what restaurants to get rid of?

[newfiegirl]

I have 2 small boys and would like them to experience the world of Disney. I would also like to have a few good meals that myself and DH can really enjoy.

Right now I am thinking of maybe taking some out and adding some new reservations. Would love suggestions for new reservations. Please note, I am not interested in Sci Fi (boys afraid of dark and I don't think they would enjoy it).

All 5pm reservations (except tusker for breakfast)

Crystal Palace
chefs de france
Ohana's
Tusker
Prime Time
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)
Chef Mickey
Hoope de doo

 

[baler31]

Very subjective depending on types of good enjoyed and experience you are looking for. For our family we do not eat at any of the buffets for lunch or dinner, the quality of the food is just awful( in our opinion). We will do the buffets for a character breakfast and while not wonderful the food is edible.

I would cancel Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace and book one breakfast and a signature such as California Grill or Flying Fish in its place. I would also cancel either Hoop or Ohana's, again in our opinion the food is below chain restaurant quality.

 

[homedad]

we have taken our children to sig dining spots since 2 and 4 and have really never had an issue. I would ditch CP and PT and add a sig restaurant, CG if you've never been

 

[FoundinWonderland]

I have 2 small boys and would like them to experience the world of Disney. I would also like to have a few good meals that myself and DH can really enjoy.

Right now I am thinking of maybe taking some out and adding some new reservations. Would love suggestions for new reservations. Please note, I am not interested in Sci Fi (boys afraid of dark and I don't think they would enjoy it).

All 5pm reservations (except tusker for breakfast)

Crystal Palace
chefs de france
Ohana's
Tusker
Prime Time
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)
Chef Mickey
Hoope de doo

The two I might re-think are Chefs de France and Hoop de doo. I would trade in Chefs de France and possibly consider a restaurant Italian pavilion or the Mexican pavilion- I suggest both of these because of their great atmosphere and excellent food. In the past we have had issues with eating in the France pavilion (cold food, no modification on orders, etc).
I would also think about re-thinking the Hoop de doo show; the humor is for the older set and the show may be lost on young kids.

However you really have an excellent line up going. You will really enjoy O'hana's and 50's Prime Time. And Chef Mickey's is always wonderful!
Enjoy!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have 2 small boys and would like them to experience the world of Disney. I would also like to have a few good meals that myself and DH can really enjoy.

Right now I am thinking of maybe taking some out and adding some new reservations. Would love suggestions for new reservations. Please note, I am not interested in Sci Fi (boys afraid of dark and I don't think they would enjoy it).

All 5pm reservations (except tusker for breakfast)

Crystal Palace - can you do breakfast here??
chefs de france - we didn't like it here, can you pick another epcot ADULT dinner? We enjoyed Tutto, LeCellier. Or even Teppan Edo
Ohana's - Also, not our favorite, but I would actually have you keep it. Make sure the kids are not over-tired though, it is very high intensity level here.
Tusker - I would keep
Prime Time - I would keep
Mama Melrose (fantasmic) - I would keep
Chef Mickey - Character meals should be based on which characters you think your children will enjoy, not for the meal. See below
Hoope de doo - I would keep

All the above are suggestions. Everyone is different. What one likes others do not. The most honest suggestion I can give is go if you want no matter what the reviews say. If it fails, order pizza later on. But you will never know unless you try.

Okay, this page breaks down the character meals by price/character/food. You have little ones. They are going to be on sensory overload. Food is going to be a second. It's okay though. Just put easy hand food in front of them. Or other's will tell you there kids don't even care and just eat. You know your kids best, but this breakdown was easy for me to use and pick. http://allears.net/din/buffet.htm

Question, are you spending two days at Hollywood Studio's? If not, it would not be worth going back just for a restaurant. I would recommend the Fantasmic Package meal over the Prime Time. If you are going twice, ignore above.

Last, if I had to fight the Dis masses for a favorite, it would be Hoop. It is just the one place my kids have asked over and over to do. And they were little the first time we went and my 15yo son still begs to go.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[DisneyCG]

I have 2 small boys and would like them to experience the world of Disney. I would also like to have a few good meals that myself and DH can really enjoy.

