What Restaurants and How Do You Choose.

[real mad hatter]

Good Morning Everyone. Now I've just been reading today's "Eatingwdw" and reviewing Kona Cafe at Poly.Looks awesome by the way.But here's my question.With so many fantastic restaurants to choose from at WDW,how do you go about it?. Do you rely on other people's recommendations ? When you dine at a restaurant that blows you away do you revisit or try somewhere new.? So how do you go about this awesome challenge.?

 

[zurgandfriend]

For our first trip many moons ago we called in a reservation that day or just walked in. I guess I'm dating myself huh. For later trips we used the Unofficial guide to assist in our choices along with what we saw on previous trips and heard from others. Now we have our "Must Dine" list, our "Let's Try" list and our "No" list.

 

[real mad hatter]

For our first trip many moons ago we called in a reservation that day or just walked in. I guess I'm dating myself huh. For later trips we used the Unofficial guide to assist in our choices along with what we saw on previous trips and heard from others. Now we have our "Must Dine" list, our "Let's Try" list and our "No" list.

This I like..A "Must Dine" list,"Lets Try" list,and a "No Way" list.This idea Iam stealing.Cheers.

 

[Prof Ecks]

First off let me just say how much I enjoy your presence at wdwmagic. You bring such a good vibe to the place and I am sure many others appreciate your effort.

As for this question, it looks upon reflection that we do a mix of a) must repeats, b) want to try it again, and c) new places. So for example this year (Jan 1-7) we will start with California Grill, which we now always do to put us in the mood. Another tradition is CRT. Then we will have a few repeats that we enjoyed but are not wed to. This tip that includes Artists Point, Jiko, and Tutto Italia. Then we add a few places we either haven't tried in forever or never. This year this includes BOG for dinner, Les Chef de France (hoping for some Remy time), 50's Prime Time cafe for lunch and Rose and Crown for dinner.

We always do Artist Point when we stay at WL villas (which we are this year) and last time we had such a great lunch at Tutto Italia (food and the young man from Sicily that served us), so we decided to go back. Jiko's we usually do every other trip but love it and it gives us an excuse to go see the AKLodge and have a drink at that great bar (I can't remember her name, but the lady bartender there rocks!).

Among the "new" places we have one we went to along time ago (50's), one that we haven't been to in a while (Chefs) and two we have never been to (R&C and BOG of course).

So, I think that is our basic strategy....but one more important point. Usually our trips have a reason behind them and the person in the spotlight gets to direct the dining selections. Last trip it was my son's choice as it was a high school graduation celebration. This year it is my daughter who made the choices as this is a special trip for her and her best friend (who btw has never been to disney world - a fact that we are all excited about, since we can experience the place for the first time through her eyes!).

Thanks again RMH and that is how we make our decisions about where to dine.

 

[PUSH]

Unlike some people, we don't always eat at TS restaurants. We are just as happy to eat at CS. However, we do typically do 2-3 TS restaurants during the week.

First we'll look at menus online, and then we will base it off of reviews and what we want to do. Not much put into it, but it works!

 

[real mad hatter]

First off let me just say how much I enjoy your presence at wdwmagic. You bring such a good vibe to the place and I am sure many others appreciate your effort.

As for this question, it looks upon reflection that we do a mix of a) must repeats, b) want to try it again, and c) new places. So for example this year (Jan 1-7) we will start with California Grill, which we now always do to put us in the mood. Another tradition is CRT. Then we will have a few repeats that we enjoyed but are not wed to. This tip that includes Artists Point, Jiko, and Tutto Italia. Then we add a few places we either haven't tried in forever or never. This year this includes BOG for dinner, Les Chef de France (hoping for some Remy time), 50's Prime Time cafe for lunch and Rose and Crown for dinner.

We always do Artist Point when we stay at WL villas (which we are this year) and last time we had such a great lunch at Tutto Italia (food and the young man from Sicily that served us), so we decided to go back. Jiko's we usually do every other trip but love it and it gives us an excuse to go see the AKLodge and have a drink at that great bar (I can't remember her name, but the lady bartender there rocks!).

Among the "new" places we have one we went to along time ago (50's), one that we haven't been to in a while (Chefs) and two we have never been to (R&C and BOG of course).

So, I think that is our basic strategy....but one more important point. Usually our trips have a reason behind them and the person in the spotlight gets to direct the dining selections. Last trip it was my son's choice as it was a high school graduation celebration. This year it is my daughter who made the choices as this is a special trip for her and her best friend (who btw has never been to disney world - a fact that we are all excited about, since we can experience the place for the first time through her eyes!).

Thanks again RMH and that is how we make our decisions about where to dine.

. Well thank you for the compliment,much appreciated.I just love Disney 24/7. It's a great site where everyone has different views,opinions,suggestions,etc,and you always learn something new.

