Where would you go?

[kjbrown]

Okay, this is my family's second time to WDW.

We are going in Feb, so I have plenty of time to make (and change) my ADRs.

My family is myself, DH, DD4, DS1 and MIL. Last time we went we ate breakfast at Chef Mickeys, dinner at 50s PT, Sci-Fi, Ohana, Fulton's Crab House and several CS. We are not on the dining plan (we don't eat enough, I've done the math). We are planning most breakfasts in our room, most lunches either in the room or CS and TS for each dinner.

We liked Chef Mickey's, but are doing the princess thing this time. We hated Sci-Fi (service and food and wait). Loved Ohana. 50s Prime Time was good, but we're thinking of something new this time. Fulton's was bad enough with a 2 1/2 year old, I'm not going with my 18 month old.

So far, I have planned Biergarten for dinner, Boma for dinner, 1900 Park Fare for dinner, CRT for breakfast, Ohana for dinner, and Coral Reef for dinner.

I know Coral Reef has gotten mixed reviews, it just seems so cool to eat in an aquarium!

So, what are your suggestions for our other dinners? We are "foodies" who love good food and we like to eat/try anything.

TIA!

 

[Axel]

If you're doing the princess thing and you like trying new foods, Askershus has a Princess Dinner. That's the Norwegian restaurant at EPCOT. Link to the Menu

 

[dancemomnj]

Do your children like Pooh, Piglet... If so Crystal Palace is great! We went last time for dinner and this July for lunch. We enjoyed them both.
We love 'Ohana like you! It was dh and my favorite in both Nov. and July. DD7's favortie for dinner is Chef Mickey's. DD5's favorite is Crystal Palace. We ate at Coral Reef this past trip. We enjoyed our steaks. The tanks were great to watch and kept the kids busy. It was good but not the top of our list.

 

[kjbrown]

If you're doing the princess thing and you like trying new foods, Askershus has a Princess Dinner. That's the Norwegian restaurant at EPCOT. Link to the Menu

We tried that many many years ago, when it was just DH and myself. Although it was fun to try new foods, I wouldn't have said they were particularly good! Granted this was probably ten years ago. In addition to being "new", is the food good?

 

[kjbrown]

Do your children like Pooh, Piglet... If so Crystal Palace is great! We went last time for dinner and this July for lunch. We enjoyed them both.
We love 'Ohana like you! It was dh and my favorite in both Nov. and July. DD7's favortie for dinner is Chef Mickey's. DD5's favorite is Crystal Palace. We ate at Coral Reef this past trip. We enjoyed our steaks. The tanks were great to watch and kept the kids busy. It was good but not the top of our list.

I had heard questionable things about the food at Crystal Palace, but you like it? I bet DS1 would enjoy it, if he doesn't get freaked out by the size of the characters! I'll have to show the menu to the family and see what they think!

 

[dancemomnj]

Yes, we liked the food. There is so much to choose from. They have a section for the kids that that adults can eat from too with chicken fingers, mac & ch.... My kids had a blast with the characters. Even the 7 year old enjoyed it. She thinks Piglet is cute. It is so beautiful inside the Crystal Palace. November was our first family Disney trip. We had our first meal, dinner at the Crystal Palace. I can't think of a better way to start our trip. It was also nice becauce it is right insde the MK.

 

[schwaa]

Here are the restaurants I love and suggest:

Le Cellier
Chefs de France
Mama Melrose's (I know I'm in the minority here)

 

[kjbrown]

Yes, we liked the food. There is so much to choose from. They have a section for the kids that that adults can eat from too with chicken fingers, mac & ch.... My kids had a blast with the characters. Even the 7 year old enjoyed it. She thinks Piglet is cute. It is so beautiful inside the Crystal Palace. November was our first family Disney trip. We had our first meal, dinner at the Crystal Palace. I can't think of a better way to start our trip. It was also nice becauce it is right insde the MK.

Hmm, maybe we'll ditch the 1900 Park Fare dinner for Crystal Palace...thanks for your input!

 

[kjbrown]

Here are the restaurants I love and suggest:

Le Cellier
Chefs de France
Mama Melrose's (I know I'm in the minority here)

For some reason, I keep forgetting about Le Cellier. Just looked at the menu and reviews on allearsnet.com and will definitely have to add this to the list.

THANKS!

Keep 'em coming everyone!

 

[Sinderelli]

Hmm, maybe we'll ditch the 1900 Park Fare dinner for Crystal Palace...thanks for your input!

Although I love both of these restaurants, I wouldn't choose CP over 1900 PF.

 

[kjbrown]

Although I love both of these restaurants, I wouldn't choose CP over 1900 PF.

