Help me Plan my First WDW trip... I think its really happening this time...three's a charm.

mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Figments Friend said:
@mickEblu -

I forget to answer your question about snack recommendations at Epcot.

Here’s my list.
All of these have been favorites of mine for years, and I still enjoy several of these each visit.

Ginger Ice Cream - Lotus Blossom Cafe, China
Sweet Almond Pretzel - Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, Norway
Werther’s Caramel popcorn - Karamel Kuche, Germany
Kaki Gori ( Japanese shaved ice with sweet flavored syrup and condensed milk ) - Kabuki Cafe, Japan
Beer Battered Onion Rings, with multiple sauce choices - Regal Eagle BBQ, USA
Anything from the bakery in France - Les Halles, France
Maple popcorn - Popcorn cart, Canada

For table service at Epcot, I personally enjoy -

Shiki - Sai , Japan Pavillion.
A upscale Japanese sushi and dining venue with beautiful views looking over the lagoon.
Sushi is excellent, and the huge menu selection has many other dishes and small plates all at various price points.
Full menu of beverages as well, including Japanese favorites.

San Angel Inn located inside the Mexico Pavillion.
Don’t confuse this with the ‘other’ quick service Inn located outside the Pavillion along the waterfront.
Indoors is where you want to be to experience this themed waterside dining in perpetual twilight as a volcano slowly smokes.
Think Disneyland’s ‘Blue Buyou’ but on a smaller scale seating wise.
Even has boats floating by with Guests to complete the vibe…
Food is good traditional Mexican fare, but the scenery is what makes you want to dine here.
Unique.

Space 220 - another unique experience any newcomer should experience at least once.
Fun concept and the food is pretty decent.
Pretending you are dining on a space station is the real novelty here, and the staged effects can make you believe it.
Worth experiencing.
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Thank you for this! I’d love to try a bunch of these while enjoying World Showcase. So many choices and not enough stomach space. Space 220 is sounding like a winner.

Centauri Space Station said:
For Space 220 i definitely suggest the lounge, you still can visit and see all the cool stuff but you can order whatever you want, not just pre fixe, also if one person in your party chooses you can get a pre fixe meal for them and the rest eat ala cart from the lounge
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So if I eat at the lounge we still get to use the themed elevator and sit in the same dining room (or adjacent ) without having to do the prix fixe menu?
 
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Centauri Space Station

Centauri Space Station

Well-Known Member
mickEblu said:
So if I eat at the lounge we still get to use the themed elevator and sit in the same dining room (or adjacent ) without having to do the prix fixe menu?
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Yes! Only difference is you will be on the upper level closer to the elevator area rather than right next to the space windows, but honestly being further back allows you to see a lot more than being close up, and you can see several different panels that all have diff things coming into view like rockets, space walkers in suits, etc.
 
mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Centauri Space Station said:
Yes! Only difference is you will be on the upper level closer to the elevator area rather than right next to the space windows, but honestly being further back allows you to see a lot more than being close up, and you can see several different panels that all have diff things coming into view like rockets, space walkers in suits, etc.
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Nice!! Do I still need a reservation for the lounge?
 
M

mlayton144

Well-Known Member
mickEblu said:
Nice!! Do I still need a reservation for the lounge?
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Put it this way - if you don’t make a reservation you have zero chance of getting in especially with 4 people. Login at 60 days, and look for a reservation as close to last day of your vacation as possible (the earlier dates of your vacation will likely be booked). If you can’t get a reservation for 4, try to book 2 reservations for 2 each at close times. This strategy is only needed for the lounge. Good luck
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
Yes, it’s true.
Because everyone wants to experience the place but folks are trying to get in the cheapest way possible.
Like those folks who just bought cupcakes to experience ‘Be Our Guest’….back when one could actually do that!

So the Lounge is the big draw for a lot of folks.

I purposely avoid it for that reason.
For a special occasion, I don’t mind treating myself to the full package.
Also makes getting a reservation ‘easier’.
My last three visits to 220 have been very nice.

-
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
Speaking of ‘Be Our Guest’, I was just reminded that this is also a unique dining experience @mickEblu might enjoy trying the day he visits the Magic Kingdom.
I’m sure the family would enjoy it, and it is definately something one should do at least once.

