Dinner suggestions??

[arctictraveler]

A question from someone who hasn't been to WDW since the 70's.

We're staying at the Hilton near DTD. Sounds like a couple nice places for dinner are 'Ohana's and Whispering Canyon. If we made reservations at resort restaurants like these, I assume there's no problem driving to the resort and parking for dinner? Of those two, which would be the most fun for our 7 year old daughter? Any other suggestions for dinner for a 7 year old at parks or resorts? We're at the Hilton for three nights and figured we'd go over to Rainforest Cafe one night, looking for Ideas for the other two.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[Laura]

I've been to 'Ohana and it was great, but I've heard equally wonderful things about Whispering Canyon as well.

For a 7 year old maybe try some character meals like Chef Mickey's or Donald's Breakfastosaurus. The Garden Grill is my favorite character meal and your daughter would proably be intrigued because the whole restaurant rotates as you eat.

 

[SpenceMan01]

I bet your 7 year-old (and you as well!) would LOVE The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue @ the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. It's an all you can eat dinner show themed western. They have ribs, chicken, corn, beans, salad, nummy nummy bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert. All drinks (beer, wine, sangria, pop) are included. The foods good and the show is hilarious. I encourage you to check it out. Be sure to get your Priority Seating early though!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=HoopDeeDooMusicalRevueDiningPage
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...rt?id=HoopDeeDooMusicalRevueEntertainmentPage

 

[Master Yoda]

There is no problem parking at a resort if you have a dinner reservation. I’m not to sure if Rainforest takes reservations and the wait for dinner can be 2-3 hours at times to get it. What you can do is stop by there a day or so before you want to go to dinner and sign up for their safari club. The card will pay for itself in no time. You get a free appetizer, 10% discount in Rainforest’s gift shop and when you arrive for dinner and present the card at the purple elephant your wait time will be reduced to 0-30 minuets. Well worth the $15.

 

[tigsmom]

My kids loved both 'Ohana and the Whispering Canyon Cafe. You will have no problems parking at the resorts... just tell the security guard you are there to eat and he will check your name off his list. You will get a time limit parking pass. We love breakfast at Chef Mickey's. Dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK is great fun... characters in Colonial garb and all you can eat served family style. I also have to say the Hoop Dee Do Revue is great for kids of all ages (even us older ones). I suggest making PS for your meals since little kids don't really like to wait too long when you arrive.

If I remember correctly, the Rainforest Cafe does not take PS and you may have to wait for hours for a table. We no longer try because there are just so many better places to eat in WDW. (I know my opinion may not be popular, but we had one close to home and only the atmosphere, not the food drew us back)

Check out Deb's site (allearsnet) for dining options & menus...

Click here

 

[Master Yoda]

If I remember correctly, the Rainforest Cafe does not take PS and you may have to wait for hours for a table. We no longer try because there are just so many better places to eat in WDW. (I know my opinion may not be popular, but we had one close to home and only the atmosphere, not the food drew us back)Click here

While it may not be popular it is correct. The atmosphere is great but the food quality has gone down in the last year. One thing that is really good is breakfast at the Rainforest Café’ at AK. Having the safari club card makes it pretty good though, the last time we went was on a Friday night and the wait time was 3 hours, we had a table in 20 minuets

 

[shoppingnut]

Princess breakfast or lunch at Cinderella's Castle in MK or dinner w/Cinderella in 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian.

 

[tinkermom]

Lunch with cinderella at 1900 park fare is very nice for a seven year old girl. Liberty tree tavern is a very fun family style dinner with characters that is my DD's personal favorite.

