We are meeting my (annoying) in-laws for dinner one night, with our 3 kids. My step-mother-in-law doesn't really get the kid thing. They want to go out for a nice dinner, but do not want a character meal. Any suggestions on where to go that will be fun for the kids w/o characters? I suggested the luau at the Polynesian, but they're not interested, just one of the myriad of reasons why they are annoying!!! Sorry, I will try and think positive, if they can annoy me in Disney, something is wrong with me!!!
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Dinner Suggestions
- Thread starter vanryan
- Start date
Irrawaddy Erik
Well-Known Member
Mc Donalds at Downtown Disney:lookaroun but my favorites are Spoodles at the Boardwalk and Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge....I would also recomend Wispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge ....your waiter or waitress usually makes fun and causes havoc durring the meal (very fun if you are w/ a playful group)
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Maria
New Member
I would say Marrakesh at the Moroccan Pavillion when the belly dancer show is going. That way you will have the kids entertained while you dine. 
My favorite one is Ohana´s, an all you can eat at the Poly. All the waiters are your "cousins" and they are real nice. The view is great, and you can see MK fireworks from there.
Another one could be the Rainforest Cafe at either Downtown Disney or AK. They will be entertained looking at the whole place and will let you eat peacefully.... hopefully... :animwink:
My favorite one is Ohana´s, an all you can eat at the Poly. All the waiters are your "cousins" and they are real nice. The view is great, and you can see MK fireworks from there.
Another one could be the Rainforest Cafe at either Downtown Disney or AK. They will be entertained looking at the whole place and will let you eat peacefully.... hopefully...
:animwink:
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alee4eva
Member
What about the Coral Reef in Epcot by the living seas? The kids are never too old to do a fish scavenger hunt, and the food is excellent.
I'd personally bring them to MGM to the 50's prime time cafe and watch them get scolded for not finishing their meals. hahaha
:goodnevil
But seriously, the living seas is great. Also, if you dont mind something pricey the best restaraunt on disney property is on the roof of the contemporary "the California Grill".. great sushi :sohappy: But the kids can watch the fireworks while you dine and you can actually see Tinkerbell pretty clearly from up there.
-Alee
I'd personally bring them to MGM to the 50's prime time cafe and watch them get scolded for not finishing their meals. hahaha
:goodnevil
But seriously, the living seas is great. Also, if you dont mind something pricey the best restaraunt on disney property is on the roof of the contemporary "the California Grill".. great sushi :sohappy: But the kids can watch the fireworks while you dine and you can actually see Tinkerbell pretty clearly from up there.
-Alee
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Dwarful
Well-Known Member
well I would go with Rainforest Cafe, or maybe force them to pick then they cant complain. WEll I guess they could complain but it would then be their own fault because they made the pick! Lots of options at DTDisney area. Just make sure there is something that the kids will eat...my kids love eatting in Germany, but wouldnt think of eatting in Moroco, or China or Japan...so we dont even try those countries because who wants to fight at Disney???
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Maria
New Member
There is one restaurant in the Studios in which the waiters wear rollerblades (or used to wear) and you sit inside of an old car as if you were in a car-cinema. That would be good. They can´t move from their place, they are stuck in them! and since the cars only hold 4 to 6 people, you wouldn´t even have to face and sit with them! Perfect for when you don´t want to talk!! :goodnevil :animwink:
Perfect for when you don´t want to talk!! :goodnevil :animwink:
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Domboy
Member
We went to an amazing resturant in EPCOT in France.
Cant remember what it was called but the food was really good - and we sat in the window and saw the fireworks go off.
The staff were superb - but more a more "adult" place rather than a "kids" place - but as we didnt have any - wouldnt really know if they cater for them.
But was nice
good wine too :slurp:
Cant remember what it was called but the food was really good - and we sat in the window and saw the fireworks go off.
The staff were superb - but more a more "adult" place rather than a "kids" place - but as we didnt have any - wouldnt really know if they cater for them.
But was nice
good wine too :slurp:
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Coronado
Member
Great fun for the kids.... no characters..... and guarenteed to irritate the step mother in law..... Whispering Canyon in the Wilderness lodge.... They have stick pony races for the kids and kissing contests between the newly weds and the most senior couple in the place.... Food is great too....:animwink: Make sure that your mother in law wears something from another Orlando attraction such as Sea World....Universal... the wait persons will hassle her all night:lol:
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This sounds great! She is actually a good sport and would love this type of thing. I don't mean to be too harsh, I just always feel the pressure of having to keep the kids clean, well-behaved and it gets tiring! I'm supposed to be a vacation too. Anyone know what I mean?
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Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
San Angel Inn in Mexico is nice. Everyone would probably like sitting watching the boats, and the atmosphere is terrific. I also think that Ohana in the Polynesian is a good bet. Adults like it and the kids like it (they play games for kids).
Or if you want to splurge go for the Hoop-Dee-Doo musical revue. Lots of fun, and pretty good food (if yo like BBQ stuff).
Or if you want to splurge go for the Hoop-Dee-Doo musical revue. Lots of fun, and pretty good food (if yo like BBQ stuff).
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Disneynutcase
New Member
You didn't really say if your in-laws were planning on hitting the parks with you or not. If not, then anything in Epcot or Disney Studios is out because they'll have to pay for admission.
But if they are doing a day of touring with you or if they have annual passes, definately consider Epcot for dining. Marrakesh is excellent--in my opinion the best eats in all of WDW parks. San Angel Inn is a lovely setting and the kids will probably enjoy it as well. Have you also considered the Teppanyaki Dining Room in the Japan Pavillion? It's like Benihana but with a bit of Disney charm.
