Best Resort Table Service?

[Raineman]

In your opinion, what is the best table service restaurant at the on-property resorts at WDW, excluding the signature dining restaurants? We will not be arriving at WDW until mid-late afternoon our first day next spring, so we would like to book an ADR at one of the resort TS restaurants. Any suggestions?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Two different questions for me. "What is the best" and "where do I recommend you eat" are different. I personally like Boma the best, but it's very expensive and Animal Kingdom Lodge can be a PITA to get to. My favorite in terms of best and most convenient would be Ohana or Kona at the Poly.

Whispering Canyon is loads of fun for children.

 

[Raineman]

Two different questions for me. "What is the best" and "where do I recommend you eat" are different. I personally like Boma the best, but it's very expensive and Animal Kingdom Lodge can be a PITA to get to. My favorite in terms of best and most convenient would be Ohana or Kona at the Poly.

Whispering Canyon is loads of fun for children.

Ohana sounds good, but one question-is it annoying at all to sit at the same table as people you don't know?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Ohana sounds good, but one question-is it annoying at all to sit at the same table as people you don't know?

I've never had to share a table at 'Ohana.

 

[Raineman]

I've never had to share a table at 'Ohana.

Ah OK, I was assuming, based on the pics on the WDW site, that it might happen with all of the tables seating up to 8 people.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Ah OK, I was assuming, based on the pics on the WDW site, that it might happen with all of the tables seating up to 8 people.

I haven't eaten at every WDW restaurant, but the only one I've been to that required us to share a table was Biergarten.

 

[lostpro9het]

Some our favorites:
Sanaa (AKL)
JIko (AKL)
Trattoria al Forno (BW)
Il Mulino (Swan)
Yachtsman (YC)

 

[Andy64]

Unless there are enough of you in your party you have to share a table at Teppan Edo (sp) as well.

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

Ohana is awesome! We've eaten there a few times and it's a place that we enjoy going back to.

A bit more pricey is California Grill; on top of CR. If you can get a late enough reservation, you can watch fireworks while you eat dinner.

Do you have to eat at a resort? Would you be interested in something at Disney Springs?

 

[Master Gracey 5]

If you're looking for something more casual I'd try to get over to Beaches and Cream. Mostly diner food but definitely good with a fun soda fountain atmosphere and some great ice cream. I can't recall if they started taking reservations but its worth the wait!

 

[Jahona]

I've only tried a few other resort restaurants. I feel next time I'm going to have to make a few trips at night to try more of them. Almost all the table service restaurants at the resorts I've tried were excellent. Boatwrights was probably my least favorite out of the few I've been to. Wave of American Flavors was excellent at the contemporary. The Mayan Grill at Coronado Springs had a great take on Mexican.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Ohana is great and easy to get to. It's widely popular, that's not just my personal opinion. Bus to MK or Epcot and then take the monorail. This gives the added benefit of having the fun of riding the monorail. You can also take advantage of Trader Sam's for a drink before or after dinner potentially as well.

Because it's your first day and you have the time, you could consider building that transportation element into your choice. On my first evening one trip we bused to the Studios and then rode the boat to the Boardwalk area for dinner. It takes a while, and is nice, but you might be less patient later in the trip when your schedule is tighter and time is money.

There are a lot of restaurants and you'll get a lot of differing opinions here. If you want the best advice I'd add more specifics to your question. Do you have a car? Is transportation an issue? Any types of food you love or hate? Are buffets an option or do you want to avoid those?

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

If you're looking for something more casual I'd try to get over to Beaches and Cream. Mostly diner food but definitely good with a fun soda fountain atmosphere and some great ice cream. I can't recall if they started taking reservations but its worth the wait!

They take reservations now. You're best bet is to make a reservation because they get packed! We were there a couple weeks ago for a 10pm reservation and got there around 9:15 thinking we could get in. Nope...had to wait because they were that busy!

 

[PhilharMagician]

Ohana sounds good, but one question-is it annoying at all to sit at the same table as people you don't know?

Ah OK, I was assuming, based on the pics on the WDW site, that it might happen with all of the tables seating up to 8 people.

The only location that sits you with other guests is Biergarten in Epcot Germany. Which to be honest has always been a great experience for us.

There are so many options. What kinds of food do you like? Are you adventurous and like to try new flavors or do you like to stay with basic simple fare.

I would recommend Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House. Being a buffet you will have choices from curries to hand carved beef, fish and even the kids buffet with pizza and spaghetti. The resort is also beautiful and you can wander around out to the savanna and view the animals and even grab a cocktail in the bar and relax outside by the fire pit. To get there you would have to do a transfer at one of the parks unless you have your own car.

Also Disney Springs (DTD) has opened a bunch of new dining locations that you may wan to try.

Go to the resort menus on this site and review the menus and pricing to see what may interest you.

 

[sxeensweet]

Ohana sounds good, but one question-is it annoying at all to sit at the same table as people you don't know?

The only restaurant you share tables with anyone usually is Biergarten and that's it. 'Ohana you won't ever share a table. We eat there every single trip and love it!! We were just there eating on 10/14. Already miss it and been back 3 days. Lol.
For a signature I reccomend Cali Grill hands down as we eat there every trip too.
We have so many favorites on property that we have to eat at every time. lol.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

You specify that you're excluding signature restaurants. Is that because you're using a dining plan?

 

[sxeensweet]

You specify that you're excluding signature restaurants. Is that because you're using a dining plan?

Yes I'm curious as to why as well. Just because for us, whether we are on a dining plan or not on one, we never exclude signatures because that is missing out on some delicious dining options! Lol. Many non signatures are delicious as well but we have to dine at a few signatures every trip also.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

You specify that you're excluding signature restaurants. Is that because you're using a dining plan?

Yes I'm curious as to why as well. Just because for us, whether we are on a dining plan or not on one, we never exclude signatures because that is missing out on some delicious dining options! Lol. Many non signatures are delicious as well but we have to dine at a few signatures every trip also.

I won't speak for the OP, but I don't care for the signatures as family destinations. My wife and I used to enjoy them when it was just us (as a couple) and we lived in Orlando. We'd go for special occasions. But I think the prices are hard to justify I feel uncomfortable in that environment when I'm trying to wrangle a child.

 

[reptar77]

Lunch: Liberty tree, Plaza, Yak/Yeti, Coral reef, Grandflo cafe, Tusker house
Dinner: La Hacienda, Be our guest, Coral reef, Sanaa, Boathouse, Wave, Kona cafe

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

I won't speak for the OP, but I don't care for the signatures as family destinations. My wife and I used to enjoy them when it was just us (as a couple) and we lived in Orlando. We'd go for special occasions. But I think the prices are hard to justify I feel uncomfortable in that environment when I'm trying to wrangle a child.

This is what has kept us from eating at Monsieur Paul. I don't think it would be right to take a two year old into that kind of environment; it was difficult enough at California Grill. I'd much rather have dinner with my daughter present over eating at some fancy place.