our itinerary, figure out what parks we'll be at on which days, THEN figure out where we're going to eat. You may or may not be willing to go out of your way for a restaurant...there may be something totally exceptable right where you are!

Some restaurants that aren't soooo popular with families with kids are Restaurant Marakesh (Morocco pavilion in Epcot), Yachtsman's Steakhouse (Yacht Club resort). Maybe The Wave (in Contemporary Resort) or Hollywood Brown Derby (Hollywood Studios)? We enjoyed a really nice meal at Artist Point in Wilderness Lodge in 2008...I wouldn't personally call most of these "moderately priced."

Check out allears.net for descriptions and menus including prices. Happy planning!

 

[sueandkent]

Thanks for the allears.net link, that really cleared up some of my confusion. Very good information on there. So here is my next question, we would be more interested in resturants like some of these in downtown disney:
Planet Hollywood
Portobello
Wolfgang Puck
House of Blues
Surely we can walk up, put our name down and eventually eat? Keep in mind, DH and I usually eat while on vacation at 7 to 8 pm or later. It would be later on the nights where there is a parade or fireworks. We would just have a snack and then eat later. Do we still need to plan all this ahead?

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the allears.net link, that really cleared up some of my confusion. Very good information on there. So here is my next question, we would be more interested in resturants like some of these in downtown disney:
Planet Hollywood
Portobello
Wolfgang Puck
House of Blues
Surely we can walk up, put our name down and eventually eat? Keep in mind, DH and I usually eat while on vacation at 7 to 8 pm or later. It would be later on the nights where there is a parade or fireworks. We would just have a snack and then eat later. Do we still need to plan all this ahead?

The places you've listed are not the high demand restaurants that fill up within minutes of booking opening. HOWEVER, if you are going during free dining, having an ADR is still a must. Most of the restaurants IN the parks will not be taking walk-ups at all, regardless of how long you are willing to wait. This will probably shift more traffic to these DTD locations. Bottom line: If you want to eat, have an ADR. And since your booking window has been open for several weeks, it needs to be sooner rather than later.....

 

[pooch]

of dining plans, I would never go without reservations if you want to eat at a sitdown restaurant. Now that is not to say that you COULDN'T get seated for a late dinner especially at the DTD locations as a walkup but its also VERY possible that you get turned away.

I would suggest making at least a few reservations so that you aren't totally shut out. If you change your mind later, you can always cancel. I'd rather have them & not use them than need them & not have them.

 

[TillyMarigold]

If you don't mind eating late, since it's just the two of you, you should be able to decide where you want to eat a couple weeks beforehand, as long as you're willing to be flexible (i.e. don't necessarily expect to be able to eat anywhere you want, but a good few places should be available). You might even be able to call that morning and see what's available, if you're really willing to go anywhere.

 

[DisneyLover83]

My DH and I have found that if you want a more "kid-less" dining experience you need to eat late at night and aim for some of the signature restaurants or DTD places like the House of Blues. I have also personally found that if you are willing to eat at some of the less popular or well know establishments you can get reservations a few weeks out. I just made an ADR for Flying Fish on 10/13 today.

 

[ScottishMickeyFan]

Your choices look good other than Planet Hollywood,, personaly we found it loud (extremely) and service rushed,, the food was good but just general atmosphere was not plesent, but then we were on an upper balcony, we did do a walk up and wait about 20 mins in the bar area but was very busy,, middle of June so i did expect it, i like to make my own impressions of an establishment even if it has had bad reviews as we dont enter with any high expectations but this place was not great

Saying that we very rarely have bad experiances on property but i would always try and get an ADR if i could, i know it does not always work though as you may change plans for were you will be day to day, but i plan down to the hour for each of the 14 days im there, we come so far i want to get as much seen and done as possible.

You going on a cruise too?

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Me and my 3yr old son went to WDW for the first time last year and I tell you what, these boards will have you with so much knowledge that I was armed with information as if I was a Disney vet!, and in your situation you really don’t need that much help since your Disney experience is a little different than many, so I will give you some suggestions first no matter what you do

1. Call the Disney Dining line and make your reservations as soon as possible this will insure you will have somewhere to eat with minimal wait

2. If you want to avoid the children aspect of dining than you’re on the right
Track for eating later but if you’re going to WDW during free dining it will
Be hard to avoid many children even in the later evening

3. Here goes my suggestions if you can get ressies at the places that do not
accept the Disney Dining Plan that will help out, or those
Signature restaurants they will be your best option

4. My restaurant picks would be The Wave,
Grand Floridian Cafe
House of Blues
Narcooses
Fresh

5. If you have a car consider eating off property it will save you a bunch of
Money!

P.S. check out the reviews on where you want to eat at allears dot net website this is a huge help!

