Which places without characters do you like best for young kids?

[MinMou]

I am planning to take our little one to at least 4 character meals, the Pirates and Pals fireworks cruise from CR, and to T-Rex. Wondering what other places we should really try to hit. Our son will be 4.

I have lots of time to plan, so I am using it to the fullest! My goal is to put together a plan I can present to my husband, and have some back-ups in case he doesn't like some of my choices. He is NOT into planning, especially more than a month beforehand, but he sometimes thinks of things I haven't.

My current plans are Chef Mickey on the day we arrive, Crystal Palace for breakfast for our first day in MK, lunch at Hollywood & Vine on our DHS day, dinner at T-Rex on a non-park day, having a Pirate day at MK and end it with the fireworks cruise, and 'Ohana for our last day brunch. I am also planning a day at EPCOT and another at AK, and am hoping to do something other than character meals there, but haven't ruled them out totally. (That's one of the things I need to run by my husband, to see how many of those meals he can stand!) I am not planning to do a Disney Dining Plan right now, so figure that everything will be OOP. If it turns out that a Dining Plan fits the restaurants we want, then I will consider it.

Things I am pretty sure we are ruling out (don't be mad!) are Cinderella's Royal Table and the Akershus Royal Banquet, since we are bringing a boy. I have nothing against him meeting princesses, but I don't want to deal with the parents of girls who NEED to meet princesses. I am also ruling out Be Our Guest, even though the food is great, because I don't think he will appreciate the architecture or the food. Right now, he is mostly interested in french fries, but that could change of course.

So what else do you think a little boy would want his Mommy to plan for him?

 

[Momto2minniemice]

Trails End..... It is off the beaten path BUT they have a playground outside to play on. The girls love to go and just run and be free either before a meal or after a meal!
Sci Fi Diner..... Nice to chill inside with the AC =) Also the GIANT movie screen lets the kids veg for a little and watch a movie while they eat and you get to eat in car!
Beaches and Cream..... I have never been but always wanted to try the Kitchen Sink for dessert one of these days. Would a lot of it go to waste yes but the look on a childs face when they bring it out is priceless!

 

[bigbabyblues]

Both of my boys liked CRT and Akershus at that age, but not for too long after that.

 

[MinMou]

Both of my boys liked CRT and Akershus at that age, but not for too long after that.

I've heard that the princesses love having little boys there, but since there are SO many other venues - and less costly ones, I figured we would stay away.

 

[DizDaD7]

I am planning to take our little one to at least 4 character meals, the Pirates and Pals fireworks cruise from CR, and to T-Rex. Wondering what other places we should really try to hit. Our son will be 4.

I have lots of time to plan, so I am using it to the fullest! My goal is to put together a plan I can present to my husband, and have some back-ups in case he doesn't like some of my choices. He is NOT into planning, especially more than a month beforehand, but he sometimes thinks of things I haven't.

My current plans are Chef Mickey on the day we arrive, Crystal Palace for breakfast for our first day in MK, lunch at Hollywood & Vine on our DHS day, dinner at T-Rex on a non-park day, having a Pirate day at MK and end it with the fireworks cruise, and 'Ohana for our last day brunch. I am also planning a day at EPCOT and another at AK, and am hoping to do something other than character meals there, but haven't ruled them out totally. (That's one of the things I need to run by my husband, to see how many of those meals he can stand!) I am not planning to do a Disney Dining Plan right now, so figure that everything will be OOP. If it turns out that a Dining Plan fits the restaurants we want, then I will consider it.

Things I am pretty sure we are ruling out (don't be mad!) are Cinderella's Royal Table and the Akershus Royal Banquet, since we are bringing a boy. I have nothing against him meeting princesses, but I don't want to deal with the parents of girls who NEED to meet princesses. I am also ruling out Be Our Guest, even though the food is great, because I don't think he will appreciate the architecture or the food. Right now, he is mostly interested in french fries, but that could change of course.

So what else do you think a little boy would want his Mommy to plan for him?

Besides SCI fi dine in theater ( which a PP stated ) *a must* The next thing that popped into my mind was the Whispering Canyon Cafe.
There are some antics that are fun...I'd rather not spoil it, but if you do go, make sure he asks a server for KETCHUP!..LoL

Sanaa, although the menu you'll have to check out and see, is a perfect place to dine and see the animals eating just outside the window...very nice place.

The last one would be the Coral Reef. And ask to be seated near the Wall of fish..(Fishtank)

Let us know which you've chosen...

 

[DizDaD7]

I've heard that the princesses love having little boys there, but since there are SO many other venues - and less costly ones, I figured we would stay away.

Actually 1 just hit me....
1900 PF is a character ( Although I know u said no character ) meal for breakfast & Dinner. THE Stepsisters here are hilarious & they were fighting over my son, when he was 9 or 10....Quite comical.

 

[MinMou]

Trails End..... It is off the beaten path BUT they have a playground outside to play on. The girls love to go and just run and be free either before a meal or after a meal!
Sci Fi Diner..... Nice to chill inside with the AC =) Also the GIANT movie screen lets the kids veg for a little and watch a movie while they eat and you get to eat in car!
Beaches and Cream..... I have never been but always wanted to try the Kitchen Sink for dessert one of these days. Would a lot of it go to waste yes but the look on a childs face when they bring it out is priceless!

I had thought about Sci-Fi, but wasn't sure if that would work for a young child.
NEVER thought about Trails End, and I just saw that it is close to the boat dock. That might be a great choice for a non-park day!