However, it’s very expensive now and the food quality took a dive some years ago.
Not sure what the current offerings are rating, but this is another place where it’s more about experiencing the dining environment inside the Beast’s Castle then it is about the food.

This is typically not hard to find reservations for these days since the price point and word about the food quality has made the rounds.
But for a first timer, I would consider it …especially if the little ones are ‘Beauty & the Beast’ fans.

Last I was aware, Beast himself makes appearances randomly strolling around the Castle during all meals.

-
 
Centauri Space Station

Centauri Space Station

Well-Known Member
mlayton144 said:
Put it this way - if you don’t make a reservation you have zero chance of getting in especially with 4 people. Login at 60 days, and look for a reservation as close to last day of your vacation as possible (the earlier dates of your vacation will likely be booked). If you can’t get a reservation for 4, try to book 2 reservations for 2 each at close times. This strategy is only needed for the lounge. Good luck
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Interesting. I remember being shut out of the restaurant in 2022 and having to wait in line but securing the lounge for lunch
 
flynnibus

flynnibus

Premium Member
Nothing like getting gouged… and then having the food be bad. Don’t pay hunfreds of dollars just to see a dining room you can see on youtube. There are no digital achievements to collect.

Save your time and money for good memories
 
waltography

waltography

Well-Known Member
Gonna resurrect this thread for my selfish reasons. 😂 Finally planning a return trip to WDW after my first time in 2023, except this time I'm bringing my parents and sister along for their first time! So far we've planned 9 days at the end of August (timed it around Destination D23), with at least one day at each park (including DHS, which I skipped my first time since I didn't feel the need to visit it).

Looking for recommendations for TSR - as of right now, I've booked 3:
  • Dinner at The Boathouse at Disney Springs - For the day we arrive, figured it would be nice to go to Disney Springs Day 0 for the trip.
  • Dinner at Space 220 in EPCOT - I've eaten here once before, and I think my parents would enjoy the stellarvator experience
  • Dinner at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom - I haven't eaten here yet, but this is one I'm most unsure of; I considered swapping it for dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table (or forgoing TSR on our Magic Kingdom day altogether and doing Tiffins at Animal Kingdom instead, would appreciate any thoughts!)
Is there any location I'm overlooking? I don't plan on booking more than 3 TSRs since my family doesn't care too much about the distinctions, but I wanted to give them a flavor of the experiences since it's their first time and wanted to make it special.
 
the_rich

the_rich

Well-Known Member
waltography said:
Gonna resurrect this thread for my selfish reasons. 😂 Finally planning a return trip to WDW after my first time in 2023, except this time I'm bringing my parents and sister along for their first time! So far we've planned 9 days at the end of August (timed it around Destination D23), with at least one day at each park (including DHS, which I skipped my first time since I didn't feel the need to visit it).

Looking for recommendations for TSR - as of right now, I've booked 3:
  • Dinner at The Boathouse at Disney Springs - For the day we arrive, figured it would be nice to go to Disney Springs Day 0 for the trip.
  • Dinner at Space 220 in EPCOT - I've eaten here once before, and I think my parents would enjoy the stellarvator experience
  • Dinner at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom - I haven't eaten here yet, but this is one I'm most unsure of; I considered swapping it for dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table (or forgoing TSR on our Magic Kingdom day altogether and doing Tiffins at Animal Kingdom instead, would appreciate any thoughts!)
Is there any location I'm overlooking? I don't plan on booking more than 3 TSRs since my family doesn't care too much about the distinctions, but I wanted to give them a flavor of the experiences since it's their first time and wanted to make it special.
Click to expand...
If they're adventurous at all I would book jiko or sanaa. Tiffins is also fantastic. One of my favorites at wdw is raglan road. Be our Guest was better a few years back.
 
PiratesMansion

PiratesMansion

Well-Known Member
waltography said:
Gonna resurrect this thread for my selfish reasons. 😂 Finally planning a return trip to WDW after my first time in 2023, except this time I'm bringing my parents and sister along for their first time! So far we've planned 9 days at the end of August (timed it around Destination D23), with at least one day at each park (including DHS, which I skipped my first time since I didn't feel the need to visit it).

