Originally Posted By RoadTrip We’re heading for WDW in about 10 days. Here’s our lineup for restaurants needing PS. They are not necessarily known as WDW’s best restaurants; but we have really kind of concentrated on those the past few years and wanted to try something new. Spoodles We’ve eaten at Spoodles frequently too. But it always is good and we’re paying for a half dozen guests that night besides ourselves and Spoodles is probably the nicest “affordable†restaurant. Rose and Crown My mother will be with us that day and she ADORES anything British. We’ve eaten there once before, but it was a long time ago. As long as the server sounds British my mom will love the place, and that’s what counts tonight. ‘Ohana We haven’t been to ‘Ohana for a few yeas, and frankly my wife didn’t really want to go this year either. The food is good but nothing special, but the setting is one of the best of any restaurant at WDW. Nothing says WDW like a dinner at ‘Ohana. I can’t help myself… I had to go there again. Biergarten One of the few showcase restaurants we’ve never tried. My wife grew up eating homemade German food – her parents were the first in her family born in America. My wife really misses those tastes… both of her parents have passed on so she doesn’t get that German home cooking anymore. I’m hoping Biergarten is authentic and that it is good. Sci-Fi Dine In We’ve dined at The Brown Derby so many times over the past five years we can’t even think of anything on the menu that we haven’t tried. It was time for something new. My wife didn’t really enjoy Prime Time when we ate there, so we are giving Sci-Fi a try. We’ve been there once before but it was a long time ago. I seem to remember that the food was mediocre, the films were cheesy, but that we had a lot of fun there anyway. Cinderella's Royal Table Our only experience with Cindy's was for a character Breakfast about 12 years ago which we really DID NOT like. I'm not sure if it was really that bad, but to get a reservation we had to take a seating much earlier than we are used to. We are NOT early risers when we are on vacation. My wife, daughter and I were all kind of like "OK... fine; shut up and get out of the way and let them bring us our food." Plus Peter and Wendy were WAY perkier than anyone has a right to be at that time of the day. When you are half asleep you really HATE to see someone having such a good time!! We've never had dinner there though, and I've heard that especially in recent years it has been quite good. We want to give it a try... the setting is certainly lovely. Any thoughts or comments on the above would be appreciated, as well as suggestions for others for our 'open' days. It's a slow time of the year and its usually not hard getting seating on a walk-in basis. We are looking for restaurants that are good but not necessarily one of those frequently recommended.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I avoided this one for years thinking it probably is hard to get to, it's over priced, and it's probably not that great... until .... My wife made me book it. It's great. <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=HoopDeeDooMusicalRevueDiningPage" target="_blank">http://disneyworld.disney.go.c om/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=HoopDeeDooMusicalRevueDiningPage</a>
Originally Posted By danyoung If the weather's nice, try sitting outside at the Rose & Crown. It's really nice watching the boats going by all the cool architecture of the World Showcase. I've only done Biergarden once, & I won't be back any time soon. The buffet was entirely unimpressive, and as a single traveler I was seated at what was essentially someone else's table, and they didn't seem too pleased to have me there. YMMV, though, so go for it. 'Ohana has recently changed their dessert from their famous pineapple with caramel dipping sauce to a bread pudding. I hear the new dessert is tasty, but I sure loved that pineapple!
Originally Posted By danyoung Your Mileage May Vary. Or in other words, my experience doesn't mean that yours will be the same.
