What would you do?

[KMKgoestodis]

If you could only pick two of the more expensive restaurants combined which would they be? I was thinking of doing Cinderella’s Royal table and be our guest and then doing more affordable sit down restaurants for the other nights. Am I missing out by choosing those two and not Sci fi drive-in, Space 220, California Grill etc.??

First trip for my family and with the prices it could be the last for a long time so the idea of hitting up the other ones in a future trip might not be an option. In the same regard, since this might be our only trip, I might want to splurge a little more! Are 2 of these dining experiences enough? Wondering if I should splurge for more and cut costs elsewhere

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Do you want good food? If so, I wouldn't choose any of the ones you listed except maybe California Grill.

 

[KMKgoestodis]

Good food a plus but also want fun experiences for my kids to add to the magic

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Good food a plus but also want fun experiences for my kids to add to the magic

My vote would be Ohana and Boma.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Coral Reef is my older daughter's favorite and it isn't super pricy.

 

[Micca]

The reason for going to CRT is getting the castle experience. If that has a great deal of appeal then you would enjoy it.

Be Our Guest...well I guess it's the same if seeing the Beast's Castle isa big deal to your group(but it's not as cool as the inside of Cinderella Castle.

 

[Marthasor]

If you could only pick two of the more expensive restaurants combined which would they be? I was thinking of doing Cinderella’s Royal table and be our guest and then doing more affordable sit down restaurants for the other nights. Am I missing out by choosing those two and not Sci fi drive-in, Space 220, California Grill etc.??

First trip for my family and with the prices it could be the last for a long time so the idea of hitting up the other ones in a future trip might not be an option. In the same regard, since this might be our only trip, I might want to splurge a little more! Are 2 of these dining experiences enough? Wondering if I should splurge for more and cut costs elsewhere

I wouldn't do both CRT and BOG. I would pick one. If this is a one and done trip, I would consider if you are more into Beauty and the Beast or Cinderella. If it's a toss-up, I would probably do CRT just to go inside the castle. Don't expect great food or service.

I would still consider booking the other restaurants - Sci-Fi is the best themed restaurant in all of WDW, IMHO and you can keep costs down by just ordering a burger or just going for desserts - we love the shakes there. Same with Space 220 - make a reservation for the lounge and just order drinks and/or apps. If you want an incredible view, splurge and book Cali Grill.

If you can't afford doing BOG or CRT plus Cali Grill, I think I would go with Cali Grill - the food is much better and the view is incredible. Perhaps consider doing Cali Grill and then doing one of the more affordable character meals instead of CRT or BOG?

 

[Her Dotness]

You're likely to have one heckuva time getting Be Our Guest or Space 220. Those are the two in most demand currently. You can try, of course, but likely won't get either even if trying for a very early or late meal.

I suggest picking places that you think fit your budget and have appealing menus. You know better than anyone else what will suit your family best. Pick the two most appealing and a few more in case you can't get those two.

Booking dining feels like gambling even to those of us who are experienced. Good luck!

 

[CynBeth]

At MK we love Be Our Guest. The theming is amazing and the pre fixe meal fantastic. Have not done CRT for years so can’t comment. We really like Liberty Tree Tavern. There is an all you care to eat platter and think it a great price for all you get included. Tony’s is Italian with a Lady and the Tramp theme. At HS we are not crazy about Sci Fi. Would do 50’s Prime Time Cafe instead. They have antics it is fun with good food. We also enjoy Hollywood Brown Derby. For CS our favorite is PizzaRizzo. At Epcot would try for Space220 it is a different experience. Also Coral Reef they might like seeing the tank. We also love Chefs de France, Tutto Italia, and Le Cellier the Canada steakhouse. At AK we do Rainforest Cafe for lunch and love Boma at AKL for dinner it is the best buffet on property. For CS our favorite is Pizzafari. At Disney Springs we like The Boathouse.

 

[clapton]

Sanaa at AKL is also very good and reasonably priced. We had breakfast at Steakhouse 71 in the CR and it was excellent! We like Liberty Tree Tavern which was mentioned as well. Haven’t been to Cal Grill in a while but the last time we were there I wasn’t impressed. Topolino’s at the Riviera is great also.