Right now I am thinking of maybe taking some out and adding some new reservations. Would love suggestions for new reservations. Please note, I am not interested in Sci Fi (boys afraid of dark and I don't think they would enjoy it).

All 5pm reservations (except tusker for breakfast)

Crystal Palace
chefs de france
Ohana's
Tusker
Prime Time
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)
Chef Mickey
Hoope de doo

Honestly, I would get rid of Tusker..... We went there for the Nemo Musical lunch special, there were about 14 of us, and nobody liked the food. It is very low quality, and the flavours were just not good. I wish Animal Kingdom had better table service restaurants....

Other than that your list sounds really good. I absolutely LOVE ohana's!!! Chefs de France is also really enjoyable I'm also trying Mama Melrose this year, I hear it is excellent from a couple friends.

Another good restaurant is Teppan Edo in the Japan pavillion, it is a really amazing atmosphere, and different experience.

We also like Kona Cafe in the Polynesian! but Ohana is better

Have a great time!!!!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Crystal Palace- Good
chefs de france-very good
Ohana's - we didn't care for it (smoked food)
Tusker - didn't care for this at all. Very small selection of food compared to all the othe buffets.
Prime Time- Love this place good food & fun.
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)- good
Chef Mickey- nothing spells Disney like this place. Good food & fun.
Hoope de doo -Great Show ,lots of fun & good food.

 

[newfiegirl]

second guessing chefs de france...this was our :nice, fancy, good food restaurant". we do not want any more 2ts restaurants (hoop is 2ts). Also reconsidering Ohanas...any more suggestions for a great meal.

 

[newfiegirl]

bump

 

[disneybliss2]

Oh, you can't get rid of Ohanas. It's our fav. restaurant at WDW! The food is delicious and the atmosphere is so much fun for the entire family. They do coconut broom races, teach the kids Hawaiian dances, etc. If you're children are picky, like mine, you can order them soemthing separate from the family style meal at no additional charge. While the meal is served family style, our server asked us if our kids would prefer something else (burgers, nuggets, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, etc).
My only suggestion is possibly switching Crystal Palace for breakfast. It's okay for dinner (have been) but we've heard by a lot of people and seen the ratings that breakfast is much better.
Looks like you have a good line up! Have fun!

 

[smiths02]

Crystal Palace- I have been for lunch once and dinner once...we really enjoy it (and Pooh)
chefs de france-?
Ohana's - our favorite meal at Disney so far
Tusker - for breakfast, right? LOVED it-jungle juice-yum!
Prime Time- ?
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)- ?
Chef Mickey- dinner there was not that good-character interaction was good, but food not so much (I think I have gotten better at Golden Corral/Sizzler-I like those places though, so it was edible, just not good), I didn't like the atmosphere like I like Crystal Palace
Hoope de doo -?

 

[livvylivvie]

I have 2 small boys and would like them to experience the world of Disney. I would also like to have a few good meals that myself and DH can really enjoy.

Right now I am thinking of maybe taking some out and adding some new reservations. Would love suggestions for new reservations. Please note, I am not interested in Sci Fi (boys afraid of dark and I don't think they would enjoy it).

All 5pm reservations (except tusker for breakfast)

Crystal Palace
chefs de france
Ohana's
Tusker
Prime Time
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)
Chef Mickey
Hoope de doo

We Took our 1 year old and 3 year old, to Crystal palace, and the kids loved it! Well.... our 3 year old loved it. He was really into winnie the pooh at the time. it was a great choice for us then... we went for supper. a LATE supper... NOT RECOMENDED! There was hardly any food left on the buffee... they were clearing it off... I got a little bit of roast beef, and some mashed potatos.... it was ok... If you can get in at 5, and your kids like Winnie, i say go for it.
Also, We took our kids to chef mickeys for breakfast, My son (3) and my nephew (2), LOVED seeing the FAB 5!!!! Deffinately a must do for little kids to see mickey! and you can't really go wrong with mickey waffles.
Also O'hanas!! We LOVED it! Lots of fun! and For us the Food was GREAT! and the Chef was SOO accomodating for our son who has a severe fish allergy, and a banana Allergy.

Have Fun!!

