Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
126
• All sit-down restaurants in Walt Disney World take American Express, Diners Club,
Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and the Disney Visa Card.
• Unless otherwise noted, restaurants in the parks
require park admission.
• Guests staying at Disney resorts and official properties can make Advance Reservations
through Guest Services or the concierge.
• Nearly all WDW restaurants with sit-down or counter service offer children's menus
with items ranging from $5 to $9, though in a few cases they're $10 to $12. Some
include beverages and sides.
1
THE BEST DINING BETS
It may not have the caliber of restaurants of, say, a New York or San Francisco, but
Orlando has a few premier offerings that would make any foodie's best list. That said,
keep in mind that for the most part Orlando is a family destination first and foremost—
and therefore caters mostly to the masses. Here are my picks for the best eating in
town.
•
Best for Kids:
Kids adore the meals served up with Disney characters bounding about
and there are plenty to choose from throughout the
Walt Disney World
resorts and
theme parks. (For the scoop, see “Only in Orlando: Dining with Disney Characters,”
p. 176.) They also love the eclectic atmosphere, sounds, and visuals of the jungle-
themed
Rainforest Cafe
(
&
407/827-8500
) and the
T-Rex Cafe
(
&
407/828-
8739
), its prehistoric-themed sibling—both located at the Downtown Disney
Marketplace (a second Rainforest Cafe can be found at Disney's Animal Kingdom;
&
407/938-9100
). If horsing around is more your style, try dining at the
Whisper-
ing Canyon Café
(
&
407/939-3463
) inside Disney's Wilderness Lodge for some
foot-stomping fun.
•
Best Character Meal:
It doesn't get any better than
Chef Mickey's
breakfasts and
dinners at the Contemporary Resort (
&
407/939-3463
). These “events” have their
respective namesake and other characters, but a word of warning: They also attract
up
to 1,600 guests
each morning. A close second is a meal at the
Crystal Palace Buffet
(
&
407/939-3463
), located in the Magic Kingdom. You will not see Mickey and
Minnie, but your kids will be greeted at your table by Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and
some of their pals. For additional options, check out “Only in Orlando: Dining with
Disney Characters,” p. 176.
•
Best Spot for a Romantic Dinner:
Victoria & Albert's
(
&
407/939-3463
) will spoil
you with superior service and stylish surroundings. Dinner is an intimate seven-course
meal offering some of the finest food around.
•
Best View:
The
California Grill
(
&
407/939-3463
), high atop Disney's Contempo-
rary Resort, offers a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom, as well as a front-row seat
for the park's nightly fireworks display through its immense floor-to-ceiling windows.
•
Best Wine List:
For something a bit out of the ordinary, try
Jiko
(
&
407/939-3463
)
at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge; it features one of the most extensive collections
(65 vintages) of South African wines in the country.
•
Best Value:
At
Taverna Opa
(
&
407/351-8660
), the casual yet lively ambience and
the Mediterranean cuisine score very high, and prices are low, low, low.
•
Best Oriental Cuisine:
The
Mikado
Japanese Steakhouse
(
&
407/239-4200
) in
Marriott's Orlando World Center offers a tastier meal and a more intimate atmosphere
5
