What was the First Table Service Restaurant...

[karly05]

Marrakesh at Epcot and it was awesome! It was 1999 and my sister and I shared the "Royal Feast." Back then it really was a feast, a ton of food, bread and dipping sauce, chicken bastilla, seafood bastilla, a sampler plate of salads, roast lamb, lemon chicken, couscous, and apple crepes for dessert. Oh, and iced mint tea! All delicious, but the seafood bastilla, lamb and tea were my favorites.

We went back in 2004 and still loved it, although the feast was a bit different, and served differently (at least for a party of two). They've changed the menu since then, and I've been getting my lamb fix from Tangierine Cafe, but I'd be game to go back to Marrakesh someday, especially if my sister comes with me again, since it's fun to share.

 

[kcpinwdw]

My first table service that I remember was Coral Reef sometime in the late '80s. I remember getting into an argument with my mom. The table had a beautiful molded butter shaped like Mickey and I was SURE it was ice cream. It, of course, was butter... But I ate it anyway. Taking my kids there for the first time in December. I'll try not to eat the butter myself this trip.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Breakfast at Tony's that was a tradition. I wish they would bring that back.

Been going to Chef Mickey's since when it was down in the old marketplace ( not TS but our first real love ) Does the user ID give that away ?

Chef Mickey's will always be our place. Had my 60th birthday there last month, customized Pluto cake and all. Keeps us young.

 

[cigar95]

Garden Gallery (?) at the Disney Inn. Lunchtime, and everything was quite quiet.

Three tables away, a gathering of Disney suits, including Michael Eisner. (Apparently this was a place the execs liked to go precisely because it was off the beaten path.)

 

[mare1203]

Our first meal was Tony's Town Square. I was nine and don't remember it much, other than the Lady and the Tramp theme. We have eaten there a few times since, but not very often. I don't think there are any restaurants at Disney we will never eat at again, just because they change chefs, servers, and managers too often.

 

[NuJoy]

My husband treated me to a couple 's WDW vacation in 2006. After resort check-in, we stepped out onto the beautiful boardwalk, walked into Epcot, and went directly to Coral Reef where I had my first WDW meal ever. We had the catfish entree, a lovely cocktail, and a chocolate dessert. I loved the food and the ambiance.

They removed the catfish two years later, blaming it on the new chef not desiring to serve it. The food has never been as good to me since, though we have continued to go every year because we find the restaurant so beautiful and relaxing. However, I do always give those catfish a good staring in their tanks at the Living With The Land ride and bemoan them not having a place on my plate at Disney. Why do you mock me, catfish?????? I loved you so.

 

[ichabody]

Back in June 2009...our families first trip staying on property. After we checked in at POR we stayed on site and ate at Boatwrights. It was after 7pm and after driving all day we decided to just stay put. The food was excellent! I had the prime rib which was super mega yum and the kiddos were able to make their own pizza. It was a perfect way to get our trip started!

 

[Stefecatzz]

I usually stuck w/QS & decided to try R&C a few years ago. I really liked their bread service & back then it was Shepherd's Pie w/lamb instead of the beef they changed it to. I also had the Potato Leek soup which I liked a lot as well.

Last December, I went back for dinner & was disappointed to find out that their Cottage Pie is only served for lunch & they no longer offer bread service. Although, I did enjoy the beef stew entree I had.

I'm hoping the next time I go back this madness will have ended.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I forgot one, now too sadly gone, the character breakfast at the Empress Lilly Riverboat.

 

[::danielle::]

I forgot one, now too sadly gone, the character breakfast at the Empress Lilly Riverboat.

I did that when I was 4 years old (1979). I still remember meeting Chip 'N Dale. I'm sure I met Mickey too but they're the only ones I remember.

 

[Dynamite626]

1900 Park Faire. Food was not to our liking. We were seated in the back room so the interaction with Cinderella and Prince Charming was so so. Too crowded and hard to get to the buffet. Have never been back.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I did that when I was 4 years old (1979). I still remember meeting Chip 'N Dale. I'm sure I met Mickey too but they're the only ones I remember.

Oh he was there in his Capt outfit I only even remembered the restaurant because I found the button from the breakfast. Such a shame and named after Lillian Disney.

 

[jezebel73]

Back in 1989, my HS band came down and we had to choose either Epcot of MK. I had never been to Disney but my group of friends had been numerous times and chose Epcot. I know we ate in France, though I am not sure which of the 2 restaurants. It was my first time having escargot, which I LOVED, but my entree was nasty. Not that it was probably bad in general, but everything was in French and the adults told us to just go for it, so I had pretty much no idea what I ordered until it arrived since I took Spanish. I ended up with a seafood mousse thing that was in the colors of the flag of France. Ew.

I have not been back, but mostly because Epcot has so many choices, we just haven't gotten to it! And I try to eat in differently places each time we go, too. It is still on the list.

 

[nessz79]

Breakfast at Tony's in 1989. Wish that were still there, too!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Wow, it's so great hearing about everyone's different experiences and special memories! I've only been going to WDW since 2007 so for me it's crazy to think of how much some restaurants have changed over the years: CP as a buffeteria, Tony's serving breakfast!

Keep all these great stories coming.

 

[swanwed6206]

Empress Lilly where fulton's is now. I think back then it was the only character breakfast.

 

[Kimi313]

It was Contemporary Cafe, I believe was the name, it was Chef Mickey before the rehab. I remember Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Goofy, and Tigger was there and they didn't wear aprons and hats. DD was about 3 or 4 and we had so much fun. After it became a tradition but now DD is 23 so we do go often but not every year and we still love it and the memories!

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Oh wow, I can't remember with my parents because it has been so long. With my husband, it was dinner at Akershus. The food was just okay, but nothing special. The service was excellent for that dinner, though; the waitresses were super nice. We have never been back for dinner but went for breakfast which was just okay too; I very much prefer the buffets at Crystal Palace and Tusker House. We will probably eventually go back to Akershus, but who knows when.

 

[towndog]

California Grill in 2009. We loved it - had us initially thinking all Disney TS dining would be as good but that idea was soon proved wrong..

 

[wdwlovingmomma]

Dh and I paid oop for our meals on our honeymoon. Our first was Akershus in Norway. We were probably the only ones there without kids but we still took pics with all the princesses lol.