Favorite WDW Resorts Dining!

[CompleetlyRandom]

So, once again, to help myself and others plan for future WDW trips, I wanted to set up a poll for the parks and the resorts to help for picking out dining options during my stay. This will be extremely helpful for reservations and the Dining Plan! Even though I have seen a few discussions here and there, I think a general poll will really be quick and easy! Thanks so much everyone!
:clap::clap:

[disneyobsessed808]

Well, the poll isn't up yet, but my favorite places to eat were 'Ohana (and anywhere that has O'Hana is spelled wrong :lol:) and California Grill. The fireworks from California Grill rooftop made the night really awesome!

[jstras22]

chef mickey at the contemporary!

[CompleetlyRandom]

This is perfect. I'm really looking for places that would be worthy to travel to to eat there. I tried to put the top few from each hotel, though realistically I would never travel to a value resort for the food...

[SirScott99]

Oh man, there are a few places but I'll have to go with:

Ohanas for dinner with their AMAZING wings
Chef Mickeys for breakfast
Cape May for their amazing crab legs and clams and new england clam chowder
Pop Century cause it's just cool

what else did i forget?

[eeyore4president]

Definitely would choose 'Ohana but also love Cape May Cafe, Kona Cafe and Boma. Also very good are Chef Mickeys, Olivias and Artist Pallette. The only place we have eaten at that I didn't care for was the Pepper Market.

[flyosu]

Our hands down favorite place that we make reservations for on EVERY visit is Narcoosie's at the Floridian. Wonderful food, great atmosphere & a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom & fireworks at night. Same price level as California grill.
If you go there take time to get there early, get a seat at the bar & ask for Sergio... the friendliest bar tender we have ever met!!!

[disney-freak-48]

Ohana is very very good and affordable.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Jiko is amazing! The bread alone is so good! Reminds me, I need to try and get back. Working our way through some of the table services.

Citricos : Seriously, you can't go wrong here. Braised Veal Shank is :yum:

Whispering Canyon Cafe : Because it's hilarious. If you've never been you NEED to ask for ketchup. Trust me, just ask ;-)

And just a word of caution, if you're on the DDP and you eat at any of the places at Swan, Dolphin or Shades of Green, those restaurants are not included.

And just because our last time there was so horrible : skip Grand Floridian Cafe :thumbsup:

[minniemose35]

Choices choices - I just can't pick only one.

Ohana and the Kona Cafe at the Poly are really great. Along with a great selection of flame grilled meats and other food items, there's a great view of the MK fireworks from Ohana. The Tonga Toast at the Kona Cafe is to die for.

The best view of the MK fireworks during dinner would have to be from the California Grill at the Contemporary, but even if you can't get there for the fireworks, the view of the MK is just wonderful and the food is great. We also enjoyed the food and wine at The Wave.

The food at Artist Point at the WL is also very good.

[Phylers]

Good advice so far, although I'm not a fan of 'Ohana (it's a fine place; it's just not my thing).

The Kona Cafe is pretty good, but it is pretty darn expensive. Generally speaking, we'll only consider eating there around the holidays or when someone else is paying. :lol: Ditto everything at the Grand Floridian.

If you can get there early during football season (if there is one), you can't find a better place to catch a game than the ESPN Club. The food is great, and the atmosphere is top notch. Friendly joshing will always ensue between rival fans (Eagles and Giants fans shaking hands - mass hysteria! :lol:).

I've never eaten there, but I voted for Beaches 'n' Cream based on the hype and the intriguing menu. The fountain shop fare seems like it'd be a great way to end a day. The Cape May Cafe is very well regarded (my sister loves it), but keep in mind that it's a buffet place.

As far as my vote for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, allow me to clarify - I'm not voting for the dinner show (which is fun) or the food (typical American backyard fare - chicken, ribs, beans served in a bucket, etc). I'm voting for the all-you-can-drink sangria that is included with your admission. :yum: As you can imagine, the show gets better as it goes on, but it might have nothing to do with the performers. :lol:

If I could give a place a negative vote, it'd be for Big River Grille & Brewing Works. The menu looks good, and the microbrews are enticing. From the outside. Inside, the place is dingy, the beer isn't up to snuff (and is too pricey to experiment with), and the food is a letdown. Avoid Big River like the plague.

[SirScott99]

I actually liked the Big River Grille. I only ate there once a few years ago but from what I remember it was pretty good. Granted I also didn't go for beer but the steak was good. Beaches n Cream is amazing. I ate there last trip with my mom and I had one of the most delicious burgers I've ever had..... and not to mention their pickles were good too. Haha

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Good advice so far, although I'm not a fan of 'Ohana (it's a fine place; it's just not my thing).



Neither am I, but that's more because I've only eaten there once and we were rushing to get somewhere so we missed out on the whole point of it.

