Best epcot QS??

[Songbird76]

None of us are being rude or judging you, and you did not say the situation at hand. Still there is more food to choose from at Epcot than really any other park even regular plain American foods are plentiful there. They even have grilled cheese by Test Track. I don't know what the autistic child that traveled with you can have or likes due to the sensory and texture issues but to me in my opinion there would be something hopefully somewhere in the park they can eat.
Also any QS or TS if you tell them the issue at hand would work with you and maybe make something/customize something the child will be willing to eat to accommodate them. WDW is wonderful about that.

It depends on the kind of picky..and you forget that Americans aren't the only ones with picky eaters, so "plain American foods" may be exactly what a person DOESN'T like. My DS is very picky, but would not eat anything in the United States but McDonalds chicken nuggets and fries, and Doritos because it's what he recognized. The country I live in is not represented in the World Showcase so we could not get food he was used to, and even then, it would have been different from what mommy makes at home. Example: Spaghetti. He would only eat spaghetti that I made. He was 2. (now he won't even eat spaghetti -I- make) And I had a hard time finding something that sounded appetizing at Sunshine Seasons. I can't do spicy food and I don't care for most condiments or sauces, or cheese (no butter, no ketchup, mayo, mustard, sour cream, etc). I can completely understand someone being picky enough that it's difficult. Yes, there are probably options SOMEWHERE in the park for just about everyone....but you have to able to FIND it. And if you don't know that you can find menus online (I didn't last time), you don't know where to look and no one is going to walk from restaurant to restaurant throughout the park to find what they will eat. And if you have more than one picky eater in the group, who are picky about different things, that makes it harder. We are headed there this summer and I plan to bring chips and snacks this time for DS, in case we can't find anything for him at one of the restaurants. I have gone through every single menu this time and made a color-coded list that shows me what their main types of food are, if there are highly recommended items, items that sound good to someone in our family, if they accept dining plans, have a separate childrens menu and what is ON that childrens menu, and what DS MIGHT eat at each venue. And still he has anxiety about eating there, and I am nervous about him eating there, too. Perhaps you don't have any experience with a picky eater of this magnitude, but I assure you that there are people out there who really do have difficulty finding something, even among all the options at Disney. It just depends on what kind of "picky" you are. I looked at the menus at the Moroccan restaurant, where everyone says "There are enough options even for picky eaters here, that everyone will find something they like." and I quickly crossed it off my list as there was NOTHING for DS or for me. Someone who is not picky themselves may not be the best judge of what's available for picky eaters. I don't know. But if I followed the advice of all the blogs out there instead of looking at the menus myself, I'd also not be able to find anything to eat in Epcot.
None of this, however, helps with the original question of where to eat and also have a good view of Illuminations. I believe we sat at the fence outside of Mexico last time we were there, though it's been several years, so I don't know for sure. But we didn't actually eat at the Mexican pavilion. We got snacks and took our place a couple of hours early at the fence. The Disney Food Blog food guide mentions the UK as having a particularly good section of outdoor seating for watching Illuminations, but I don't remember if it said Counter Service or Table Service or both. My understanding is that there are not a lot of places to sit where there will not be someone sitting in front of you blocking your view unless you sit at the fence, and you have to get there pretty early to get a place there. I plan to bring a book for myself and something for the kids to do to pass the time while we wait for the show to start.

 

[Jess G]

None of this, however, helps with the original question of where to eat and also have a good view of Illuminations. I believe we sat at the fence outside of Mexico last time we were there, though it's been several years, so I don't know for sure. But we didn't actually eat at the Mexican pavilion. We got snacks and took our place a couple of hours early at the fence. The Disney Food Blog food guide mentions the UK as having a particularly good section of outdoor seating for watching Illuminations, but I don't remember if it said Counter Service or Table Service or both. My understanding is that there are not a lot of places to sit where there will not be someone sitting in front of you blocking your view unless you sit at the fence, and you have to get there pretty early to get a place there. I plan to bring a book for myself and something for the kids to do to pass the time while we wait for the show to start.