Because of the food or atmosphere or both?

 

[kjbrown]

Oh, and I just remembered we ate at Planet Hollywood, and that was a NIGHTMARE. We waited forever outside, then we were called up to the bar and waited FOREVER in the bar. Then we were called to a line where we waited even more. Did I mention I was 5 months pregnant and had a 2 1/2 year old?

 

[IluvKingLouis]

We tried that many many years ago, when it was just DH and myself. Although it was fun to try new foods, I wouldn't have said they were particularly good! Granted this was probably ten years ago. In addition to being "new", is the food good?

The food has changed a bit. The cold buffet is still very nice with a variety of salads, some seafood, cheese/breads, and coldcuts. They no longer have a hot buffet, but instead you order from a menu. You can order as many plates of food that you like so you can each try something different and sample each others plates. If you find something you like, you can order more of it. I think this is better then the old hot buffet.

Same thing with their WONDERFUL desert plate. You can order it over and over again!

If you have a princess lover in your group (and it sounds like you do) this is a great spot to meet almost all of the Princess's.

 

[Sinderelli]

Because of the food or atmosphere or both?

I think 1900PF has a better buffet than CP, and the character interaction is much more intimate and unique. We celebrated my DD's b-day at PF, and I was able to order a special dessert through the GF bakery (anyone can do this). Our server timed it so Cinderella & Prince Charming brought the dessert out to the table, and they gave my daughter a crown & personalized placemat. I just thought they went out of their way to make it nice for her.

The characters at PF don't seem to rush as much as CP. The food offerings are more varied at PF. The restaurant is beautiful, and entering the GF is awesome!

I love CP- however, we will visit for breakfast instead of dinner this time around.

BTW- we have eaten at Norway for breakfast & dinner- DH and I HATED the dinner. He is an adventurous eater, me not so much. There wasn't a lot offered and what was offered was not very good, IMO. The breakfast was MUCH better.

 

[MickeyNicki]

My choices if I was going for a week would be

CP for breakfast
Kona for breakfast and dinner
Cape May for breakfast and dinner
Le Cellier for lunch or dinner
Beirgarten for lunch or dinner
Boma for breakfast and dinner
Jiko
Wolfgang Puck for dinner
House of Blues for lunch or the Sunday Gospel Brunch
50's Prime Time for lunch or dinner

 

[byoung]

Kona's is great.

 

[kjbrown]

The food has changed a bit. The cold buffet is still very nice with a variety of salads, some seafood, cheese/breads, and coldcuts. They no longer have a hot buffet, but instead you order from a menu. You can order as many plates of food that you like so you can each try something different and sample each others plates. If you find something you like, you can order more of it. I think this is better then the old hot buffet.

Wow, that does sound different from the time that we went! I just remember it was very dark in there and I tried goat cheese for the first time!

I think 1900PF has a better buffet than CP, and the character interaction is much more intimate and unique. We celebrated my DD's b-day at PF, and I was able to order a special dessert through the GF bakery (anyone can do this). Our server timed it so Cinderella & Prince Charming brought the dessert out to the table, and they gave my daughter a crown & personalized placemat. I just thought they went out of their way to make it nice for her.

This sounds awesome!! This is exactly the kind of experience we would love to have. Plus, I just want to go in the GF!

My choices if I was going for a week would be

CP for breakfast
Kona for breakfast and dinner
Cape May for breakfast and dinner
Le Cellier for lunch or dinner
Beirgarten for lunch or dinner
Boma for breakfast and dinner
Jiko
Wolfgang Puck for dinner
House of Blues for lunch or the Sunday Gospel Brunch
50's Prime Time for lunch or dinner

Ah yes, I forgot that Kona for breakfast is in my plan. I heard too much about Tonga Toast to pass it up! Based on a previous post I think we may be adding Le Cellier. I'll have to check out Cape May and Jiko (we've been to Wolfgang Puck and House of Blues in other locations!).

Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Wow, that does sound different from the time that we went! I just remember it was very dark in there and I tried goat cheese for the first time!

Goatcheese is pretty awful and I'm Scandinavian. I can eat it if I've had some wine and if I pretend it's a piece of caramel and not cheese.

 

[karney]

If you're doing the princess thing and you like trying new foods, Askershus has a Princess Dinner. That's the Norwegian restaurant at EPCOT.

There is a price of 28.99 or so per person. Is this just the admission or does this include the entire meal?

 

[kjbrown]

So now I am thinking of adding Whispering Canyon Cafe. While not gourmet food, it sounds like a fun atmosphere. DH is waffling between good food, and a good place for the kids.