Where to eat a TS meal in MK?

[BTown]

On our last trip (january) we ended up eating all our TS meals in Epcot (except for one), but we didnt eat any in Magic Kingdom. However, we are going back in Sept (free dinning) with some friends, one of which has NEVER been to Disney before. We are going to be flying in that afternoon and probably hitting the MK around 5:00 or so to do the main attractions, have dinner and watch the fireworks.

To kick off the trip, I wanted to have a nice sit down meal that first evening with everyone, rather than CS. But, I cant seem to find any sit down resturants that seem at all appealing. Am I over looking anything?

Any suggestions would be great.

Also, keep in mind, we are all between 21-24. I thought briefly about CRT, but the menu look bland, the reviews seem less than fantastic, and I'm not quite sure that's the atmosphere we are looking for.

 

[bleeps]

Yeah, the MK is sorely lacking TS restaurants. If it were me, I would pick Crystal Palace -- not a perfect choice (and maybe no dice for you because of the characters?) but it's a relatively decent buffet, given that buffets are generally not very good. We did not care at all for the food or atmosphere at LTT (although I respect that it does have its loyal fans). Tony's is, in my family's opinion, not good at dinner, the Plaza is really harsh (basically CS-quality food and similar choices, served as TS) and then you've got CRT which you've already ruled out. You may want to think about hitting one of the monorail resorts to eat, or eating at your resort before going to the MK.

 

[justplaingoofy]

2 adults here... we live Crystal Palace. I don't think there are any "real nice" places at the MK, but this is fun..

 

[BTown]

Great idea. I suppose I've never given much thought to the option of actually leaving the park and eating at one of the resorts, but that sounds like maybe the best idea. Isnt there a place in the Contemporary where you can eat, and be able to see the fireworks from MK? If so, then I think that will be my obvious choice, as I know everyone will not want to miss the display on the first night of our trip. Or perhaps, we could go to a resort, eat, and have time to get back before the fireworks.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

If I were going with someone who had never been to Disney, I would go to the CP for dinner. Not only is it a beautiful restaurant with good food, but it's so Disney with the Pooh characters.

There are many places at the monorail resorts you could eat: Concourse Steakhouse, Ohanas, Kona Cafe, etc.

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

I can recommend Kona for a nice, relaxing meal, or Concourse for a more upbeat, Disney-style experience. Touring both resorts is fun, too.

 

[erikthewise]

To kick off the trip, I wanted to have a nice sit down meal that first evening with everyone, rather than CS. But, I cant seem to find any sit down resturants that seem at all appealing. Am I over looking anything?

No.

If you must eat in MK, I'd have to agree with Crystal Palace. Liberty Tree has mass-produced food of acceptable quality with good service and atmosphere. Plaza Restaurant is a pricey but nice little sandwich shop, CRT is an expensive character "experience", and few people seem to like Tony's.

Better to eat somewhere at a monorail resort, but if that interferes with what you want to do in MK, just eat at MK and make the best of it.

 

[gydell]

The Plaza in MK!

 

[dianemb]

Why not take a boat over to Wilderness Lodge and either eat at Whispering Canyon (fun) or Artist's Point (very nice and pricey). Then you can take the boat back for the fireworks. If you have extra time spend some walking around the resort.

ENJOY

 

[littleladykaty]

I had a very simaler problem...MK is short on TS places that aren't over run with characters and Princesses, but we didn't want to leave the park to eat as it's our first night and we are going to be pretty tuckered after our wedding as it is and just wanted quick and easy but not counter service...SO I know that few people here seem to like Tony's but I was told that it really isn't a "bad" place to eat. They have decent Italian food and the decor is Lady and the Tramp and very sweet....it's just not WOW in your face Disney dining...the desserts are supposed to be pretty good too...

If you do want really nice though I'd hop the monorail to one of the resorts, i can't imagine it would take too much time and it would be a great kick off for the person who has never done Disney before!

Good luck!!!

 

[mill4023]

We enjoyed the Plaza. It's basically a soup/sandwich/salad place, but the quality is definitely higher than most CS meals and it's much nicer to sit down and wait instead of standing in long CS lines.

Kona at the Poly had very good food and a nice quiet atmosphere. If you'll be parking at the TTC, I think you can walk right over to the Poly. So you could eat there before you head to MK.