Fill My Plate With Food, or You Wanna Order For Me?

[Barbaraann]

My vacation to Disney World is just 15 days away. I have made many priority seatings. I will be staying at Caribbean Beach the first 6 nights and moving over to the Grand Floridian for 2 nights.

Now here's the deal. I am going to post my list of restaurants. Pretend that you are at Walt Disney World with me. For the Buffets, fill my plate for me. For the sit down meals, order for me. I will enjoy getting other people's opinions as to the best food choices at Disney World.

I thank you ahead of time.

Here's the list.

'Ohana for Dinner
Whispering Canyon for Dinner
Akershus - Princess Breakfast (Norway-Epcot)
Coral Reef for Dinner
Brown Derby for Lunch
Tony's restaurant for Dinner
Crystal Palace for Breakfast
Sci Fi Diner for Dinner
Rainforest Cafe for Breakfast
Le Cellier for Lunch
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian
Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
Chef Mickey's for Dinner
'Ohana for Breakfast.

If you haven't eaten at any of these places, perhaps you have had a great meal at a Food Court, Counter Service, Or Fast Food Place.

Fill my plate for me, or tell me what to order.

[Morrigoon]

I don't know about the food, Barbarann... but take LOTS of pictures for us, as the MC trip will be staying there in October!!!

pretty please?

Looking forward to expecting a review when you get back!

[Taggart]

I can't believe you'd skip the William Tell Pasta at Liberty Tree! It's the cat's meow.

Also at Downtown Disney, Wolfgang Puck's to be exact, you must have the Pumpkin Ravioli. It doesn't sound that good but trust me, it is the best thing on property, solid.

Also, if you like wine, I have a good list of the best 10 on property if you want it. Of course this is my opinion though.

[Spidergrrrl]

The only place on your list I've eaten at is the Sci-fi Diner. That was loads of fun, and the food was surprisingly good.

My personal favorite is Fulton's Crab House at Downtown Disney (if you like seafood, that is). Their crab cakes were divine.

[Barbaraann]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

I don't know about the food, Barbarann... but take LOTS of pictures for us, as the MC trip will be staying there in October!!!

pretty please?

Looking forward to expecting a review when you get back!

Now I am hoping that I will be competent enough to do a good trip report when I return. I am certainly going to try. I am very new at this "putting pictures on MiceChat.

I am also returning from my Disney World trip, only to begin preparing for a 4 day trip to Wisconsin Dells and a trip to Disneyland on August the 27th. I am hoping to make it to the Hub by Noon on that day.

I am going to take lots of pictures.

Now I know that lots of MiceChatters have probably eaten at these restaurants, so I am looking forward to some good menu choices.

[MandaBella]

'Ohana for Dinner - This is all you can eat. So, just eat whatever you want since you get it all delivered to your table. I'm in the minorty and not quite happy with the changes in the menu here. Many people rave over the bread pudding. DH really likes the pina coladas here.

Brown Derby for Lunch - Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake. If you were doing dinner, I'd also suggest the rack of lamb, steak, or grouper here. Very good cocktails & appetizers here. This is one of my favorite places to dine on property. The Cobb salad is pretty big, so you could split that with someone.

Crystal Palace for Breakfast - Make room for the breakfast lasagna, it's yummy!

Sci Fi Diner for Dinner - Onion rings, milkshakes, but I'd suggest lunch to dinner here.

Le Cellier for Lunch - Only have done dinner and usually order Cheddar Cheese Soup, Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon, and Maple Creme Brulee. So if there is lunch versions of those, I'd recommend them. Don't forget the pretzel breadsticks.

'Ohana for Breakfast - like the dinner, everything is brought to your table. It's pretty basic so nothing really stood out, but it was good.


I recently tried Tusker House, got the rotisserie chicken meal. I'd recommend that in the AK for a CS meal.

[Twist_of_Fate]

Flame Tree BBQ all the way for counter service.

I didn't really eat at a whole lot of these restaurants on our trip.

The only two I can speak personally for are Sci-Fi Dine-In and Tony's Restaurant. If you're looking for Italian, I'm not sure, in hindsight, if Tony's is the best place, but the food is pretty good. I didn't have anything too adventurous, so not much advice there.

