I just booked these Disney Resturants...opinions please

[kfeusse]

Wed 10/31: Tony's Town Square for lunch and Whispering Canyon for supper (how long does it take to get there from MK??)

 

Thursday 11/1: Ohana for breakfast and Coral Reef for lunch

 

Friday 11/2: Kona Cafe for supper

 

Saturday (going to Kennedy Space center and Coco beach)

 

Sunday 11/4: 50's Primetime cafe for supper

 

Monday 11/5: Tusker House for lunch

 

Would you change any of these? We are traveling with 3 kids ages 8, 10 and 12 any my MIL and FIL....if that makes any difference??

[Disney Dreaming]

Whispering Canyon is at the Wilderness Lodge. You can ride the boat from MK to WL in about 10-15 minutes(I would allow 30 in case it was busy). We stayed there this summer and ate breakfast there but never dinner. We LOVED the resort!!! Oh, and we had breakfast at Ohana 2 years ago-loved it. Dd loved Lilo and Stitch!!

[rjand6more]

Wed 10/31: Tony's Town Square for lunch and Whispering Canyon for supper (how long does it take to get there from MK??) The boat can take quite a long time. We got there at "shift change" for the boat drivers. It took 40 min. I think this is not usual though. The rule of thumb is allow an hour for travel. I would not for this since the resort is so close . We took the bus and it took about 20 min. Whispering Canyons was our least favorite restaurant thus far. Lots of people love it! I think we had eaten too much BBQ up to that point.lol. Probably our fault.:) Does MK close early for a party this day? Depending on the time of your ressie, the exodus from the park may be considerable.

Thursday 11/1: Ohana for breakfast and Coral Reef for lunch You will be in Epcot this day then? Is the breakfast very early and the lunch very, very late? Two sit down restaurants so close together in time may not be a great idea. You may not be hungry. Also, you may feel like you spent all day in restaurants.

 

Friday 11/2: Kona Cafe for supper We loved Kona

Saturday (going to Kennedy Space center and Coco beach)

 

Sunday 11/4: 50's Primetime cafe for supper We love 50's Primetime!!! It's our must go to each visit. The peanut butter and jelly shake is fun! You can choose a shake for a beverage instead of pop.

Monday 11/5: Tusker House for lunch Have never been here but heard great things! We always choose to eat a counter service lunch at AK and since it closes so early, we head over for dinner at a resort restaurant. Last year we went to downtown Disney.

Would you change any of these? We are traveling with 3 kids ages 8, 10 and 12 any my MIL and FIL....if that makes any difference??

 

Have fun!!!WE LOVE Disney!!!

[kfeusse]

why was whispering canyons your least favorite place? wondering if we would hve the same opinion.

 

ALso on Thursday, breakfast if at 8 and lunch is at 1...is that far enough apart?

 

The "problem is that we have 7 sit down meals and only 4 days to use them....day one we arrive at the airport at 5:30, on Saturday we are going off site and on Tuesday we fly out of Orlando at 11:30...so those 3 days we won't need sit down service...and we needed to douible up to use them all.

[*lifeoftheparty*]

Wed 10/31: Tony's Town Square for lunch and Whispering Canyon for supper (how long does it take to get there from MK??)

 

Thursday 11/1: Ohana for breakfast and Coral Reef for lunch

 

Friday 11/2: Kona Cafe for supper

 

Saturday (going to Kennedy Space center and Coco beach)

 

Sunday 11/4: 50's Primetime cafe for supper

 

Monday 11/5: Tusker House for lunch

 

Would you change any of these? We are traveling with 3 kids ages 8, 10 and 12 any my MIL and FIL....if that makes any difference??

 

Always wanted to try Tony's, maybe next trip :)

 

I got food poisoning from the chicken at Whispering Canyon... I was the only one who ate it and the only one who spent the next 36 hours throwing up and feeling like poop. Sooooo, make sure the chicken is cooked through.

 

LOVE Ohana and LOVE Coral Reef.