And at Disney Studios, don't do the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater (what Maria was trying to tell you about). It's really dark and noisy in there and NOT a good place for snobby in-laws. Instead try Mama Melroses. It's tucked away in a corner of the park (near Muppets 3-D) and the food is really excellent.
Outside the parks, I'd go with 'Ohanas, but tell your in-laws that the food comes "family style" with most of it arriving on huge skewers.
I haven't eaten at the Whispering Canyon, but I heard it was barbecue (and not as good as Tony Romas). The atmosphere and fun and games make it seem kind of nice, but it doesn't sound to me like a place for hard-to-please types.
We do Wolfgang Pucks out our way. There's one in Universal City Walk L.A. as well as Santa Monica Promenade that my kids really enjoy. If the Downtown Disney one is like it, then it will be colorful, kind of fun, with good food. Shouldn't in-laws be impressed that it's Wolfgang Puck?
Lastly, a friend of mine works at House of Blues at Downtown Disney Orlando, and that's always a decent place, especially the Sunday Gospel Brunch.
Don't sweat about your kids. I have first hand recent experience that the restaurant staff expects noisy and wiggly little ones. This is, after all, Walt Disney World and not the Four Seasons.
But if they are doing a day of touring with you or if they have annual passes, definately consider Epcot for dining. Marrakesh is excellent--in my opinion the best eats in all of WDW parks. San Angel Inn is a lovely setting and the kids will probably enjoy it as well. Have you also considered the Teppanyaki Dining Room in the Japan Pavillion? It's like Benihana but with a bit of Disney charm.
And at Disney Studios, don't do the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater (what Maria was trying to tell you about). It's really dark and noisy in there and NOT a good place for snobby in-laws. Instead try Mama Melroses. It's tucked away in a corner of the park (near Muppets 3-D) and the food is really excellent.
Outside the parks, I'd go with 'Ohanas, but tell your in-laws that the food comes "family style" with most of it arriving on huge skewers.
I haven't eaten at the Whispering Canyon, but I heard it was barbecue (and not as good as Tony Romas). The atmosphere and fun and games make it seem kind of nice, but it doesn't sound to me like a place for hard-to-please types.
We do Wolfgang Pucks out our way. There's one in Universal City Walk L.A. as well as Santa Monica Promenade that my kids really enjoy. If the Downtown Disney one is like it, then it will be colorful, kind of fun, with good food. Shouldn't in-laws be impressed that it's Wolfgang Puck?
Lastly, a friend of mine works at House of Blues at Downtown Disney Orlando, and that's always a decent place, especially the Sunday Gospel Brunch.
Don't sweat about your kids. I have first hand recent experience that the restaurant staff expects noisy and wiggly little ones. This is, after all, Walt Disney World and not the Four Seasons.
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Disneynutcase
New Member
Hey, good point Maria!
And if I remember correctly from the peek I got of the inside of this place, the tables/cars all face the same way making any good discussion next to impossible.
Vanryan, this sounds like the place for you!
Then again, you might not ever hear the end of the complaints AFTER dining there.
A lot of good points and suggestions on this thread. Good luck trying to decide.
Personally, I think almost all of the suggestions are good ones.
But here's another good question--what kind of food do your in-laws like (or, in Maria's evil scenario, dislike)?
From all the research I did about the eats at WDW, this place has just about all cuisines in all price ranges and noise levels.
My advice still is 'Ohanas for outside the parks. Marrakesh or Mama Melroses for inside the parks.
As far as character meals go, despite your in-laws snobbery, food-wise we found that Crystal Palace was as good as buffets can ever get. And again, the setting at Crystal Palace is gorgeous. Just tell 'em to ignore the funny humongous costumed animals.
And if I remember correctly from the peek I got of the inside of this place, the tables/cars all face the same way making any good discussion next to impossible.
Vanryan, this sounds like the place for you!
Then again, you might not ever hear the end of the complaints AFTER dining there.
A lot of good points and suggestions on this thread. Good luck trying to decide.
Personally, I think almost all of the suggestions are good ones.
But here's another good question--what kind of food do your in-laws like (or, in Maria's evil scenario, dislike)?
From all the research I did about the eats at WDW, this place has just about all cuisines in all price ranges and noise levels.
My advice still is 'Ohanas for outside the parks. Marrakesh or Mama Melroses for inside the parks.
As far as character meals go, despite your in-laws snobbery, food-wise we found that Crystal Palace was as good as buffets can ever get. And again, the setting at Crystal Palace is gorgeous. Just tell 'em to ignore the funny humongous costumed animals.
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
If it was the one on the first floor, that's Chefs de France. My wife and I do this place everytime we go. It's the first PS I make once I know the dates.
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Yellow Shoes
Well-Known Member
I also think that Whispering Canyon, 'Ohana, and 50's Prime Time are good choices.
If anyone is a particularly picky eater, and this is something that they can complain about (and blame you for) all evening, then check the menus before you go.
For example, the 50's Prime Time puts peels in the mashed potatoes. (My mother and grandmothers, who were actual housewives in the 50's would never have dreamed of serving lumpy, peel-y mashed potatoes!) Seems like a minor thing, but we all HATE them! Kinda ruins the fried chicken dinner when you can't have mashed potatoes.
If anyone is a particularly picky eater, and this is something that they can complain about (and blame you for) all evening, then check the menus before you go.
For example, the 50's Prime Time puts peels in the mashed potatoes. (My mother and grandmothers, who were actual housewives in the 50's would never have dreamed of serving lumpy, peel-y mashed potatoes!) Seems like a minor thing, but we all HATE them! Kinda ruins the fried chicken dinner when you can't have mashed potatoes.
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