What to cut!?

[Sugart]

Sanaa was amazing. Besides if you eat when it's still light out you can see actual animals rather than animatronic ones. Like others have said T. rex is a re branded rainforest cafe. Good but nothing special. Don't cut Sanaa and make sure you get the bread service.

 

[kollerbear]

If you're going to be in DTD anyway, T Rex might be a really great time for the kids-- but it's not really Disney special as others have said. I would maybe soak in the atmosphere at DTD-- see the Lego statues, get food at Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express-- maybe even get a treat at Ghirardelli's or Goofy's (build your own!). For a first night there, with first night anticipation, there is so much to see and absorb at DTD I just don't think the meal is completely necessary unless your kids are dinosaur fanatics.

I also really love Sanaa-- my DH and I lived in Jackson Heights, Queens in NYC (which is the Indian neighborhood in NYC) and left our engagement trip STILL thinking it was probably the best meal we had on property. It was really the whole experience--the animals right outside (get an earlier reservation while it's still light out!) the bread with accompaniments, the wine flights, the appetizers, the DESSERT TRIO (best, most well-balanced dessert trio I've ever had) --- the entrees and salads we picked were also good, but I think it was really just the overall experience. The Indian food in NYC is objectively better Indian food, but you don't go to an Indian restaurant and get that kind of experience (e.g. ordering LOTS of naan with a huge variety of dipping sauces, a variety of things portioned smaller so you can have two things plus rice, desserts, wines). It was very unique and the animals were so awesome to watch.

Only you will know which restaurants will fit into your schedule the best, but considering the mixed reviews I've seen lately re: the antics at 50PTC, and given the mediocre reviews I've seen of Boatwrights (LOVE Port Orleans Riverside, but if you're not staying at POR or POFQ I don't know if the trip is worth it), I would keep Sanaa in the running if you can.

 

[FiggieFan]

I would not cut T-Rex. The atmosphere is great and it was actually one of the best Disney meals I have had. I didn't go in expecting a great meal or even a really good one, but I got a fish special and it was probably the best meal of my week. I would cut Boatwright's if I had to cut at least one. A co-worker recently got back and was so disappointed, he saw little to no difference in the jambalaya at Boatwright's vs. POFQ QS jambalaya. Plus there isn't really the greatest atmosphere at Boatwright's, every time I walk by I am expect more. 50's PTC has always been a favorite even though the antics seem to have mellowed out - if you like good old home cooking like grandma would have made or just really want fried chicken it is a keeper - I usually get the sampler platter.

 

[raddisneyfan]

Depends on where you are staying. For instance, I wouldn't go out of my way to go to Boatwrights, but the food is good. I really don't like the food at 50s, but if you are going just for the fun of it, it's okay. I love Sanaa and going to AKL is an experience in itself--the best theming at WDW--just beautiful. I agree with previous posters about T-Rex, the food is nothing special--cool theming if your daughter is into dinosaurs--but it's not Disney. If you are going for the Disney punch--I agree with a previous poster about trying to get into a character meal. Which one will depend on your daughters likes/dislikes--princesses, winnie the pooh, mickey/donald/goofy, villains, etc. Each one has a different character experience, so you'll have to check them out. Lots of websites will give you specific info on character meals, including this one if you click on the Walt Disney World tab and search under Dining. Also, the price might be a determining factor too--a lot more expensive for a character meal for your family then TRex--which is pretty moderate. I'm sure your daughter will have a good time no matter what--nothing like the first time at WDW!

 

[ErinsMommy]

Trex was a huge let down for us all

 

[jenstall]

Sanaa is a nice Indian restaurant, but there are nice Indian restaurants all over the place. You can always visit the AKL to see the animals without eating there. I would cut T-Rex, Sanaa's and Boatwright's and add Mickey's Backyard BBQ or Hoop Dee Doo Review if you are looking for a fun Disney thing to do without entering a park. Cheaper options could be Trail's End Cafe and then go to the Chip & Dale Singalong at Fort Wilderness afterwards. But if the kids really like Dinosaurs, then maybe T-Rex would be great!

 

[scoobygrl79]

I agree with PP that a character meal would smoke Trex as far as having that one time experience for your kids. I live 15 min near the only other TRex location in the US (Kansas), so that could be why I am quick to dismiss it. The food is...man.... *grimace*.

 

[Disneychick75]

Kids we've brought to T Rex LOVE it. I like it too. Honestly, not much of the food at WDW is better than any at hometown restaurants. People go for the experience.
OP, I'd cut Boatwrights and Sanaa.

 

[PhoenixWright]

T-Rex is fun, especially with children. If they're real little they could get a little scared at the big guy, but the food is good, and it's a nice fun experience at DTD for the family.

Enjoy it!

 

[Nancyg56]

I would drop Trex like a hot rock! LOL! For a first Disney experience I would not choose a restaurant that is kind of like Ranforest Cafe. I would choose a character meal. We also go to Chef Mickey to kick off our Disney trips, and even though this restaurant gets panned a lot, we still make sure we take first timers there first. WE usually build plenty of time in and take the monorail just for fun. I think that if I had enough time and had no park tickets, I would take the Epcot loop and let the family get a peek inside Epcot, and make time to take the resort loop before dinner. Of course this suggestion comes from one whose family treats the monorail like a special attraction!