 

[real mad hatter]

Unlike some people, we don't always eat at TS restaurants. We are just as happy to eat at CS. However, we do typically do 2-3 TS restaurants during the week.

First we'll look at menus online, and then we will base it off of reviews and what we want to do. Not much put into it, but it works!

Same here.We had free QS DDP this year,tho we did 3 ADRS, as we always make sure they are three or four TS meals in our 14 day vacation.

 

[luv]

When I started, I was kind of on a roll to try a bunch of places.

Now I've tried everything I wanted to try and do my faves.

 

[petey]

Hello Prof Ecks. I really like staying @ AKL, and look forward to my upcoming visit this Jan. Some people say it is a little out of the way, however that is what attracts people also because it is so relaxing, unique and that "slows" the act down a little. Seeing the animals is awesome. IMO AKL has the best group of restaurants on property. Sitting at The Cooking Place @ Jiko can be entertaining watching them prepare dishes. Night vision goggles are available to view the animals at night by the fence just past the pool. Sanaa restaurant at Kidani Village-part of AKL is also a really nice place, as is Boma the buffet restaurant. The bar you are referring to right over Jiko & Boma is called Victoria Falls, and the lady bartender you are probably speaking of is Rose,who has served me
several times and is really nice. Summing up-allot to do at the AKL complex, Enjoy!!!!!!!

 

[crispy]

We like to mix a few old favorites with a few new restaurants each trip although we are reaching the point now that we only have a few new ones left to try.

 

[Minthorne]

First off let me just say how much I enjoy your presence at wdwmagic. You bring such a good vibe to the place and I am sure many others appreciate your effort.

As for this question, it looks upon reflection that we do a mix of a) must repeats, b) want to try it again, and c) new places. So for example this year (Jan 1-7) we will start with California Grill, which we now always do to put us in the mood. Another tradition is CRT. Then we will have a few repeats that we enjoyed but are not wed to. This tip that includes Artists Point, Jiko, and Tutto Italia. Then we add a few places we either haven't tried in forever or never. This year this includes BOG for dinner, Les Chef de France (hoping for some Remy time), 50's Prime Time cafe for lunch and Rose and Crown for dinner.

We always do Artist Point when we stay at WL villas (which we are this year) and last time we had such a great lunch at Tutto Italia (food and the young man from Sicily that served us), so we decided to go back. Jiko's we usually do every other trip but love it and it gives us an excuse to go see the AKLodge and have a drink at that great bar (I can't remember her name, but the lady bartender there rocks!).

Among the "new" places we have one we went to along time ago (50's), one that we haven't been to in a while (Chefs) and two we have never been to (R&C and BOG of course).

So, I think that is our basic strategy....but one more important point. Usually our trips have a reason behind them and the person in the spotlight gets to direct the dining selections. Last trip it was my son's choice as it was a high school graduation celebration. This year it is my daughter who made the choices as this is a special trip for her and her best friend (who btw has never been to disney world - a fact that we are all excited about, since we can experience the place for the first time through her eyes!).

Thanks again RMH and that is how we make our decisions about where to dine.

I'll be there 12/28-1/5 so I'll be looking for you at dinner!

 

[Prof Ecks]

Hello Prof Ecks. I really like staying @ AKL, and look forward to my upcoming visit this Jan. Some people say it is a little out of the way, however that is what attracts people also because it is so relaxing, unique and that "slows" the act down a little. Seeing the animals is awesome. IMO AKL has the best group of restaurants on property. Sitting at The Cooking Place @ Jiko can be entertaining watching them prepare dishes. Night vision goggles are available to view the animals at night by the fence just past the pool. Sanaa restaurant at Kidani Village-part of AKL is also a really nice place, as is Boma the buffet restaurant. The bar you are referring to right over Jiko & Boma is called Victoria Falls, and the lady bartender you are probably speaking of is Rose,who has served me
several times and is really nice. Summing up-allot to do at the AKL complex, Enjoy!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info Petey! Rose is her name and she makes a great drink! Can't wait...

 

[awoogala]

We start with figuring out what parks, what days.
So if we are at epcot, we are eating at epcot. I don't run all over for food. Then we ask the kids if there are any characters are "have to see" and book character meals accordingly (I never rely on meet and greets, so we make sure we get the meals!)
after that, we pick 1 or 2 before the park opens breakfasts (if those weren't already covered by character meal choices), and we see if anyone wants to try anything new, and we always go to tusker house.
Chef mickey's is always our first meal at the world, part nostalgia, part feeling like it's Disney right away, even if we don't go to the parks (plus seeing mickey right away guarantees I will not have to wait to see him!)
We tend to eat breakfast mostly in the room, while everyone is getting up and dressed, lunch is usually ts, and dinner is usually qs if we can manage it, with a few extra ts thrown in.
This time we are trying new places, since we are traveling with another family, we are all compromising..so for the first time, we are doing kona breakfast, plaza for lunch, and mama melrose's .
We still have picky young kids, so it's not worth it for us to do most of the "fancy" places just yet, but they are going to childcare one night, and we are doing le cellier, so we will see!

