Suggestions for a special lunch please

[MJ6987]

Hi, Me again.
As it will be our (me, my wife and 2 girls 6 and 9) first visit to Florida (and the US in fact), the first time we visit MK we are planning to just go for a morning and not really worry about "rides" - just experience the "magic", explore, meet a few characters, etc. Anyway, I was thinking that it would be good to finish the morning with a lunch that the kids will enjoy - somewhere fun.

As we won't have a car that day, it should ideally be somewhere in / accessible to MK or in / near DTD near our resort (Regal Sun Resort).

Things I have thought of (based on research as never been):

Whispering Canyon Cafe - but I have read that lunch is not a "fun" as dinner?
Crystal Palace - but we are already planning a breakfast there later in the week, so is it worth going twice?
Cinderella's Royal Table - but this got an awful review by the DIS podcast which has put me off, given the price (and the fact you have to pay the full amount including gratuity) at time of booking!!)

So, what do you think? Any of the above, or have you got another inspired suggestion?

Thanks,
Matthew :smile:

[Bozza]

Crystal Palace is very good and I'd have no hesitation in going twice, especially for different meals.

You could hop on the monorail and try lunch at The Garden Grill in EPCOT (assuming you have park hopper tickets) where you should meet Mickey and co - there's not too many options for character lunches.

[rusty30]

I think Id choose Crystal Palace - yes the characters are the same but the food is totally different and its great - fresh salads, bakery, carved meats, veggies, kids bar (mac n cheese, pizza, chicken strips, corn etc) plus the most amazing dessert section (inc ice cream or fruit ). We are booked here 3 times over our Christmas trip!!

Having done Whispering Canyon for lunch and dinner I wouldnt say there isnt any difference in the "antics" it depends totally on your server - some are more gregarious than others and its a total luck of the draw who you'll get for either lunch or dinner.

CRT is very mediocre and I would not pay the price they now charge unless I had a little girl who was desperately keen on the Princesses!!

Other suggestions - Kona Cafe at the Polynesian is nice distance from MK, plus afterwards you can grab a couple of drinks from the beach bar and let the kids mess about on the beach for a little while -nice way to chill out for an hour or two.

At Downtown Disney you have the Rainforest Cafe - it has mixed reviews but its somewhere everyone should try once!! Its certainly different and kids love it. The new T-Rex restaurant should be open when you go and the food looks wonderful. House of Blues is a more adult restaurant (although kids are more than welcome) .

[redwoodysoup]

If you want a good lunch near MK then the crystal Palace is the obvious choice. The children should love it. If not I think that Chef Mickey may be open for lunch reservations but not 100% sure. Obviously its in the Contemporary which is right next door to the MK on the monorail