 

[juliebug1997]

I would think that Chefs would not be something little guys would like. In all honesty, I would keep all the rest. They are fun to me and I think little ones would like to see the characters. I've never done the Tusker House or 'Ohana without the characters but I know everyone else raves about them. I'm hoping to do the dinner at 'Ohana this June.

I am in the minority on taking young children to CG. The last time I was there, the small children at the next table were playing on the floor because they were bored because the meal lasted too long for them. Plus, I don't remember them having a real children's menu. However, that is just me though.

 

[livvylivvie]

oh ya... and tusker.... (Is there a thumbs down icon?)
LOL
Not our favorite.... I remember our server being nice... but thats about it.
Not memorable. some people love it.... but We would't go again. We would rather save our $$ or ts credit for somthing more Enjoyable.

how old are your kids? That may help with giving suggestions as to where to go.

I hear whispering Canyon is good... We Haven't been, but it is on our list.

 

[lilandvisma]

I have 2 small boys and would like them to experience the world of Disney. I would also like to have a few good meals that myself and DH can really enjoy.

Right now I am thinking of maybe taking some out and adding some new reservations. Would love suggestions for new reservations. Please note, I am not interested in Sci Fi (boys afraid of dark and I don't think they would enjoy it).

All 5pm reservations (except tusker for breakfast)

Crystal Palace
chefs de france
Ohana's
Tusker
Prime Time
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)
Chef Mickey
Hoope de doo

KEEP Ohana, the boys will LOVE it there and depending on their ages they can participate in the coconut races and other things they have going on there as well. My girls loved it last visit (then 7 and 2) and are looking forward to going again next week We also are fans of Crystal Palace, esp. for Lunch. They do a fun little marching parade with the kids there...the girls loved it and the characters there. We LOVE Tusker House Breakfast. The selection is HUGE and the food is awesome! Now, with all this said I would get rid of Chefs de France, Prime Time or HDDR. Replace Chefs with Coral Reef, Tutto Italia or maybe Flying Fish for that day. Prime Time maybe with Brown Derby for a better meal for you and DH. Meatloaf, fried chicken, etc...doesn't appeal to me though which is why I say that. I don't like to be bothered when I eat either. Hoop de doo's menu and show style doesn't appeal to me either. I'd replace that with Cali Grill. They have really cute kids desserts and seem very children friendly.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

Kona's is great for your nice meal out. The food there is great and the menu is varied. And you get to explore the Poly.

Your kids will love HDDR. It is a fun interactive show and the food is good too.

We usually go to Boma on our AK days. It is so close to AK, we just catch a bus from the park to Animal Kingdom Lodge and your there in less than 10 minutes. the food is great.

 

[newfiegirl]

hmm, boma...i never thought of that. My friend strongly recommends chefs b/c of ratatouille...is the food good or just ok???

 

[Sue M]

I have 2 small boys and would like them to experience the world of Disney. I would also like to have a few good meals that myself and DH can really enjoy.

Right now I am thinking of maybe taking some out and adding some new reservations. Would love suggestions for new reservations. Please note, I am not interested in Sci Fi (boys afraid of dark and I don't think they would enjoy it).

All 5pm reservations (except tusker for breakfast)

Crystal Palace
chefs de france
Ohana's
Tusker
Prime Time
Mama Melrose (fantasmic)
Chef Mickey
Hoope de doo

Dining choices are so subjective- but here's my 2 cents-
Crystal Palace- Although i haven't eatten here, I think in general the M.K resorts have better food then the park, so I'd eat at Kona, or GF Cafe.

Chefs- yummy. So many choices at Epcot, the food is good here. Other favs are Tutto, & Teppan Edo.

Tusker - I think Boma at AKL has better food. Y&Y is a good restaurant in AK park.

Prime time- food was good, but nothing I couldn't make at home- meatloaf, chicken I'd be tempted to scoot over to Epcot for dinner, or Cape May.

Mama Melrose- for Italian Tutto is waaaaay better, but I see you have it tied in with Fantasmic. So I'd stick with that.

Chef Mickey- haven't tried. We like 1900 PF

Hoop De Doo sounds like fun.

 

[kari B.]

Chef Mickey's is horrid... Consistently terrible... If you want Mickey... do Garden Grill at Epcot. Just MHO

 

[newfiegirl]

please give me some suggestions for 1TS restaurants that serve great steaks!