Looking for recommendations for TSR - as of right now, I've booked 3:
  • Dinner at The Boathouse at Disney Springs - For the day we arrive, figured it would be nice to go to Disney Springs Day 0 for the trip.
  • Dinner at Space 220 in EPCOT - I've eaten here once before, and I think my parents would enjoy the stellarvator experience
  • Dinner at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom - I haven't eaten here yet, but this is one I'm most unsure of; I considered swapping it for dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table (or forgoing TSR on our Magic Kingdom day altogether and doing Tiffins at Animal Kingdom instead, would appreciate any thoughts!)
Is there any location I'm overlooking? I don't plan on booking more than 3 TSRs since my family doesn't care too much about the distinctions, but I wanted to give them a flavor of the experiences since it's their first time and wanted to make it special.
Click to expand...
I'd go to town on Table Service dining anyway-frankly WDW does it better, and you'll want an escape from the heat. Florida in August is going to be humidity central, and any excuse to duck away into AC and sit down for a bit is going to be something your family will appreciate. If anything, I'd probably OVER schedule TS and then lay off in the moment when you're there if it turns out to be too much.

If there is such a thing as good non-TS dining at MK, I haven't found it (and I don't eat fish before the inevitable WDW defender wanders in and says "buh buh buh Columbia Harbor House!!111"). I like Liberty Tree Tavern and Skipper Canteen myself, but I wouldn't necessarily say to drop BOG in favor of either of those if BOG is what you're interested in.

Tiffin's IS good, but I wouldn't use it as a reason to cut MK table service.

I second the Animal Kingdom Lodge recommendations, everything there is fantastic.
 
waltography

waltography

Well-Known Member
the_rich said:
If they're adventurous at all I would book jiko or sanaa. Tiffins is also fantastic. One of my favorites at wdw is raglan road. Be our Guest was better a few years back.
Click to expand...
I've heard amazing things about the bread service at Sanaa! I'll see if I can swing it during our resort day. And yes, I've heard the same about BoG. It's a toss up for my family between Royal Table and BoG, not sure yet.

PiratesMansion said:
I'd go to town on Table Service dining anyway-frankly WDW does it better, and you'll want an escape from the heat. Florida in August is going to be humidity central, and any excuse to duck away into AC and sit down for a bit is going to be something your family will appreciate. If anything, I'd probably OVER schedule TS and then lay off in the moment when you're there if it turns out to be too much.

If there is such a thing as good non-TS dining at MK, I haven't found it (and I don't eat fish before the inevitable WDW defender wanders in and says "buh buh buh Columbia Harbor House!!111"). I like Liberty Tree Tavern and Skipper Canteen myself, but I wouldn't necessarily say to drop BOG in favor of either of those if BOG is what you're interested in.

Tiffin's IS good, but I wouldn't use it as a reason to cut MK table service.

I second the Animal Kingdom Lodge recommendations, everything there is fantastic.
Click to expand...
Great point; you don't have to tell me twice! 😂 I'll pick up Tiffins for our AK day and look into the options you mentioned for MK for a lunch, thank you.
 
M

mlayton144

Well-Known Member
waltography said:
I've heard amazing things about the bread service at Sanaa! I'll see if I can swing it during our resort day. And yes, I've heard the same about BoG. It's a toss up for my family between Royal Table and BoG, not sure yet.


Great point; you don't have to tell me twice! 😂 I'll pick up Tiffins for our AK day and look into the options you mentioned for MK for a lunch, thank you.
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Just some suggestions - focus on the unique places with excellent theming and decent and better food - Biergarten, space (you have it covered), San angel inn , scifi dine in - there are many more to extend the park to your meals

Agreed can’t go wrong with any of the AKL TS including Boma

MK is a bit harder - BOG is very loud but well themed, Liberty tree and Skipper are good and reasonably priced . Wasn’t wowed by CRT , but worth a try if that’s your jam. If characters are appealing then Garden Grill or Tusker House. Good luck

Boathouse and Raglan at DS both good choices
 

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