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BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre
Member since 5/05 9320 total posts
Name:
Mrs. B
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Which restaurants in WDW?
I need to start making advance dining reservations for our trip in December - crazy!!
I am just confused as to which restaurants to choose. Which to skip? Whether to do breakfast, lunch or dinner at them.
We were going to do Be Our Guest for lunch. Then realized there are no characters at that. Although, the food looks good.
Then someone mentioned Crystal Palace to have characters. The menu looks so blah.
The only one I know for sure that we are booking is the Ohana at the Polynesian.
Can anyone recommend which direction to go? I heard Chef Mickey's is just so loud and crowded no matter when you go.
I would like to do at least one character meal. My children are not into any particular Disney character - all are fair game lol
This should NOT be this confusing!!
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Posted 6/3/15 11:43 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
JimLaheyTTC
LIF Zygote
Member since 6/15 14 total posts
Name:
Jim Lahey
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
I always loved Tony's, the Lady & the Tramp themed place.
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| Posted 6/3/15 12:41 PM |
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Serendipity
Summer!
Member since 4/07 7631 total posts
Name:
PrayingWishingHopingALOT
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Which restaurants in WDW?
Ok. I'm going to tell you my opinions but keep in mind, we are NOT buffet people, esp the Disney buffets (lol). So we really try and avoid them. I'll give you my reviews
I am also not sure the ages of your kids. We have a 6 year old girl and 1 year old boy. We just got bCk last week. However we have taken our older daughter 2 times prior. I am also not sure where you are staying which makes a difference.
Ohana for breakfast to me is a must. Mickey, Pluto, LILO and stitch are there. It's all you can eat but family style NOT buffet which I prefer so much more. It's pricey for breakfast but we enjoy it and actually went 2x last trip. It's always a must for us.
Ohana for dinner- we also have done every trip (no characters). My husband and daughter seem to LOVE it, me... I could take it or leave it. I go bc they like it.
Kona cafe, in poly, I feel is a hidden gem.(no characters) I absolutely LOVE it for breakfast and it was good for dinner too
Cinderella's royal table- we do EVERY trip. I've done it for breakfast and lunch. I prefer the breakfast. If you have girls it's a MUST. It's pricey but worth it!
Be our guest- we did for lunch. I thought it was great.
Crystal palace (we didn't do this trip, only did it our first time with DD who was 2.5 years old. I hated it and we only did it bc at the time she was Pooh obsessed. The interaction was terrible. Took 90 minutes for someone to come to see DD. We never went back. But it might have been an off night bc a lot of people love.
Fultons crab house- DTD. Amazing! Loved!!!
Sanaa (in AKL, where we stayed ) loved!!! We are lunch there out first day and last day. It's one of my favorites.
Boma (AKL). Hated. Not impressed. Buffet, maybe that's why
Via Napoli, Epcot. Awesome. Love. Great for pizza.
Akershus, Epcot, another princess meal. Great!! Awesome character interaction!! We love it there.
Whispering canyon in WL, hit or miss. We've had breakfast there that was great and fun and once we didn't like.
Chef mickeys- I am probably horrible for saying this but I will never go there. I have heard it's gross. Lol
But maybe one day I will suck it up bc it is a great place to meet the main characters.
I hear 1900 park fare in GF is another meal not to miss. It's a buffet but I heard it's great. It's Cinderella and steps sisters I believe
Have fun planning!!!
Message edited 6/3/2015 12:52:18 PM.
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| Posted 6/3/15 12:49 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
Be Our Guest was AWESOME!!!..................my kids (ages 6 and 2) LOVED it even though they weren't characters. They loved that the food "magically" appeared and the whole theme and design of BOG was just stunning. It was one of our favorite meals actually. Don't miss it!!!...........and the food was yummy too! 
We also loved the Crystal Palace in MK. There were a few characters so that part was cute but the breakfast buffet was outrageous!! Seriously, it was SO yummy!!!........one of our favorite meals while in Disney!! We couldn't get enough of their "french toast" which was really freshly made cinnamon sugar doughnuts, to die for!!!
