HELP! Don't know where to eat!

[PrincessTink]

My mom and I are going down to Orlando for a few short days Dec 3,4 and 5th.

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge, first time at a deluxe! Very excited!

On Friday Dec 3rd I will be surprising my mom with tickets to MVMCP! :xmas:

Our plane arrives at MCO around 11:30 AM and we will be taking Magical Express to the hotel. I plan on our arrival being somewhere between 12:30 and 1:00. She will most likely be tired and wanting to rest a little.(I will be too excited that I'm in Disney to rest) Whether that be the pool or if we can get into our room for a little cat nap.

ANYWAYS. Lunch will probably not exsist that day or it will be a quick bite at the airport or Roaring Forks so no big lunch plans for that day. Now dinner, I'm thinking about doing Cinderella's Royal Table around 5:30 PM. The price is ridiculous but so worth it. (Little background on my mom: Not the biggest Disney fan) So if I take her I want to know if it will "wow" her. I have eaten in the castle before, but she has not. Also if someone could clear up for me, are the princesses at dinner? I have read multiple sources and they all say different things. Also, will I actually have time for dinner at CRT? I've never been to the Christmas party before and want to see everything including getting on all the rides I possibly can since this will be the only Disney park I will be going to on our short Orlando trip. And we will be entering the park at 4 PM as a MVMCP ticket holder.

Saturday - We will be picking up a rental car in the morning at the Disney Car Care Center because we will be spending the day at IOA to see the WWoHP (shun me :zipit So breakfast and lunch will be there. I hope to arrive around 10 am and leave hopefully around 4 pm if the crowds are not bad. I want to head over to DTD for night time shopping and dinner. Ah here we go again, dinner? I would prefer to do dinner at DTD because that is where we are planning to spend our night and to have to leave and come back, no thanks. I know DTD very well as I used to be a DTD Merch CM. But I never actually ate dinner at anywhere but RFC and TREX. Which I will never eat at again. I want something a little bit nicer, fancier but not ridiculously expensive (No Fultons or Portebello) I have walked past Paradiso 37 and that seemed gorgeous. Anyone have any advice on that? Otherwise I'm thinking Capt'n Jacks? Bongos? Raglan Road? Advice PLEASE!

Sunday - Breakfast, 1900 Park Fare? Too loud? Food quality? Whispering Canyon (Now I know this one will be loud)? Kona Cafe? Grand Floridian Cafe? After this we will be on the road to Miami for our cruise!

Thank You if you read that. I can be a bit wordy. And thanks for any help that will come to me!:wave:

 

[zurgandfriend]

IOA, blasphemy!
But seriously;
In 2007 we did MVMCP and ate at Liberty Tree Tavern about 5:30 pm. When we finished and watched the first parade it went right by the Tavern. This worked out great for us. Another place everyone might like is the Plaza and again you’re right near the parade route.
Eating at DTD I would say your list of Paradiso 37, or Bongos is good. House of Blues is another option. We didn’t care for Raglan Road, not being drinkers the whole pub thing was lost on us.
As for the breakfast if you’re staying at the Wilderness you should do Whispering Canyon, it’s loud but fun if you don’t book it you’ll regret it when you see the “goings on”. 1900 PF is a character buffet so I’m not sure if everyone, e.g. non Disney lovers, will enjoy it. Kona Café is great, our favorite breakfast place at WDW and, Grand Floridian is nice, Mom would like the atmosphere at the Grand Floridian.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

If you'd really like to dine in the castle, I think you should. You will have time. You're going during a week that crowds will be smaller, so you shouldn't have to deal with any major waits. That will help open up a window of time for a nice dinner. The Princesses are at dinner. Years ago, they were only at breakfast, but eventually they were added to all meals of the day. That might be where the mixed stories are coming from.

For DTD, you took out all my favorites already, haha. :lol: Portobello's, Rainforest & TRex are usually where in dine, as well as Earl of Sandwich (a must do for me.) Earl is more of a lunch place IMO though, so if you want to do a sit-down dinner, I would go elsewhere. Our ferry driver last month from POFQ to DTD told us that Cap'n Jacks will be closing down shortly. This is how he put it, "It will close down, or it's going to be shut down, whichever comes first." He said something about it sinking - but it wasn't clear. I couldn't completely understand him. If he's right, it may be gone by December.

Paradiso looks nice, I haven't been there, but have walked by it. My parents love Raglan Road, if you're an Irish food fan. I am not, so it's not my cup of tea. I hear good things though.

For your breakfast, I'd go with Kona Cafe all the way. It's my favorite restaurant in WDW. The Tonga Toast, as you'll read here, is amazing. Also the Pineapple Macademia Pancakes get rave reviews, although I have not had them yet. You can't go wrong at Kona. :wave:

Have fun!

 

[disneygirl76]

Do CRT - it's a great experience, and it makes it extra special to stay for MVMCP. My DH and I try to dine at CRT each visit. It's just a magical Disney experience. Make the ADR as soon as you can that day of the party. And yes, you'll have enough time as the park is usually open until midnight for the party. And you'll have time to see and do everything for the party. My DH and I did and then loads of time to ride rides too.

As for going to WWoHP, no shunning. I can't wait to go. I'm just waiting for US to get their act together and get the kinks out before we go. (history - we went for a Memorial Day weekend and it was ridiculous - ran out of food at some spots and a bunch of stuff wasn't working) But I can't wait to see as I am also a huge HP fan.