 

Kona Cafe was great.

 

I haven't done the last two, they don't appeal to me. We never eat dinner at Hollywood Studios. We just eat a late dinner somewhere else. We have tried Mama Melrose and the "Drive In" one.... they were just OK.

 

I wouldn't do Whispering Canyon. IMO, the food wasn't that great and it's stuff you can get anywhere. The atmosphere is just, meh. I would try to add one of the international restaurants at EPCOT, those are my favorite! Canada, Mexico, The Rose and Crown, etc. those are all great places. Garden Grill was nice. Morocco was really good. Japan is just a regular Hibachi place, you can do that anywhere. We're going to try France on the next trip.

 

Or, maybe a restaurant at downtown disney? Raglan Road was really good and they have live Irish dancing. The food at Rainforest Cafe is just OK, but the atmosphere is great :)

 

The San Angel Inn is my favorite just b/c of the atmosphere.... you find anything like that anywhere else :)

 

It's easy to pick and choose, and toss/avoid places when you have eaten at almost all of them, LOL.

[rjand6more]

why was whispering canyons your least favorite place? wondering if we would hve the same opinion.

 

ALso on Thursday, breakfast if at 8 and lunch is at 1...is that far enough apart?

 

The "problem is that we have 7 sit down meals and only 4 days to use them....day one we arrive at the airport at 5:30, on Saturday we are going off site and on Tuesday we fly out of Orlando at 11:30...so those 3 days we won't need sit down service...and we needed to douible up to use them all.

 

I think we had eaten too much BBQ on our visit!! We just did not like the greasy food that day. I don't know. Also, we had a late lunch and for some reason the restaurant was practically empty. So no fun stuff. It wasn't loud, no "antics" they are well known for.

 

I would try to stretch out meals furthur if it was our family. We don't get as hungry as fast I guess. Also, I would not guess you would male it to the park until 9:30 at the earliest. Sit down meals take a long time!! So, it would be 10 before you would be on rides and such.

 

I do understand your "problem"! Have you tried to book any 2 credit shows or restaurants? That may be fun to give a Signature restaurant a try! The Hoop de Do RFevue show at Wilderness Campground was fun(more BBQ!!:)) and the Spirit of Aloha at Poly was good too. I would love to try Jiko at AK Lodge(signature) or Cali grill. We have little little kiddos so "fancy" is a way off!!

[*lifeoftheparty*]

why was whispering canyons your least favorite place? wondering if we would hve the same opinion.

 

ALso on Thursday, breakfast if at 8 and lunch is at 1...is that far enough apart?

 

The "problem is that we have 7 sit down meals and only 4 days to use them....day one we arrive at the airport at 5:30, on Saturday we are going off site and on Tuesday we fly out of Orlando at 11:30...so those 3 days we won't need sit down service...and we needed to douible up to use them all.

 

The food at Whispering Canyon is just BBQ food. And it's not even great BBQ food, just OK, pretty heavy too. The restaurant itself is pretty plain and boring for Disney standards. And it's loud. The tables are small. We probably won't be back to that one.

 

On Thursday, could you do dinner instead of lunch? When we eat at the breakfast buffets, we usually don't have to eat again until dinner. And the food at the Ohana breakfast is SO yummy! There is no way we could be ready for lunch by 1:00 p.m. Especially at Coral Reef. If not dinner, could you maybe move the time back two hours or so?

[*lifeoftheparty*]

I think we had eaten too much BBQ on our visit!! We just did not like the greasy food that day. I don't know. Also, we had a late lunch and for some reason the restaurant was practically empty. So no fun stuff. It wasn't loud, no "antics" they are well known for.

 

I would try to stretch out meals furthur if it was our family. We don't get as hungry as fast I guess. Also, I would not guess you would male it to the park until 9:30 at the earliest. Sit down meals take a long time!! So, it would be 10 before you would be on rides and such.

