Originally Posted By jkayjs I know that you are all always ready to share and help out another LPer so I'm looking to all of you for some advice. Just found out that my other two children will be able to join us in Dec when we go to celebrate the holidays with their sister. It was our 30th anniversary this year as well and my b-day is 4 days before we go so this will be an everything trip. Need reviews of some of the mod priced table service/buffets. We will still do a CG, etc. but now that they are joining us we need to scale down some of the meals. They are young and on fixed budgets so we don't want to stress their wallets. I know that there are some hidden gems at some of the resorts but have not had a chance to eat at many of them. Please share which you like and the style of food they serve. THX in advanced.
Originally Posted By jkayjs BTW I entered this here because fewer people seem to freq the dining threads.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Moderately priced restaurants we really enjoy include (in no particular order): 1) Boatwright's at Port Orleans Riverside -- Well prepared American food, some dishes with a Cajun style. 2) Spoodles at the Boardwalk -- Outstanding food at a moderate price. Menu is Mediterranean - a sampling of dishes from Italy, Spain, Greece, etc. 3) Trail's End Buffet at Fort Wilderness. It takes some effort to get there, but you are well rewarded. It is the absolute BEST food value at WDW. It is the lowest priced buffet on property and the food is generally excellent(for buffet food). 4) ESPN Club at the Boardwalk. Primarily a Sport's Bar Menu (who'd a thought?), but the food is well prepared and the prices are modest. Enjoy!
Originally Posted By jkayjs THX Trippy this is exactly what I was looking for. We were talking about Trails End glad to hear it is good. We're staying at the Poly so shouldn't be to hard to get there by boat. We've done ESPN but not the others I'm really interested in Spoodles. THX again. Any others?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I second all of Trippy's places and would add Olivia's in OKW -- another thought would be if you had planned on two meals one day -- make one Earl of Sandwhich - still very good and very moderate - then do a nicer place for the second. The issue is even with the 'moderate' eateries for sit down -- you can run up a larger bill on some menu items. Also I think the Biergarten for lunch buffet in EPCOT is an outstanding bargain -- all you can eat and very good for for $15.99 adult 7.99 kids -- get your desert and entertainment with that
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<The issue is even with the 'moderate' eateries for sit down -- you can run up a larger bill on some menu items.>> Especially if you order a couple of $50 bottles of wine as we've been known to do at Spoodles. ;-)
Originally Posted By trailsend Wolfgang Puck Express in the Village is very good and next to Earl of Sandwich.
Originally Posted By jkayjs My husband already put his vote in for the Biergarten so that's a go. I love EoS. Olivia's was one of the places I was curious about thanks vb. I hear ya Trippy it is always the spirits that run up our bills. My daughter is picking up some beer and wine to have in the room so hope this cuts down on the bill. Has anyone been to Kona Cafe? We've been to 'Ohana many times but never Kona Cafe. Since we're staying there thought it would be an option. I already plan on breakfast there(tonga toast) but wondered about lunch/dinner. We love Wolf Gang's but have never tried the Express will check it out. Does anyone like The Plaza at the MK? You guys have been great thanks.
Originally Posted By RangerPooh Trails End is great for dinner, pretty decent selection of food Whispering Canyon Cafe for lunch isn't too bad, esp for the 'all you care to eat' We like Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner as the food is grub! And for what you pay it's fairly reasonable.
Originally Posted By kennect Okay, Maybe off base here but could the dining plan be an option if you are doing the appropriate reservation for your trip...Am I right in saying that it is only offered to Disney resort package's booked? Other than that, the only thing I can say is that lunch menu's seem much more reasonable than dinner menu's without a lot of difference in terms of servings...
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney Kona Cafe is an excellent choice. I have been there a few dozen times and never been disappointed. I love the Teriyaki Steak Salad (on lunch menu), and the desserts are some of Disney's best ---- which is saying a lot. Plaza Restaurant isn't special. Basic sandwiches and burgers ... but the ice cream sundaes are worth it. Olivia's is a hidden gem at WDW and you almost never need a PS, especially for lunch. I often just stop in. The prices are also almost cheap for lunch and reasonable for dinner. I'd skip Wolfgang Puck Express, unless you want fast food. Their pizzas are quite good, but it just isn't a special place. Oh, and Trail's End is great for breakfast and lunch, but overpriced for dinner. Basic comfort foods in a very peaceful, rustic setting. I'm hungry!!!!
