Looking for Somewhere different to eat

[lllovell]

We have small children but enjoy a good meal and I am looking for advice for on site and off site places that are good and that could tollerate children.

What are your suggestions and why?

Laura

[Stitch]

When the kids were a bit younger we had great success with Crystal Palace. lately we do way more counter service than table service and often visit the CS in world showcase's Mexico, Noodle Station, and Peco's Bills. And Beaches and Cream is a must everytime. We split two burgers between us to save room for ice cream!

So, not very original, and places I think you've already enjoyed.

Good question, though!

[lllovell]

I have never once eaten at the noodle station. It is NEVER open when we go. It looks good and I would love to try it sometime!

We are pretty much counter service type people, but when we are hot and tired, it gets frustrating to be either the adult at the table with three hungry kids or the adult in line trying to carry food and drinks for 5. I would like to try a few more TS meals on our next trip.

LLL

[idratherbeinwdw]

Ever tried either the Sci Fi Dine In or 50's primetime cafe at the Studios? Sci Fi is really fun, you eat in an old time convertible car while you watch really cheesy sci fi (not scary) movies on a big screen.

Primetime is set up like a kitchen from the 50's. Old tv shows play on tvs all through the restaurant and the servers treat eveyrone (includiing adults) like children. (ie "elbows off the table' "finish your veggies" and if you eat everything you get a "clean plate award" where they hold up your plate and the people eating clap and cheer for you.

Of course most of the character meals are great too, but I thought that was sort of obvious so I went with the two above. Both restaurants are really good with kids and a lot of fun.

[PoohsPal]

It's not "fine" dining, but the plaza restaurant is TS and has just a varied, regular food and sandwhich menu. Nothing fancy, but the best malts in teh world and a cool place to rest!

If you can get a window table, it's got a grat view of teh castle!

[mwehttam]

Any place in Disney, with the exception of V&A, will tolerate children. It is Disney after all.

I have a story about this. We took our DS to Artist Point on our last trip (he was 9 mo). Earlier in the day, 3AM early, we were in the Celebration ER with his first of many ear ached. He slept all day and the fever dropped so we kept our ressies. I mentioned to the CM at the podium that he since he was a little fussy to feel free to stick us away in the corner. The CM said not to worry as this is after all Disney and kids are part of it.

So do not worry about the place. If it is a place you want to go to, go. Granted, some are more fun then others (WCC, 50's, Sci-Fi) but you will see kids of all ages in all resturants, except V&A's.

-Matt

[nono]

D'Antonios in Celebration was a nice treat last visit to The World. Wow -- Italian food at regular prices! Whoo hoo! :) Nice atmosphere -- white tablecloth, but a menu without prices to match.

[lllovell]

*making notes*

Keep them coming people.

Nono - sometimes I like to get away and that restaurant sounds great.

Matt - I know we can go pretty much anywhere, but I am only comfortable under reasonable conditions. My kids are actually pretty good, but when they get tired, hot and cranky - watch out! I don't want to ruin YOUR dinner with my children, so I do watch where we go.

When they are all a bit older, they will be fine.

LLL

[lllovell]

BTW mar - we had done Sci-Fi a couple of years ago. That would be a good revisit for our next trip.

I have heard good things about the 50's Primetime Cafe as well.

We did the Brown Derby last Christmas because I had to try that Cobb Salad. However, this is one of those places which I know tollerates childen well, but I wasn't comfortable with my young ones there. The food was amazing but we will have to put it on the back burner for a while.

Laura

[jiggerj]

It's not "fine" dining, but the plaza restaurant is TS and has just a varied, regular food and sandwhich menu. Nothing fancy, but the best malts in teh world and a cool place to rest!

If you can get a window table, it's got a grat view of teh castle!

Carrie hit on one of my favs! Another vote for The Plaza!

[idratherbeinwdw]

I like the plaza too, but I am not sure I'd recommend it for young kids. Not because they are unfriendly to children, but the place is on the small side and I think the tables are a little too close together. If your kids are the kind that sit quietly in their seats I don't think there would be an issue. But I recall my when my kids were small sometimes if we had a long wait for food we'd walk around the restaurant and explore. I don't think this is much of an option at the Plaza. Just my dos centavos! :):wave:

[Rozzie]

This is of the many reasons I love Laura. :hug1: She is considerate of other people, all the time. I for one can appreciate parents that are still considerate of other people, even though they are at WDW.

As for restaurant choices that seem to work great with tired kids, we love Sci-Fi for a nice mellow break in the middle of the day. Also it's cute to see the kids at Raglan Road. A lot of them get up to dance by their seat to the music and join the fun atmosphere. Maybe a place you wouldn't have to be so worried about them so much.

Matt, I gotta ask you, do you see a problem with V&A not allowing children? I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but was just curious on your thoughts on it.

[stimpy]

We also like the Plaza & Sci-fi! The Plaza does tend to be quick since it's mostly sandwiches and the sundaes are great!

We just tried Mama Melroses for the 1st time a few weeks ago and the kids loved it. We had a large group, 15 people, so it took a long time & the kids were occupied and sat the entire time.

I also like Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch (& special night dinners...like MVMCP & MNSSHP) The lunch is pretty good and a nice break from the heat. There usually aren't many people there either.

My kids also tend to like the places with things to do....Sci fi with the movie screen, Biergarten for the German dancing & show etc. They get to participate, stare at a screen for a while etc and we get to relax. (Yes I am guilty of using the Sci-Fi Diner screen as a babysitter on vacation....it gives us an hour of silence usually:silly:) And I have to second Raglan Road....my DS especially loves it there! (It brings out the Irish Dancer in him LOL)

Places I wouldn't take my kids would be V&A (Obviously!), Citricos, California Grill, Brown Derby & a few others. If we have to get dressed up to go there, it probably wouldn't be the best choice for our family. (Although, I'm sure other families are different, and as my kids get older, I may change my mind on some of these too)

I think alot of it depends on the kids too. My son, I would take practically anywhere, even from a young age. He's always been well behaved in restaurants....probably 99% of the time anyway....he is still a child and full of "surprises!" My DD.....she's another story! There are times I won't even take her into McDonalds! I have spent several dinners in the lobby or parking lot of restaurants with her. I have very little tolerance when it comes to eating out behavior! They get 1 warning and that's it....out they go. I love my kids and I don't want to see them misbehaving in a public place.....I'm quite sure people who do not know my kids at all feel the same :rolleyes:

[withdisneyspirit]

What about Whispering Canyon? All ages are definitely welcome there with an emphasis on the young at heart!