[mpmanly]

We're off to WDW in a couple of weeks and would love advice on restaurants that meet the following criteria (i) food that grown-ups will enjoy and (ii) an environment that will keep two small kids entertained. Obviously, a ton of WDW restaurants meet both of those criteria to some extent or another. We were thinking Ohana. Any other ideas???

[LAURENGOLD]

hi!

We just got back Sunday and 2 meals we LOVED were Hollywood and Vine at MGM- its a buffet and there are characters at breakfast and lunch (we ate dinner there, no characters) Our DD who is 4 really enjoyed it even though we had no characters.

We also ate at Liberty Tree Tavern which is family style and very good food (we thought) they had Minnie, Goofy, Chip&Dale, and Pluto.

There are so many great places that have the kids get up and do games also, Ohana's being one of them, we stayed at the Polynesian and the kids were always running around with some character and looking like they were having great fun!!!

I'm sure you'll get lots of other advice as well!!!

Have a GREAT trip
Lauren

[trishb]

Me, too! Me, too! (great question)

My little guy will be 2.

[brumcg]

mpmanly,

We've been the last 2 years with kids 1 & 9 then 2 & 10...

'Ohana is a very good choice. In fact, all of the buffet or family-style places are fantastic. The biggest problem with my youngest is the waiting... At the buffets and family-styles, no wait, no problem, and a quick good meal.

The first time that I went to a Disney buffet - Crystal Palace I think - I thought the food would be tame and lame. Quite the opposite. There were enough 'adult' foods for the adults and enough 'kid' foods for the kids.

That said, on our last trip, we took our 2 year old to Artist Point and we were a little worried. It was great. There were other young kids in the restaurant, and they were made to feel right at home. I wouldn't want to do that every night, but a few times during the trip is fine.

Happy eating!

Bruce

[BDavis932]

I definately agree with all of the above. Especially O'hana, it is a MUST!!

Buffets are GREAT, too!! Garden Grill in The Land at EPCOT has a great character meal and a revolving restaurant!! Also, the food court in The Land is nice (no characters, though) for fast food.

Another fun suggestion is to head over to Fort Wilderness around 4:30 (from the Transportation and Ticket Center) and take the kids to the petting farm. Around 5:30 go eat at Trails End Buffet (it doesn't have characters, but yummy home cooking, buffet style!) After you eat, look around the general store, and let the kiddos play on the playground or check out the peacocks (look for the white one!) Then you can go on a hayride or go to the campfire with chip and dale and movies!!

Have fun planning, hope you have a wonderful trip!:)

[PiratesFan]

When we went in June 2001, my girls were 1 1/2 and 3. They are both fussy eaters and we had a real problem during our stay.

I would say the buffets are a pretty good choice due to a variety of items to suit their tastes. Since our kids love pizza and macaroni, we had to eat a lot in the food court in POR where we stayed. Not too many places acomodate both.

Our next trip is on May, where the kids will be 3 and 5, and planning our trip based upon the menus is necessary. We know not to go to certain places because my daughter will not like anything there. Planning ahead will make the trip go smoothly while ensuring that the kids eat properly. There are a few sites with all the menus posted for the restaraunts in WDW, including prices. Hope you don't have a picky eater, there are so many great places to try.

Cheers

[Willbegone]

Originally posted by BDavis932:
{(Another fun suggestion is to head over to Fort Wilderness around 4:30 (from the Transportation and Ticket Center) and take the kids to the petting farm. After you eat, look around the general store, and let the kiddos play on the playground or check out the peacocks (look for the white one!) Then you can go on a hayride or go to the campfire with chip and dale and movies!! )}


Is this all free?? Can anyone go to this? We are staying at CBR but would love to take our 2 year old over the activities if possible.

[dab]

All of the suggestions posted are good ones. We too love Ohanas. But, when we were there in Sept. we didn't know that there was a kids menu. My then 3 1/2 yr old only ate 3 or 4 bites of food but was highly entertained with the hula hoop contest, coconut races and hula lessons. My DH and I loved the food but will know to ask the right person for the kids menu!! Hollywood & Vine and 50's Prime Time Cafe at MGM and Garden Grill at Epcot are also fav. of ours for the food and entertainment value for the kids. Disney does a good job of making dining enjoyable for the kids and so far I haven't found a place I wouldn't go back to. Good luck!

[brumcg]

I forgot to mention about 'Ohanas...

Don't make your PS too early or you'll miss the entertainment. When we ate there last June, we took the earliest PS we could get (5:00?)... Entertainment started about 30 minutes after we left.

Bruce

[BDavis932]

Originally posted by Willbegone
Originally posted by BDavis932:
Is this all free?? Can anyone go to this? We are staying at CBR but would love to take our 2 year old over the activities if possible.

The transportation, petting farm, playground, peacock watching, and the campfire are all FREE!! Trails End Buffet is VERY reasonable (and yummy!!) There is a charge for the hayride (not sure, I think around $7/person)

If you would prefer to go to Fort Wilderness via boat (rather than buses, which take a half hour or more) Plan for it late one afternoon from the Magic Kingdom and after the campfire, if you plan it just right, you might be able to catch Fantasy in the Sky on your boat ride back to the MK.