Yes when I was there last I ended up camping out near italy about 45 mins before and had a great view of illuminations. I'm thinking everyone in my party will eat in a different QS and we will camp out again like most people suggest. Even if there is a good table somewhere I already know I don't have the nerve to hold the table long enough till illuminations mainly because I won't have any children with me and like always when I'm there I end up offering my table to a standing family with small children (just because this is what I feel is right)... Thanks for your input

 

[Songbird76]

Yeah, that's probably what we will do, too, and I'll bring snacks just in case the kids get hungry before it starts. I just don't remember where exactly in the World Showcase we were...I remember we were at a fence, but I don't remember which pavilion was at our backs. We were with some friends who live in Kissimmee and had annual passes and went there all the time...we let them take the lead as far as where the best place to watch was. So I can't remember. This time I've got the unofficial guide, the Disney Food Blog guide, I'm subscribed to Disney Food blog and Disneytouristblog, and touringplans.com and became a member here...I've done my research this time, but I haven't gotten so far as a spot for watching the night shows yet.
And that's very nice of you to give up your seat to a family with kids. We always let kids in front of us, too. Not just at Disney, but Mardi Gras parades and such too. Or on the bus/train. It DOES just seem like the right thing, doesn't it? We don't get to Disney very often, living overseas, so I'm not up on which restaurants are best at the moment...I can only regurgitate what I've read in blogs and books. But I'd definitely recommend looking at online menus and having a plan so you know where each person is going to eat and where to meet up when. It sounds seriously cut-throat to get a spot!

 

[sxeensweet]

It depends on the kind of picky..and you forget that Americans aren't the only ones with picky eaters, so "plain American foods" may be exactly what a person DOESN'T like. My DS is very picky, but would not eat anything in the United States but McDonalds chicken nuggets and fries, and Doritos because it's what he recognized. The country I live in is not represented in the World Showcase so we could not get food he was used to, and even then, it would have been different from what mommy makes at home. Example: Spaghetti. He would only eat spaghetti that I made. He was 2. (now he won't even eat spaghetti -I- make) And I had a hard time finding something that sounded appetizing at Sunshine Seasons. I can't do spicy food and I don't care for most condiments or sauces, or cheese (no butter, no ketchup, mayo, mustard, sour cream, etc). I can completely understand someone being picky enough that it's difficult. Yes, there are probably options SOMEWHERE in the park for just about everyone....but you have to able to FIND it. And if you don't know that you can find menus online (I didn't last time), you don't know where to look and no one is going to walk from restaurant to restaurant throughout the park to find what they will eat. And if you have more than one picky eater in the group, who are picky about different things, that makes it harder. We are headed there this summer and I plan to bring chips and snacks this time for DS, in case we can't find anything for him at one of the restaurants. I have gone through every single menu this time and made a color-coded list that shows me what their main types of food are, if there are highly recommended items, items that sound good to someone in our family, if they accept dining plans, have a separate childrens menu and what is ON that childrens menu, and what DS MIGHT eat at each venue. And still he has anxiety about eating there, and I am nervous about him eating there, too. Perhaps you don't have any experience with a picky eater of this magnitude, but I assure you that there are people out there who really do have difficulty finding something, even among all the options at Disney. It just depends on what kind of "picky" you are. I looked at the menus at the Moroccan restaurant, where everyone says "There are enough options even for picky eaters here, that everyone will find something they like." and I quickly crossed it off my list as there was NOTHING for DS or for me. Someone who is not picky themselves may not be the best judge of what's available for picky eaters. I don't know. But if I followed the advice of all the blogs out there instead of looking at the menus myself, I'd also not be able to find anything to eat in Epcot.
None of this, however, helps with the original question of where to eat and also have a good view of Illuminations. I believe we sat at the fence outside of Mexico last time we were there, though it's been several years, so I don't know for sure. But we didn't actually eat at the Mexican pavilion. We got snacks and took our place a couple of hours early at the fence. The Disney Food Blog food guide mentions the UK as having a particularly good section of outdoor seating for watching Illuminations, but I don't remember if it said Counter Service or Table Service or both. My understanding is that there are not a lot of places to sit where there will not be someone sitting in front of you blocking your view unless you sit at the fence, and you have to get there pretty early to get a place there. I plan to bring a book for myself and something for the kids to do to pass the time while we wait for the show to start.

