what restaurants "scream" disney?

[gigi1313]

we'll be in the world for five days in january... the cast of character is two families, both w/serious eaters for dads, one serious eater mom (me), one pick a little "how much will this cost" mom, two serious eater kids (8 and 11yo), two light eater kids who's mom (not me) will probably make them share meals even if they do not want to...

approaching our 90 day mark... here's what i am thinking for ADRs... we are staying at pop century and planning to add the dining plan... we won't all have park hoppers so that limits us somewhat...

thursday, arrive at resort about 8pm, grab a snack at the food court while waiting for our luggage to arrive from DME...

friday, crt breakfast about 10am... mk all day, snacks for lunch, dinner at ???

saturday, food court breakfast, mgm, snacks for lunch, H&V FDP

sunday, late start, food court brunch, epcot, biergarten dinner, illuminations

monday, ?? breakfast... snacks for lunch... dinner at ??? it's our plan to visit MK again (we're skipping AK this trip)

tuesday, breakfast at ??? and leave for the airport around noon...

so far we've got 3 CS; 3 TS and a few undecided meals...

friday night, we'll be in MK, thinking either LTT or CP or a monorail resort restaurant... is concourse steakhouse a one or two TS restaurant?

monday and tuesday breakfast... i'm thinking we should "go out w/a bang" and have breakfast w/some characters on our last morning, maybe 'ohana or chef mickeys? (i prefer the food brought to the table as opposed to buffet just 'cause it's less hectic and this mom can actually sit and eat, rather than jumping up and down every two minutes)... so maybe CS breakfast on monday? or is it too much to get up, packed, out to a resort just to eat, and back to catch DME?

monday night dinner... so we've got the same dilemma we had on friday... maybe kona cafe for something different and almost "grown up?" we are hoping to do the pontoon premium for wishes this night, so maybe we should book it from the poly and eat at kona? or 'ohana?

opinions and input much appreciated!

 

[Eeyore2003]

definitely Chef Mickey, if you can't make CRT 1900 Park Fair is excellent. We went on pretty much this exact "scenario" vacation a year ago July. We ate at CRT, Biergarten, H & V, Chef Mickey and O'hana's. I might watch about O'hanas. although fun for the kids, the food and service has been under gunfire lately here. Maybe Whispering Canyon Cafe???

 

[Luv4Disney]

definitely Chef Mickey, if you can't make CRT 1900 Park Fair is excellent. We went on pretty much this exact "scenario" vacation a year ago July. We ate at CRT, Biergarten, H & V, Chef Mickey and O'hana's. I might watch about O'hanas. although fun for the kids, the food and service has been under gunfire lately here. Maybe Whispering Canyon Cafe???

With WCC, there will definitely be "screaming". LoL.

 

[lyncruiser]

I don't know if these "scream Disney", but they are unique and not run-of-the-mill (these are listed based on uniqueness, ambience, etc., and not necessarily on food taste or quality):

Sci-Fi Dine In (stick with burgers and shakes at lunch and it's fun)
Marrakesh (middle eastern food and a belly dancer!)
Coral Reef (so fun to watch the sharks and stingrays while you eat)
San Angel Inn (great atmosphere, fun to watch the people going by in the boats)
Cinderella's Royal Table (where else can you eat in a castle?)
Liberty Tree Tavern (great character interaction and Colonial atmosphere -- give the kids a painless Amer. History lesson while you're there)

 

[marcyinPA]

To me, nothing screams Disney like Chef Mickey's! It's our first night tradition, and we love it there! The food is OK...not gourmet and not fantastic, but it's edible and not bad either. The atmosphere though, is the best! Character interaction is great, and being in the CR with the monorail whizzing by over your head is just so cool!

After dinner, we always ride the monorail loop, and then usually go into the MK for Wishes.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Without a doubt go to Chef Mickey's, but go for breakfast not dinner.

 

[ainmama2001]

Another vote for Chef Mickeys here. Also, Crystal Palace and Cinderella's Royal Table. I'm also fond of dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[gigi1313]

i'm thinking 'ohana for breakfast (not dinner) and either kona or concourse for dinner (although i am not sure my kids can be that close to chef mickey's and NOT eat there! LOL!)... is concourse one or two TS credits, does anyone know?

we enjoyed LTT last trip, so that's a maybe...
thanks for all the input! LOL @ WCC being a SCREAM!

 

[firemanx]

concourse is 1 TS credit

 

[Eeyore2003]

If you're thinking of a "non-character" sit down meal like Concourse and Kona, having eaten at both, I would suggest considering, the Grand Floridian Cafe. Delicious food, charming atmosphere, I say this SO often, but I think it's really one of Disney's hidden restaurant gems. Certainly allot more special than the Concourse. If I had to choose between Kona and Concourse, I'd pick Kona.

 

[dzneelvr]

Nothing screams Disney like the SCI FI Cafe in MGM....it is truly unique.

 

[rcyannacci]

I'd pick the Liberty Tree Tavern for the MK night...it's very Disney to me, and the food is great for families.

Even though you're skipping AK, you might consider a dinner at Boma. It's our new favorite place. I'd definitely bring a family there, just to see the resort, look at the animals, sit by the fire outside. And, the buffet is great- kids have lots of tame choices and adults get to be adventurous.

Chef Mickey's, IMO, is the best character breakfast on site.

 

[gigi1313]

thanks again for all the suggestions... we had lunch at sci fi back in aug and did not care for it at all... we felt it was a "waste" of our TS credits actually... and boma, well, suffice to say that even after having our ADR marked, calling a few days ahead, informing both the hostess and our waiter and meeting with a chef, my son *still* was mislead about food that was safe for his nut allergies and had a reaction, causing us to lose an entire park day... ergo, we'll be avoiding that place at all costs! (plus the time it would take to travel there is a negative 'cause we will only have four full park days)

again, thanks all

 

[anty30]

everyone should experience Mickey's Backyard BBQ at least once. It is our family's favorite.

 

[gigi1313]

really?! wow, this is the first i've heard a positive report of MBYBBQ! i've heard lots of chaotic hot muggy buggy posts, but no "must try its!" thanks!

 

[annie1995]

I definately agree with Liberty Tree Tavern. Also Crystal Palace. Both places are great "Disney feel good" resturants. I would think that CRT would be too, eating in the Castle and all. We never made it there, I forgot a ADR and it was totally booked. My two boys wern't crazy about going there anyway, to girlie, so we'll do it next time.

 

[Cookie Princess]

Without a doubt go to Chef Mickey's, but go for breakfast not dinner.

We agree! The dinner @ CM's is very BLAH! The breakfast is yummy and costs less. 50's PT is fun as well.

 

[Cinderella]

The main one which screams disney, which we never miss is Chef Mickey's. I would do it nearer the beginning of your trip tho to get you in the disney mood.

You mentioned Kona - the food is great here though it is nothing special inside, just a cafe - probably the theming at Ohana is much better.

I agree with the poster who rated Crystal Palace - we had lunch here and it was great - very disney and nice food.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

a few things I wanted to mention ..

ADRs can be made 180 days out now..

if you are considering 50's, it will be closed Jan 4-28