 

I do understand your "problem"! Have you tried to book any 2 credit shows or restaurants? That may be fun to give a Signature restaurant a try! The Hoop de Do RFevue show at Wilderness Campground was fun(more BBQ!!:)) and the Spirit of Aloha at Poly was good too. I would love to try Jiko at AK Lodge(signature) or Cali grill. We have little little kiddos so "fancy" is a way off!!

 

I dunno, Ohana breakfast is pretty quick, I think. We have done it several times. Especially at 8, not too many people get up and out for breakfast at 8, it's usually more crowded around 9. If you showed up at 7:45 for your 8:00 a.m. ADR, I could see you at the parks by 9:30. I wouldn't guarantee it, but I could see it happening.

[rjand6more]

I dunno, Ohana breakfast is pretty quick, I think. We have done it several times. Especially at 8, not too many people get up and out for breakfast at 8, it's usually more crowded around 9. If you showed up at 7:45 for your 8:00 a.m. ADR, I could see you at the parks by 9:30. I wouldn't guarantee it, but I could see it happening.

 

I always forget that we have a small crowd!! It always takes us a bit longer to change a diaper, go to the bathroom, tug the stroller, etc!:tongue_smilie: There is no such thing as pretty quick for us!

[kfeusse]

another problem we are running into is that if we want to eat a certain places, they only have openings at certain times and so I took them...like on Thursday...the only time I could get Ohana was Thursday morning and the only time I could get Coral Reef for for lunch that same day...I tried dinner, but they were full...and we are only planning on Epcot that one day...although we could hop back if we needed/wanted to. But we know that hopping around takes time...and we weren't sure if we wanted to waste time hopping around too much...we got the park hopper passes just in case we wanted to go back for a light show or something.

[kfeusse]

Ok...give me some advice...if we don't eat at Whisering Canyon (not sure if we wanted BBQ...we can get that here in Nebraska)...where else might I try? We are going to be in MK for the day, but the park closes at 7 for the halloween party.

[Mrs Mungo]

Any of the places at Epcot are my favorites. :) But, I do have a special fondness for the San Angel Inn and the Patisserie.

 

We typically eat lunch at counter service places every day (this includes places like the Patisserie), and had a few nice sit-down dinners. We stay off site and make breakfast in our condo, so we don't typically do breakfast (except for one character breakfast/trip). Frankly, I think much of the counter service food is as good or better then the buffets.

 

Look for places like the Yak and Yeti counter service, Cosmic Ray's, Pinocchio Village Haus, Sunshine Seasons, the Patisserie, there are lots of counter service places that offer more than hamburger/hot dog/sandwich/pizza stuff.

 

The last time we were there, we left Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios early to eat dinner back at Epcot. :)

 

The only hotel we've eaten at has been the 1900 Park Fare character breakfast.

[Mrs Mungo]

Ok...give me some advice...if we don't eat at Whisering Canyon (not sure if we wanted BBQ...we can get that here in Nebraska)...where else might I try? We are going to be in MK for the day, but the park closes at 7 for the halloween party.

 

*We* would leave MK around 6:30 and take the monorail to Epcot for a late dinner. :D Another bonus of doing Epcot twice (even if one is short)? You don't watch the show the first time. Instead, you go ride the things that typically have long lines while everyone else is watching the nighttime show.

[*lifeoftheparty*]

Ok...give me some advice...if we don't eat at Whisering Canyon (not sure if we wanted BBQ...we can get that here in Nebraska)...where else might I try? We are going to be in MK for the day, but the park closes at 7 for the halloween party.

 

You can eat at Liberty Tree Tavern and just make ADR's for 7:00. When you leave and people ask why you are in the park, you just say you were eating at LTT and they will let you leave.

 

Or you can eat at the Contemporary (California Grill) or Grand Floridian, 1900 Park Fare, maybe?