Sci-Fi:
Onion Rings
Butcher Tendered Steak, Caesar Salad with Chicken, or Shrimp Penne Pasta for an entree depending on tastes.
Chocolate Tart for dessert

Tony's:
Crispy Calamari or Fried Goat Cheese (I didn't really like the goat cheese, but you may be into it)
Spaghetti (safety dish)
Amaretto Cheesecake, Hazelnut Chocolate Torte, or Tiramisu depending on preference.

I don't think you were looking for it, but I will NEVER say a bad thing about Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Great stuff, especially for a buffet-style restaurant. I recommend it if you find yourself looking for an alternate for any reason.

[mrcoaster]

I will agree with the onion rings and milkshakes at Sci-Fi, but prefer it for lunch over dinner. Ohana is great - they'll bring some of everything for you and you can just eat more of whatever you like best.

No Boma? That's the buffet at Animal Kingdom Lodge. When I first tried it, it was our last night dinner that we figured we'd throw in and give a shot, but didn't expect much. Turns out it was our favorite place to eat, and we ate at a number of places you're eating at. The soups were wonderful and we enjoyed just about everything we tried there. It was nice to be able to check out the Lodge, too. Highly recommended, if not this time, then definitely check it out on your next visit.

[Barbaraann]

I have been to WDW 3 years in a row. This will be the 4th. My first visit was in 1997. So this will be my 5th time.

I try to go to different restaurants each time. I do repeat some. I have been at Boma, but that was for breakfast. We checked out the hotel one morning, and the AK Lodge is beautiful. I haven't been to 'Ohana since 1997. This will be my first time at Coral Reef, Brown Derby, Whispering Canyon, The Norway Restaurant, Sci Fi Diner, Rainforest Cafe, and Le Cellier.

The wonderful thing about WDW is that there are so many wonderful restaurant choices.

[RonNYC]

So many good choices, Barbaraann. Order the rainbow trout at Whispering Canyon. It's amazing!

Felt the need to post though, because I saw Restaurant Akershus on your list, but for a princess breakfast! Go to the breakfast, yes, but reconsider eating there for dinner. I haven't eaten there since the princesses took over for lunch and dinner as well, but I understand the menu is still the same.

Akershus has (had?) amazing food, and it's hard to find Scandanavian food in this country. It is (was?) an all you care to eat dinner and featured a "koldtbord" with meats, fish, cheeses, salads, breads, and many different herring. You also order hot entrees off the menu, the venison stew and braised lamb being two of my favorites.

So, consider booking a lunch or dinner at Akershus in addition to your character breakfast there. You will not be disappointed. Some of the food may sound unusual, but it really is a spectacular spread.


P.S. EDITED TO ADD: In my experience, the food at Tony's is terrible. I've made better pasta from a box with jar sauce. Seriously, that's what the food tastes like there.

[Hamlet Schmalzbach]

I am a big fan of Boma...but I see that you have already been. I did enjoy the all you can eat buffet at the Beach Club. No to be 'sour', but I do agree with the above opinion concerning Tony's, but my girlfriend liked it...so who am I to say.

[DisneyPrincess4590]

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

My vacation to Disney World is just 15 days away. I have made many priority seatings. I will be staying at Caribbean Beach the first 6 nights and moving over to the Grand Floridian for 2 nights.

Now here's the deal. I am going to post my list of restaurants. Pretend that you are at Walt Disney World with me. For the Buffets, fill my plate for me. For the sit down meals, order for me. I will enjoy getting other people's opinions as to the best food choices at Disney World.

I thank you ahead of time.

Here's the list.

'Ohana for Dinner
Whispering Canyon for Dinner
Akershus - Princess Breakfast (Norway-Epcot)
Coral Reef for Dinner
Brown Derby for Lunch
Tony's restaurant for Dinner
Crystal Palace for Breakfast
Sci Fi Diner for Dinner
Rainforest Cafe for Breakfast
Le Cellier for Lunch
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian
Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
Chef Mickey's for Dinner
'Ohana for Breakfast.

If you haven't eaten at any of these places, perhaps you have had a great meal at a Food Court, Counter Service, Or Fast Food Place.

Fill my plate for me, or tell me what to order.

WOW - ARE YOU GOING TO SPEND YOUR WHOLE TRIP EATING???

