OK I've been going to WDW steady since 1996. We are visiting this year in October. We probably have visited every restaurant in the parks and I am looking for new ideas at the resorts. I have visited a few but want to hear your favorites.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
New dining ideas
- Thread starter graphite1326
- Start date
From my last visit, December 2023:
Flying Fish at Boardwalk = awesome (a return to form, because they kinda sucked for quite a few years)
Toledo at Coronado Springs = also awesome, esp.the hanger steak.
Not a resort, but Disney Springs, Jaleo is fantastic, the Boathouse is great.
Without intending to offend @mpaulaparm, we had a bad meal.at Steakhouse 71. The Wave was great, and IMO Steakhouse 71 is a poor replacement. If you want to eat at the Contemporary Resort, go for CalI Grill. Its completely over priced, but when I last ate there (admittedly, not recently) it was a fine meal.
Flying Fish at Boardwalk = awesome (a return to form, because they kinda sucked for quite a few years)
Toledo at Coronado Springs = also awesome, esp.the hanger steak.
Not a resort, but Disney Springs, Jaleo is fantastic, the Boathouse is great.
Without intending to offend @mpaulaparm, we had a bad meal.at Steakhouse 71. The Wave was great, and IMO Steakhouse 71 is a poor replacement. If you want to eat at the Contemporary Resort, go for CalI Grill. Its completely over priced, but when I last ate there (admittedly, not recently) it was a fine meal.
Continuing my train of thought...
Boatwrights at POR(?) was very disappointing.
I feel like you can't go wrong with Olivia's at OKW.
Turf Club at SSR is hit or.miss, bit they have a great bar.
Il Mulino at the Swan is a stand out if you like NY Italian.
The Grand Floridian Cafe is surprisingly great, no.matter what anyone tells ya.
Boatwrights at POR(?) was very disappointing.
I feel like you can't go wrong with Olivia's at OKW.
Turf Club at SSR is hit or.miss, bit they have a great bar.
Il Mulino at the Swan is a stand out if you like NY Italian.
The Grand Floridian Cafe is surprisingly great, no.matter what anyone tells ya.
christine7257
Well-Known Member
The dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge is outstanding - Sanaa at Kidani Village and both Jiko and Boma in the main lodge. Coronado Springs also has great dining - Three Bridges Lounge, Toledo, Maya Grill. And Swan and Dolphin in the Boardwalk area have so many fantastic options between Shula's, Rosa Mexicano, Il Mulino, bluezoo, The Fountain, Amare, Kimono's. Not sure about The Fountain but know the others will validate parking for dinner. And for a stop on the skyliner, Riviera has some good options - Bar Riva, Primo Piatto (quick serve) and Topolino's are all strong options. Topolino's has a character breakfast and can see EPCOT fireworks at dinner, if timed accordingly. Happy eating!!
These last few years we have bucked the trend of needing ADRs and opted to see what was available at the time we got hungry. This has pushed us to try restaurants that we may have never tried simply because this board and other similar sites didn't "recommend". We were pleased with the options we had - as long as you are aware that this is Disney food and not some gourmet restaurant (aside from V&As).
AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
Toledo, Topolino's, and Tiffins all come to mind. Jiko, Steakhouse 71, and Narcoossees are also good choices. And of course, you could go high end with Victoria & Alberts or Monsieur Paul's among others. 
Smiley/OCD
Well-Known Member
We have enjoyed Steakhouse 71, Art Smith’s Homecoming and the Edison…Liberty Tree is our go to in the parks…Trattoria Al Forno @ Boardwalk & (of course) Liberty Tree Tavern
NiarrNDisney
Well-Known Member
Just a few places I love
Amare (Swan Reserve)
Cabana Bar & Beach Club (Dolphin)
Crew's Cup (YCR)
Geyser Point Bar & Grill (WL)
Grand Floridian Cafe (GFR)
Olivia's Cafe (OKW)
Rix Lounge (CSR)
Sanaa (AKL-KV)
Steakhouse 71 (CR)
The Fountain (Dolphin)
Three Bridges Bar & Grill (CSR)
Trattoria Al Forno (BWR)
Turf Club (SSR)
Amare (Swan Reserve)
Cabana Bar & Beach Club (Dolphin)
Crew's Cup (YCR)
Geyser Point Bar & Grill (WL)
Grand Floridian Cafe (GFR)
Olivia's Cafe (OKW)
Rix Lounge (CSR)
Sanaa (AKL-KV)
Steakhouse 71 (CR)
The Fountain (Dolphin)
Three Bridges Bar & Grill (CSR)
Trattoria Al Forno (BWR)
Turf Club (SSR)
Schweino
Well-Known Member
At resorts only, here's where Ive eaten and how I felt of the meal/experience:
1. California Grill - as stated in another post, it's overpriced. However, the meal itself was great. I only eat here if I can get a reservation ~2 hours before the fireworks start at MK. There is just something magical about eating dinner then immediately walking onto the deck to watch the FW show. Have done this three times and always try to do it when we visit. 9/10
2. Topolino's Dinner - only eaten here once but it was great! Surprised my wife and I how good it was. Would definitely do it again. They also have a deck you can catch Epcot show, but that's a bit late for us for dinner
8/10
2b. Topolino's Breakfast - also only eaten here once, but there wasn't enough food for me. Characters were fun. 6.5/10
3. Boatwrights at Riverside - Don't go. Like, I've had worse food, but I would only eat here if 1. I was in the area and 2. I needed food ASAP. 3/10