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp Trail's End if you like buffet-style food - as mentioned earlier, the best food value at WDW. Along the same lines, Whispering Canyon also provides a lot of food for a decent price. Olivia's is also good - somewhat out of the way, but you can usually get in, and for most of the day (some restaurants close at 2, so if you're running late, you might not get in). Actually, any of the restaurants on the 3 monorail hotels provide a reasonable lunch - we tend to rotate around them, and it's enjoyable to be able to take a boat ride to the MK.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <My husband already put his vote in for the Biergarten so that's a go. I love EoS. Olivia's was one of the places I was curious about thanks vb< You'll like Olivia's -- and yeah for hubby --good choice -- or gute wahl as your server would say....
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<The issue is even with the 'moderate' eateries for sit down -- you can run up a larger bill on some menu items.>> Especially if you order a couple of $50 bottles of wine as we've been known to do at Spoodles. ;-) << that is why I am hesitant to call anything moderate or high end at WDW -- I have had times when we spent more at Le Cellier than at Cali Grill -- it just depends.... as far as the wine @ $50 per-- you must love the first list ( reserves ) at Cali then --LOL !
Originally Posted By jkayjs Thanks all. Know we will have a great time even we eat only counter service but why not make it even better with good table service.
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider >>that is why I am hesitant to call anything moderate or high end at WDW -- I have had times when we spent more at Le Cellier than at Cali Grill -- it just depends<< Yea I agree with that. I think even Wolfgang Puck's sitdown at the WEst End is "moderate" compared to other places - it's sort of priced in the range of a Cheesecake Factory level restaurant. If you like burgers there's a place called Jungle Jim's at the Crossroads just off the property (I think?) as the entrance to WDW property is like literally a block away. They have like 30 kinds of burgers...some sound kinda gross like I think there's one with peanutbutter....but there are some really good ones that I don't think can be found anywhere else. They run about 8-13 I think. We usually go there the day we land for dinner as we don't go to a park and waste the money on a non-full day.
Originally Posted By danyoung There are a couple of "fast food" places that are better than average. In the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe has 3 different counters serving 3 different kinds of food, with an excellent fixin's bar. The entertainment is from Sonny Eclipse, an audio-animatronic lounge singer and his astro organ. A fun show, and some pretty funny songs, too. In the Animal Kingdom you'd enjoy the Flame Tree Barbeque. Pretty good ribs and sliced beef sandwiches, but what makes it special is the terraced eating area overlooking the waterway and the new Expedition: Everest. I'd also say that 'Ohana at the Poly isn't that high priced, and is an excellent all you can eat meal. Enjoy!
Originally Posted By smedley How about Boma at the AKL, again a not too badly priced buffet, with some excellent food choices for dinner. Nice to get out and wander round the edge of the savannah, or sit round the firepit with a drink afterwards too.
Originally Posted By Chelledun >>If you like burgers there's a place called Jungle Jim's at the Crossroads just off the property (I think?) as the entrance to WDW property is like literally a block away. MrToadWildRider, we do the same thing! My family always ate there the first night of our visit as tradition. It is reasonably priced and fun. This was our first visit not eating there because we were on the dining plan but I missed it .
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider >>MrToadWildRider, we do the same thing! My family always ate there the first night of our visit as tradition. It is reasonably priced and fun. This was our first visit not eating there because we were on the dining plan but I missed it .<< Yea us too. I love the Fertility (oooh ) Burger or whatever it's called with all the spicy stuff (Jalepenos, buffalo wing sauce, etc) It's spicy but soooo good I tried to do the Headhunter Challenge when I was like 13...the damn fries killed me. I got through the burger and through like 1/2 the fries but then I thought my insides were going to explode :O