 

[wannabeBelle]

While it may not be popular it is correct. The atmosphere is great but the food quality has gone down in the last year. One thing that is really good is breakfast at the Rainforest Café’ at AK. Having the safari club card makes it pretty good though, the last time we went was on a Friday night and the wait time was 3 hours, we had a table in 20 minuets

Throw another vote for this opinion!!! I happen to think that of all the restaurants on WDW property this is not even in my top 10. There are just so many great places to go to, check out the menus as previously suggested. As far as taking your 7 year old to any restaurant, it is Disneyworld after all and she will be OK in whichever places you choose!!!! Belle

 

[Master Yoda]

Throw another vote for this opinion!!! I happen to think that of all the restaurants on WDW property this is not even in my top 10. There are just so many great places to go to, check out the menus as previously suggested. As far as taking your 7 year old to any restaurant, it is Disneyworld after all and she will be OK in whichever places you choose!!!! Belle

WannabeBelle speaks the truth. Don’t let the fact that you have a 7 year old curtail where you eat. Even places like The California Grill have kid’s menus.

 

[tigsmom]

WannabeBelle speaks the truth. Don’t let the fact that you have a 7 year old curtail where you eat. Even places like The California Grill have kid’s menus.

Yep, thats why I posted a link to the menus, no reason mom & dad can't have a nice meal too.
I always found that the buffets were our best bet when the kids were young (still is), they could look at everything and pick out what they wanted. Sometimes looking at something is better than hearing a description and they can take as much or as little as they want.

 

[longfamily]

Truthfully, if you're considering eating Disney style, I would recommend park restaurants before I would recommend hotel restaurants. There is just more of a selction and more out there to impress a 7 year old. If eating at O'Hana or Whispering Canyon is important to you, I would choose O'hana because it's a little different than what you may be used to. If you really want to do something entertaining, The Magic of Aloha dinner show (Poly) and Hoop-De-Doo Revue are both nice dinner shows. I'm partial to the Aloha show.

Some fun lunch spots for adults and kids...

1.)Sci-Fi Dine in Theatre: Seating is in 50's era cars. lunch fare, Atmosphere(you are in an old outside drive-in.) *MGM

2.)Biergarten: Germany pavillion, Epcot. Food: German buffet, seating at long tables with other families, also feels as though you are outdoors, German band/entertainment while you eat. (much more fun than described)

3) Cinderella's Royal Table: Castle at Magic Kingdom. You get to eat in what looks like a throne room. Your daughter will be referred to as the princess for the duration of the meal. Very good food.

4) Coral Reef: Epcot living seas. Seafood/ steaks. The restaurant is next to the aquarium. The length of one wall is completely aquarium. Eat with turtles and sharks! All tables face this wall. Very cool atmospere (and food)

5.) 50's Prime time cafe: MGM. Meatloaf, Pot roast, ect. Meals that mom would make. You eat dinner in one of the 50's television dining rooms. You could eat dinner at Beavers table. Your waitress will be addressed as "mom' for the duration and she will actually nag you and your kids to eat your vegetables. All the while, Old clips from those popular 50's shows will play.

6.) Teppanyaki: Epcot, Japan Pavillion. Hibachi Grill. If you're not familiar with this style of cooking, a Japanese chef grills your food in front of you and entertains you by making volcano's out of onions, playing pac-man with lemons, Throwing food into your mouth, letting your kids throw eggs at him, ect. Good food, Good fun.

Have a great time and let us know what choices you liked when you get back!:slurp:

Every Menu can be found on-line....

 

[ClemsonTigger]

You've gotten some sound advice already. We always enjoy Hoop de do Review, and there is food to fit most everyone's taste. O'hana and Whispering Canyon are fairly interactive, very family oriented and a good bet. Chef Mickey's at Contemporary is fun, but can be a little noisy and over the top (I understand it will be closed for a period for refurbishment, but don't have the dates off the top of my head).

At MK, I like Tony's, Cinderella Castle and Liberty Tree for sit down
At MGM, 50's Prime Time Cafe is a hoot, the food is great too
AK has more casual fare and a less crowded Rainforest there, but others have already stated my feeling on that restaurant.

Epcot has a lot for adult fare. Each country has interesting offerings with I believe only Germany that has a buffet. Do visit Deb's site for a comprehensive listing of menu's. Also, as was stated before, EVERY restaurant has a childrens menu so burgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese and chicken nuggets are available most everywhere.

Enjoy!