I like Raglan Road at DTD, that would be my recommendation. :slurp:

1900 Park Fare is great. Love it! I don't think it is too loud and the food is yummy. You want to talk load, Whispering Canyon is obnoxious! My DH and I will never eat there again. The food was good but the atmosphere - I don't think it is what you are looking for. I have heard amazing things about Kona but have not had the pleasure of going there myself.

 

[betteratmk]

:wave: We'll be there at the same time as you, it's also our first time at WL!We are also going to see Harry on Tuesday November 30th. Can you rent a car from Disney's Car Care Center? Where is it and how do you get there from the resort if you don't mind me asking. If you don't want an expensive meal there is Wolfgang Puck Express in the Marketplace or the sit down one on the West Side. CRT is an expensive but enjoyable meal but so is California Grille and you can also see Wishes from there! We have ressies there for Dec.1. Kona is great for breakfast and not too pricey, I like it better than WCC but we have ressies at both. Have fun!!!!! maybe we'll see you :lol:

 

[tjkref418]

I really like your idea Kona Cafe or Grand Floridian Cafe for your Sunday breakfast, especially if you can take your time and not doing any park touring with you cruise.

Have a great time!

 

[belle_1022]

Kona for breakfast is a must. Wasn't happy with 1900 Park Fare - food was just okay and the live character interaction was horrible. Pooh & Tigger were fabulous with just us Big Kids but Mary & Alice lacked that Disney magic.

As for dinner, how about House of Blues. They have variety and it is always a hopping place. Bongos was okay - DH wasn't a fan at all. T-Rex and Rainforest have the same fare just difference atmosphere. We had a good time at Rainforest - just the two of us and sat at the bar 2 trips ago. The bartender was great and we didn't have to wait to get a seat. I know Fulton's is expensive but too bad you can't do a late lunch seating. So worth it.

 

[jakeman]

For DTD, I would say Paradiso 37 over Ragland. We've eaten there 3 times and haven't had a bad meal yet. If you wanted to walk a little, you could also head over to the Turf Club at SSR (check the hours ahead of time though, they are a little odd).

 

[ThinkTink721]

Definitely eat at Whispering Canyon for dinner - it's great! :slurp: :wave:
Ohana's for dinner at the Polynesian Resort is great too! :slurp: :slurp: :wave:

 

[PrincessTink]

Hi All!

Thanks for the great advice!!

I booked Liberty Tree Tavern for Friday night at 5:25 for MVMCP!
(I really wanted to book CRT but as a broke college student I didn't have the money to pay it up front, that really kills)

As for Saturday night I booked at Ohana! Cause I just love it so much!

And tomorrow, I plan on booking Kona Cafe for breakfast on Sunday before we leave for our cruise out of Miami!

And betteratmk, yes! You can rent a car from there they have an Alamo and National rental service there! And to get there from the resort you just call them whenever your pick up time is and they send a van to come pick you up at the resort!

Thanks again everyone for your advice and reading all the way through my ridiculously long post!

 

[printkoozies]

My mom and I are going down to Orlando for a few short days Dec 3,4 and 5th.

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge, first time at a deluxe! Very excited!

On Friday Dec 3rd I will be surprising my mom with tickets to MVMCP! :xmas:

Our plane arrives at MCO around 11:30 AM and we will be taking Magical Express to the hotel. I plan on our arrival being somewhere between 12:30 and 1:00. She will most likely be tired and wanting to rest a little.(I will be too excited that I'm in Disney to rest) Whether that be the pool or if we can get into our room for a little cat nap.

ANYWAYS. Lunch will probably not exsist that day or it will be a quick bite at the airport or Roaring Forks so no big lunch plans for that day. Now dinner, I'm thinking about doing Cinderella's Royal Table around 5:30 PM. The price is ridiculous but so worth it. (Little background on my mom: Not the biggest Disney fan) So if I take her I want to know if it will "wow" her. I have eaten in the castle before, but she has not. Also if someone could clear up for me, are the princesses at dinner? I have read multiple sources and they all say different things. Also, will I actually have time for dinner at CRT? I've never been to the Christmas party before and want to see everything including getting on all the rides I possibly can since this will be the only Disney park I will be going to on our short Orlando trip. And we will be entering the park at 4 PM as a MVMCP ticket holder.

Saturday - We will be picking up a rental car in the morning at the Disney Car Care Center because we will be spending the day at IOA to see the WWoHP (shun me :zipit So breakfast and lunch will be there. I hope to arrive around 10 am and leave hopefully around 4 pm if the crowds are not bad. I want to head over to DTD for night time shopping and dinner. Ah here we go again, dinner? I would prefer to do dinner at DTD because that is where we are planning to spend our night and to have to leave and come back, no thanks. I know DTD very well as I used to be a DTD Merch CM. But I never actually ate dinner at anywhere but RFC and TREX. Which I will never eat at again. I want something a little bit nicer, fancier but not ridiculously expensive (No Fultons or Portebello) I have walked past Paradiso 37 and that seemed gorgeous. Anyone have any advice on that? Otherwise I'm thinking Capt'n Jacks? Bongos? Raglan Road? Advice PLEASE!

Sunday - Breakfast, 1900 Park Fare? Too loud? Food quality? Whispering Canyon (Now I know this one will be loud)? Kona Cafe? Grand Floridian Cafe? After this we will be on the road to Miami for our cruise!

Thank You if you read that. I can be a bit wordy. And thanks for any help that will come to me!:wave:

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