Has this ever happened to you? You’re at a wedding/birthday party/backyard barbecue when you’re approached by a friend/relative/acquaintance/complete stranger. The conversation will usually begin with something like:
So… they tell me you’re the Disney World expert around here.
Flattery will get you everywhere, my good man. I don’t know about “expert,” but I’ve visited Walt Disney World more than a few times. What can I help you with?
Well… my cousin’s brother-in-law’s neighbor’s accountant is heading down there next week. He’s bringing his entire family including grandpa and grandma. They heard that Disney has a few nice restaurants and they’re looking for suggestions on where to eat. Can you help them?
When I finally unclench my teeth, I resist the urge to explain that this type of planning should have been done weeks, maybe months, ago. I also decide that it’s probably a waste of time to begin asking the many questions that would help narrow down the recommendations. Questions such as: What are their likes and dislikes? Are they traveling with small children, tweens or teens? What are their ages? Are they looking for character meals or restaurants with views? Do grandpa and grandma have their own teeth?
Instead, I launch into a dissertation on some of my own restaurant preferences, while couching each recommendation with disclaimers… “It might be very loud in there. They have coconut races and hula lessons for the kids. A large part of the menu is very spicy. They don’t serve alcohol.” And my personal favorite… “There’s a continuous loop of clips from very bad 1950s films playing during your meal.” Try to explain that one.
So how should we respond to this request? After all, someone asking for a restaurant recommendation probably doesn’t want or need to be subjected to the litany of rules and regulations regarding Disney’s Advance Dining Reservation system. All they really want is for someone to tell them what’s good… and what isn’t. If this is an infrequent vacation destination or the proverbial “once in a lifetime” trip, they’d like to ensure they don’t miss out on the restaurant that everyone else says is a “must do.” Similarly, they would rather not waste time and money dining somewhere that common knowledge dictates is a place to avoid.
With that, let’s assume our requestor is heading to Walt Disney World for seven glorious nights and would like to dine in a sit-down restaurant each evening. Where should we send them?
For the sake of this discussion, I’m proposing two ground rules: first, Victoria and Albert’s is off the table. Too easy. If our visiting party can afford the tab and isn’t averse to dressing up a bit, it’s as close to a sure thing as possible. I’d like our recommendations to have less of a safety net.
Second, our suggestions should span the Disney World gamut of fine, upscale dining to a character meal or two—with the occasional buffet or “all you care to eat” thrown in as well. Ready? Let’s assume our trip starts on…
Sunday
I don’t know about you folks but, by evening of my arrival day, I’m usually a bit spent from the early wakeup and a day of traveling and park touring. I’d like a nice meal but with a minimum of fuss and effort. Let’s leave the hassle, and the characters, for later in the week. My recommendation for the first evening is the Rose and Crown Dining Room. It’s comfortable and unpretentious and features a menu loaded with comfort food—or at least the British version of it. You can dine on everything from Fish and Chips to Grilled Tenderloin; or Cottage Pie to Bangers and Mash; all while sipping a pint of Guinness or a Strongbow Cider. That’s a relaxing first evening.
Monday
We’ve now had a great night’s sleep and enjoyed a full day of park touring and swimming at our resort (with a quick afternoon nap for a few of us older Mouseketeers.) We’re rested and ready to catch our first character meal. There are several choices but I’m suggesting Chef Mickey’s. I figure that if I’m going to subject myself to the chaos that is a Disney character meal, I want a tableside visit from the Big Cheese his own self. Yes, the Crystal Palace and the Pooh characters are nice and I know that I can catch Mickey and his gang at a few other places on property, but this meal at the Contemporary Resort has what I’m looking for (soups, salads, beef and ham, pasta, etc.) and let’s not forget the sundae bar. It also offers a short walk or monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom when we’re done.
Some close-up time with the Big Cheese at Chef Mickey's. Photo by Steve Russo.
Tuesday
We’re fully settled into vacation mode now and it’s time for a nice upscale dinner—something that more closely resembles “fine dining”. There are a number of very good options here but I’m recommending the California Grill. Why? Like the answer to the age-old real estate question: location, location, location. Admittedly, you can get a good steak or seafood dinner at more than a few Disney World locations. If you stuck a gun to my head, I might admit that Narcoossee’s is actually my favorite.
