Buffet-loving, character-meal family needs new options

[RememberWhen]

Hey all!
I’m looking for some dining suggestions for our trip in mid-October.

We’re a large group, but Disney veterans, so we can handle most things. My question relates to dining choices in this post covid WDW. Usually we do several character buffets. We like them because they give us a good long break, there’s a variety of food options for picky kids, and we get to see and interact with the characters without waiting in the parks.

Since buffets haven’t come back (that might be a good thing over all, but I’m still sad) and the characters are doing their speedy run pass through, we’re a bit stumped on where to eat.

We are a group of 15 (yes, I know it’s a lot and I know I’ll need to split the ADRs-we’ve done this before) including 9 adults, a 9yo, a 4yo, a 3yo, an almost 2yo, an 8 month old and a 5 month old. We’ll be there for a week at the Boardwalk. We will likely do one character meal even with the annoying changes. Maybe Chef Mickey’s so my brother in law can scope out BLT for our February stay.

Any suggestions on places that might be good for a large group (2-3 tables depending on what I can get for ADRs) that will have options for picky kids as well as be able to handle some allergies? We’re not likely to take the kids to a signature place.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[carriebeth]

Whispering canyon. The skillets are very reasonably priced for the bigger eaters. Even more so at lunch btw. And kids can get the skillet but depending on how picky is picky for them they can also get a selection of chicken nugget or burger type meals on the menu.
We have a big family with our 8 kids but none of them are picky so we never consider that but we love Liberty tree. We actually love the family or skillet all you can eat places. My kids are all hearty eaters and I have some big big teenage boys who seem even hungrier when the spend all day every day for weeks walking around disney. So the limitless places work well. The ones without characters are reasonably priced too.
Breakfast is very reasonable at whispering canyon and trails end and cape may. We get the latest reservations possible and make it more of a brunch but they are the family style at all 3. My kids love rainforest and T. rex.
Yak and yeti is a fave but getting a reservation for a big group is tricky. Usually can only be done at the 10 day or beyond point of our trips.
We always do at least one meal at chef arts homecoming as well

 

[RememberWhen]

Whispering canyon. The skillets are very reasonably priced for the bigger eaters. Even more so at lunch btw. And kids can get the skillet but depending on how picky is picky for them they can also get a selection of chicken nugget or burger type meals on the menu.
We have a big family with our 8 kids but none of them are picky so we never consider that but we love Liberty tree. We actually love the family or skillet all you can eat places. My kids are all hearty eaters and I have some big big teenage boys who seem even hungrier when the spend all day every day for weeks walking around disney. So the limitless places work well. The ones without characters are reasonably priced too.
Breakfast is very reasonable at whispering canyon and trails end and cape may. We get the latest reservations possible and make it more of a brunch but they are the family style at all 3. My kids love rainforest and T. rex.
Yak and yeti is a fave but getting a reservation for a big group is tricky. Usually can only be done at the 10 day or beyond point of our trips.
We always do at least one meal at chef arts homecoming as well

I was thinking about whispering canyon! We have done cape May back in there before times and always enjoyed the character interactions there. The close proximity to Boardwalk makes it a good choice. And I forgot about rainforest! We haven’t done those in years. Might be a good option.
Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I personally have enjoyed Garden Grill and I'll be eating there again in August.
I'd call myself a picky eater and I like most of the food.
Farmer Mickey also has a special place in my heart since my dad is a farmer and Living With The Land is one of his favorite rides.
Its also somewhat rare to find Chip and Dale and they're so cute.

 

[RememberWhen]

I personally have enjoyed Garden Grill and I'll be eating there again in August.
I'd call myself a picky eater and I like most of the food.
Farmer Mickey also has a special place in my heart since my dad is a farmer and Living With The Land is one of his favorite rides.
Its also somewhat rare to find Chip and Dale and they're so cute.

We have done Garden Grill before. We love the rotating aspect and the kids have asked to go back sometime when we can finally go back to Disney (they don’t know about the October trip yet). I’m a little worried that they will be sad not to be able to give Chip and Dale hugs. Frankly I’ll be pretty sad about that too. Even so, it’s definitely on our list of contenders. At Epcot my dad likes Germany. And my Mom likes Mexico. Plus there’s Food and Wine happening. I was thinking about Coral Reef as entertaining for the kids. And we’ve got our hopes up for maybe Space 220 being finally open by then...

So many options...

Where else are you eating in August?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

We have done Garden Grill before. We love the rotating aspect and the kids have asked to go back sometime when we can finally go back to Disney (they don’t know about the October trip yet). I’m a little worried that they will be sad not to be able to give Chip and Dale hugs. Frankly I’ll be pretty sad about that too. Even so, it’s definitely on our list of contenders. At Epcot my dad likes Germany. And my Mom likes Mexico. Plus there’s Food and Wine happening. I was thinking about Coral Reef as entertaining for the kids. And we’ve got our hopes up for maybe Space 220 being finally open by then...

So many options...

Where else are you eating in August?