 

Do you have park hoppers? You could go to EPCOT. If not, you could go to Downtown Disney. Or, you could go to Boma or Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

[rjand6more]

another problem we are running into is that if we want to eat a certain places, they only have openings at certain times and so I took them...like on Thursday...the only time I could get Ohana was Thursday morning and the only time I could get Coral Reef for for lunch that same day...I tried dinner, but they were full...and we are only planning on Epcot that one day...although we could hop back if we needed/wanted to. But we know that hopping around takes time...and we weren't sure if we wanted to waste time hopping around too much...we got the park hopper passes just in case we wanted to go back for a light show or something.

 

If I had so few days, I would not do parkhopping either. Your only day in AK is tied up for lunch. There are a lot of shows and it is difficult to try and fit most of them in in one day.(the park closes SO early) I would make that day a dinner somewhere else. Maybe DTD. Really you could try anywhere. Just type in your timeframe and see what comes up.

 

EPCOT has some great choices! and you may not get your #1 choice. You'll just have to go back.:) Rose and Crown and Marrakesh are not too hard to get into. Really Italy and France are not too bad either.

 

Personally, we do not do breakfasts, but that is just our family. We like to be in the parks super early, so we eat early lunches and LATE dinners. So 11:00 and 7-8 pm. By dinner, everyone is ready to leave after. Very tired.

[*lifeoftheparty*]

I missed the part where you said you did have park hoppers. Taking the monorail from MK to EPCOT really doesn't take that long. I would go to EPCOT for dinner in a heart beat!

 

This past trip,we had 8:25 ADR's at the Rose and Crown. We got to sit outside and saw the whole Illuminations show from our table. And we took our time and left long after most people cleared out of the park so we were able to walk back with the park almost empty and got some great pictures :)

 

And we really liked the food :)

[rjand6more]

I missed the part where you said you did have park hoppers. Taking the monorail from MK to EPCOT really doesn't take that long. I would go to EPCOT for dinner in a heart beat!

 

This past trip,we had 8:25 ADR's at the Rose and Crown. We got to sit outside and saw the whole Illuminations show from our table. And we took our time and left long after most people cleared out of the park so we were able to walk back with the park almost empty and got some great pictures :)

 

And we really liked the food :)

 

Rose and Crown is a great place to view Illuminations! The monorail will be jammed due to the party at 7, though, so allow time to wait for it or leave at 6:30 or make late ressies at EPCOT. We did this exact thing in Nov on our last trip. We should have left a tad earlier. It was a mass exodus at 7!

[kfeusse]

thank you for these ideas....I am off to see what else is available.

[StaceyinLA]

I wouldn't have a sit-down meal at AK. It closes really early and you'll spend (waste) at least an hour and a half of your time in the park doing that meal. I'd plan a TS meal for later that evening after leaving AK. You could do something at Epcot since you can park-hop, or at a resort. The AK day is a good day to have a nice meal in the evening elsewhere.

 

I'd also plan something for after the MK closes for the party, but IMO, the best sit-down meals aren't in the MK. I'd definitely go to a resort or maybe Epcot again.

 

Finally, I definitely wouldn't do the sit-down breakfast then then sit-down lunch so close together. Make that lunch ressie into a dinner one, even if you have to change restaurants. There are so many good ones in Epcot!

 

I also agree with trying to do one or two of the 2 TS credit meals so you'll have less down time.

 

Ok, maybe I added more than I thought. Have fun!! I go in a month, and cannot WAIT!!

[itsheresomewhere]

We do multiple sit downs a day. I plan a breakfast and then either a late lunch or early dinner. I love Whispering Canyon. Coral Reef and Ohana's are hit or miss. You either love them or you don't. We have tried Ohana's twice for breakfast and it is not on our return list. Cold food, crappy service. Stitch and Lilo were why we were there. Tusker House at AK is great. If you do a certain times for lunch you get seating for the Nemo show and don't have to wait like the rest of us. The food is awesome and even a picky eater can find something (DH loves it yet normally hates food adventures). 1900 Park Fare is a hoot for breakfast and dinner. The Mad Hatter with Alice in the morning is hysterical. The evil SS at dinner are priceless. Make sure you see them get sent to the corner:lol:. Italy the last few times for my neighbors and us has gone down hill in our opinions. Beach Club has Beaches and Cream- great food and ice cream. Order the kitchen sink. Liberty tree tavern is awesome for lunch and dinner.