 

[petey]

Hi Again Prof Ecks. If you make it to Victoria Falls when you are in WDW, ask Rose to make you her famous Mudslide, really goes down easy like a milkshake, she even puts chocolate syrup in it. She just loves using the blender (not) but none the less her Mudslides are great. She usually works from Wed. evenings to Saturday evenings. Tell her Pete from Maryland says hello, she will be amused.

 

[Prof Ecks]

Hi Again Prof Ecks. If you make it to Victoria Falls when you are in WDW, ask Rose to make you her famous Mudslide, really goes down easy like a milkshake, she even puts chocolate syrup in it. She just loves using the blender (not) but none the less her Mudslides are great. She usually works from Wed. evenings to Saturday evenings. Tell her Pete from Maryland says hello, she will be amused.

You got it Petey! I'll try the mudslide and let her know who gave me the recommendation!

 

[minnielaw]

I too appreciate your presence on the boards and your positive vibe!

I must admit that I obsess a little too much over the dining at WDW! I read all the reviews on here, look at the food pictures and peruse the menus. The food pictures help me decide as I have trouble visualizing what a dish will look like based only on the menu description.

Our family really like good food, so we concentrate on "food" restaurants and not "dining experiences". We don't do character dining, overly themed places (Sci-Fi or 50's) and try to avoid buffets, with the exception of Boma. We are fortunate that our boys are adventurous eaters and willing to try anything.

We usually concentrate on the Epcot restaurants and resort restaurants. We do like most people and return to a few of our favorites and try a few new restaurants each trip. I must say that during our last trip we were less than impressed with most of the TS locations (except Sanaa and Le Cellier) and really enjoyed our QS options!

 

[real mad hatter]

I too appreciate your presence on the boards and your positive vibe!

I must admit that I obsess a little too much over the dining at WDW! I read all the reviews on here, look at the food pictures and peruse the menus. The food pictures help me decide as I have trouble visualizing what a dish will look like based only on the menu description.

Our family really like good food, so we concentrate on "food" restaurants and not "dining experiences". We don't do character dining, overly themed places (Sci-Fi or 50's) and try to avoid buffets, with the exception of Boma. We are fortunate that our boys are adventurous eaters and willing to try anything.

We usually concentrate on the Epcot restaurants and resort restaurants. We do like most people and return to a few of our favorites and try a few new restaurants each trip. I must say that during our last trip we were less than impressed with most of the TS locations (except Sanaa and Le Cellier) and really enjoyed our QS options!

. Nice. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[The Mighty Tim]

My strategy, certainly for my last trip, was to take advantage of the food court in the resort for breakfast, then grab a lunch at somewhere quick like Columbia Harbor House or Electric Umbrella. Then, in the evening, go somewhere out of the park for an early dinner (say 5:30 - 6:00) and then hit the parks in the evening.

We might have one table service in the park one evening, but we didn't do it last time. We had our evening meals in Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk.

The Boardwalk actually has some fairly good restaurants. Get there at the right time, and it's not very busy at all.

 

[ejsanta13]

We only visit one park a day and only have 2-3 TS meals per trip, so we book meals either in the park we are visiting or in a nearby resort for ease of use. We visit in the "off" season and parks close a bit earlier than other times in the year and we like to maximise our touring time so a lot of the resort restaurants have not been visited, YET. However, we did have lunch @ Kona last week which was good ( I had the tuna sandwich - med rare), even though they were out of the pressed pot Kona coffee. Easy to eat in EPCOT and VN is one of our faves as we can get in and out pretty quickly and it is fairly reasonable for the 4 of us to eat. We can split a large pizza and either an app or dessert and be content (leaves room for other snacks/libations). We love 50's in HS and will def do that again. We have done a few character meals and I think I am done with them for a while as it seems like the characters spend less and less time now, and it is just as easy to see the fab 5 in the parks with not much of a wait. Not worth the $$ for mediocre buffet food. Maybe try Akershus in EP to get in b4 park opening. Many new places to try and good food to be had. One of the many benefits of WDW trips.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

My 1st consideration is who am I traveling with...for me this changes frequently among a large number of family members. I then book in the park or at a resort near the park I'm in for the day to cut down on travel time, this includes the boardwalk area when I'm spending the day at dhs and/or epcot. My next thought is where can I go that I've never been before and which places I just have to do again. The last thing depends on how far in advance I've planned my trip...this could be more than 180 days or 1-2 days before.