[jeffztt]

If I could give a place a negative vote, it'd be for Big River Grille & Brewing Works. The menu looks good, and the microbrews are enticing. From the outside. Inside, the place is dingy, the beer isn't up to snuff (and is too pricey to experiment with), and the food is a letdown. Avoid Big River like the plague.

I'll try to give a better summary in a bit, but first want to add onto a couple of comments.

I agree with Phylers and HHGFG about 'Ohana. The food is good but I wouldn't say amazing and the show was alright. For the cost, I'd go elsewhere (or to Fogo de Chao first, although there isn't one in Orlando (they are missing out by not having one there)). Our experience at Kona was similar...we'd go other places first...except breakfast there is good.

For Big River I've been a couple times. Once long ago and it wasn't memorable. Last time we went and enjoyed ourselves. We sat outside on the Boardwalk on a nice day, so that helped a lot. There were three of us and I ordered the beer tasting, which was reasonable for 6 3oz tastings and my Mom had Sangria that she enjoyed. We split an order of beef nachos and a bacon cheeseburger and both were excellent. They had a really good sounding dessert that we noticed was small, so we decided to go elsewhere. For a simple meal, this will work. I'm not saying I would eat here over Beaches and Cream or one of the many fine restaurants between Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Club and Swan/Dolphin, but it did exceed our expectations.

I would skip Kouzzina. In fact, I'd rather just skip a meal than eat there (unlikely, though, as I'd get pizza from the window long before I skipped a meal). We ate there, had a hard time finding something we wanted off the menu and didn't particularly care for what arrived at our table. We really were 0/4 that meal. We actually had really high hopes knowing it was a Cat Cora restaurant and it really fell short of expectations. It isn't b/c we dislike Greek food, since my Mom grew up eating at an Aunt and Uncles Greek Restaurant. I hope others liked it more or it has improved since then.

[Phylers]

For Big River I've been a couple times. Once long ago and it wasn't memorable. Last time we went and enjoyed ourselves. We sat outside on the Boardwalk on a nice day, so that helped a lot. There were three of us and I ordered the beer tasting, which was reasonable for 6 3oz tastings and my Mom had Sangria that she enjoyed. We split an order of beef nachos and a bacon cheeseburger and both were excellent. They had a really good sounding dessert that we noticed was small, so we decided to go elsewhere. For a simple meal, this will work. I'm not saying I would eat here over Beaches and Cream or one of the many fine restaurants between Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Club and Swan/Dolphin, but it did exceed our expectations.

I would skip Kouzzina. In fact, I'd rather just skip a meal than eat there (unlikely, though, as I'd get pizza from the window long before I skipped a meal). We ate there, had a hard time finding something we wanted off the menu and didn't particularly care for what arrived at our table. We really were 0/4 that meal. We actually had really high hopes knowing it was a Cat Cora restaurant and it really fell short of expectations. It isn't b/c we dislike Greek food, since my Mom grew up eating at an Aunt and Uncles Greek Restaurant. I hope others liked it more or it has improved since then.

In all fairness, I probably wouldn't have been as disappointed in Big River Grille had the outdoor seating been available. The Boardwalk is gorgeous, and the atmosphere is top notch. Unfortunately, the inside of the restaurant just looked run down. I also didn't order the beer flight, but between the three of us, I think we tried four or five different beers before moving down to the ESPN Club and switching to Yuengling. Maybe it's improved in the past two years, but I'm personally hesitant to risk giving it another shot. :shrug:

Funny you should mention Kouzzina - I didn't want to rag it having never eaten there, but I've yet to hear anyone come away impressed. It says a lot when the Flying Fish will have people waiting outside for tables, but you can walk right up to the celebrity-branded Kouzzina and sit down. Wolfgang Puck's ran into trouble a few years ago, so it's fair to hope that Kouzzina might turn around, but as it is, chatty CMs will even tell you to stay away from the place.

Good call on the pizza window, though. :thumbsup:

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

In all fairness, I probably wouldn't have been as disappointed in Big River Grille had the outdoor seating been available. The Boardwalk is gorgeous, and the atmosphere is top notch. Unfortunately, the inside of the restaurant just looked run down. I also didn't order the beer flight, but between the three of us, I think we tried four or five different beers before moving down to the ESPN Club and switching to Yuengling. Maybe it's improved in the past two years, but I'm personally hesitant to risk giving it another shot. :shrug:

Funny you should mention Kouzzina - I didn't want to rag it having never eaten there, but I've yet to hear anyone come away impressed. It says a lot when the Flying Fish will have people waiting outside for tables, but you can walk right up to the celebrity-branded Kouzzina and sit down. Wolfgang Puck's ran into trouble a few years ago, so it's fair to hope that Kouzzina might turn around, but as it is, chatty CMs will even tell you to stay away from the place.

