Where to dine for first visit

[Andrea Wright]

Our first visit (and maybe only unless Hubby has the best time) will be this October. Kids are 4 and 6 and 4 year old is picky. We were late to the ADR game, but have been somewhat successful snagging cancellations so I think we might continue to be.

Our plans is as follows:
Day 1: Animal Kingdom
Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Day 3: Hollywood Studios
Day 4: Morning at MK, and afternoon/evening at Epcot.

I found a lunch at Tusker House on Day 1, lunch at Crystal Palace on day 2, dinner at Chef Mickeys (for after day 2), and a lunch at Akershus for day 4 (which I would love to switch to a dinner if anything comes up!).

Would you forgo any of these? And what would you replace them with? What else should I be obsessively searching? Anything in Hollywood Studios we should get?

Also, any quick service restaurants we should try to hit? (Other than Be Our Guest which I have been searching for without success!)

 

[lady_hlh]

Tusker House and Chef Mickey's have a lot of the same characters but the food is way better at Tusker House so maybe you want one more relaxing meal without characters. Kona cafe at the poly is pretty good. The food at HS is not that great, if you want the Fantasmic package though for the reserved seating then Mama Melrose was always decent. Try to get BOG tomorrow early that was the only time that I had luck getting a reservation. BOG counter service is great but we also love CHH. In Epcot Sunshine Seasons has good food and great variety.

 

[Malibustyle23]

Day one I will probably be in the minority here but as long as your kids don't scare easily would do a lunch at animal kingdoms rainforest cafe instead of Tusker house.


Day two I would scrap a sit down meals at MK. If this is your first and maybe only visit to the world you will need all the time you can get at magic kingdom. They have some enjoyable counter service meals which will save you a load of time.

Day 4 all the time possible at mk. Then I would have a dinner reservation at Garden Grill in Epcot instead Akershus.

 

[ElizabethG]

I would look for a replacement for Chef Mickey. Ohana if you don't want a character meal, 1900 Park Fare if you do.

I prefer Garden Grill to Akershus.

Hollywood Studios has my least favorite for meals. Maybe Cape May for breakfast or Beaches and Cream for Dinner.

Also, it looks like you will have park hopper tickets, but only plan to park hop one day?

 

[bookbabe626]

Hollywood & Vine at HS if you want a character meal. (Minnie & friends holiday-themed for dinner, Disney Jr gang for breakfast and lunch)

 

[Andrea Wright]

Also, it looks like you will have park hopper tickets, but only plan to park hop one day?

We only have the park hopper because of the free dining deal. But since we are only there 4 days, I think it's probably a good idea anyway. I think we will probably leave Animal Kingdom and head to Epcot on Day 1 as well if we can see everything we want to see by afternoon. We could head over to MK after we finish Hollywood Studios, but I love Fantasmic in Disneyland so I want to see that here, and my star wars crazed kid will want to be in the Jedi training thing, so that might be a full day for us (even if we have to eat crappier food)

 

[Gretav]

I would say skip chef mickeys, keep tusker house. I would try to get BOG lunch or dinner for your MK day. Also, on your last day I would do breakfast at akershus instead and maybe grab a cs lunch in the world showcase before leaving for MK (loved akershus breakfast) and that way MK is the last park to end your vacation

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

Disney Hollywood - I would go to the 50's Prime Time Cafe. We eat there on every trip. Kids enjoy it and the food is really good. They serve home style cooking. The fried chicken dinner is very good. This place is set up to look like your Mom's house in the 1950's. Good food.

 

[Nancyg56]

If you can get a H&V ADR for dinner at DHS, I would ditch CM. I like Chef Mckey, but you already have TH and I think that the kids will enjoy the characters dressed in their Halloween costumes.

I prefer breakfast at Akershus, but between lunch and dinner, I don't think it matters. October is still warm so it is nice to have a break in the afternoon so I would probably keep it.

