Only a month to go for my first trip to WDW! I have a 7 yr and 18 mt. One night will be at downtown disney doing Christmas shopping. Any ideas for good places to eat (with a baby.) Oh and thanks for the web site. My husband is a worrier, so I can't talk to him about the trip. The general enthusiasm and information in your discussions has been Great!!!

If you would like great atmosphere and decent food, then I would recommend the Rainforest Cafe. All of the animals, water, etc. would "wow" all 3 of your kids (husband included). :)

However, if you want something more "kid traditional", there's always McDonald's.

I'd go with Rainforest. ;)

Unless I'm totally blanking, the closest McDonalds isn't in Downtown Disney, its across Harbor. Its certainly within walking distance, but don't look around for it in Downtown Disney.

Rainforest is ok food with high prices (some people here have had terrible experiences, which I'm sure they will share) but we've taken the 8 and 5 year old there several times and they enjoy it. The 5 year old was a little scared of the fake animals and the rain storm when she was younger, so make sure your 18 month old doesn't mind. Maybe during the day while you are shopping, go in and walk around, see how she/he reacts.

The Storyteller Cafe in the Grand California hotel is good, but pricey. Basically, everything is pricey. Rainforest will probably give your kids the most atmosphere.

Originally posted by EandCDad
Unless I'm totally blanking, the closest McDonalds isn't in Downtown Disney, its across Harbor...

I believe the original poster is referring to DTD in Florida.

I personally don't particularly like Rainforest Cafe. I find it loud and annoying, but your kids may love it. I would also mention that one aspect of the atmosphere in the restaurant is a frequent rainstorm, complete with simulated thunder and lightning. If your kids don't like t-storms, or large animatronic animals you might want to rethink Rainforest Cafe.

Hopefully some others more local to WDW will chime in with some more suggestions, or you might try looking at the Mouseplanet Reviews page for Downtown Disney in Florida (http://www.mouseplanet.com/cgi/reviews/do/find.cgi?product-category=Walt%20Disney%20World%20Resort%20%2F%20Re staurants%20%2F%20Downtown%20Disney) where other readers have submitted reviews.

Originally posted by EandCDad
Unless I'm totally blanking, the closest McDonalds isn't in Downtown Disney, its across Harbor. Its certainly within walking distance, but don't look around for it in Downtown Disney.

EandCDad,

I certainly understand the confusion - Disney should have named the California version of Downtown Disney something else, if for nothing else than to make those of us who frequent the Internet have an easier time talking about it. :)

Originally posted by mckat
[B]Only a month to go for my first trip to WDW!B]

Which is why I made reference to the Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. The McDonalds there is right next to the Lego Store (if I recall correctly) in the Marketplace section of DD.

While one of my children loved the Rainforest Cafe, the other one had a terrible time stressing over the next time the thunder was going to start up. Personally I didn't think the thunder was that loud at all but who can tell what younguns are going to deside to be afraid of. That's the only resturant I have been to thats still open in the Marketplace.

I don't know if this is still there but, there was a little gourmet deli there before that sold bagged kids meals and other nice deli stuff, with seating outside.My family enjoyed that store very much.

Mickey D's is in the Marketplace. Right next to the Lego store.

Originally posted by stan4d_steph
I believe the original poster is referring to DTD in Florida.



In the words of Emily Latella......"nevermind."

Sorry, I was, of course, thinking of the California resort. I totally missed the "WDW" reference.

To show you how much I know, I didn't even know there was a Downtown Disney at Disneyland.:o