If you go to Hollywood Studios, we always love the 50's Prime Time Cafe. The whole place is adorable and the food is really good, more like home-cooking kind of food.............pot roast, turkey, pot pies, etc. Really yummy.
In Epcot we did Akershus and while the princess interaction was really cute the food, IMO, was disgusting. Not enough variety and just "blah" all around. It's worth it for the characters, NOT the food. (We had breakfast there)
In Animal Kingdom we really LOVED Tusker House. We went for lunch and while it was a bit loud the food was plentiful and really yummy. Lots of cute characters too!!!
And of course, you can't go wrong with Cinderella's Royal Table, there is just something about getting to go upstairs and eat in the castle that is the BEST!!!! Love it!!
ETA - Dining aside, if your'e looking for really great character interaction you HAVE to check out the dance party in Hollywood Studios, if they still have it. We were there in November and happened to be in HS for their extra magic hours and we stumbled upon this adorable dance party going on at night over in the Disney Jr. Studio. It was AMAZING!! NOT crowded in the least, you walked right in to blaring, fun, dance music and the kids just get to roam everywhere dancing with their favorite characters.
They had a CONSTANT flow of characters out and they were right in the crowds of kids dancing and interacting with them all. It was adorable!! We were there about an hour and my kids got to meet and play with Pluto, Goofy, Micky, Minnie, The Little Einsteins, Princess Sophia, Jake from the Neverland Pirates and a few others. The BEST part was no waiting on line for a two second Meet and Greet, they were just out there hanging out with the kids the WHOLE time. Keep an eye out for it, it was GREAT!!...........my kids still talk about how much fun they had there!!
Message edited 6/3/2015 1:01:39 PM.
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| Posted 6/3/15 12:52 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
We did Be Our Guest and were underwhelmed...but we also sat in the quick serve area accidentally (I didn't realize I should have been in the table service section until later that night. I'm a Disney newbie.  ) so I don't know if the food is different or not in that section of the restaurant.
We ate lunch at Akershus while in Epcot, so the kids got to see all the princesses. The food was better. 
Every place else we ate at was quick serve aka fast food so our expectations were low.
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| Posted 6/3/15 12:57 PM |
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LotsaLuv
Us
Member since 6/10 4094 total posts
Name:
F
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Which restaurants in WDW?
We have done Cinderellas Royal Table twice but that is because my daughter is Princess Struck, the food is good in all restaurants IMO. One of my favorites is Tusker House in AK. Loved it.
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| Posted 6/3/15 1:12 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
Posted by Chatham-Chick
We did Be Our Guest and were underwhelmed...but we also sat in the quick serve area accidentally (I didn't realize I should have been in the table service section until later that night. I'm a Disney newbie. ) so I don't know if the food is different or not in that section of the restaurant.
We ate lunch at Akershus while in Epcot, so the kids got to see all the princesses. The food was better.
Every place else we ate at was quick serve aka fast food so our expectations were low.
The only meal that is table service (i.e. served by a server and ordered off a menu at your table), is Dinner at Be Our Guest. You were likely in the correct section.
We ate dinner at BOG and the Beast is in the library for pictures. That's it, no other characters. But since we had never met the Beast, it was great for us. I also ordered a cake, and celebrated my DD's birthday there. The food itself, the portions were SO SMALL, I was laughing. The size of the Mickey meatloaf for kids was hilarious. You definitely go there for the atmosphere IMO.
All character buffets are loud and crowded at Disney. We like Chef Mickey's though since it has the classic characters, and the dancing/napkin twirling.
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| Posted 6/3/15 1:46 PM |
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BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre
Member since 5/05 9320 total posts
Name:
Mrs. B
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Which restaurants in WDW?
Thank you all for the replies! We have been to WDW several times before kids, it just all seems overwhelming now planning for kids.
