[gingita]

I just booked my first-ever trip to WDW in June that includes the dining plan. I am going to be going with my 17 yr old sister (I am 21), but since we have never been there, we don't know what to try. Any suggestions on what restaurants to visit that are included with the dining plan? Thanks!

[CathysCAT]

Let me be the first to welcome you to DC. I'm fairly new here, too. You got the questions - these DCers got the answers. They're G R E A T! Good luck in your planning.

[boucher0911]

Welcome to DC! I'm not very familiar with the dining plan (I've never gotten a package that included dining), but if you are able to pick whatever restaurants you want, here are my favorites:
Le Cellier (Canada pavillion, Epcot)
Garden Grille (Character dining- Land pavillion, Epcot)
Crystal Palace for breakfast (Character buffet - MK)
Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast (all you can eat with the princesses)
50's Prime Time Cafe (MGM)
Whispering Canyon Cafe (Wilderness Lodge)

If you are looking for a quick bite, don't miss The Earl of Sandwich at DtD (best sandwiches on Disney property!)and Cosmic Ray's at MK (yummy turkey wraps!)

Hope that helps you in making decisions!

[Cavey]

Originally Posted by gingita

I just booked my first-ever trip to WDW in June that includes the dining plan. I am going to be going with my 17 yr old sister (I am 21), but since we have never been there, we don't know what to try. Any suggestions on what restaurants to visit that are included with the dining plan? Thanks!

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

There are over 3000 DC members, so you're about to get 3000 different suggestions. So let me start with this.

First, pick up a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It's the best trip planner there is. It will help you with lodging, transportation, park touring, and more. One of it's best features is a review of all WDW restaurants, including polls from people who have tried these restaurants.

Second, at www.allearsnet.com you will find all of the WDW restaurants listed, and most have current menus. This will allow you to see for yourself what kind of food to expect. (They do some reviews, but I still recommend Unofficial Guide for a more comprehensive recommendation.)

Okay, having said that here are some restaurants I really enjoy.

Cinderella's Royal Table (CRT) at the Magic Kingdom (MK). Only breakfast is character meal, but lunch & dinner are delicious.
Spoodles at Disney's Boardwalk
Flame Tree BBQ (counterservice) at Animal Kingdom (AK)
Earl of Sandwhich at Down Town Disney (DTD)
Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot (get the Berber Feast!)

[llama]

Welcome to DC! Caver has given you some very good advice. Get the Unofficial Guide as soon as possible. Make it your nightly reading. You will get many, many opinions here (because that's what we love to do ) Maybe you could help us a bit by telling us what kind of food you like, what you would like to try, etc.

Epcot's World Showcase enables you to try foods from many different countries. Do you have a special, favourite ethnic choice? Do you want to dine with the Disney characters? Are you looking for a child-friendly environment, or one that's geared more towards adults. If this all seems overwhelming, don't worry. We love to help first-timers sort things out. We live vicariously through others successful Disney trips! That being said, here are a few of my favourites:

Le Cellier (Canada, Epcot)
San Angel Inn (Mexico, Epcot)
Spoodles (The Boardwalk)
Earl of Sandwich (The Marketplace, Downtown Disney)
O'hana (The Polynesian)

[Dopey]

Welcome to DC we hope to see you here often.
My favorite restaurants are:
Akershus in Epcot
Cape May Cafe' @ Beach Club Resort
Ohana is fun at the Poly
Crystal Palace @ MK
Earl of Sandwich DTD

[gingita]

Thanks for the welcomes and the advice so far! I have already purchased the Unofficial Guide and checked out Allearsnet, but I am so overwhelmed with the choices. My sister is pretty picky about what she eats, but I love to try new things, so I will probably force her to do the same.

I have heard that Ohanas is pretty good, as well as Chef Mickeys. We are going to be staying at the POFQ, so I know we will always be going to other areas of Disney World to eat. I also heard that California Grill is the "best" signature restaurant and a good place to see the fireworks. What is the best time to go there for the fireworks?

Any suggestions at all would be helpful because I am so new to this. I have only been to Disneyland before and my parents planned all those trips. Thanks!

PS: How do I put in a trip countdown? It looks like so much fun!

[Cavey]

What time of year are you going? That will help us give more advice.

[gingita]

Originally Posted by caver_jeffery

What time of year are you going? That will help us give more advice.

I am going to be there with my sister from June 21-27. She is leaving the 27th and I will be staying until July 3 for a business convention at the Dolphin Resort.

[Cavey]

Okay, so the parks will be a bit crowded, making PS important (In January, you can make 'em same day for whatever your in the mood for.).

Here's how I would start.

First, go through Unofficial Guide and Allears and eliminate any restaurants you can. For example, I can get Mexican & Chinese food anywhere, and so I eliminate those types of restaurants from the start (That's just me, you may want to try them). I read in multiple places to avoid Italian food and seafood at WDW. (I'm sure some here will disagree, but I go with the consensus.)

Second, I look at the "experience" going with the meal. CRT lets me eat in the castle. That's a treat. I discovered Spoodles because I wanted to visit Disney Boardwalk, and Kona Cafe because I wanted to visit the Poly.

Third, I look at prices, menu, and reviews. Disney Boardwalk has several resteraunts to choose from. I just narrowed it down to what was in my budget, sounded good, and got good reviews.

Lastly, I go with my gut. At Epcot there are so many good restaurants and experiences, I simply have to decide what I want to try. Last trip DW & I tried Marrakesh in Morrocco. The Berber Feast was a unique dining experience, and it had entertainment as well.

Hope that helps.

[BuzzLightyear]

LeCellier is on the dining plan, but will cost 2 sit-down dinners - this is THE place to try at Epcot if you are willing to part with 2 meals off of your plan. Rose & Crown at Epcot would be a good choice for 1 sit down meal.
Others of interest:
@Disney Studios
Sci-Fi
Mama Melrose
@ MK
Liberty Tree Tavern
@ Wilderness Lodge Resort
Wispering Canyon

There are plenty of places that participate in the dining plan to make for some good food & fun.
Have fun planning !!

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally Posted by gingita

PS: How do I put in a trip countdown? It looks like so much fun!

countdown instructions
http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...n+instructions

[EmpressJenny]

llama is right, although personally I like the Birnbaum guide, it is VERY wise to pick up a WDW book and study it. Not only does it get you really excited about your trip, you will get infinitely more out of it.

[gingita]

Thanks for your help!