Originally Posted By JeffG Rose & Crown is the only place you listed that I haven't eaten at before, although it has been long enough since I ate at Cinderella's Royal Table that it was still King Stephen's back then. Here are my thoughts on each: Spoodles: You already know this one pretty well, it sounds like. I'm not sure it would be exteremly high on my list for return visits, although the food was good. For the price, I just have found quite a few other WDW restaurants that I tend to like better. 'Ohana: We ate there during our last visit and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was plentiful and extremely good and the atmosphere was a lot of fun. I particularly liked the particularly wide variety of food served, which helped to accommodate a lot of different tastes. I wouldn't hesitate to go back there again. Biergarten: I'm going to differ with what the last couple posts here said and state that this is actually one of my favorite Epcot restaurants. I love German food, though, and certainly how much someone enjoys this restaurant is going to depend on your taste for that type of food. I don't know that I would say that it is exceptionally authentic (I lived in Milwaukee for a number of years and have some familiarity with authentic German restaurants), but it wasn't overwhelmingly Americanized either, which is probably why this is a somewhat "love it or hate it" type restaurant. As Dan noted, this is a restaurant where they tend to seat multiple parties together at large tables, so you should take that into consideration as well. Sci-Fi: I think your memory of the restaurant is pretty accurate. The food isn't spectacular (it is mostly a heavily themed burger place), but the atmosphere and theming really can't be beat. We actually end up going there at some point on nearly every trip, even if it is just for dessert. Cinderella's Royal Table: My experience there was that the food was ok, but fell somewhat short of what I would expect for the price. I kind of felt like the cost was somewhat more for the location than the food. In this way, it reminded me a lot of the Blue Bayou at Disneyland. I've heard that the food has improved somewhat in recent years, though, and we might try it again on our next trip (particularly since my wife and son haven't been there). -Jeff
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Trippy -- have been to all of these and have some thoughts, in some cases different that others here. btw - don;t know your DW but like her already - I too am first generation German on one side and Czech on the other -- so I know that food she remembers. If you're ever in the Chicago area- there is a German-Czech restaurant in the burbs that makes food like my Grandma did ....called Chef Paul. Also plenty of authentic German restaurants on near north side of Chicago itself. okay on to WDW...check Please ! Spoodles Also used to eat here frequently but like most places you go a number of times in a row haven't included lately. Food is good, but depending on entree's not surre I agree with more reasonable thanmost others Rose and Crown I prefer the bar here, miss the Scotch Eggs they used to have as an appetizer years ago...and English food...well ....the fish and chips is solid and the Shephers pie is spot on. But I love the atmosphere of the place ‘Ohana I am with your wife -- we'll meet you afterwards at Kona Cafe which I sincerely believe has better food. And with the change over from the Tiger Shrimp ( which were my favorite spit cooked item) - to Hawaiian Sausage ( whatever that is) - this was taken off my list this year - location / view or not Biergarten Excellent German food and the entertaiment also true....if you know a little german I have found the wait staff to be excellent - even if you only deal with them for drinks....this is very good German food and we have never gone to WDW since my kids were born and not gone to the Biergarten..that is how much I think of it Sci-Fi Dine In On my list for June also -- skipping Prime Time this year as have done a number of years in a row...the food nothing spetacular but I can recommend the vegetarian chili ( walt's recipe) and the milk shakes also vey good. And if I remember right I liked the slaw a lot here too...and yes, it really is a fun place.. Cinderella's Royal Table Not going to be on my list until they drop this nonsense where you have to get the picture and they give you a $50 lithograph ( their estimate) to justify raising the prices through the roof. I agree breakfast not in top 5 even at WDW - ( except for surroundings) - should have fun at all though I am sure: a couple of duplicates from my June list: Olivia's ( lunch ) Blue Zoo ( dinner) Liberty Tree (lunch) Biergarten ( dinner ) Chef Mickey ( breakfast) Sci-Fi Diner (lunch) Whispering Canyon Cafe ( dinner ) San Angel Inn ( lunch) L' Originale Alfredo ( dinner ) cape May ( breakfast ) Boma ( dinner ) Brown Derby ( lunch ) Kona Cafe ( dinner ) 1900 Park Faire ( breakfast ) Crystal Palace ( lunch) California Grill (dinner) thank God for the DDE card - since I am going within a year, the one I got last year good for this trip also
Originally Posted By leemac <<thank God for the DDE card>> Amen to that. Besat thing they have done in years (except the pesky new blackout dates like my NYE and my birthday). My list would have to include: Jiko (every time) Boma (breakfast is amazing as well as dinner) Coral Reef (consistently the best IMO and not rushed like most theme park sit-downs) San Angel Inn Artist's Point (although the worst service on property) Citricos California Grill (not Napa but close) I must admit I'm always amazed to see MK restaurants on there. I've never been impressed with any of them except Liberty Tree for lunch. Don't forget to sit at the bar in Tune-in Lounge and watch the guests arriving and getting an eyeful for being late from their server! One of the best spots on property and excellent bar banter and service!