If you do end up losing CM, and you are up for a little travel, have you thought about Boma? I bet the kids would love to explore the Animal Kingdom Lodge. If not, maybe head over to Fort Wilderness. You can take a boat over, have a meal at Trails End, and maybe go to the Chip and Dale campfire sing-a-along. It is free.

I looked only at buffet since you have a little one who is picky. The buffet's in Disney have plenty of kid friendly options.

 

[LovesTimone]

Our first visit (and maybe only unless Hubby has the best time) will be this October. Kids are 4 and 6 and 4 year old is picky. We were late to the ADR game, but have been somewhat successful snagging cancellations so I think we might continue to be.

Our plans is as follows:
Day 1: Animal Kingdom
Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Day 3: Hollywood Studios
Day 4: Morning at MK, and afternoon/evening at Epcot.

I found a lunch at Tusker House on Day 1, lunch at Crystal Palace on day 2, dinner at Chef Mickeys (for after day 2), and a lunch at Akershus for day 4 (which I would love to switch to a dinner if anything comes up!).

Would you forgo any of these? And what would you replace them with? What else should I be obsessively searching? Anything in Hollywood Studios we should get?

Also, any quick service restaurants we should try to hit? (Other than Be Our Guest which I have been searching for without success!)

Day 1 - Tusker house good food and service - the characters.. so cute in their safari outfits, nice way to break up your 1st day, plus you don't have to leave the park.

Day 2 - Crystal palace - great lunch spot, we have always enjoyed our meals here, who doesn't love Winnie the Pooh.. I for one love Chef Mickeys having dinner with the fab5 and the monorail zipping by over head is just great. Just make sure that the ADR's are spaced out, so you can enjoy.

Day 3 - If you have Disney Jr. Fans then Hollywood and Vine would be my go to for breakfast or lunch - Starring rolls has the best offering for counter service, also Sci-Fi might be fun if you are looking for a TS... this is one spot (Sci-Fi) you could pay out of pocket for, portions are large and easily sharable... just something to think about.

Day 4 - Akershus - Is about and entrée of Princess's with a side of dinning... so the princess are what this is about. If you have picky eaters check out the menu. Garden Grill might be a good choice. Thinking of Dad enjoying himself may I make a few suggestions for Corral Reef, Chef of France , Teppan Edo, or Tutto for your DH to end on a adult note, having a meal for him might just make him want to come back and possibly a adult beverage to go along with dinner might do the trick.

As Dory says "Just keep swimming" just keep after those ADR's.. Have a wonderful and magically first trip with lots of memories to be made..

 

[Nancyg56]

One thing to remember is that the character meals are never about the food, so when you look at the meals you have chosen they can be redundant. I agree that if you kids like Disney Jr, H&V breakfast or lunch is good. Again...not about the food.

I was thinking about your DH. My DSIL loves Rose & Crown in Epcot. It is an English Pub, and is incredibly relaxed, cool and kind of dark. I know that we all say Disney is all about our kids, and it is....but I have never found that every meal needs to be about them. Disney can be over stimulating and overwhelming, especially for children, so when you have a lot of character meals included, they never have down time. Sometimes a "normal" TS meal can be a welcomed change, both for parents and for kids.

 

[GillianP1301]

Day 1 - Tusker House is a good choice. It's one of the better character meals on property, IMO
Day 2 - Crystal Palace also a good choice, again a nice character meal and my family really like Pooh & friends. I'm not a huge fan of CM and you already have some of the same characters at Tusker House. If you're looking for an easy resort restaurant to get to from MK, consider Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge. It's a super fun dining experience.
Day 4 - We have never done Akershus because my DS is anti-princess. If your kids are into princesses, then I think this is a really good choice. If they aren't, then there are a ton of great choices throughout Epcot for dining, it's hard to go wrong. We love Garden Grill & Coral Reef in FW and in WS Biergarten is one of our favourites.

 

[Andrea Wright]

You all are really making me rethink Akershus! I figured it was a great option for dining plan and knocking out a bunch of princesses without waiting in lines. It was #1 on my list! Plus the menu looks gross to me, which usually means my husband will like it. Is the food bad? Or just different? He likes different.