Never meant anything literally about the simple statement plain American foods etc.
Just used that as a quick example. There are all types of picky eaters all over the world, but just said if you can't find anything at Epcot with all the huge variety of foods they offer, then you won't likely find anything at the other parks either in my opinion!

 

[Jess G]

Yeah, that's probably what we will do, too, and I'll bring snacks just in case the kids get hungry before it starts. I just don't remember where exactly in the World Showcase we were...I remember we were at a fence, but I don't remember which pavilion was at our backs. We were with some friends who live in Kissimmee and had annual passes and went there all the time...we let them take the lead as far as where the best place to watch was. So I can't remember. This time I've got the unofficial guide, the Disney Food Blog guide, I'm subscribed to Disney Food blog and Disneytouristblog, and touringplans.com and became a member here...I've done my research this time, but I haven't gotten so far as a spot for watching the night shows yet.
And that's very nice of you to give up your seat to a family with kids. We always let kids in front of us, too. Not just at Disney, but Mardi Gras parades and such too. Or on the bus/train. It DOES just seem like the right thing, doesn't it? We don't get to Disney very often, living overseas, so I'm not up on which restaurants are best at the moment...I can only regurgitate what I've read in blogs and books. But I'd definitely recommend looking at online menus and having a plan so you know where each person is going to eat and where to meet up when. It sounds seriously cut-throat to get a spot!

When you're there try viewing near Canada I hear that's the best spot and minimal smoke

 

[sxeensweet]

When you're there try viewing near Canada I hear that's the best spot and minimal smoke

Depends on the wind direction each day but yes normally it's a great spot I agree!!

 

[Songbird76]

When you're there try viewing near Canada I hear that's the best spot and minimal smoke

Thanks! I need to make a list of all the tips I get!! I've still got several months before I'm there and I know I'll forget if I don't have it written down.

 

[Songbird76]

Never meant anything literally about the simple statement plain American foods etc.
Just used that as a quick example. There are all types of picky eaters all over the world, but just said if you can't find anything at Epcot with all the huge variety of foods they offer, then you won't likely find anything at the other parks either in my opinion!

It's hard to read tone of voice on a forum, and when you first responded to Princess Kaylee, it did come across as pretty judgmental, almost like you were personally offended that someone didn't have the same experience as you did. With the eye roll emoticon and the "Sunshine Seasons gross?? Okay and nothing for picky eaters??" it looked like you were insulted...and then you went on to tell her exactly why she was wrong, as if there could be no other opinion than yours. Like I said, you probably didn't mean it that way, it's really hard to tell in a written form rather than face to face. But I think her response about feeling judged probably stems from how it LOOKED rather than what you really meant. And I understand you were trying to back up your statement with all sorts of options to show that there should have been something for everyone there. And that's great...it just came across a little abrasive. So I just wanted to stand up for her because there are some of us who are REALLY picky...which is why I'm doing TONS of research this time. Last time didn't go very smoothly with food and we tried in vain to find anything in ANY of the parks that the kids would eat. I don't want to go through that again. But I can completely understand where she was coming from because my experience was pretty much the same, and maybe that's why your comments read as being judgmental to me, too. Picky eaters are used to being looked at as annoying and inconvenient and troublesome by people who don't have the same issues, so already when we say something about it, we're defensive because we know it's going to be an unpopular sentiment and that we're probably going to hear about it. I just wanted you to understand where her remarks were coming from about being unhappy in your life. It's a defense mechanism from having to justify yourself or your children your choices, etc, when they are not quite the norm.

