What Restaraunts are must do's?

[sfeisen]

I would love recommendations on must do restaraunts/food for our trip?

We haven't been to Disney in July since our honeymoon in 1992. After that experience we have been fortunate to be able to go in November.

This year we are going mid July, and I seem to have analysis paralysis when it comes to planning ADR's. I think it's because this will probably be the last time our entire family will be together at Disney (DS18, DD16, DS15, DD11) so I want to make it wonderful, while not breaking the bank. We are also spending two days at Universal and Islands of Adventure. We've never been there before.

So, there will be 7 (including my adult niece) of us, staying offsite at a condo, no DDP. This will be my niece's first trip to the world. Since she lives in Southern, CA. she has been to and worked briefly at Disneyland.

In years past, our plan was: eat breakfast in room, snack around lunch, eat our main meal around 4ish, snack at night.

I was thinking HDDR the night we arrive--$350 Wow! that is a lot for dinner.
Boma for brunch one day (have never been for dinner, but the brunch was to die for). What about a late dinner after AK closes? Anyone do this?

I am at a complete loss on how to eat at Epcot. Where is Cape May? Walking distance from Epcot? Another thought was the German restaurant. Expensive buffet ($37?), but don't they have a show?

We used to do Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner at MK, but wonder whether it will be as charming without the characters.
Crystal Palace is probably not in the budget at $40 a person. No one will be especially thrilled with the charachters......except DH loves Tigger!

We are not opposed to Quick Service meals, however I am betting that we will want to sit down in an air conditioned restaraunt at least once a day. Everyone in the family likes to try new things, or have new experiences. No chicken nugget, hot dog eaters here.

Thank you for any help!

 

[Pakey]

Cape May is at the Beach Club, it's a 5 minute walk from the International Gateway in the World Showcase. If you are going there for breakfast and you don't want to park at the resort, the best way to get there is from DHS since the World Showcase does not open until 11am.

Biergarten in Germany is a lot of fun. They have an oompa-loompa band that plays and I love it. The food is pretty good. There are some good counter service, particularly in Epcot, where you can have many choices besides nuggets. Although my personal favorite is Tangierine Cafe in Morrocco in World Showcase, there is the Sunshine Seasons food court in Future World that has tons of choices and is inside with a/c.

AK has Flame Tree BBQ counter service which is quite good (large portions of barbeque chicken or ribs) but seating is outside. My favorite place to dine at AK Lodge is Sanaa, an Indian inspired restaurant. I prefer it over Boma. There is the new Yak and Yeti actually inside the park but I don't think it's good enough to pay their out of pocket prices.

At DHS, I like 50's Prime Time. The food is good, the portions are huge. Sci Fi is fun and cheaper but to sit in one of the cars, only 6 can fit, so they might split you into two groups if you want to dine in one of the cars. The food is not at good as 50s but the atmosphere is very fun.

Columbia Harbor House at MK, is another decent counter service that has tuna sandwiches, salads, a hummus sandwich (my fave) that also has inside seating. We generally eat at Crystal Palace there as the other table service choices have not impressed us.

I hope you have fun. We are still vacationing there with our adult children and now our grandchildren so you might be back there sooner than you think.

 

[pamickey]

How about adjusting your schedule a little and do your sit-down meal at lunch? We like to eat breakfast in the room or on the go at a QS counter at the hotel. Then, we eat a later lunch - about 1:00 - 1:30. Lunch prices are much lower than dinner prices at a lot of the restaurants.

Then, we would do QS at a counter in one of the parks - sometimes we all go different directions to get food and meet at a central place. We also feel like we walk off the large lunch during the afternoon (in our own minds anyway). We might greab a sweet snack on the way out of the park or at the hotel for late night nibbling or keep cookies or granola bars in the room.

This plan seems to be much less expensive than the traditional meals and sometimes the early afternoon seating is easier to get. Have fun and enjoy the food!

Terri

 

[Millie12591]

In years past, our plan was: eat breakfast in room, snack around lunch, eat our main meal around 4ish, snack at night.

I was thinking HDDR the night we arrive--$350 Wow! that is a lot for dinner.
Boma for brunch one day (have never been for dinner, but the brunch was to die for). What about a late dinner after AK closes? Anyone do this?

HDDR is a lot of fun, but I don't know if you really want to spend that much on food. And if your concern is more for the food being good I wouldn't waste my money here. It's not horrible, but not 350 dollars good.
People eat at Boma's after AK park closes all the time!! We leave about an hour before the park closes and make our way over there, make sure to get your ressie for no later than 7. Boma's also has an outstanding breakfast buffet.

I am at a complete loss on how to eat at Epcot. Where is Cape May? Walking distance from Epcot? Another thought was the German restaurant. Expensive buffet ($37?), but don't they have a show?

Cape May is totally within walking distance from Epcot, I think if your a seafood lover more so over Geraman food I would do Cape May. For those who aren't seafood lovers there's plenty more to choose from.

We used to do Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner at MK, but wonder whether it will be as charming without the characters.
Crystal Palace is probably not in the budget at $40 a person. No one will be especially thrilled with the charachters......except DH loves Tigger!

This is one of my families favorite places to eat, my kids are 18 and 11 and they love the food there. The characters are a bonus, you become such kids when you get to WDW.

We are not opposed to Quick Service meals, however I am betting that we will want to sit down in an air conditioned restaraunt at least once a day. Everyone in the family likes to try new things, or have new experiences. No chicken nugget, hot dog eaters here.