 

[Jerseybrew]

CRT is going to be a better more intimate experience. BOG will be noisy and a mob scene. Food is ok at best in either. Cali Grill food is exceptional. If you can get it for the fireworks its an absolutely one of a kind experience. Narcoosees is excellent for food and a unique spot on the water. PLus you can catch fireworks and water parade too

 

[Moms]

Not a popular opinion but we feel the CRT, BOG, and (gasp) California Grill are WAY overrated. I'm assuming you are travelling with kids so maybe one of either CRT or BOG ... I would go with CRT as it is very cool to go into the castle. The food isn't bad ... just underwhelming and pricey. I HATE BOG so keep that in mind ... I'll try to be as objective as possible but the last time I ate there the two of us spent nearly $200 and felt rushed, the "ballroom" was so loud that we had trouble carrying on a conversation, several little kids (I love little kids but ...) were running around, yelling and one actually crawled under our table to "hide" from his playmates. It was awful and the food wasn't that good either. The food is better at California Grill but not sure kids would appreciate it enough to warrant the cost. We avoid it as you are not guaranteed a seat with a view and some of their seats (specifically the booths) are just plain uncomfortable. The food is good but again, overrated. I would try Saana ... it has great food and if there is daylight the kids will enjoy watching for animals on the savannah. SciFi is great theming, but the food is mediocre, Prime Time is fun and the food is reasonably good and a great choice for picky eaters. We have also enjoyed Whispering Canyon Cafe at WL or even Artists Point which has a Snow White Character meal. I hear the food is pretty good too. If you want to stay in MK ... Liberty Tree Tavern is very nice and again a good choice for picky eaters.

 

[chris benton]

It's gonna be a personal choice for your family. I'd say some of the choices will depend on the makeup of your party.
The restaurant theme can be a big part of the experience, WAY bigger than the food for the prices, sometimes. You might get better direction on what ppl would choose if you gave the makeup of your party, and you also might get some alternative ideas that could suit you better that you may have not been thinking about, as well.

 

[nw6675]

IMO, BOG is chaotic and the food mediocre. CRT is more relaxed, and I thought our last meal there was outstanding.

I vote for CG and CRT!

 

[lowlight]

It depends what is most important. CRT, castle is dreary, food is good for in park, character interaction is non existent. BOG the same. I’d still want to do both if it was a one and done trip. Space 220 I have not done, but it doesn’t appeal to me from the actual reviews I’ve seen. For good food and characters, Topolino’s breakfast. I hear really good things about Storybook, but have not done. California Grill is painfully overrated, and Ohana is a Ohellno for me.

 

[Kerr84]

I was disappointed with BOG. FYI, Sci-Fi is much cheaper than the other ones you listed and it has a great atmosphere.

 

[PaladinButters]

Are 2 of these dining experiences enough? Wondering if I should splurge for more and cut costs elsewhere

Splurging on overpriced meals is an important part of a WDW vacation! For consideration -

1.You're looking at several pre-fixe, multi - course meals which is a lot of food so it might not even make sense to add even more to that unless your party is normally big eaters every night. I personally would rather leave room to have some of the dozens of other snacks/desserts in the parks.

2. I would take BOG over CRT based on menu options if you decided to only do one.

4. Space 220 is the only WDW "experience" restaurant we have walked out of saying wow that is way overpriced and a one and done for us.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Our first trip we ate at San Angel Inn & we still dine there every trip.

CRT is neat as it’s special to dine inside the castle & I thought lunch was pretty good.

BOG just isn’t my favorite place. It’s huge & noisy & just has more of a cafeteria feel.

I really like California Grill but if I was just picking a couple of places to dine it wouldn’t make my list.

In Epcot I’d go with San Angel Inn or Coral Reef.
MK - CRT for the experience
AK - Yak & Yeti
HS- I’d pass on a restaurant
Resorts : Ohana

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Splurging on overpriced meals is an important part of a WDW vacation! For consideration -

1.You're looking at several pre-fixe, multi - course meals which is a lot of food so it might not even make sense to add even more to that unless your party is normally big eaters every night. I personally would rather leave room to have some of the dozens of other snacks/desserts in the parks.

2. I would take BOG over CRT based on menu options if you decided to only do one.

4. Space 220 is the only WDW "experience" restaurant we have walked out of saying wow that is way overpriced and a one and done for us.

Agreed with Space 220 being overpriced. My mom can't eat a lot of food due to dietary restricitons and she ended up having a bland burger for like 70 bucks, and it was a complete waste of money for my 6 year old. I enjoyed it enough, but I wouldn't take a kid there again.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

SciFi is affordable imo. Also, trails End in Fort Wilderness is pretty inexpensive and you can check out the Fort while there. If this is a one and done trip I’d say everyone has to do CRT at least once,