Where did you eat during your Christmas trip?

[AlyLynn]

We are going to Disney during Christmas vacation for the first time with our 4 children. We go to Disney 2-3 times a year, but have never done the away for Christmas day trip. Where would you recommend dining? I'm considering places like Chef Mickeys, etc. Places that aren't in the parks so that if they get filled to capacity, we won't be turned away. Christmas is a Thursday, so would Mickey's Backyard Bar B Que be open? Any suggestions on how to give our 4 great kids a great Christmas away from home would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[tink774]

While we weren't there until right after Christmas, we dined at the Kona Cafe at the Poly on Dec. 28th and found it to be absolutely delicious. And I have read that it's a popular choice for Christmas Eve dinner. But it's not exactly a traditional Christmas meal, so if that's what you are looking for, you might try one of the restaurants in resorts such as the WL or the GF. 1900 Park Fare at the GF does a buffet character dinner that might be what you're looking for. The characters featured are prominently from Cinderella and perhaps a few surprises though, not Mickey or any of his friends. There is also the character buffet dinner at the Cape May Cafe inside the BC, although I'm not certain which characters are to be found there.

If you do choose to have a character meal inside the parks, I highly recommend Cinderella's Royal Table inside the castle. You just can't beat the location and atmosphere.

Good luck with your plans, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Connears]

We have been for xmas week the last 3 years; the last two included xmas eve and xmas day. We choose not to go to a park on the holiday..we usually hit DTD or do a movie in the afternoon. 1st year we had xmas eve at Teppanaki in Japan with CP package then xmas morning(late-10:30am) we had great breakfast at 1900PF then shopped at DTD and then we hit CG for an amazing dinner(9:00pm) and great view of Wishes to make the holiday. This year we had dinner at LeCellier xmas eve(decided not to do CP pkge) and then saw Illuminations before exiting via IG. Xmas morning again we hit late breakfast at 1900PF(another wonderful meal) then we went to ICE! at Gaylord Palms Hotel and then dinner at BOMA. Once we arrived on xmas day(4 years ago) and we had great dinner at Artist Point in WL. As you get closer to the holiday, some restaurants will post their"holiday menus". The ones we have been to had a special entree for the holiday, but the menu (or buffet offerings) were pretty much the usual.

I agree with the post warning about park closures. If they close to all guests (including resort guests) you cannot enter the park even if you have adr...Its one of the reasons we choose to hit one of the resort restaurants for the holiday meals.


Connears

 

[IMDORY]

Going to the resorts for meals at the holidays is a lot of fun b/c you can check out how the other resorts are decorated-ie. the gingerbread house in GF, the beautiful lobby and tree at WL, the chocolate carousel at BC....

We tend to eat more at the resorts anyway on all our trips as we prefer those restaurants.

Park Meals: We did eat at Le Cellier for Christmas dinner in 2006-it was a great meal in every way-we were pleased. We also ate at Le Cellier with a Candlelight Processional Package Christmas 2004-it was good too-but our 2006 visit was even better. We at at Cinderella's Castle NYE 2004-before the switch to the "princess dinner"-it was wonderful. We ate at Garden Grill on both our holiday trips. We've always liked it-a character meal that isn't as "hectic" as the other ones tend to be.

That's about it for our in park dining during the holidays. We usually stick to the resort restaurants.

 

[CheshireVal]

We have had Christmas dinner at Trail's End and it was really good. They have their usual buffet, plus an additional holiday buffet set up with the traditional turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc.

 

[IMDORY]

Ok-sorry-I see you are looking to stay AWAY from the parks...

wow. I don't know where to start-so many good places. Maybe pick a resort that you'd love to "soak in" the atmosphere at Christmas.

Suggestions off the top of my head:
WL-WCC or AP
GF-1900 Park Fare, Narcoosees, Citricos

My mom, dad, and at the time 4 year old son, did Mickey's Back Yard BBQ at Christmas time 2004-they had fun-but it was cold and it is outdooors...the weather can be iffy at Christmas time-every Christmas trip we've pulled out mittens, hats, coats and shorts and swimsuits in the course of the week...very unpredictable time of year.

 

[vsimeone]

2006 we had Christmas dinner at Artist's Point at WL - WONDERFUL! There were 13 of us!

2004, we had Christmas dinner at the "old" Italian restaurant at the Swan. It is no longer there but we had a wonderful meal!

Both years we have had Christmas Eve dinner at LeCellier with the CP package.

This year, we are planning Tutto Italia with the CP package for Christmas Eve and Yachtsman Steakhouse for Christmas dinner. I hope all our ADRs work out!!!

Have a wonderful time no matter what you choose!

 

[AlyLynn]

We have had Christmas dinner at Trail's End and it was really good. They have their usual buffet, plus an additional holiday buffet set up with the traditional turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc.

That could work, too, since we are staying at FW! It's not that we're trying to stay away from the parks as much as I'd hate to disappoint the kids if the parks filled up, and we couldn't get in for our reservations! Did you have to make advance ressies for Trails End? Thanks!

 

[CheshireVal]

That could work, too, since we are staying at FW! It's not that we're trying to stay away from the parks as much as I'd hate to disappoint the kids if the parks filled up, and we couldn't get in for our reservations! Did you have to make advance ressies for Trails End? Thanks!

I would recommend ADRs for Christmas Day. Usually you can walk in Trail's End, but it's gotten more popular lately and it was pretty busy on Christmas!

 

[CamColt]

We have been at Christmas twice now.

The first time I wanted to do the CP Package on Christmas Eve, so we ate at Le Cellier and did that. Christmas morning we dined in the Castle, and then just went with counter service the rest of the day. I knew after a big meal at Cindys we wouldnt want another sit down meal.

The second time, my original plan was to do the same type of thing, however we found out the Patriots were playing in Jacksonville on Christmas Eve, and all plans went out the window. Needless to say we went to Jacksonville on Christmas Eve. Upon returning at night we just stopped in at Beaches & Cream to have burgers. Christmas morning we ate at Boatwrights, then for dinner we did the CP Package at Alfredos.

 

[AlyLynn]

Thanks for all of the great ideas! At least now I have a start for when my 180 day mark comes!

 

[tgropp]

We almost always eat at the Whispering Canyon on Christmas night. They change the menu from the usual smoked meats to Turkey with all the trimmings, and also baked ham and baked salmon have alternated as a second choice. And of course any reason to visit the WL at Christmas time is a good one