No reason you can't have decent meals while in the world at counter service and sit in airconditioning. Since it's July, you'll want to sit down in some air conditioning!
Sunshine Season's is a great place to sit down for a meal, it's in EPCOT, in the Land Pavillion, they have a great counter service, it's like a food court so there's lots to choose from, even porkchops!
Flaming Tree BBQ at AK is a decent place to eat for CS. EPCOT's Morocco has the Tangeriene Cafe and it's very good CS if you really do like different.
You can get CS at Cosmis Rays in MK that's not to bad. It's lots of people and loud, but the food choices are pretty good. You can get a half chicken plate with mashed potatoes and green beans or Half chicken and half a slab of rib plate with mashed potatoes and green beans. Burgers aren't to bad here.

Thank you for any help!

Honestly, if your going to do a Restaurant that will beat the pants off of any other place, Ohana's is hands down the place you have to try. Your whole family will love this place!!!
It's in the Poly Resort, and if you plan to go there on the day your in Magic Kingdom or Epcot, you can take the Monorail over there.

Also if your wanting to look at how resturants and counter services rank, it's always best to hit AllEars.net in the rate and reviews section, if you hit the WDW dining link-sponsored by Orlando Stroller Rentals it will bring up all the resorts as well as parks, and stroll through the different resorts to see if the restaurants appeal to you. Honestly some of the best places to eat are in the deluxe resorts. As for Epcot, there's lots to choose from, but maybe the ratings will help you narrow it down. Anything lower than a 7 is not worth going to.
Hope I helped.

 

[sfeisen]

Thanks for the great suggestions.

I can't wait!

 

[bostondvcguy]

I like 50's Primetime DHS, always fun.

 

[bostondvcguy]

House of Blues at downtown disney too. I think you may be able to get a discount from restaurant.com

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I second the recommendation for Ohanas. It is a bit easier for a larger group because they just bring you the food - there isn't any 'what should I order?'. It is fun, yummy food, and a cool atmosphere.

 

[mullysisters]

I would choose :
Cape May
Boma
I have been to the Biergarten and it was so much fun
I haven't tried Ohanas, I think I will next trip.

 

[tinkmom2]

Sanaa at Ak's Kidani Village are great dinners too along with Jiko's. In Epcot we love Teppan Edo. We like to try new place everytime we go to Disney. We are trying Cape May, Sci-Fi Cafe, Wolfgang Pucks Express DTD, and Brown Derby. We love Ohanna's but for the character breakast. Kona is on our list too.

 

[sfeisen]

Is Ohana's a luau type show, or just a dining experience? Would this be better to do the night we get in? Same price range as the Hoop dee doo?

Thanks for all the feedback everyone?

 

[tinkmom2]

Ohana's is a family style dinner. They have character breakfasts there which are also family style. I am not sure if the characters come around at dinner? Spirt of Aloha is the dinner show which is a seperate thing in a different place on Poly property. It's corny but the dancers are really good. The dinner was really good there too. During that show they have the hula dancers and flame throwers.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

These suggestions will all be CS. My family's picks, no hamburgers or nuggets for us.

DTD-Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich.
Resorts-POFQ, rib and chicken dinner
POR, turkey dinner, create your own pasta
Poly, adult grilled cheese, pork sandwich, dole whip
CRS, reuben, nachos, burrito
Parks-Sunshine Seasons at EPCOT
Pecos Bill's or Cosmic Rays at MK
Flame Tree BBQ at AK
Here is a link to menus. http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

 

[Hopefully]

I totally recommend the HDDR for a special Disney experience. It is wonderful. The food is very good "down home cooking". It is not gourmet, just good fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, beans, salad, cornbread, and delicious strawberry shortcake - all you care to eat. It includes unlimited beer, wine and sangria.
The show is a hoot. Corny jokes, singing, dancing and audience participation. I have been with 3 generations and everyone loved it.
We will do it again.
Enjoy

 

[SGMCO]

Our Must do Restaurants:

These are in World showcase Epcot:

Tutto Italia--we ate Salmon and grilled Vegetables (no pasta)our Favorite Restaurant--if you're celebrating they will sing to you in Italian.
San Angel Inn-surprisingly very good--DH had Grilled Mahi Mahi fish--I had the fish tacos (both were excellent)
Via Naples--the New pizza place (very good pizza)

Breakfast:
Ohanas--POLY
Tusker House--AK


CS-
Earl of Sandwich--(the best sandwiches)--DTD

 

[JCMHutch]

DH & I were there last July and did out sit-down meals in the afternoon (1-2 pm) so we were out of the heat. Worked out really well since it was hot, sticky and frequent rain showers!

My must go to place is Kouzzina on the Boardwalk. We did our one OOP there last trip for dinner and it was fabulous. You can walk there from Epcot.

DH's must go to is Le Cellier. We go every trip for him. The lunch menu is not as large as the dinner, but the pricing was better and DH always gets his steak.

Also, the Tangeriene Cafe in Morroco is excellent. Our favorite counter service.

Ohana is yummy at the Poly - just a monorail ride from MK.

Check out Restaurant.com for discounted certificates - several restaurants(Garden Grove, Kimono's, BlueZoo, Shula's, House of Blues & Il Mulino) in downtown and at the Dolphin/Swan are part of the program. They are having a 70% off sale for this weekend with the promo code EAT so you could get a $25 certificate for $3. Just check the restrictions before you buy (like House of Blues you can use it at the Gospel Brunch).

 

[galaxyrar]

Our must do is Flying Fish. Over at the Boardwalk. We also love Artist Point, Citricos, Le Cellier and Blue Zoo.