4. Boma's at AKL - I've eaten here once and I feel like I need to give it another shot. I give it a 5/10.
5. Park Fare at GF - its a character experience and the food was fine. 6.5/10
6. Grand Flo Cafe - really good and reasonably priced (for Disney)! 7.5/10
7. Cape May Breakfast at Beach Club - its a typical breakfast buffet. Characters. I love breakfast food so 7/10.
8. Chef Mickeys - bad. 2/10 and the 2 is the characters lol.
I believe that is all at resorts Ive eaten at. Cali Grill and Topolino's are my tops at resorts so far. Probably need another 3-4 trips to hit up more resort restaurants
1. California Grill - as stated in another post, it's overpriced. However, the meal itself was great. I only eat here if I can get a reservation ~2 hours before the fireworks start at MK. There is just something magical about eating dinner then immediately walking onto the deck to watch the FW show. Have done this three times and always try to do it when we visit. 9/10
2. Topolino's Dinner - only eaten here once but it was great! Surprised my wife and I how good it was. Would definitely do it again. They also have a deck you can catch Epcot show, but that's a bit late for us for dinner
8/10 2b. Topolino's Breakfast - also only eaten here once, but there wasn't enough food for me. Characters were fun. 6.5/10
3. Boatwrights at Riverside - Don't go. Like, I've had worse food, but I would only eat here if 1. I was in the area and 2. I needed food ASAP. 3/10
4. Boma's at AKL - I've eaten here once and I feel like I need to give it another shot. I give it a 5/10.
5. Park Fare at GF - its a character experience and the food was fine. 6.5/10
6. Grand Flo Cafe - really good and reasonably priced (for Disney)! 7.5/10
7. Cape May Breakfast at Beach Club - its a typical breakfast buffet. Characters. I love breakfast food so 7/10.
8. Chef Mickeys - bad. 2/10 and the 2 is the characters lol.
I believe that is all at resorts Ive eaten at. Cali Grill and Topolino's are my tops at resorts so far. Probably need another 3-4 trips to hit up more resort restaurants
AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
Definitely give it another shot. I've eaten at most of the buffets at WDW, and Boma is by far the best. The Breakfast is better than Dinner in my opinion, but both are good. You need to make sure to do the African foods on the right end of the buffet. That's where it really shines.
Schweino
Well-Known Member
I think what I most remember about it that wasn't impressive was the pork ribs were really tough and dry. About the only thing that blew me away was the bread pudding lol. But, that is why I feel like I need to give it another shot because I keep hearing people rave about it.
ParadoxPortals
Active Member
I don't have recommendations but more warnings against certain restaurants. Space 220 has super mediocre food IMO for insane prices, Wolfgang Puck's has been updated since we visited in the mid-2010s and the new menu is meh with not great prices with a generic vibe inside the restaurant.
I've heard second-hand that the Coral Reef Restaurant has had improved food quality recently, though beware as throughout its life it seems it's always been up and down. Le Celier seems to be better these days too, and apparently Splitsville is best known these days for its food and not even its bowling, may be one of the best places on property to go for dinner and drinks.
I've heard second-hand that the Coral Reef Restaurant has had improved food quality recently, though beware as throughout its life it seems it's always been up and down. Le Celier seems to be better these days too, and apparently Splitsville is best known these days for its food and not even its bowling, may be one of the best places on property to go for dinner and drinks.
Think Tink
Premium Member
- In the Parks
- No
I'm a huge fan of breakfast, so I'll recommend my two favorite places to eat in the morning. I feel like they get overlooked in the morning, which makes for a really nice and quiet meal. Most of the time I just walk up without a reservation and get seated immediately.
Olivia's at Old Key West - Their banana bread French toast is a 10/10. It's a more relaxed vibe, which I really like. I just love OWK as a whole, though!
Olivia's at Old Key West - Their banana bread French toast is a 10/10. It's a more relaxed vibe, which I really like. I just love OWK as a whole, though!
After all these suggestions I have come up with a plan. We decided on going to MK on a NSSHP day. The lines should be shorter due to the park closing early for regular guest. I beleive that will be around 4:00PM. Then taking our time maybe shop along the way as we exit head over to the contemporary for a diner at Steakhouse 71. Sound like a good plan?
Figgy1
Well-Known Member
The park is open until 7, party goers can enter before that
christine7257
Well-Known Member
Good plan! MK does tend to be less crowded on party days for exactly that reason. Still far from "empty," though, just to set expectations. Historically, the official party has started at 7 but party attendees could start entering at 4. I believe regular day guests can stay until 6 when they start checking for party tickets and routing you toward the exit. Hope you enjoy!!
Historically, the official party has started at 7 but party attendees could start entering at 4. I believe regular day guests can stay until 6 when they start checking for party tickets and routing you toward the exit. Hope you enjoy!!