WDW experts needed for So Cal family!

[squirrelgirl]

Hi all!

I would love your advice! We are a family traveling to WDW in late Sept/early Oct for a week. Kids are 11 and 8 and have practically grown up at DL.

I would like to plan 1 or 2 meals that would be special. Here's the thing. I am looking at these boards and it appears WDW is just radically different than DL when it comes to meals. Honestly, we don't think much about where we are going to eat when we go to DL...we just go/walk in/whatever..if it is busy, we go back in a half hour. ADR is just so different to me, and seeing that folks call in and make all these advance plans is a bit overwhelming. Meals aren't a huge deal to us, but it appears that it is a huge part of the WDW experience. We have gone to WDW before and had a fine time just picking a place as we went along. But maybe we are missing some key experience by not planning this part of the trip too?

So back to my question...are there 1 or 2 places you would suggest I look into? Not so much for the food, but because it offers a unique experience. I don't need a buffet or a character dining meal. I would love to bring my dh and kids to someplace where they will walk away saying 'wow..that was cool'.

Thank you!!!

 

[M & M's Mom]

Our family tries to go to the Coral Reef every trip Our DS (6) loves to watch the fish swim by while we're eating. They give you a paper to help ID the fish as they go by, which helps keep the kids from getting too restless & the food is usually pretty good. We didn't make it last trip & it was the first ADR made for our November trip I hope this helps some & that you have a fantastic trip

 

[Cindypooh]

You might enjoy the Sci-Fi Dine-Inn at Disney Studios. It is like you are at a drive-in, you sit in "cars", watch old sci-fi movie trailers, and you are seated by waitpersons on roller skates! We really enjoy the atmosphere. We also enjoy the Rainforest cafes (and maybe the new t-rex one) but you may have visited them in SoCal.

Another different one is the Coral Reef in Epcot-you view a giant saltwater tank with sea turtles, rays, sharks, etc. while you eat.

Have fun! We usually make 1 priority seating a day and just wing the rest.
We are from Oregon so started at DL and it is different at WDW-huge!

Cindy

 

[CTKris10]

If you're looking for a unique experience, you could try Sci Fi Dine in Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is themed like a drive-in movie, and you watch cartoons and short films on a big screen as you eat. The tables are designed so that you're sitting inside a car, and the waiters wear roller-skates. They also have really great milkshakes.

Another cool place to eat in Disney's Hollywood Studios is 50's Prime Time Cafe. It's themed like a house from the 50's. You waitress "Mom" reminds you to say please and thank you, and not to eat with your elbows on the table. If you don't eat your veggies they'll make you wear a dunce cap in the corner. It's a fun experience as long as you're up for interacting.

I think these meals would be great for your age group, especially if you're not set on going to a character meal. Be sure to check out the menus before you book at allearsnet.com. Hope this helps!

 

[vicki_c]

Along the same lines is the Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. Not a buffet or character, but definitely a memorable experience with lots of over-the-top antics from the waitstaff.

Everyone says dining at DL is entirely different than dining at WDW (haven't been to DL myself). The popularity of the Disney Dining Plan add-on to the packages is what is driving all the craziness regarding reservations, in my opinion. But what are you going to do? If you want to eat sit-down meals at the more popular places, you should book in advance to make sure you can.