Originally Posted By oc_dean Someone who I know of (never been to WDW, not a rabid fan like us has been enjoying the "mk" park today (Tuesday) .. and made an observation .. and I wanted to ask some of you expert WDW "magic kingdom" aficianados out there.......... Does the list of better restaurants suck? I know there is King Stephans in the castle. Then there's Tony's on Main Street's "town square". And the Crystal Palace in the plaza. He couldn't arrange seating at all in these three places I recommended. And I couldn't think of anything else that wasn't just some sandwich/burger joint. But that's exactly what he had to settle for. He thought the MK park should have a better selection of finer restaurants. Does the "mk" park need a few more decent restaurants? thanks
Originally Posted By oc_dean Well .. my info is definitely dated .. as the castle restaurant is not called King Stephans .. oh well :j
Originally Posted By leemac <<Does the "mk" park need a few more decent restaurants?>> I'd agree. There is Liberty Tree Tavern which is pretty good (one of the better place IMO). King Stefan's is now Cinderella's Royal Table to fit the right castle. I know that they keep revisiting the table service options but the issue is that there are 3 hotels within a monorail ride with over ten restaurants between them if people want a better experience. That said it seems the vacationing crowd don't want that much choice as the Tomorrowland Noodle Station was an attempt to come away from the burgers 'n' fries option and it just isn't popular.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom When ever I visit WDW I always get the park hopper option. Basically so that I can lunch in EPCOT. The MK has ( in my opinion ) the worst meal choices of any of the WDW Parks, including DTD. Eating at the Castle is something everyone should do once or twice. But your paying a premium for mediocre food. I have never eaten at Tony's, Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree Tavern. I would recommend any of those three. But keep in mind that with the meal plan now being a must for many quests, these eateries are fully booked. Hence one the reason why I always run over to EPCOT. Also keep in mind that the Trailsend Buffuteria is only a boat ride away for better priced food choices. When I visit the MK, I will eat a light meal at one of the resorts. Then hit the MK. IF if get hungry at the MK. I grab something light. Then when the park gets busy. I hightail it over to EPCOT to explore and get a late lunch.
Originally Posted By crazyformickey In my opinion I think MGM has the worst places to eat. At MK I love Liberty Tree Tavern. I am trying Crystal Palace this trip but from what my dad and step mom tell me it is great. Worse case you can hit the monorail and go to any of the resorts in the area and find great places.
Originally Posted By NJFIREGUY I agree with your friend OC the table serivice in MK leaves alot to be desired. Tonys is ok, Crystal Palace and now The Castle are "Character Dinners", and Liberty Tree is a Fixed Menu. I really wish they wouldve left the castle as just a regular old restraunt but hey thats just MHO. going a busy time of year like june i doubt he wouldve gotten in anywhere without advanced reservations.
Originally Posted By CMM1 Too bad that when they built POTC at WDW they did a "light version" without the Blue Bayou restaurant.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN OCDean... my problem with the MK is not so much the list of restaurants but the stupidity of making most of them "Character buffets". In the good old days, I never had a problem eating at some of the most enjoyable places there like the Crystal Palace and the King Stephan's Banquet Hall (aka Cindy's Royally Screwed up Table). Then there are the faux pas of late... The noodle station is a bomb with guests, the overextended closure of the Adventureland Veranda.. etc etc etc.. Personally.. if you want a decent meal at the MK, I always go to the Columbia Harbor House, or Liberty Tree Tavern, even though the quality there has slipped recently as well.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I agree with TDLFAN. I think Columbia Harbor House is the second best counter service restaurant at WDW (behind only Tusker House at the AK). Liberty Tree Tavern has always been good when I've dined there (go for lunch though; dinner has the rubber heads). Tony's can be hit or miss depending on what you order. I've had great food there but have also had food that was pretty marginal. My main complaint with Tony's is that the area where you wait to have your PS called is an absolute zoo. It is crawling with hungry whining children and adults without PS getting abusive with the CM when they are told that Tony's is booked solid for the evening (which it always is - make your PS early).
