Leaving to eat

[rsoxguy]

My wife and I have talked about leaving the Disney property to eat at a restaurant "in town" for years, but we always convince ourselves that it is not worth the time/hassle when we are in the park. Has anyone ever left a park to drive to a location off of Disney property to eat, and then returned to the park after the meal? If so, was it worth the trouble?

 

[brent2124]

I cant think of any near bye restaurant that I would consider worth the hassle. Your probaly not gonna save any money after you figure gas and the fact that lots of the close restaurants charge more becasue of there locations. So i would day no based on time lost the hassle and extra travel expenses.

 

[Hrudey3032]

We went to Uno's pizza at Crossroads by DTD and while it was good food the 2 hours away from park were not worth it.It took 15 to get to car,15 back,10 minutes from park and back a little over a hour to eat. If I were going for more than a few days you wouldnt miss much but if you are doing only 3-4 days just say no.

 

[WDW Monorail]

Cheap but good (so I hear): The Ale House on WInter Garden Vineland. It is just outside of property. Just hang a left as you exit from Hotel Plaza blvd.

Very good but a bit pricey: Texas de Brazil Churrascaria on I-Drive across from the Festival Bay Mall.

 

[Tater48]

We left a couple of years ago and went to the Hooter's :slurp: in Lake Buena Vista. Food was not bad. Even though it was so close, we still lost about 2.5 or 3 hours doing this. Would we do it again? Highly doubtful. There are plenty of good eating places on he property. But, that's just us.

 

[daliseurat]

Not worth it. However if you are done for the day, and want to do that for dinner and NOT return to the parks it can be worth it.

 

[SchultzFamily]

No, we've never done it a day we are in the park. But our first day of arrival in Disney we don't go to a park and we drive to CityWalk at Universal to have dinner at Emeril's and walk around CityWalk. It has become my husband's and my annual tradition.

 

[ttalovebug]

I'm not sure if the hassle is worth it, but if you do, check out Chevy's Tex-Mex in Crossrroads across from DTD. Modestly priced, fun environment, and yummy Mexican food. :slurp:

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Yes I have! and I must say it was a nice break from the hectic pace of the parks.
Back in May of 07' my party and I were at MK while the folks were having a chill day at their resort (SOG). After being in the park from the early morning to the late afternoon it was obvious we needed a break (we had already did most of the things on our list for the day). Well around 4pm we met with the folks in DTD and drove over to Red Lobster for crab legs, enjoyed a quiet and unpacked restaurant/dinner then we headed back to our Resort (CS) to relax before we went back for some more rides, SpectroMagic, and Wishes. I would suggest this for anyone if it is a possibility, having a small party of adults/ teens makes it much easier to get around and get things done. So should this be the case which according to the OP it is for them, I say give it a shot you may find youself doing it more often.

 

[Hoop Raeb]

I find that leaving property while I'm there takes me out of "the magic" and puts me too much back into reality. Of course I live here so going out just reminds me that I do. Going to the World is all about forgetting the outside.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Yeah, unless you're leaving the park for the day and not coming back, it'd definitely not worth it. Enjoy the food at the World, there's too many choices you have to pick from.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Yes do it fairly regularly, have access to a car so its easy. Plenty of decnt places to eat around the cross roads area and Lake Bryon. It makes a change from Disneys current over priced homogenised menus

 

[Susan Savia]

There are quite a few good restaurants in the area offsite. If we eat lunch in the parks, we always go offsite for dinner because of cost savings.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I find that leaving property while I'm there takes me out of "the magic" and puts me too much back into reality. Of course I live here so going out just reminds me that I do. Going to the World is all about forgetting the outside.

I agree.

 

[yankspy]

I do not think it is worth the hassle, unless you know of a really good or unique restaurant. The prices may be cheaper off-property, but vacations are for splurging.:animwink:

 

[cloudboy]

All the time!

Well, let me quantify. I don't just leave "just to grab a bite to eat". Rather, I would go to the parks during the day, head off to a restaurant, and then come back to the parks 9either the same or a different one) at night.

Those right around Disney Property aren't too great. If you head up to Sand Lake Road, though, there are a number of good choices in Dr. Phillips. Keep in mind you sometimes have long waits, so it eats up a lot of time.

Once you have been to the parks a few times and don't feel the need to see every last attraction, you find you can much more easily wander in and out of the parks, and it feels more like a comfortable home than a vacation spot.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

All the time!

Well, let me quantify. I don't just leave "just to grab a bite to eat". Rather, I would go to the parks during the day, head off to a restaurant, and then come back to the parks 9either the same or a different one) at night.

Those right around Disney Property aren't too great. If you head up to Sand Lake Road, though, there are a number of good choices in Dr. Phillips. Keep in mind you sometimes have long waits, so it eats up a lot of time.

Once you have been to the parks a few times and don't feel the need to see every last attraction, you find you can much more easily wander in and out of the parks, and it feels more like a comfortable home than a vacation spot.

Couldn't have said it better

 

[BuddhasHomeGirl]

We leave a lot to eat, my kids love the Golden Corral, I know, I know...its so touristy...but they love it there because there are a million things to choose from. Is it worth it? In my opinion, yes. But Im not afraid to leave the "magic" and try something new....and Im not talking Golden Coral. :lol:

There are TONS of great eateries in Orlando. On or by Orange Ave at Lake Eola. There is a FANTASTIC BBQ place, omg my mouth waters thinking about it....and there is a place (crappers I cant think of the name) where you can get the BEST french dips....and the Globe has great food...here is a full list:

http://www.downtownorlando.com/Experience/dining.aspx

 

[Uncle Lupe]

Leave the parks? These words are forbidden here in this Magic Land of mouse and make believe.

 

[Figment632]

Leave :veryconfu To many good places in WDW to eat at for me to consider this. Besides there are still so many places I havent tried in WDW yet. So no I wouldnt consider it.