 

[MinMou]

I'll have check on the the WCC!
I had thought about Sanaa because DH and I love Indian food, but wondered if that would work for our son, especially since it is so far off the beaten path.
As for Coral Reef, do you like that better than Garden Grill?

I hadn't considered the 1900 PF because it's Princess oriented, but I've heard it would be a lot quieter than most of the other character meals.
Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[JenB1104]

My daughter loves the breakfast buffet at Boma and the pizza at Via Napoli.

 

[caliope]

My 4 year old DS really loved Hoop Dee Doo. When asked, he says this is his favorite WDW restaurant. I had originally booked an ADR for Cinderella's Royal Table but when I told my son about it, he wasn't in the least bit interested so I cancelled. We did Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's when he was 3 and he loved those too. We've also taken him to California Grill both recent trips (at ages 3 and 4) and he really enjoyed the view and the food. We had an early dinner (5:30ish) and watched the sunset.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Depending on your son's tastes, Via Napoli and/or Teppan Edo in Epcot would be great choices!
If he liked T-rex, perhaps Rainforest Café at AK.

1900 Park Fare is one of our favorites for characters (including Alice/Mad Hatter for breakfast, or the Tremaine family for dinner).

 

[senadler]

Nothing new, but a few comments on those that have been mentioned.

I would not recommend Sci-Fi with three of you. The seating in the cars is rows of two, and my DS5 really did not have any interest in the shows. I highly recommend Hoop Dee Doo, definitely a favorite, and fun for all ages so your husband should enjoy it as well.

Others have mentioned Via Napoli and Teppan Edo, and my son liked both of them. He also likes the princesses, but not as much as Chef Mickeys or the Ohana breakfast for characters. I think Saana is a great suggestion. We ate their with two 5 year old boys, and they both loved the bread service and watching the animals.

 

[tcufrog]

Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge is perfect for your son's age.

 

[Ava]

Sanaa would be easy to do on your AK day, it's a quick bus ride between AK & AKL. The kids menu also has safe choices like pizza and mac & cheese.

Via Napoli is a good lower key (and lower cost) choice in Epcot. We ate there last year and everything was delicious, including the kids spaghetti & pizza. I've also seen Biergarten mentioned a lot as good for kids because there's a band and they can dance. I haven't eaten there in many years though so I can't comment on the food.

 

[DizDaD7]

I'll have check on the the WCC!
I had thought about Sanaa because DH and I love Indian food, but wondered if that would work for our son, especially since it is so far off the beaten path.
As for Coral Reef, do you like that better than Garden Grill?

I hadn't considered the 1900 PF because it's Princess oriented, but I've heard it would be a lot quieter than most of the other character meals.
Thank you for the suggestions!

WCC is right inside the WL just off the lobby. Really easy to get to. And the antics here are fun.

Sanaa as I stated earlier is different. Only you know what your son will/will not eat, but I'm sure the chef can come up with something, if not on the menu?Also It really not that far at all. 20 minutes tops, from MK alone...Anywhere else way less time..Especially if you do that on your AK day.

Coral Reef is Waay better than GG. GG is family style from what I remember, and everything was so darned salty... Also not a huge fan of the revolving restaurant..After a few minutes it gets annoying, IMHO. CR is menu style

While I personally think 1900 PF breakfast is the best on property (Food, character interaction, etc.) I was suggesting the dinner, because of Lady Tremaine & the stepsisters.

 

[MNDisneyMommy]

We took our 4 year old girl (and her 1 yr old brother) to Ft Wilderness for dinner. We were staying at BLT so it was a quick boat ride away (which they loved). Then they ran out ALL their energy on the playground, saw horses, got their picture taken with a horse, ran around in shady grass & trails, and then we ate at Trails End and it was great - they had kid friendly food AND tasty adult food. We thought it was a really good deal. We intended to stay for the Chip and Dale campfire/marshmallow/singing thing, but the 1 yr old had totally run out of steam at that point so we headed back to our hotel. But with just a 4 year old, they might make it and really enjoy. It was a total change of pace from the parks and an excellent mid-vacation break for our family. I recommend!

Specifically at AK, just go counter service - while as adults we prefer Flame Tree, with the kids we seem to always end up at Restaurantosaurus. We did breakfast at Tusker House and while she enjoyed seeing the characters (and we adults thought the food was great) we would have rather seen attractions.

Specifically at Epcot, the two we think of as kid friendly are Coral Reef (eat with fish, hard to top that) and Biergarten (kids like hot dogs, kids like live music). For counter service though, Sunshine Seasons is pretty much our favorite counter service across the whole park system - super tasty options and huge varied menu. For something simple, that would be my choice.

 

[djp0630]

We enjoyed San Angel Inn, Teppan Edo and Liberty Tree Tavern dinner. I've had at least one 4 year old in each of my trips and those that we have tried. I like the food for Liberty Tree Tavern dinner for little kids. My younger kids were scared at Sci-Fi but I might try it now my youngest will be 6 at the next trip

 

[SillyFamily]

If you do Sanaa try for lunch or an early dinner the animals come close to the windows for a great view. The bread service alone is worth the trip.

 

[Megara5115]

One more vote for Trails End. The buffets has some good choices and it's a fun resort area to check out.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

My 7 year old son's favorites are: Garden Grill breakfast (characters but it's family style not buffet which I like), Via Napoli pizza, and Liberty Tree Tavern lunch.