 

HDDR is awesome for 2 table credits. They have a late show and you will love it. We have to go every year for DS. He loves it and so do we.

[Jan in SC]

The biggest thing I see is your first day at Magic Kingdom. While the park is open until 7:00, around 4:00pm it will get so crowded you won't be able to move. (unless I read it wrong and it's not Halloween!) Thousands of people will come for the Halloween party that night. It is the biggest one of the season. While technically it starts at 7:00, they admit ticket holders at 4:00.

 

So, I would try to schedule a very early, before the park opens, sit down breakfast- maybe Crystal Palace- and then schedule a 7:00ish dinner in Epcot. You could even do a sit down breakfast, very early, at The Contemporary, or The Grand Floridian, and then hop over to MK.

[Jan in SC]

Also, Animal Kingdom closes so early, you can go to Epcot and get in an extra 3-4 hours there. We hop all over the place. It really doesn't take that long. It takes much longer to go to hotels that are not on the monorail.

 

My kids are close in age to your children, and they love Epcot. They would hang out in the world showcase part every single night. With the food show while you are there, it really is a wonderful time to stroll around and see everything. We will sit and snack and chat while our guys run to Norway and ride, or move to China for the movie. They like to do the adventure game, even though they are a little old for it.

[DianeW88]

Wed 10/31: Tony's Town Square for lunch and Whispering Canyon for supper (how long does it take to get there from MK??)Tony's is great. Their steak is pretty good, and I think they've tried to step it up in the past year or so. They used to be kind of...meh, but I've heard a lot of good reviews lately, so we're going to try them again.

 

Plan at least an hour to get from MK to Wilderness Lodge. You have to take the ferry which is fun...but can be slow. Wilderness Lodge is GORGEOUS, so you'll have fun looking around if you happen to arrive early. WCC is a lot of fun!! Plus, you can choose a milkshake as your drink...unlimited refills. The waiters are very engaging and like to do a lot of teasing. The s'mores cheesecake is a yummy, rich dessert...share it with someone or two someones. Oh, and don't forget to ask for ketchup with your dinner! :D

 

My only concern is that your meals are too close together. You won't be hungry.

 

Thursday 11/1: Ohana for breakfast and Coral Reef for lunch

'Ohana is lots of fun. I've never done the character breakfast, but I've heard good things. Coral Reef is great. Get the chocolate wave for dessert.

 

Friday 11/2: Kona Cafe for supper

LOVE Kona!! For all meals!

 

Saturday (going to Kennedy Space center and Coco beach)

 

Sunday 11/4: 50's Primetime cafe for supper

Great choice. Lots of fun. Get the sampler platter and the PB&J milkshakes. Sound disgusting, taste delicious!!!

 

Monday 11/5: Tusker House for lunch

Fun place! Great buffet with some slightly exotic African food choices as well as the standard fare. Really beautiful setting...feels like you're in Africa.

 

Would you change any of these? We are traveling with 3 kids ages 8, 10 and 12 any my MIL and FIL....if that makes any difference??

 

You will have a wonderful time!!! Enjoy the food!

Edited August 21, 2012 by DianeW88

[kfeusse]

I just changed the Wilderness one to the 1900 Park Fare...I think the kids will like the Character meal better too.

 

I am thinking about trying to trade in the Tusker House and Tony's Town Square for a dinner show?? Good idea or not???

[itsheresomewhere]

I just changed the Wilderness one to the 1900 Park Fare...I think the kids will like the Character meal better too.

 

I am thinking about trying to trade in the Tusker House and Tony's Town Square for a dinner show?? Good idea or not???