Our DS will be 5 and DD will almost be 2. We are staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter the first week in Dec. The only upside to all of this right now is that the crowd levels are at a 1 or 2.
I just purchased tickets for the Mickey Christmas Party. I tried to get reservations for Crystal Palace for dinner in the 4-6 hour (since we can't get into the park before 4 unless we buy a park ticket and do MK that day) we could only get a 3:50 reservation.
I tried to get Disney Junior at Hollywood Studios - that was also a no go for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I just managed to get dinner reservations for the Ohana but just saw that characters are at the breakfast option - figures!!!!
I'm going to see if I can switch it since I just reserved it an hour ago
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| Posted 6/3/15 2:34 PM |
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BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre
Member since 5/05 9320 total posts
Name:
Mrs. B
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
Posted by Serendipity
Ok. I'm going to tell you my opinions but keep in mind, we are NOT buffet people, esp the Disney buffets (lol). So we really try and avoid them. I'll give you my reviews
I am also not sure the ages of your kids. We have a 6 year old girl and 1 year old boy. We just got bCk last week. However we have taken our older daughter 2 times prior. I am also not sure where you are staying which makes a difference.
Ohana for breakfast to me is a must. Mickey, Pluto, LILO and stitch are there. It's all you can eat but family style NOT buffet which I prefer so much more. It's pricey for breakfast but we enjoy it and actually went 2x last trip. It's always a must for us.
Ohana for dinner- we also have done every trip (no characters). My husband and daughter seem to LOVE it, me... I could take it or leave it. I go bc they like it.
Kona cafe, in poly, I feel is a hidden gem.(no characters) I absolutely LOVE it for breakfast and it was good for dinner too
Cinderella's royal table- we do EVERY trip. I've done it for breakfast and lunch. I prefer the breakfast. If you have girls it's a MUST. It's pricey but worth it!
Be our guest- we did for lunch. I thought it was great.
Crystal palace (we didn't do this trip, only did it our first time with DD who was 2.5 years old. I hated it and we only did it bc at the time she was Pooh obsessed. The interaction was terrible. Took 90 minutes for someone to come to see DD. We never went back. But it might have been an off night bc a lot of people love.
Fultons crab house- DTD. Amazing! Loved!!!
Sanaa (in AKL, where we stayed ) loved!!! We are lunch there out first day and last day. It's one of my favorites.
Boma (AKL). Hated. Not impressed. Buffet, maybe that's why
Via Napoli, Epcot. Awesome. Love. Great for pizza.
Akershus, Epcot, another princess meal. Great!! Awesome character interaction!! We love it there.
Whispering canyon in WL, hit or miss. We've had breakfast there that was great and fun and once we didn't like.
Chef mickeys- I am probably horrible for saying this but I will never go there. I have heard it's gross. Lol
But maybe one day I will suck it up bc it is a great place to meet the main characters.
I hear 1900 park fare in GF is another meal not to miss. It's a buffet but I heard it's great. It's Cinderella and steps sisters I believe
Have fun planning!!!
Thanks for the breakfast suggestion at Ohana! I cancelled our 830 dinner reservation for 930 breakfast ones!!! Plus, its character, so killed two birds with one stone!!
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| Posted 6/3/15 3:00 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17789 total posts
Name:
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Which restaurants in WDW?
I preferred the character breakfast at Tusker House over Chef Mickeys. After all of the hype, I was disappointed.
I also liked the Disney Jr breakfast at Hollywood and Vine.
I'd look closer to your dates as well - a lot of times there are cancellations and you can get in.
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| Posted 6/3/15 3:19 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
We like Chef Mickey lol. I guess we are gross. 
Our Must Do restaurants...
