Windsor Palms/Kissimmee restaurants

[SidB]

I've just booked the villa at Windsor Palms. Can anybody recommend any restaurants in the area ?

 

[kazzie]

Hi Sid,

Is that the Windsor Palms resort off the 192?

 

[SidB]

Sure is.

 

[kazzie]

Sorry for the delay Sid

We stayed at Windsor Palms last October and will be staying there again this October.You turn off the 192 I think where Splendid China is.The only restaurants I remember on the 192 are like the Golden Corral,Denny's,Mc D,Shoney's etc.I don't recall any partcularly nice restaurants.

UKDeb knows this area very well,if you put another post asking about restaurants on the 192 she should see that and will probably be of more help than me

I can help with any questions about WP though!

 

[kazzie]

Thats funny, I just posted this and then saw there is a thread for eating reccomandations on the 192 from someone else!

 

[Beejayjay]

I know this is a bit late, but I thought it still might be of use to you.

I usually stay at the Fourpoints Lakeside when I visit Orlando, and that's just opposite the turning to Splendid China, so I know the area well.

As mentioned before, there are the usual assortment of chain restaurants scattered along the 192, all within easy reach of The Windsor resort (where my better half and I are planning tostay this Chrimbowith her kids). I particularly like Ponderosa for value, choice and quality. Among others there is Denny's, IHOP, Shoneys, Sizzler ( I think), etc etc. Any of these are a good choice if you're looking for a good value, good quality meal without fuss.

And all the fast food biggies, such as MacDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway and so on, are close by...

Among individual restaurants, there are 3 or 4 close by that I'd recommend.

Key W Kools : Turn right onto the 192 going east, and its about an 1/8 to a 1/4 mile on your left. Blue painted building as I recall, large parrot on sign. Terrific food, pretty good value. Much of the food is prepared on an open pit grill/fire visible to much of the seating area. Steaks are a speciality, though I'm told the seafood is very good too. I recommend the pork chops !

Carabbas : Turn left onto 192 going West, and this restaurant is to the right side of the shopping area adjacent to the Splendid China turning, (the first left after you turn onto 192, you'll see a small block with an Eckerd's pharmacy almost straight away on your left as you turn onto the 192). There is a large supermarket there whose name I forget (used to be a Goodings), to the right of which are a couple of smaller blocks housing restaurants. Carabbas is one of those. It's an Italian/american place, and the food is excellent. It wasnt the cheapest place by any means, but neither was it exorbitant, and the food was definitely worth it. You cant book, but you can phone on the day and request a table be held for you at a certain time. I'd advise you do 'cos there is often a queue, the food is that good.

T.J's : Turn left onto 192 going West, and it's about a 1/2 mile down on your right. I'd recommend you try this place, it's great fun, and the food is good, cheap and ridiculously plentiful. It's a place the locals use (you'll see lots of plaid shirts and stetsons), and it plays up its redneck/backwoods reputation - my friends and I call it Billy Hickbucks !! Examples - you dont get glasses, you get a jar with a handle grafted on, wooden plates with some dishes, and the bread is served up in a paper bag ! Fun, and good value.

Holiday Inn Nikki Bird Resort - Angels, 50's diner : Turn right onto 192 going east, it's about a mile down on your right. Lots of chrome, neon, leather-seated booths, bright lights and suitably dressed waiting staff - think Happy Days with extra lighting ! As I recall, they had both a buffet and a full service section. Good fun, good food and lots of choice.

Hope this helps !

 

[UKDEB]

I must have missed this thread first time round.

Although we often stay in this area, we seldom eat there. We very much enjoyed Carrabba's last time we tried it, but that was back in 1998.

Last October we decided to give the Outback Steakhouse a go after rave reviews from many on these boards, but I have to say I was underwhelmed. The service was slow the evening we were there, although the place was very busy so I suppose that's not overly surprising. The steaks were mediocre compared with others we've had in Orlando. If you want to give it a go, it's very conveniently located on the edge of the shopping area Beejayjay talks about. It's just as you turn in off Formosa Gardens Rd, immediately before or after the entrance to Splendid China (depending on which way you're travelling!). It'll be 3 minutes tops from your villa. There's also a TGIs on the same complex together with Giordano's (italian) and chinese and japanese places. There's also a new Red Lobster right on the junction of Formosa Gardens Rd and the 192.

If you like chinese, there is a buffet towards Lindfields (turn left onto the 192 as you approach it from Formosa Gardens Rd), although we've never eaten there, so I can't tell you what it's like. There are at least a couple more chinese restaurants in the vicinity.

Almost immediately opposite Formosa Gardens Road (turn right as you exit), is the Magic Mining Co (steaks, seafood and mini-golf). Never tried it and it doesn't get great reviews, although I've got a customer who raves about it.

Travelling further east (i.e. beyond World Drive - the main drag into Disney), you will find a Charley's Steakhouse and a Kobi Japanese Steakhouse (both roughly opposite the turn for Celebration), and a bit further on, a Uno's Pizzeria, Chili's and Ramono's Macaroni Grill to name but a few.

Finally, you are very close to Animal Kingdom Lodge using the Sherberth Road shortcut (10 minutes tops), so Boma and Jiko are both options.

 

[foxyfee]

Cafe d'Antonio's in Celebration is very good, better than either Giordano's and Carrabbas. In the winter months you need to book as there is only seating inside (unless you are VERY hardy!). Meals are cheaper during the day so if you're having a chilling out day it makes a pleasant change in the cooler months. Also you can have a wander round the shops. I buy china ornaments there of old english sheepdogs (I have 2 of the real thing at home!) and the checkers at the airport can't get over why I am taking china back to the UK. They are about 6" high, - I have restrained myself so far and not bought the one 18"!!

We've also had an excellent meal at De Vinos at the Mercado Shopping Centre on I Drive. Again one we tend to do after a day chilling by the pool or shopping, as if we're at the parks we're there until they close.

Gaylord Palms has an excellent buffet - that's just off the Osceola Parkway which you get on once on Disney property.

btw - the supermarket is a Winn Dixie Market Place, it's expensive but has a good deli section. Now it's changed it's opening hours you might as well turn left at the Dragons (coming from Windsor Palms and/or the other communities) go up the 192 for 5 mins and Publix is there on your right. It's open from 6.00am - 11.00pm.

 

[UKDEB]

Originally posted by foxyfee
Gaylord Palms has an excellent buffet - that's just off the Osceola Parkway which you get on once on Disney property

How could I forget Gaylord Palms! All three eateries there are excellent. I'm not usually a big fan of buffets, but I loved Villa del Flora. The food was all interesting and fresh and there was a huge selection. I thought it was incredible value for money.

 

[Beejayjay]

UKDebs,

Where is the Gaylord Palms resort ?? I tried to find it on my last visit back in October, but for the life of me I couldn't ! I thought it was somewhere off of the Mercado end of I-Drive.

I'd love to go have a look - heard stories of the amazing atrium area - and that buffet sounds like one to try when we go over on Boxing Day for our next visit.

Thanks.

 

[UKDEB]

Hi Beejayjay,

Well it is on International Drive, but nowhere near The Mercado. It's at the junction of International Drive South and Osceola Parkway.

From Splendid China, take the Sherberth Road onto Osceola Parkway and then just follow the road east through WDW (past Pop Century and Wide World of Sports), until you reach it. It will be on your right and you can't miss it.

You're right about the atrium - has to be seen to be believed!