Which Restaurant has the most magical environment?

[palmickey]

One thing I like about Disney dining is the theming.

Which eating experiences do the best job of making the diner feel like they are somewhere besides inside a building in Florida?

Which ones offer the best experience, independent of the actual food?

Which ones offer the best entertainment?
I have done the hoop-de-doo and really liked it.

One I have never eaten in, but have seen from the ride, is the one inside the Mexican Pavilion in Epcot.
Does that eating experience make one feel like they are outside under the stars?
The ride is cute.

Does Cinderella's Royal Table really make one feel like they are Royalty (or guests of Royalty) inside a castle?

[danyoung]

The San Angel Inn is a great environment. Even on the hottest day it feels like a cool evening under the night sky. The restaurant itself is greatly improved from previous versions, and well worth a visit.

[stan4d_steph]

My favorite is Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village. You can look out the windows and watch the animals having their meal while you eat yours.

[jengold29]

The Coral Reef is very cool-- really cool if you can sit up front, next to the aquarium

[CBFETT]

My favorites based on Magical Experience are as follows, but no particular order:

The Coral Reef
San Angel Inn
The Whispering Canyon Cafe
50 Prime Time Cafe
Sci Fi Dine in Theater

[Minnie Dress]

The San Angel Inn in the Mexican Pavillion is VERY magical! (It reminds me of the Blue Bayou at Disneyland which is my all time favorite restaurant for a "magic" enviroment.)

The Garden Grill in EPCOT was kinda magical to me because it slowly spins around the "Living With the Land" attraction.

Cinderella's Royal Table is more expensive, but the idea if eating in the castle is great. And the food was the best ever!

And I also agree that the 50's Diner is pretty magical, but in a different way. The food was yummy.

--Let us know how it goes for you!

[danyoung]

The Coral Reef is very cool-- really cool if you can sit up front, next to the aquarium

Very true. I think one time I got a booth somewhere in the middle, and it wasn't cool at all. Now I ask for the front, and leave enough time so that I can wait 'em out and get the table I want, right by the glass!

[cbarry]

It's funny. I wrote an article a while back on my favorite dining experiences at WDW. The San Angel was my number 1 and I got so slammed in email and comments. I still stand by this place. It's a wonderful environment and I think the food is great.

Don't rule out the Biergarten for atmosphere either. When that oompah band is playing, the "moon" is shining, you have a big mug of German beer in your hand...you get the picture.

[CBFETT]

It's funny. I wrote an article a while back on my favorite dining experiences at WDW. The San Angel was my number 1 and I got so slammed in email and comments. I still stand by this place. It's a wonderful environment and I think the food is great.

I can say for certain, I didn't send you one of those emails or slammed comments about the place. It is awesome and on our favorites list.

[palmickey]

sorry for the duplicate post, the system did not look like it had saved it, and I do not see how to delete it.

[palmickey]

It's funny. I wrote an article a while back on my favorite dining experiences at WDW. The San Angel was my number 1 and I got so slammed in email and comments. I still stand by this place. It's a wonderful environment and I think the food is great.

Don't rule out the Biergarten for atmosphere either. When that oompah band is playing, the "moon" is shining, you have a big mug of German beer in your hand...you get the picture.

There will always be people who disagree, and almost every eating place will have someone who does not like the experience at some point.

I also never make advanced reservations which has prevented me from being able to try Cinderella's Royal Table. With their new reservation policy, and my not knowing exactly how many family members are coming, this one is going to be difficult.
Maybe I just make that reservation for the 3 people who know they are coming.

Is San Angel hard to get reservations (priority seating) for?
I like Americanized Mexican food (no beans, not too much spice).

I will be there in January, off season (although there is a Marathon going on our first day there, and the start of MLK weekend our last day).
I don't think I have ever planned this far ahead before.

[danyoung]

Is San Angel hard to get reservations (priority seating) for?
I like Americanized Mexican food (no beans, not too much spice).

I don't think it's too hard to get rez's at San Angel Inn. It's pretty popular, but pretty large, and there are a lot of tables in there. The food isn't exactly americanized Mexican food - it's more recipes that you don't usually find in American Mexican restuarants. It's really good food, though!

