What restaurants are not to be missed?

[joel roberts]

We have started planning a trip for next year. It will be my 50th birthday. We have visited Disney many times, but this will be a trip without the kids. Yea I'll be 50 and my wife will be 48. When my wife asked me what I wanted for my 50th, I said a trip to Disney staying close enough that we would not need to drive at all during the trip. And I wanted to eat at every country in Epcot.
After some research and reading on this site it seems that plan might limit our fun. I would love to hear stories if anyone has planned a similar trip. We want to enjoy the four main parks, do rides but also enjoy some great food.
While not totally giving up on the "eating in every country" plan, I'm also exploring choosing a park a day and just eating lunch and dinner within that park. Would we be missing anything special dining wise by doing this?
Our plan is to arrive on a Friday afternoon and checking out either the following Wednesday or Thursday.
I would love to get a list of not to miss restaurants, We eat just about everything, never scared to try new items. We love our food.
As of now we are looking at staying at one of the Epcot hotels, can you walk into Epcot from these hotels?
Thanks for any advice
Rob

 

[Maistre Gracey]

My top three..

Yachtsman
'Ohana
Jiko

Yes, it's an easy walk to Epcot from the Epcot resorts. The studios are also within a reasonable walk.

MG

 

[ALittleWhistle]

Raglan Road in Disney Springs has great food and a fantastic atmosphere, in my opinion. Servers are always extremely pleasant. We don't have any Irish pubs around here, so we go here every trip.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

VA...you only turn 50 once.

 

[TheJuiciestOfJs]

VA...you only turn 50 once.

This.

V&A is something that should be experienced. Turning 50 and being without the kids is a perfect set-up for this.
FYI: My wife and I make V&A an annual anniversary dinner. It blew us away on our honeymoon and keeps raising the bar.

 

[dancemonkey]

My hubby and I enjoy California grill!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

FYI: My wife and I make V&A an annual anniversary dinner.

I keep thinking that possibility...too. The wife just rolled her eyes at me just like this

 

[mjmgsssp]

If you happen to plan your visit during F&W next year, you could easily fulfill your goal of eating around the world.

 

[Mama Lo]

Sounds like an awesome trip Rob!

I would stay at the Beach Club as it is the closest to Epcot's International Gateway entrance. Very easy to walk over to grab lunch, dinner or even a snack. You will also be right across from the Boardwalk for your enjoyment.

Don't discount the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin, they have some wonderful signature dining (maybe even better then WDW).

A lot of this is subjective, depends on where you live and the access to good and varied dining near home. Being from 20 miles outside of NYC, I'm spoiled in this regard. So for me I avoid the easy get get good italian or sushi. Although, Il Mulino is fantastic.

I'd try to make it to AKL for a meal. Boma is an excellent buffet or Sanaa is so yummy (get the bread service).

Marrakesh is good and they have belly dancers and the quick serve in Morocco is good and huge.

You can leave your car parked though. Let Uber or Lyft be your friend and take you inexpensively where you need to go.

Whatever happens have a super fun time and a very happy birthday.

 

[wnwardii]

Happy pre-50 birthday Rob!

I am actually going in October to celebrate my 50th. Like you, I am pretty much looking at doing a park a day. You didn't mention if you are doing the Dining Plan or not, but I am. I have some friends joining me about 2 days after I arrive and they will be on the Dining Plan as well.

Here is what I currently have scheduled. The first four ADRs are when I will be solo.

• Chef Art Smith's Homecoming (Disney Springs) (Dinner)
• Kona Cafe (Breakfast)
• Citricos (Dinner)
• The Wave (Breakfast)
• Minnie's Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine Dinner Fantasmic!
• Crystal Palace Character Buffet (Breakfast)
• California Grill (Dinner)
• Princess Storybrook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Lunch)
• Flying Fish (Dinner)
• Donald's Dining Safari Breakfast at Tusker House Restaurant
• Be Our Guest (Dinner)
• Chip 'n' Dale's Harvest Feast Breakfast at The Garden Grill

Most lunches will probably be quick service except for when we eat at Akershus. While we will be at Epcot during F&W, that wasn't as important to me.