I'll definitely consider cancelling chef mickeys. It just seemed like the easiest way to meet Pluto and Minnie after MK closed that day (at 7 for MNSSHP, which we aren't attending).

 

[Malibustyle23]

Can you get a garden grill adr for dinner instead of chef Mickeys? Since you have to leave MK for the party you could hop on the monorail and head to epcot. I really enjoy the food there and they bring it right to your table.

Then you could keep the princesses at akershus. If not I would try for 1900 park fare.

My prior suggestions were without realizing you were on the ddp and trying to maximize your park time with a small amount of park days.

 

[SGMCO]

We only have the park hopper because of the free dining deal. But since we are only there 4 days, I think it's probably a good idea anyway.)

Do you have 4 days? or 4 nights? because the DDP goes by nights, just to make sure.
Of all the places that you have picked I think Tusker House is #1 for both food and Characters.
I agree to drop CM for dinner at least, if you could get Breakfast its not to bad, but the food for dinner is not good at all.
These are the only 2 restaurants that I've eaten at, so I can't comment on the others.
CP always looks so pretty, I may have to try it one of these days.

 

[bookbabe626]

You all are really making me rethink Akershus! I figured it was a great option for dining plan and knocking out a bunch of princesses without waiting in lines. It was #1 on my list! Plus the menu looks gross to me, which usually means my husband will like it. Is the food bad? Or just different? He likes different.

It's just different. I really like it. Most of the meals only sound weird because the names are in Norwegian. Meatballs, chicken breast, pork chops...very tame. If you're really worried ask for sauces on the side. And the princess interaction is usually great, and way better than standing in lines.

 

[Duckiedee]

I like all of the places you've chosen - whatever you decide you can't really go too wrong.

For DHS - you might want to consider a Pre-Park opening Hollywood & Vine - keep searching for one! If you do this - you can sign up for Jedi Training early, perfect for your Star Wars loving kiddo and be out in time to snag an early ride at Toy Story Mania.

We also love Rose & Crown and my picky daughter loved it too. If you are there during Food and Wine even better.

We do a ton of character meals too and I don't find them a waste of time - because then we are seated instead of waiting in line and basically knocking out characters and meals in one blow. For us it is a great use of time and a little break.

Another thing you might consider if it is on the same night as MK closes maybe - but it is a two-credit meal, and starts at 5:30 - is Mickey's Backyard BBQ... great for your kids' ages. I personally found it the most interactive meal as the kids can get up and dance with the characters.

 

[LovesTimone]

You all are really making me rethink Akershus! I figured it was a great option for dining plan and knocking out a bunch of princesses without waiting in lines. It was #1 on my list! Plus the menu looks gross to me, which usually means my husband will like it. Is the food bad? Or just different? He likes different.

I'll definitely consider cancelling chef mickeys. It just seemed like the easiest way to meet Pluto and Minnie after MK closed that day (at 7 for MNSSHP, which we aren't attending).

The menu is different, but with a lot of menus you need to read between the lines with the descriptions. We had breakfast and it was basic breakfast food, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon and sausage, all good, not gourmet. My family would not eat lunch here, to many unknowns. I would use a fast pass for princess meet and greet and use your TS for something you know your family will enjoy more.

 

[yaddakal]

You all are really making me rethink Akershus! I figured it was a great option for dining plan and knocking out a bunch of princesses without waiting in lines. It was #1 on my list! Plus the menu looks gross to me, which usually means my husband will like it. Is the food bad? Or just different? He likes different.

I'll definitely consider cancelling chef mickeys. It just seemed like the easiest way to meet Pluto and Minnie after MK closed that day (at 7 for MNSSHP, which we aren't attending).

We had a nice time at akershus but it was years ago and only did for daughter who was three . It's worth it for princesses but I wouldn't go for food alone. Food better at Cinderella castle and 1900 park fare. Park fare they are so funny.