 

If you do, go for the HDDR. It is entertaining for everyone. Six Bits is DS's favorite guy. All you can eat too if that is important to you. The staff is so nice. In case you have a picky eater, they will even bring out mac n cheese for the family. Just ask. The food has BBQ ribs and fried chicken.

[kfeusse]

there are just so many fun places to eat...i can't decide which way to go. Nor can I decide if we want to leave a park early for a dinner show that will take up more time than even a sit down meal...but having never seen the dinner shows..maybe it is worth it. UGH...too many decisions.

[itsheresomewhere]

there are just so many fun places to eat...i can't decide which way to go. Nor can I decide if we want to leave a park early for a dinner show that will take up more time than even a sit down meal...but having never seen the dinner shows..maybe it is worth it. UGH...too many decisions.

 

HDDR has a late ressie time. 8:30. That is the time we do. We can enjoy the park and then enjoy the show.

[DianeW88]

HDDR is SO MUCH FUN!!! If you can actually snag a reservation (and those are harder to get than tickets to Wicked on Broadway)....GO!!!

[besroma]

Another thing to note about HDDR is that most people do not like taking the bus there. They prefer the boat from the MK. I haven't done HDDR yet, but I have read that it is quite a walk from the bus terminal.

 

I still have ressies that I will be cancelling......does anyone know how I can cancel mine and kfeusse can snag them?

[itsheresomewhere]

Another thing to note about HDDR is that most people do not like taking the bus there. They prefer the boat from the MK. I haven't done HDDR yet, but I have read that it is quite a walk from the bus terminal.

 

I still have ressies that I will be cancelling......does anyone know how I can cancel mine and kfeusse can snag them?

 

I don't think it is a long walk at all. There is a way. I traded with someone. She called and put our names on ressies instead of her's anymore. Then I called and gave the credit card number.

[besroma]

I don't think it is a long walk at all. There is a way. I traded with someone. She called and put our names on ressies instead of her's anymore. Then I called and gave the credit card number.

 

Thanks!

 

kfeusse, We will be at Kona on Friday night also!

 

Can you get HDDR on the 31st? That might work well for you.

[mumto2]

I haven't read beyond the OP. I just wanted to make a suggestion for the Space Center day. Dixie Crossroads in Titusville is fabulous. Great seafood and really cheap kids meals. The rock shimp are great. Really local. They keep bringing baskets of little donut like things. They are sooo good.

[Omma]

Another idea for AK is to do Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House... the earliest possible so you can rush off to a safari ride or Expedition Everest or the Dino park section. It's a great breakfast buffet and meeting Donald and Goofy in safari garb is a lot of fun, too! :D

 

Brenda

[besroma]

I haven't read beyond the OP. I just wanted to make a suggestion for the Space Center day. Dixie Crossroads in Titusville is fabulous. Great seafood and really cheap kids meals. The rock shimp are great. Really local. They keep bringing baskets of little donut like things. They are sooo good.

 

I agree! We enjoyed eating there too. The rock shrimp are delicious.

[kfeusse]

thanks for all of the suggestions and ideas. I did a little tweaking...this is what we are planning now...

 

Wed night dinner Spirit of Aloha

Thursday Breakfast: Ohana and lunch Coral Reef

Friday: Kona cafe for dinner

Sunday: 50's Primetime for dinner

Monday: 1900 Park Fare for dinner

 

I have come to the conclusion there are just WAY too many places that are cool and there is no way we can do them all...so I plan to make what we do fun and special and call it good!!!

[nono]

 

I have come to the conclusion there are just WAY too many places that are cool and there is no way we can do them all...so I plan to make what we do fun and special and call it good!!!

 

Good! I was beginning to worry about you. :grouphug:

[kfeusse]

I have a huge tendancy to micromanage EVERYTHING...but I don't want that to ruin our trip...so I want to do all I can to organize ourselves, but not box ourselves in too much either. Thanks for all of the help...I couldn't have done it without any of you!!!!!