Yachtsman Steak House
Cape May Clam Bake
Villa Napoli
Artist Point
Boma (for breakfast)
Kona Cafe (breakfast)
Fulton's
Le Cellier
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| Posted 6/3/15 4:37 PM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
We always do Crystal Palace for breakfast. We have done BOG for breakfast and dinner and enjoyed both. My girls love Cinderella's Royal Table and we thought it was good. I also like 1900 Park Fare or Cape May Cafe for breakfast. At Epcot we like Coral Reef, Hollywood Studios we like the Sci Fi Drive In, Animal Kingdom we love Tusker House.
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| Posted 6/3/15 5:27 PM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Which restaurants in WDW?
I love Ohana's breakfast!
Message edited 6/3/2015 9:52:22 PM.
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| Posted 6/3/15 9:51 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
Tusker House was the best character meal/buffet we had. I like that the food was different from traditional buffets. One of the best things about Crystal Palace is if you make a reservation before the park officially opens. You get to go on Main Street when hardly anyone is in the park. We got some great pictures in front of the castle on our walk to the restaurant.
We also really liked Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. In Epcot, we enjoyed Marrakesh. The desserts at Epcot were delicious. I loved a couple of things at the French patisserie and the cream puff and school bread in Norway. Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge is a fun experience. The food was okay at Sci-Fi in Hollywood Studios, but the atmosphere was unique and the kids enjoyed it. The Starring Rolls lunch was pretty good for a quick service restaurant and the desserts were huge.
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| Posted 6/4/15 6:38 AM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
Tusker House in AK is our favorite character meal.
The French quick service spot at Epcot is tucked away, but soooo good. Much better then any other counter service we've had in ANY of the parks.
Fultons at downtown is so good, but definitely pricey.
My kids really enjoy the TRex restaurant. Food is just ok, but it's a cool experience. If you don't gave dinosaur lovers, then Rain Forest Cafe is good too. Same idea.
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| Posted 6/4/15 7:53 AM |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Which restaurants in WDW?
If your kids are into Disney Junior breakfast or lunch at Hollywood and Vine is a must.
The Beast is at dinner at Be Our Guest. We didn't love it, but we were stuck in a back room in a corner - it would have been different if we were in the main room.
We liked Chef Mickey's - great character interaction, which is what we go for as opposed to the food.
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| Posted 6/4/15 3:20 PM |
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MaeDe
LIF Adult
Member since 4/11 1169 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
1900 park fair -Loved Character Breakfast
Ohana- Great for Dinner , Breackfast is nothing special
Cinderella's Royal table- The food was actually much better than I thought.
50's drive in diner - is the best diner at Hollywood studios. ( stay away from the Italian place in there its gross)
Beaches and cream in The beach club has good ice cream.
Biergarten - Germany Epcot is always a must for us.
Coral reef- Epcot. The food was excellent if you like seafood. and the Atmosphere is amazing.
Crystal Palace- I thought was gross for dinner.
Luau dinner show is fun at the polynesian
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| Posted 6/4/15 3:57 PM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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Which restaurants in WDW?
Our favorites: 'Ohana (dinner), Crystal Palace (breakfast), 1900 Park Fare (breakfast), Le Cellier (dinner).
We are huge Disney fans, but haven't been since 2009 (pre-DS).
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| Posted 6/4/15 4:50 PM |
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SweetSarj
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 1592 total posts
Name:
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Which restaurants in WDW?
Our favorite was ohana hands down.
We also loved Tusker House, Spice Road Table and Cinderella's Royal Table.
For casual lunch Be Our Guest was good. We preordered and didn't have to wait.
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| Posted 6/8/15 4:09 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Which restaurants in WDW?
We love the Polynesian restaurants for breakfast - Ohana, Kona Café and Captain Hook's. I love their tonga toast! Polynesian also has another favorite of mine - pineapple dole whip.
For characters, we liked Tusker House at AK. We made a late breakfast, I think 10:45. That way, we were able to take advantage of rope drop. Our kids eat lunch early anyways so it was nice to eat at 10:45. By the time we were seated and got the food, it was more like 11.
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| Posted 6/9/15 11:30 AM |
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