Well, Le Cellier is my favorite restaurant in WDW. I had a burger for lunch - a very goumet burger. I think all the food is great there. The beef and barley soup is a good appetizer.

I think you should eat lunch at Mama Melrose's in the Studios. My mom and I ate there during our Backstage Magic tour. The food was great - not traditional Italian - but it was great!!!

Tony's Town Square and Sci Fi Dine In don't have the best reputation.....(It's not on your list - but DON'T eat at 50's Prime Time Cafe in the Studios.)

CBR has a very good food court (as far as food courts go). The Grab-N-Go has nice salads. Oh, don't eat at Shutters!!! The food is overpriced and not very good.

Honestly, my parents and I only eat a table service restaurant once or twice during our whole trip. One reason is the cost - about $60 or $70 dollars for the three of us. Also, we feel that time in the parks is best spent on attractions, shows, etc. Also, WDW has a lot of good counter service restaurants.

My favorite counter service restaurants in WDW:

- Sunshine Seasons (the Land in Epcot) - Very healthy and tasty options, which cost the same as getting a burger and fries.
- Pecos Bill's (Frontierland in MK) - Great fixins' bar - grilled onions and mushrooms, fresh veggies, etc.
- Yakitori House (Japan in Epcot) - Good Japanese food (considering it's fast food.)
- Flame Tree Barbecue (Discovery Island in AK) - Really good pork and beef barbecue sandwiches. Seating w/ lake views of Expedition Everest.
- Tusker House (Africa) - Mmmmm...yummy rotisserie chickens that you can actually see roasting.

Of course, for a quick fix anywhere, I do like the occasional WDW chicken strips (not nuggets) w/ fries. DL has nasty chicken strips (you would think they'd use the same kind....but they don't!!!)

And, no Disney vacation is complete without a funnel cake!!!!
Sorry, if my response got a little I just really prefer counter service restaurants.

Oh, and I'm assuming you're on the dining plan? If not, you should be!

[Barbaraann]

First of all, I am not on the Dining plan. I can't have the Dining Plan and book a "Room Only" reservation. Most days I only eat 2 meals. For the money that I save with my AAA discount, on my room, it helps pay for my food.

I really enjoy eating at the sit down places. I love the character meals. It's good to get off your feet, and have good food.

I am part of a party of 9. I am doing some of these restaurants alone.

If I were on the dining plan, it would cost me about $350 dollars. I really don't think that I will spend that much on food.

I appreciate the info on the fast food, counter services, and the food courts.

[DisneyPrincess4590]

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

First of all, I am not on the Dining plan. I can't have the Dining Plan and book a "Room Only" reservation. Most days I only eat 2 meals. For the money that I save with my AAA discount, on my room, it helps pay for my food.

I really enjoy eating at the sit down places. I love the character meals. It's good to get off your feet, and have goodome of these restaurants alone.

If I were on the dining plan, it would cost me about $350 dollars. I really don't think that I will spend that much on food.

food.

I am part of a party of 9. I am doing sI appreciate the info on the fast food, counter services, and the food courts.

Well, the dining plan is $37.99 per day/night. My parents and I would never use it bc/ we don't eat at enough table service restaurants. However, it seems that if you eat at so many table service restaurants, it would be worth it for you. Many buffets are $26.99 and many table service entreees are over $15.99. Even if you only eat two meals a day, two table service restaurant coupons = one character breakfast, so it seems that things would even out. Also, with the dining plan, you get a drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert.

Since you are booking a "room only," I am assuming that you have an annual pass. One option would be to get a park hopper and then apply it to your next AP renewal. I heard about someone who did this once. (Actually, maybe that would be more trouble than it's worth.)

Pardon my exessive ranting. I'm sure you know which option is best for you. (After all, if you pack 40 days in advance, I'm sure your ADRs were made 180 days in advance.)

Have fun dining in WDW - don't forget to get on a ride or two also!!!!

I'll keep reading your WDW diary. I might make my own, but not yet, still over 300 days until I'm going to WDW again.....!!!!!

[Barbaraann]

It really is funny the way people assume things. No, I do Not have an Annual Pass. I only have been to Disney World 4 times before. I am just a compulsive planner who likes to eat at many different restaurants.