Good call on the pizza window, though. :thumbsup:

Kouzzina....I don't even remember the food. I was too busy freezing to death. They stuck us right near some door in the back corner and the AC was on. (it was last winter when we were all freezing to death for like...weeks...:lol:)

Big River Grille....Honestly don't even know what that is :lol:

Flying Fish isn't great either. And we went in expecting it to be great and were treated great since my mom had spoken to the manager or whoever a few weeks before. For the prices and how great they say they're steaks are...there are better places.

And one day, one day I'll get to V&A. Was supposed to go for my 21st bday but my mom wasn't able to go to the parks yet. Maybe as a graduation present since we can't do a med cruise :idea:

[CompleetlyRandom]

Are most people here voting for 'Ohana for the breakfast or for dinner?

---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 AM ----------

ok, update on that last post - I've looked over the 'Ohana dinner menu and YUM!!! The bread itself sounds to die for. The only problem though is I can't get reservations for any night of my stay!!! Does anyone know if it's possible to eat there without a reservation? There are a few nights that we can try for this, and it really seems worth it. Please let me know if this is possible.. :wave:

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Are most people here voting for 'Ohana for the breakfast or for dinner?

---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 AM ----------

ok, update on that last post - I've looked over the 'Ohana dinner menu and YUM!!! The bread itself sounds to die for. The only problem though is I can't get reservations for any night of my stay!!! Does anyone know if it's possible to eat there without a reservation? There are a few nights that we can try for this, and it really seems worth it. Please let me know if this is possible.. :wave:

If you get there about 30-an hour before and put yourself on the wait-list they open you can get in. They may say that it's over an hour wait for those who don't have reservations, but they really don't mean it (usually) because of the online reservation system where you make them yourself A LOT of people double and triple book meals and therefore there are a lot of opens at pretty much everywhere. Ohana being one of them.

[schwanzie]

i will always love olivia's, but old key west is our home so it doesn't feel right not eating there at least once.

[CompleetlyRandom]

Thank you everyone for your amazing suggestions! Keep em coming! If anyone has more information about Beaches n Cream that would be great! Can you get there by boat from Epcot?

[Phylers]

Thank you everyone for your amazing suggestions! Keep em coming! If anyone has more information about Beaches n Cream that would be great! Can you get there by boat from Epcot?

You can indeed! Granted, it's just as easy to walk there from Epcot. Come to think of it, unless you cut through the pool area, it's probably a pretty comparable walk from either Epcot or the Yacht and Beach Club boat dock.

[pumbaa7287]

It's a longer walk from EPCOT than the boat dock, but probably quicker, unless you catch the boat right away.

[Vinyl Chaser]

the greatest birthday present i ever got was from my girl friend, when i turned 21 she took me to epcot (drank around the world >.<) then she surprised me with a dinner at my favorite resturant 'Ohana's!! it was my 5th time eating there and still is and always will be the greatest resturant ever! gotta get that 9:00 reservation and sit by the window, get that over look of the firework show at the magic kingdom, perfect ending to a perfect night =D also STEAK!!!!

[figgyfan]

Hoop de doo and Ohana are must do's that we look forward to every trip.

[Vinyl Chaser]

just ate at ohana' xmas eve and i couldnt move for a few hours lol greatest resturant ever!

[LindsayinNJ]

I lovveee Ohana's!!! :happy: :happy:

[Aaralyn]

I love the Kona Cafe and Ohana. The Poly has fantastic food!

[infantry556]

shutters all the way tres lecha omg out of this world

[Disneyclaire]

Chocolate chip pancakes at the French quarter food court, yummy!!!

[mshalloween]

So we just booked a vacation for my birthday in August and I'm trying to decide where I want to go for my birthday dinner... there are so many varied opinions/reviews on here it's hard to choose! :lol: I'm also trying to go somewhere I've never eaten before, which eliminates a LOT of places since my family has been going to Disney multiple times a year basically since I was born.

A few questions:


I know a lot of you LOVE 'Ohana and a lot of you think it's overrated, but I'm interested in it because it's kind of unlike anything else I've ever been to (except maybe Roy's?) Is this family style or a buffet? Does every seat offer a view of the MK fireworks? A reservation is open at 8:20PM - would that allow us to view the fireworks at 9PM? I assume we won't be rushing through dinner. I'm also obsessed with the Polynesian because I love the atmosphere and since it's so expensive to stay there, we probably never will. :pout:

Has anyone been to the Maya Grill at Coronado Springs? We are staying at Coronado so I figure maybe it's easier to just stay at our host resort for dinner. :shrug:

What kind of food is on the buffet at the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant Boma? I remember going there YEARS ago (like 10+, I think it was the year that the whole resort opened) and not really liking the food, but I definitely wasn't as adventurous with flavors back then! Opinions, thoughts, etc. on this place?