As for your exta dinners, I think I would want to know where you are staying. If you are at POR or POFQ, Boatwrights is fine. If your family has not been to AKL, I probably would keep Sanaa, and take time to visit AKL before you go to dinner at Kidani village. AKL is a stunning place and the kids might like to tour it and see the animals on the savannahs.

50's PTC is fun as well. Before you cut a TS restaurant, I think you might check the menus and prices because you may decide that they are not much more than CS and your experience would be worth it.

 

[Three cats]

At first glance of your list, T-Rex and Boatwrights stood out as the ones I would drop. After reading that you wanted something that screams Disney on your 1st night, I instantly thought of Chef Mickeys

 

[McGreezy]

So we have NEVER been to Disney, so everything will be a first for us! We are actually staying at a nice huge Villa right outside Animal Kingdom. Unfortunately it took us forever to be able to swing this trip, so it might be a one-timer for us. Budget is a factor so I'm trying to spend a little less, so adding big character meals sounds awesome, but I'm afraid it will be a budget buster. I did check out a few, and I agree it might be a great substitution. I'm up in the air though!

Overall I think the concensus is to scrap Boatwrights and keep the others (except T-Rex which 75% of you say to scrap as well) and maybe substitute with a resort character experience. I'm going to look into it some more and see if I can sneak into one this late in the game!

Hoop de Doo Review?? Tell me of this! Is it only dinner?? We were hoping to do just lunch and hang at the villa for the night because our grandparents are coming in around 4pm.

 

[McGreezy]

I'm actually beginning to think that Hoop Dee Doo is a MUST DO (lol rhyme..) for our family! Maybe we scrap lunch out and do dinner there! It is SO expensive though, so I would have to lose two other meals at least accomodate that one, but...free unlimited sangria!?!? Seriously sounds SO fun.

Thanks to all!!

 

[PetePanMan]

Not that it is bad but given the choice I'd skip boatwrights

 

[monica9]

Not particularly. TRex is a variation of the theme of Rainforest Café, which is in many cities in the US. The food is nothing special. There are so many restaurants that are totally "Disney" while in WDW that those are what I would choose. Do you have an ADR for each park day? I would prefer someplace like SciFi Dine in in DHS, or Coral Reef in Epcot, etc

I agreee. The food isn't great but the inside of Trex is cute. If you want your first restaurant to be themed for the kids and your first stop is DTD then i'd say keep the ADR. Sanaa and Boatwrights should be dropped if it's for the kids. How about Garden grill at Epcot? the main disney characters are there and the floor moves in a circle as you dine. It's a lot of fun!

 

[chocolateavocado]

We went to WDW for the 1st time in 2013, and TREX was my ds's favorite place (well, tied with Sci-Fi) and he requested both for trip coming up this November. We thought it was really cool & fun. We don't have anything like a Rainforest Cafe or Trex near- no really themed restaurants around here at all, so while it wasn't necessarily Disney, it was new to us and really fun & exciting for ds. The food wasn't bad- it was typical chain restaurant food- portions were huge. We went for lunch while shopping in dtd and it was a fun afternoon. Ds made a superhero dinosaur in their build-a-dino shop. If you think it looks like something your dd will like- go! We'll be back in Nov

 

[goofyintoronto]

I'd skip Boatwrights for sure. also sanaa.

My DS was 8 when we went to 50's. He HATED it. He didnt appreciate the humor, he didnt like being picked on. he didnt think it was funny. He's 15 now and has no desire to go back. Every kid is different. Just a heads up.

 

[Ginya]

I agree with a lot of other posts here. Especially with a kid, and not going into the actual park on day of arrival. We do a character meal at one of the monorail resorts, or Ohana. Chef Mickeys and 1900 park fare will put you in the midst of the magic. Another really good idea as someone has said is to do one of these three: Mickey's backyard Barbeque, Hoopdey doo revue, or the laua. Since it is a no park day you can relax at any of those three not having to worry about racing to fireworks or Fantasmic or other nighttime park offerings. We have eaten 50’s prime time twice. It is great fun if you get a good server. This trip we are trying Sci-fi dine in.

 

[McGreezy]

Ahhhhh!! Hahaha my head is so swimmy. Now I absolutely want to do Hoop Dee Doo, and am back and forth on Sanaa and TRex! I'll just let it be for now. I cancelled Boatwrights, but I've only got a small number of days to fit everything in! I'm doing:

Monday: Epcot for F&W (no reservations because I plan on eating continuously all day long. Shamelessly I might add)
Tuesday: Universal all day (no reservations)
Wednesday: Hollywood Studios (Have 50's PTC for luncch and Todd English bluezoo for dinner)
Thursday: Animal Kingdom (reservations at Sanaa for lunch and then we head to MNSSHP at night)
Friday: Magic Kingdom (BOG ressies for lunch only)

We arrive the Sunday before all this at 10:30am. I have to figure out if I cancel TRex at 12:30 on arrival day and do Hoop Dee Doo at 4pm -- have to talk to grandparents and see if they would want to join us. If not, I'd probably keep TRex (they wouldn't be there by then so it would just be the 4 of us), and move Hoop Dee Doo to Friday evening for dinner for our last meal in Disney.

ACK! All the decisions!!

 

[GaryDis]

My take on the 50s PTC is that it's hit and miss. While many people rave about it, it's highly dependent on the skill of the server, and for many people, there's simply not that much interesting about having the server tell you to eat your peas or no dessert.

Besides, the food is mundane American comfort food. I get enough comfort just from being at WDW, I prefer my food to be more adventurous. But YMMV, especially with kids.