[DisneyFunFamily4]

We are trying a quite a few new places over spring break. We have ressies at CRT, Saana, San Angel Inn and CA Grille. we cant wait to try them.

We like
Sci Fi, the theming is great. the kids think it's the bomb digity to sit in a car and eat and watch old sci fi clips.
Whispering Canyon Cafe is a lot of fun, especially with a large group of people.
Beirgarten has good theming.
We had a great time at Ohana, again, we were with a large group and the food was wonderful.
The pub at the R&C make you feel as if you've just walked in off the streets of London. R&C is fun too, or again, maybe it just the food talking but we like to sit outside and have a nice relaxing meal.

[mkraemer]

I'm going to chime in here with some of the same choices as previous posters..

My first and most favorite place to eat onsite is...Sanaa! Absolutely wonderful menu, excellent theming, and the animals outside are terrific. So peaceful and mmmmm, delicious!

We love the 50s Prime Time Cafe for the atmosphere and comfort food; Whispering Canyon for the fun that takes over the whole dining room ("I need ketchup!!"); Kona Cafe for the Tonga Toast in the morning; Capt. Cook's quick service for the self-serve Dole Whip; Rose & Crown for the beautiful British pub atmosphere and the stellar viewing area for Illuminations; T-Rex because darn it, that place is just too cool; Coral Reef for the big big tank and great food; Via Napoli for the atmosphere and yummy Italian food; Beaches & Cream for the kitchen sink; California Grill for great food and a magical view...and well...this is a pretty good list to get started, don't you think?

[danyoung]

Mary, you have excellent taste!

[tappenfeat]

It's funny. I wrote an article a while back on my favorite dining experiences at WDW. The San Angel was my number 1 and I got so slammed in email and comments. I still stand by this place. It's a wonderful environment and I think the food is great.

Don't rule out the Biergarten for atmosphere either. When that oompah band is playing, the "moon" is shining, you have a big mug of German beer in your hand...you get the picture.

I happen to agree with you...good choices! Biergarten's buffet is so delicious blended with the beautiful atmosphere. I'm not a buffet person, but enjoyed it very much.

San Angel is also at the top of the list. 50's Prime Time...anything that has to do with that era is A-OK with me!

Also, the Rain Forest Cafe' at the Animal Kingdom. We have one here in our town and when I go to dine there, I feel like I'm in Disney...when I walk out of the cafe'...I'm not... I go to the Rain Forest for the atmosphere mostly, the food is like Applebee's in comparison.

[petesimac]

I agree with almost everything here, the only thing I might add is that I am very hopeful about the new dining experience in the renovated Fantasyland, the Be Our Guest Restaurant; this has the potential to be the most magical dining experience of them all if done right, and Disney tends to do things right with only a few exceptions.

[tappenfeat]

Just thinking about the renovations/additions and new dining experiences in Fantasyland has got me all in giggles!

[mkraemer]

Mary, you have excellent taste!

Why, thank you, Dan! Likewise!!

[mkraemer]

...I am very hopeful about the new dining experience in the renovated Fantasyland, the Be Our Guest Restaurant; this has the potential to be the most magical dining experience of them all if done right, and Disney tends to do things right with only a few exceptions.

I am looking forward to this option too! Considering what's being done with dining venues on the ships, some of that technology in a WDW restaurant would be a terrific experience.

[palmickey]

I wonder if the Be Our Guest Restaurant will have mostly french food?
Doesn't the story take place in France?
Or do I have it mixed up with another story?

If they can make it seem like my dishes and utensils are talking to me, that would be awesome.

I think I am going to put this one near the top of my list. It should be open when I go in January.

I am also thinking the Backyard Barbecue might be a lot of fun.

[carolinakid]

No details on the menu at the Be Our Guest have been released to my knowledge. One would assume there would be at least a few French dishes in keeping with the theme. The only details I've seen say that it will be a counter service restaurant for lunch and an elegant full service table restaurant for dinner similar to the Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot's World Showcase. There will be 3 dining areas: The Ball Room, The West Wing and The Library.

[WdwGurl4life]

I also like the Big River Grille @ night but sitting outside. The view of the Boardwalk and the lake I love it! but as far as " Disney Magical Experience" and food is not in mind- The Castle by far! I dislike the food very much, but the atmosphere is amazing.