 

[Fantasmiss]

CORAL REEF!! Without doubt

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

CORAL REEF!! Without doubt

Coral Reef gets a bad wrap, but I wouldn’t leave Disney without eating at Coral Reef or Lecelliar! Coral Reef is a good suggestion if they could get one of the early lunches it is nice and quiet well it was last September during free dining we were leaving when the crowd was building up! I think our ressie was at 11am or 11:30am cant remember

 

[wezee]

Coral Reef gets a bad wrap, but I wouldn’t leave Disney without eating at Coral Reef or Lecelliar! Coral Reef is a good suggestion if they could get one of the early lunches it is nice and quiet well it was last September during free dining we were leaving when the crowd was building up! I think our ressie was at 11am or 11:30am cant remember

Last Sept. DH and I took his parents to Coral Reef for lunch...and it was a mad house. We had a table by the tank, though we did not request it, and I had young children climbing all over my chair to get up close to the aquarium. I would pass on CR and maybe try for an ADR for Raglan Road in DTD for a more adult adventure, with a moderate price range.
DH and I have never tried House of Blues, but think it might also be a good adult choice.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Do not miss Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD. Great prices for great food.

Stay away from Character meals. Check out dining options on the Boardwalk. I didn't see to many little ones at the resturants that do not take ADR's.

Eat later.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

You also mentioned eating late after fireworks. Usually the parks close after the fireworks so I don't think you will be able to do that.

 

[Lynne M]

Surely we can walk up, put our name down and eventually eat? Keep in mind, DH and I usually eat while on vacation at 7 to 8 pm or later. It would be later on the nights where there is a parade or fireworks. We would just have a snack and then eat later. Do we still need to plan all this ahead?

One key thing you need to know is that WDW restaurants do not hold tables for walk ups. If they're fully booked, they will (politely) turn you away. It's quite common for restaurants to be fully booked, months in advance, and it's also quite common for guests to be told that there are no tables open for the rest of the evening.

I know this runs counter to the way you want to vacation, but it's just the reality of dining at WDW. Choose your restaurants now, make your dinner reservations so you can be sure of having someplace to eat. Once you get to WDW, if you want to change your plans, you can call the dining line (407-WDWDINE) and try to adjust your reservations. People do cancel, so there is sometimes a bit of last-minute availability.

 

[MHSweb79]

Surely we can walk up, put our name down and eventually eat?

Yes, if you are willing to wait until free dining is over! It cannot be overstated - if you do NOT want to eat counter-service meals all week, then you must have some ADR's before you go. That's just the reality of eating at Disney during free dining.

Last time we went, EVERY RESTAURANT we ate at had signs stating "no walk-up's accepted." I am not saying that this also happens at every place in Downtown Disney but it certainly may be the case. As others have said, the fact that all the resort and park restaurants are booked solid will push people further out so Downtown Disney will be more crowded than usual.

Edited to add: You are one of the lucky ones - you are realizing the need for ADR's before you get there. Trust me, there will be many many people at WDW who had no idea they needed them and they will be out of luck - on the dining plan or not.

 

[sueandkent]

Thanks for the advice. We've talked about it and we've still decided to wing it. If we eat counter service all week then so be it. We have a 3 day cruise to catch up on the food we missed on this trip anyway and losing a few pounds is always a good thing. We just aren't detailed planners like that. We don't even plan meals at home 24 hours in advance...the joys of being old and childless. We really do appreciate the advice and warnings though. They'll be nobody to blame but ourselves if we eat corndogs all week.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Last Sept. DH and I took his parents to Coral Reef for lunch...and it was a mad house. We had a table by the tank, though we did not request it, and I had young children climbing all over my chair to get up close to the aquarium. I would pass on CR and maybe try for an ADR for Raglan Road in DTD for a more adult adventure, with a moderate price range.
DH and I have never tried House of Blues, but think it might also be a good adult choice.

Oh I hate that happen, where were those childrens parents?? wow some parents just dont know any better, Well, we were right next to the tank and it seems that we were the first ones to be seated, we never encountered any children trying to come and look at the tanks and if they did, I would have told them to go back over to your parents, I am just old fashion like that I dont allow my 3 yr old to wonder around during dinner and I am not going to have anyone elses young'ns walking and playing around me while I am eating, and if the parents get mad oh well! Me and my son are going on a cruise before WDW this year and I requested that we sit alone during dinner , I will not eat at a table with misbehaved children, If you saw my son at dinner you would think he was a 30yr old man instead of a 3 year old he doesnt even make a mess, but he has started to try and blow bubbles in his milk with a straw, but I nipped it in the bud!

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Thanks for the advice. We've talked about it and we've still decided to wing it. If we eat counter service all week then so be it. We have a 3 day cruise to catch up on the food we missed on this trip anyway and losing a few pounds is always a good thing. We just aren't detailed planners like that. We don't even plan meals at home 24 hours in advance...the joys of being old and childless. We really do appreciate the advice and warnings though. They'll be nobody to blame but ourselves if we eat corndogs all week.

Hey is it a 3 day Disney Cruise? we are going on a 3 day DCL before our trip!