I’m in need of a little pixie dust today.

And I can’t actually get to a Disney theme park (shout out to those of you doing the Disneyland 60 24 hour PARTAY!), but I can write about going to Disney which is almost the same thing (no, not it’s not).

Tomorrow, our reservation window opens up for our Thanksgiving trip so I’ve been making our lists, polling the family for their “must eat” choices and making sure all my Donald Ducks are in a row so I can make those ADR’s (Advanced Dining Reservations) bright and early tomorrow morning.

Our family has been visiting Disney World every year (and many years multiple times a year) for well over a decade, and in that time, we’ve figured out our favorites.

Crystal Palace (at the Magic Kingdom on Main Street, USA)

This is ALWAYS a must do. If possible, we get the pre-park opening ADR (typically 8:05ish) which allows us to get into the Magic Kingdom as early as 7:45am. When the boys were little, I loved that it meant we avoided the crush of people at park opening and now it’s just a time honored tradition. And, of course, every year, we’ve taken pics with characters (even though now the boys all tower over all of them except Tigger;). The breakfast buffet is just lovely and the restaurant itself is just lovely Victorian charm. It’s also a big place for special moments – we once saw a HUGE family from NY all gathered around one of the windows and when we looked out, there was  a sweet young man on one knee out in the grass proposing to a beautiful young woman and there were cheers and tears all around. Such a precious moment! (can’t promise you a proposal but can’t promise you the amazing stuffed french toast which, for some odd reason, they keep on the kid’s buffet;).

Biergarten (in the Germany pavillion at Epcot)

I always get heat for this one because a lot of people genuinely don’t love the food. We DO. The buffet is plentiful and yummy (yes, even for a vegetarian!), the German wine is SUBLIME, and the German band just makes us supremely happy. The first time I ate there was with my family in 1982, the first year it opened, and my dad (who left us too early 6 years ago) LOVED it there. So of course, this is a must.

 

Ohana (at the Polynesian Village Resort)

 

Ohana means eat yourself absolutely sick   family. The food choices have changed from time to time (and since so many of us old school folks eat there year after year, it’s not always been welcomed) but I always love my meal here and the atmosphere. We are always seated at a round table and for some reason have our best family conversations in that place. I’m not sure if it’s because they keep bringing us food (it’s all you care to eat) or because of the laid back vibe, or maybe it’s the Lapu Lapu’s? I’ve never had a meal here I didn’t love. Our favorite thing to do is schedule a lateish dinner and then head to the beach at the Poly to watch the fireworks. Far less stressful than watching from the Magic Kingdom:).

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review (at the Ft Wildnerness Resort)

This is a once every few years event for us now, but we LOVE it. It’s quite pricey, but your price includes beer, wine and Sangria so, ya know, not terrible. And the entertainment cannot be beat. Don’t be cheap and pay for the pricey seats on the floor for an almost awkwardly awesome view;). They gave me my own vegetarian meal here and it was yummy – but honestly, I would have been fine with the sides and dessert. Every family should do this at least once.

Sci-Fi (at Hollywood Studios)

OK, the food here is good not great, but the real stand out is the atmosphere. Where else can you sit in a car at an outdoor drive-in in Florida in the middle of a hot Sunday afternoon? Answer: nowhere. One of my favorite memories here is when we took my mom. We had a 5pm ADR which meant we were done eating just as the Osbourne Lights were starting and she didn’t know it was going to happen. Seeing her face light up as we rounded the corner after dinner and came upon that amazing spectacle is a memory I’ll never forget! You should eat here.

Garden Grill (at Epcot in The Land pavilion)

We’ve eaten lots of other places at Disney and typically always enjoyed ourselves. When asked what we DON’T recommend, we surprise most when we say Chef Mickey’s. For us, it’s very overrated, loud, sticky and obnoxious. If you want to see Mickey, go to The Garden Grill. Your interaction with him will be personal, the food will be very good, and you’ll get the lovely views of Living With The Land as you dine. Even Mickey seems less stressed out to me there.

If you’re going soon, I hope this gives you some good ideas! And if you’re only dreaming about your trip, your first or 101st, I hope this post infused a little sentimental pixie dust into your day!!

What’s your favorite place to eat at Disney???