 

[PinnySmart]

It's hard to read tone of voice on a forum, and when you first responded to Princess Kaylee, it did come across as pretty judgmental, almost like you were personally offended that someone didn't have the same experience as you did. With the eye roll emoticon and the "Sunshine Seasons gross?? Okay and nothing for picky eaters??" it looked like you were insulted...and then you went on to tell her exactly why she was wrong, as if there could be no other opinion than yours. Like I said, you probably didn't mean it that way, it's really hard to tell in a written form rather than face to face. But I think her response about feeling judged probably stems from how it LOOKED rather than what you really meant. And I understand you were trying to back up your statement with all sorts of options to show that there should have been something for everyone there. And that's great...it just came across a little abrasive. So I just wanted to stand up for her because there are some of us who are REALLY picky...which is why I'm doing TONS of research this time. Last time didn't go very smoothly with food and we tried in vain to find anything in ANY of the parks that the kids would eat. I don't want to go through that again. But I can completely understand where she was coming from because my experience was pretty much the same, and maybe that's why your comments read as being judgmental to me, too. Picky eaters are used to being looked at as annoying and inconvenient and troublesome by people who don't have the same issues, so already when we say something about it, we're defensive because we know it's going to be an unpopular sentiment and that we're probably going to hear about it. I just wanted you to understand where her remarks were coming from about being unhappy in your life. It's a defense mechanism from having to justify yourself or your children your choices, etc, when they are not quite the norm.

I think you hit the nail on the head. There are those here that think their opinion is the only opinion and the use of the emoticons does come across as rude and disrespectful. No one likes a know-it-all that is closed minded to the opinions of others. If we all liked exactly the same thing Disney could just have one huge restaurant with just one item on the menu to serve all 4 parks and resorts. The OP asked for opinions not just the opinions of those who agree with certain know-it-alls. This is a fun forum about a place most of us love. We do t all have to agree on everything but should respect differing opinions.

 

[jaklgreen]

What I really like best about the food at Epcot is that it is so diverse. The city I live in does not have a wide variety of cultures so we do not have more "exotic" foods like Moroccan foods or German buffet. That is one of the joys for us, to be able to eat at those places that we do not have at home. That is us, but I know a lot of people do not like to go out of their comfort zone when it comes to food, so having places like Electric Umbrella and the Liberty Inn has its place there too.

 

[Mickey Ears]

I love the walk up Mexican Stand outside the Mexico Pavilion with a small seating area to the side.

 

[sxeensweet]

I think you hit the nail on the head. There are those here that think their opinion is the only opinion and the use of the emoticons does come across as rude and disrespectful. No one likes a know-it-all that is closed minded to the opinions of others. If we all liked exactly the same thing Disney could just have one huge restaurant with just one item on the menu to serve all 4 parks and resorts. The OP asked for opinions not just the opinions of those who agree with certain know-it-alls. This is a fun forum about a place most of us love. We do t all have to agree on everything but should respect differing opinions.

We all respect everyone's opinions but we don't have to agree with them as they don't have to agree with us either. Anyone is free to have their own opinions. I don't call people names like "know it alls" or anything either on here ever! No one was being closed minded and was just all giving our opinions. I know what I did and it was not being judgmental and I don't do that on here or in my daily life. So to anyone thinking I'm being judgemental, a "know it all", or closed minded that's your opinion and not a fact. I know in my heart what I meant and that's all that matters. Here's some smiley's you love so much that I use. Haha! Have a wonderful evening I know I am.