I'll be there twice during Food and Wine this year. I have yet to look at the menu for places opening October 1st for my November trp but honestly the ones that will open when Food and Wine starts seems a bit lacking from what I remember from the last few times I went.
Definitely check out the menus to make sure there's enough items that you'll piece some meals together with because I know there's not for my sister and I this year.

I haven't eaten at San Angel Inn in several years. I was set to try it again last year but we didn't go.
I'm considering booking it for November.

I too have been anxiously waiting for Space 220 and as long as the menu has something I'll eat I hope to book that for my November trip as I've heard it will open in "fall".

For my August trip I only made ADR's for Garden Grill dinner and Kona Cafe breakfast (staying at Poly and want to try Tonga Toast and macadamia nut pancakes).
If the "to go" option is still around for Kona Cafe next month I may consider cancelling the ADR and bringing it back to the room because I'm not a fan of having to interact with humanity that early in the morning lol.

We are doing QS for all other meals.

 

[RememberWhen]

I'll be there twice during Food and Wine this year. I have yet to look at the menu for places opening October 1st for my November trp but honestly the ones that will open when Food and Wine starts seems a bit lacking from what I remember from the last few times I went.
Definitely check out the menus to make sure there's enough items that you'll piece some meals together with because I know there's not for my sister and I this year.

I haven't eaten at San Angel Inn in several years. I was set to try it again last year but we didn't go.
I'm considering booking it for November.

I too have been anxiously waiting for Space 220 and as long as the menu has something I'll eat I hope to book that for my November trip as I've heard it will open in "fall".

For my August trip I only made ADR's for Garden Grill dinner and Kona Cafe breakfast (staying at Poly and want to try Tonga Toast and macadamia nut pancakes).
If the "to go" option is still around for Kona Cafe next month I may consider cancelling the ADR and bringing it back to the room because I'm not a fan of having to interact with humanity that early in the morning lol.

We are doing QS for all other meals.

We haven’t been to Wine and Dine in years. With the kiddos we got tired of the stumbling drunkos, plus school got in the way. This year we’re pulling kiddos out of school (our son will miss two full days and three half days when they don’t do a lot anyway) and DD is in preschool so who cares. Between the regular quick service options and the food booths I think we’ll make out ok.

I imagine we’ll do a lot of quick service too. We’re pretty heavy on the DHS and MK days as we haven’t seen Star Wars Land and my sister and her husband are super excited.

Crystal Palace and BOG lunch were our MK go-tos, so we’ll need to find other options there. And MGM has always been eh for food. But we might try to do sci-fi or 50s prime time. Plus Oga’s for drinks.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

We haven’t been to Wine and Dine in years. With the kiddos we got tired of the stumbling drunkos, plus school got in the way. This year we’re pulling kiddos out of school (our son will miss two full days and three half days when they don’t do a lot anyway) and DD is in preschool so who cares. Between the regular quick service options and the food booths I think we’ll make out ok.

I imagine we’ll do a lot of quick service too. We’re pretty heavy on the DHS and MK days as we haven’t seen Star Wars Land and my sister and her husband are super excited.

Crystal Palace and BOG lunch were our MK go-tos, so we’ll need to find other options there. And MGM has always been eh for food. But we might try to do sci-fi or 50s prime time. Plus Oga’s for drinks.

Yeah my BOG lunch days are over sadly.

I love Sci-Fi.

We haven't been to SWGE either and intend to eat/drink there.

 

[MagicalMaci]

We had an amazing meal at Hollywood and Vine in DHS! The characters were great and it's a big enough place that it shouldn't be bad for a large party. The food was so good too!

 

[RememberWhen]

We had an amazing meal at Hollywood and Vine in DHS! The characters were great and it's a big enough place that it shouldn't be bad for a large party. The food was so good too!

Thanks! Was it the Disney Junior characters?

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Via Napoli.

 

[RememberWhen]

Via Napoli.

My brother in law is Italian, and this is his first trip to WDW. He married into a Disney family, but it’s “not his thing”? I hesitate to book anything Italian as it may not be up to his standards. One time my mother was helping them make dinner after my sister had her first baby and my mother broke the spaghetti before she put it in the pot! The horror my poor brother in law felt...!
Maybe my little family unit would enjoy it though.

 

[MagicalMaci]

Thanks! Was it the Disney Junior characters?

Nope we went for dinner and it was Minnie's Seasonal Dine - Minnie, Pluto, Mickey and Goofy if I recall correctly.

 

[RememberWhen]

Nope we went for dinner and it was Minnie's Seasonal Dine - Minnie, Pluto, Mickey and Goofy if I recall correctly.

Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[yankspy]

Was there three weeks ago and ate out every day for breakfast/dinner most days for 8 days. By far the best were Via Napoli, San Angel, and Whispering Canyon and Kona for breakfast. (Mac. Pancakes are awesome). We stay at the Beach Club so when we don’t have any ADR’s we usually wind up doing QS in WS. The patisserie in France is a go to for us. I think we ate there twice this trip. Good sandwiches, decent pastries. I also loved the GF cafe for breakfast. Just enough food and delicious. (chicken and waffles were excellent).

we did Chef Mickey’s which was nice but just too expensive. $160 for breakfast for four is a bit much for me.