You can see a beautiful sunset over the Grand Floridian Resort from the California Grill. Photo by Steve Russo.
Why then, am I suggesting the California Grill? Its menu is as good, and arguably a bit more eclectic. But, as good as the view of the Magic Kingdom is from Narcoossee’s, the view from the California Grill is better. Your view is not only the Magic Kingdom but also the Seven Seas Lagoon and its resorts. Depending on your timing, you might catch a magnificent sunset during dinner followed by the ability to step out on to the balcony to see Wishes fireworks—not a shabby way to end a fine meal.
You can see “Wishes” from the California Grill. Photo by Steve Russo.
Wednesday
We’re into our fourth day now so it’s time to settle into one of the things that Disney does best – theming. The concept of restaurant theming is not unique to Disney parks and resorts but they arguably do it more and better than the competition. I’ve given some thought here to the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater but… I’ve decided to recommend the 50’s Prime Time Café. There are more than a few restaurants on property that would offer a unique theming experience—but 50’s Prime Time, for my money, offers the best combination of food and cast member interaction among them. Again, we’re talking mainly comfort foods but you’re served in a vintage 1950s kitchen complete with Formica and black and white televisions showing old programs like “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “I Love Lucy.” Your food is typically served by a “family member,” and you’ll be playfully reminded to keep your elbows off the table and finish your vegetables.
Thursday
It’s time to get a little adventurous. The “world” is almost literally at your disposal with the many restaurants within Epcot’s World Showcase pavilions. However, we’ve already visited there once this week so it’s time to head to Africa (or Asia?) at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort boasts three great dining experiences: Boma – Flavors of Africa and Jiko – The Cooking Place are at Jambo House while Sanaa is at Kidani Village. I’ve dined multiple times at the first two and, hopefully, by the time you read this I will have sampled Sanaa. Again, if you pinned me down, Jiko is my favorite but… for the purpose of this recommendation, I’m proposing Boma – Flavors of Africa. Nothing against the others but Boma, a buffet, has a menu that’s a bit farther reaching and should satisfy everyone’s taste—from the adventurous to the “meat and potatoes” palate. I would also suggest that Boma’s dessert table is the best on property.
Friday
Friday’s recommendation is the safest of the bunch. I discovered ‘Ohana a number of years ago and have returned more than a few times without disappointment. I believe it be a fun spot for families as well as couples looking for a romantic dining experience (I can see you rolling your eyes but it’s true.) It’s of the “all you care to eat” variety of restaurants (thankfully that phrase changed from “all you can eat” which is closer to my dining habits) which means servers will bring food to your table and keep it coming as long as you’re requesting it. ‘Ohana’s menu seems to change slightly every couple of years but the basics are always there: tossed salad, coriander wings and dumplings, followed by your choice of meat-on-a-stick. Skewers of sirloin, pork loin, chicken (used to be turkey) and peel-n-eat shrimp are grilled over an open fire pit and served directly at your table. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
Saturday
It’s their last night so I’m suggesting something nice to go out in style: the Flying Fish Café on Disney’s Boardwalk. I’m not suggesting the Flying Fish is the best restaurant on property—maybe not even in the top three. But it is very good and offers a menu that should include something for everyone. What it will also offer is another prime location—the ability to take a post-dinner stroll around a very picturesque Crescent Lake. You can watch a magician or juggler display his talents, try a carnival game or two or simply stroll and take in the ambiance. It’s only a short walk to Epcot where you could take in Illuminations: Reflections of Earth or you could just catch the higher shells from the Boardwalk while enjoying an ice cream cone from Seashore Sweets. In my opinion, it’s a great way to end a Walt Disney World vacation.
Nothing beats the Boardwalk at night. Photo by Steve Russo.
So there you have it… my response to the query “Where should we eat?” I know I left out a few of my favorite spots, and I’d bet a few of yours are missing as well.
What do you think? How might you have answered the same question? Let me know and, as always, thanks for reading.