Originally Posted By Labuda firstly - lee, have you not eaten the dinner at LTT? Those green beans are worth the price of admission, man! They're GREAT! Now, on to Trippy & the Rose & Crown - your reason for going is why I'll be there whenever I get my Mama to return to WDW. I fully expect to spend a few hours in the UK pavilion with my Mommy. She just LOVES Brits - I think it has to do with her being a boomer who was coming of age during the British Invasion.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <She just LOVES Brits - I think it has to do with her being a boomer who was coming of age during the British Invasion. < OMG -- that almost describes me -- as the british Invasion had a huge influence on me....but I wasn't quite coming of age if you count the invasion as say 1963 - 64 Mom will love the band !!!!
Originally Posted By Labuda Yeah, the band will be WONDERFUL for her. The moment I heard them play the first note the first time I saw them, I *knew* I had to get Mom there! Also, yeah, she's got a few years on you. Not a lot, but she was 16 in '63.
Originally Posted By Labuda Yeah, yeah, but you ARE one, so your opinion doens't count, lee! Hmmm, so how much is your appearance fee? Based on having met you, I *know* my mom would LOVE you! You're handsome, polite, and BRITISH!!! lol
Originally Posted By leemac <<firstly - lee, have you not eaten the dinner at LTT? Those green beans are worth the price of admission, man! They're GREAT! >> I must admit I haven't. Two reasons; one I'm veggie and don't find the WDW dinner buffets (except Boma) are very friendly to us herbivores and two I really don't like buffets, period. All that food glistening under a heat lamp turns my stomach. Plus I hate seeing people gorge themselves on the all-inclusive meals. Too many bad Vegas memories...
Originally Posted By leemac <<You're handsome, polite, and BRITISH!!! lol>> You missed out handsome. For you, Ann anything. Come down to WDW in April and I'll entertain you and your Mom!
Originally Posted By Labuda I'd be @ WDW in April IN A HEARTBEAT if I could. But, not going to happen this year. I'll be stage managing a show here in Austin March-May, so no birthday visit to WDW for me. WAHHHHHHHHHHHH Ah, yeah, if you're a veggie then you probably don't want to spend $20+ on green beans. Even though that's only about 1.5 pounds at the current exchange rate. hehe
Originally Posted By leemac <<I'd be @ WDW in April IN A HEARTBEAT if I could. >> You know you want to ride Everest......
Originally Posted By Labuda Darn right I do! I'm VERY much looking forward to expertiencing it in November (sigh)!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Vbdad, <<I am with your wife -- we'll meet you afterwards at Kona Café>> Does the Kona Café have any view at all? What is the atmosphere like? Do they serve wine / drinks? <<Not going to be on my list until they drop this nonsense where you have to get the picture and they give you a $50 lithograph>> What are the details on this? No way am I going to pay $50 for a photo unless Walt comes back from the dead and signs it for me!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I love everything about Sci Fi except on little detail.... Its so frikkin dark in there you can hardly see what you are eating. Not that important until you have a 18 month old on one side of you and a 3 year old on your other leg, while trying to eat yourself. Humm....I wonder if I could sneak a flashlight in there. The FOOD at Sci Fi is really great tho.