Any other suggestions for me? Looking over the list of resort dining options I can eliminate everywhere at Boardwalk, Beach Club, Caribbean Beach, any of the All-Star or Pop resorts, Wilderness Lodge, anywhere that is a food court, and everything at DTD. I haven't been anywhere at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian (except 1900 Park Fare), or the Yacht Club. I think that covers it... :)

[lintman]

I love the dinner at O'hana. They serve everything family style except the meats. They bring those around on skewers. Their bread pudding dessert is amazing. We have a dinner booked there for September. The last time we ate there was during the fireworks and we had an ok view. Our table was not right against the glass. There are plenty of tables that I would say would have almost no view of fireworks. I would make sure that you have noted on your reservation that it is your birthday and you would like a nice view of the Magic Kingdom.

The Yachtsman's Stakhouse is very good. It is not really any different from any upscale steakhouse though. I have been to Narcoosee's at GF and I really enjoyed the food. We were also there during the fireworks and had a table right next to the window, but in order to see really well you had to go out on the patio. They play the Wishes music in the restaurant and I can't remember if they did that at O'hana. The only place I have been at the Contemporary is Chef Mickey's and I don't recommend it to anybody that is going for the food.

I have never been to the Maya Grill or had Boma for dinner. The breakfast at Boma is right there with my favorites though. Of the places you mentioned I think O'hana is probably my favorite. I'm just like you though and I love the Poly so that may skew my opinion a little.

[mshalloween]

I love the dinner at O'hana. They serve everything family style except the meats. They bring those around on skewers. Their bread pudding dessert is amazing. We have a dinner booked there for September. The last time we ate there was during the fireworks and we had an ok view. Our table was not right against the glass. There are plenty of tables that I would say would have almost no view of fireworks. I would make sure that you have noted on your reservation that it is your birthday and you would like a nice view of the Magic Kingdom.

The Yachtsman's Stakhouse is very good. It is not really any different from any upscale steakhouse though. I have been to Narcoosee's at GF and I really enjoyed the food. We were also there during the fireworks and had a table right next to the window, but in order to see really well you had to go out on the patio. They play the Wishes music in the restaurant and I can't remember if they did that at O'hana. The only place I have been at the Contemporary is Chef Mickey's and I don't recommend it to anybody that is going for the food.

I have never been to the Maya Grill or had Boma for dinner. The breakfast at Boma is right there with my favorites though. Of the places you mentioned I think O'hana is probably my favorite. I'm just like you though and I love the Poly so that may skew my opinion a little.

Thanks for the input, lintman! :) The more I think about the fireworks, the more I'm unsure about the timing of it all. I am an earlier dinner eater so I'm not sure I'll make it until 8:20PM! :lol: Then I suppose it wouldn't really matter where we sat.

I need to look into Narcoosee's as well - I remember reading good things about that place. I'll skip Yachtsman's if it's just a typical steakhouse. This is Disney, after all!

Breakfast at Boma is actually another option - we could do a birthday brunch instead of a birthday dinner. Hmmmm.... :idea:

[crazybones27]

In the 3 times we stayed at Coronado we never ate at the Maya Grill. I'm not sure why, but we were never interested. On our last trip we were only there a day so we didn't have time, but we did do the Pepper Market again for breakfast. We hadn't been since 2006 and honestly the food hasn't changed much. It is a buffet style thing. You walk up and ask for what you want instead of it just being out for you to take. Breakfast was "ok" but I don't think we'll be going out of our way to go again anytime soon.

We've also never eaten at Boma, but I'm thinking we might try it in May. I need to look at the menu again. Jiko's menu always looks good to me and when you walk by the food always smells wonderful.

We had dinner with the RoyalTinks in September at The Wave at the Contemporary. It was the first time all four of us tried it. I think we all enjoyed our meals. I would eat there again some day.

I really want to try Ohana too!!

[mshalloween]

In the 3 times we stayed at Coronado we never ate at the Maya Grill. I'm not sure why, but we were never interested. On our last trip we were only there a day so we didn't have time, but we did do the Pepper Market again for breakfast. We hadn't been since 2006 and honestly the food hasn't changed much. It is a buffet style thing. You walk up and ask for what you want instead of it just being out for you to take. Breakfast was "ok" but I don't think we'll be going out of our way to go again anytime soon.

We've also never eaten at Boma, but I'm thinking we might try it in May. I need to look at the menu again. Jiko's menu always looks good to me and when you walk by the food always smells wonderful.

We had dinner with the RoyalTinks in September at The Wave at the Contemporary. It was the first time all four of us tried it. I think we all enjoyed our meals. I would eat there again some day.

I really want to try Ohana too!!

Thanks CB :) I've been to the Pepper Market quite a few times so I don't think I'll be stopping in there for any meals (maybe for a snack or quick bite or something though.) I'll look into The Wave!! If you try Boma in May, please let me know how it is!