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun In July we were looking for a counter service place at MK that we had never been to before. A CM suggested CHH and we loved it! Guess I never paid attention to it before. We had fish sticks and they were a nice change from the chicken strips and burgers we tend to end up with. very nice inside. We ate upstairs and had a great view and a huge round table.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Tony's can be hit or miss depending on what you order. >> Tony's used to be awesome for breakfast. Excellent food. Never understood why it was tugged. <<I think Columbia Harbor House is the second best counter service restaurant at WDW (behind only Tusker House at the AK).>> Sunshine Seasons at Epcot is far out in the lead for me.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Sunshine Seasons at Epcot is far out in the lead for me.>> I guess I put Sunshine Seasons in a different class; "Food Court". It is hard to compare all the options available in a setup like that with your standard counter service restaurant. I agree that it is excellent.
Originally Posted By tonyanton I never miss Columbia Harbor House when at the MK. Better than the usual burgers and great views from upstairs. It would be nice to see perhaps the old Advenureland Veranda become a full-service restaurant (sans characters) and perhaps the Diamond Horseshoe space too (though I'd rather see a show return there first).
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Flame Tree BBQ at AK is our fav counter-service and then I agree CHH is next. For some reason we don't seem to miss the table service places at the MK since we're usually so busy running around. We tend to get our fill at Epcot where we always hit a few table service meals per trip.
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp One slight correct to post 6 - Liberty Tree is only Fixed menu at dinner. For lunch, you can order off of a regular menu (though the number of different items isn't particularly large). This is one of the only two MK restaurants we eat at - the other being Carnation. Everything else is poor (Tony's) or character. Instead, we catch a boat for lunch at the Poly or the Grand, or walk over to the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Thank you all for your responses so far .. I appreciate them all. >>I know that they keep revisiting the table service options but the issue is that there are 3 hotels within a monorail ride with over ten restaurants between them if people want a better experience. << Good idea. Though ... that presents a rigmarole .. when the last thing my non Disney fan friend is willing to do, is have to leave the park in order to get a decent meal .. and miss out on stuff in the park due to time taken out to get to these places. Unlike DL in Anaheim .. with DCA, the esplanade, DtD all within very short walk distances .. it's nothin'! Over at WDW ... where the park is more than twice the physical size of DL, everything is spread out by bus ride or the monorail ... add up all the time taken out .. and it adds up. Us rabid Disney fans .... sure, we'll go through any trouble necessary. HEHEHE But the word I got from my buddy ... he ABSOLUTELY was not going to have to make the huge trip out of the MK park .. to the monorail station, wait time, get to the Grand Floridian, try to find his way around, more walking .. etc, etc ... too much rigmarole. LOL I did forget about the places in Liberty Square. Anyway .. suffice it to say ... for first time visitors trying to make the most of their time .. and not have to leave property ... it seems a few more decent options would be appropriate. (Side note ... I'm trying to get this person to take the darn monorail from the MK parking to EPCOT and get the "Grand" entrance .. He's stubborn! "Oh, I'll just drive to EPCOT's parking!" - NO! -- Hasn't left the hotel yet. )
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I like the decor of the Columbia Harbour House. I just dislike the food. Not much memorable food choices there.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Over at WDW ... where the park is more than twice the physical size of DL, everything is spread out by bus ride or the monorail ... add up all the time taken out .. and it adds up.>> Well the walk from MK to Contemporary is shorter than DL to DLH. I don't think that is an unreasonable distance. It always makes me laugh to see people queue up to an hour to get food in a place like Cosmic Ray's when much better food is available so close.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Well the walk from MK to Contemporary is shorter than DL to DLH. I don't think that is an unreasonable distance. It always makes me laugh to see people queue up to an hour to get food in a place like Cosmic Ray's when much better food is available so close.>> When we are at the MK we frequently hop on a boat over to Fort Wilderness to have lunch at the Trail's End Buffet. It is about 15-20 minutes each way but we think it is well worth the trip. The MK generally isn't a real pleasant place to be anyway between about 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Originally Posted By LuLu I wasn't interested in any of the options for table service in MK when I made ADRs. We plan to eat our big meal midafternoon and will need a light meal around 8 on our EMH nights at the MK. So, Columbia House and Carnation? Any other suggestions? Anything that has salads would be great in my book...