 

[sxeensweet]

It's hard to read tone of voice on a forum, and when you first responded to Princess Kaylee, it did come across as pretty judgmental, almost like you were personally offended that someone didn't have the same experience as you did. With the eye roll emoticon and the "Sunshine Seasons gross?? Okay and nothing for picky eaters??" it looked like you were insulted...and then you went on to tell her exactly why she was wrong, as if there could be no other opinion than yours. Like I said, you probably didn't mean it that way, it's really hard to tell in a written form rather than face to face. But I think her response about feeling judged probably stems from how it LOOKED rather than what you really meant. And I understand you were trying to back up your statement with all sorts of options to show that there should have been something for everyone there. And that's great...it just came across a little abrasive. So I just wanted to stand up for her because there are some of us who are REALLY picky...which is why I'm doing TONS of research this time. Last time didn't go very smoothly with food and we tried in vain to find anything in ANY of the parks that the kids would eat. I don't want to go through that again. But I can completely understand where she was coming from because my experience was pretty much the same, and maybe that's why your comments read as being judgmental to me, too. Picky eaters are used to being looked at as annoying and inconvenient and troublesome by people who don't have the same issues, so already when we say something about it, we're defensive because we know it's going to be an unpopular sentiment and that we're probably going to hear about it. I just wanted you to understand where her remarks were coming from about being unhappy in your life. It's a defense mechanism from having to justify yourself or your children your choices, etc, when they are not quite the norm.

First the "unhappy in their life"comment was not directed to me it was to 2
Other posters if you look back who she quoted in her response and their comments not my comments.
Second I personally do not look at anyone as difficult or annoying if they are picky ever or do not judge anyone ever for any reason. Once she stated why she said that and it was an autistic child I even gave her options and said that WDW is wonderful with special requests and could probably customize or make some type of food at all QS and TS locations to suit the child's needs with sensory and texture issues. She even liked my comment back.
I have people in my family who are the same way and it does not bother me to deal with them at all or strangers for that matter. In fact we always make sure to cater to them and make them comfortable. I am as patient as they come so much so it annoys my DH how patient I can be and calm in almost any situation. So again I was not being judgemental just giving an opinion and was not the only one with the same general opinion. All my posts on here over all the years I have been on here are as nice as can be usually and this was not meant to be rude in any way.

 

[sxeensweet]

I love the walk up Mexican Stand outside the Mexico Pavilion with a small seating area to the side.

I need to try it eventually. That is one of the places me and DH have not stopped and tried yet. Great suggestion.

 

[Mickey Ears]

I need to try it eventually. That is one of the places me and DH have not stopped and tried yet. Great suggestion.

You will really like it. The food is also very tasty.

 

[sxeensweet]

You will really like it. The food is also very tasty.

Looking forward to it now! I keep hearing wonderful things. We always try new places every trip as well as our faves so this will be added to the list.

 

[Mickey Ears]

Looking forward to it now! I keep hearing wonderful things. We always try new places every trip as well as our faves so this will be added to the list.

Enjoy, when is your next planned trip?

 

[sxeensweet]

Enjoy, when is your next planned trip?

Thank you! Unfortunately this is the first year we will not be going in a long while. We won't be back until December 2017. We go 2 weeks at a time and have the past 6 years in a row so I can't complain and we are DVC members so I really can't complain. Haha!

 

[Mickey Ears]

Thank you! Unfortunately this is the first year we will not be going in a long while. We won't be back until December 2017. We go 2 weeks at a time and have the past 6 years in a row so I can't complain and we are DVC members so I really can't complain. Haha!

We went for the first time ever in 2014 when my son was just over one and a half years old. We stayed at the Polynesian Resort and loved it. I now have a 1 month old daughter so we won't be going back until she is around one and a half or two years old.

 

[sxeensweet]

We went for the first time ever in 2014 when my son was just over one and a half years old. We stayed at the Polynesian Resort and loved it. I now have a 1 month old daughter so we won't be going back until she is around one and a half or two years old.

Awe well congrats on the new baby! You have a wonderful reason to wait a little while. We are waiting to save some money and not take a big trip this year being funds have been tight. We are going see Adele in Austin in November so that will be awesome! Can't wait! Waiting for WDW is so hard though but at least I'm not alone in The long wait. Hopefully it goes by fast! Haha!!