View Full Version : Down town disney restaurants
blackhearts84
07-06-2009, 19:52
Hello there everyone!! 17 weeks today till me and my OH leave for Orlando[clap]
On my birthday we are going to go see circus de soleil and are wanting to go for a nice meal before hand in downtown Disney then go see the show then go out to the clubs!
What would you say the best restaurant there is? I have looked at planet hollywood but it jsut looks like a typical American dinner, burgers etc.
Any recommendations?![msnsmile2]
CERICROWLEY
07-06-2009, 20:08
There is a restaurant which is right next door to the theatre. House of Blues, which a lot of people seem to like. There is also Bongos, Wolfgang Puck, a fairly new family restuarant is T-Rex, Rain forest Cafe, Captian Jack,Fulton's Crab house, Portabello. but you will be out of luck going to clubs after, as Pleasure Island is shut down and is being renovated into more eateries.
blackhearts84
07-06-2009, 20:08
Just seen a restaurant called bongos cuban cafe, looks rather nice? Anyo0ne been?
caroline
07-06-2009, 20:10
We really like House of Blues and Wolfgang Pucks both of which are very close to Cirque du Soleil - Enjoy!
We had our worst meal EVER in Bongos[xx(]
blackhearts84
07-06-2009, 20:43
Was bongos really bad!? The menu looks amazing! The reviews look really good to.
Thats ashame the clubs have shut down...What time is the pubs open till?
caroline
07-06-2009, 21:33
We thought the menu looked great too! But it really was tasteless and the service was very slow and grumpy [msnsad]
blackhearts84
07-06-2009, 21:52
Be giving that a wide berth! Might go to blue man group and a restaurant at city walk instead :P
caroline
08-06-2009, 04:08
Don't miss Cirque du Soleil because of Bongo's - the show is amazing - there are loads of fabulous restaurants at Downrown Disney (just give Bongos a miss!)
blackhearts84
08-06-2009, 12:43
oh im still def going!! Just maybe another night and not my birthday night!
Lindyloo
08-06-2009, 19:06
It was my birthday while we were there 2 years ago. We went to the Portabello Yacht club.
The meal was absolutely fantastic. It was the most expensive meal we had, but we did have 3 courses, plus wine and I did insist on a birthday cocktail [party1]
I would definitely recommend it.
We've had some fantastic meals at Bongo's but the portions were huge so you needed to be really hungry or share!
If you're into Salsa (the dancing not the food) they have brilliant live music and dancing every night in peak season, weekends only during low season. Have had some great evenings there, everyone is so friendly especially if you know how to Salsa but if you don't they are happy to show you how!
Cirque are amazing, I don't know anyone who hasn't loved the show.
Have a great time :D
blackhearts84
08-06-2009, 20:36
Thanks for everyones thoughts! I so cant wait to go! but 17 weeks to go[xx(]
Albert the Frog
08-06-2009, 21:06
we went to rainforest cafe because we like the theming etc with kids but i have got to say -book-a day or more in advance and it is by far and away the most expensive meal we have in the states.
Fulton's Crab House is a first class restaurant. The king crab claws in paticular are really excellent, although I'm not quite sure when they're in season?
The shutting down of the various night clubs at Pleasure Island has cleared the way for a number of new restaurants, and one of the first to be opened is the new ‘Paradiso 37’ restaurant. This new eatery has been developed close to the nightclub which was previously known as '8TRAX.'
Paradiso 37 is part of the multi-concept restaurant group called ‘E-Brands Restaurants,’ who own and operate 15 restaurants across the USA. Their motto is ‘OUR PASSION IS FOOD. OUR OBSESSION IS SERVICE’ and their aim is to ensure that every guests has an incredible dining experience, so maybe this might be one to consider? We have not tried it ourselves but the group claim that they always say ‘yes’ to guests and then find a way to make it happen. They believe that their sole purpose is to ‘do whatever it takes to deliver the best possible experience’ and so individual preferences are taken account of.
The restaurant group, 'E-Brands' is known as an innovator in the upscale sector of the dining and hospitality industry, and each restaurant is independently owned and operated. The new restaurant at Pleasure Island features authentic Central and South American cuisine, as well as speciality tequilas and premium wines. There is live music, so it sounds very interesting.
Walking through Pleasure Island a few days ago and catching the last little boat back from Downtown Disney across the lagoon to Cirque de Soleil everywhere was empty at 11.30. We could not believe how quiet it was, but as the clubs have been shut down then it is mainly families walking around and they obviously don't keep the children out beyond midnight! Guess it won't ever be as lively as it once was when it had lots of clubs, but that is how Disney want it to be, so that it caters for the family market.
Whatever you choose I am sure you will have a great time. [msnwink]
Fulton's is great for good dining azs is The Dining Room. For cheaper casual eats, my favs are Earl of Sandwich ad wolfgang puck express
menus for all at [name edited]
We've only tried the House of Blues but loved it each time. We will probably try Paridiso 37 next trip.
Have only ever been to the Rainforest Cafe which we did like , we did not find it expensive.
Barbara
cook22uk
31-07-2009, 04:19
We have had mixed experiences at Fulton's - one excellent and one left me ill straight afterwards, bad luck on the night I guess something was 'off'.
Portobello Yacht club (Italian) - lovely meals 3 or 4 times but the last one was on Xmas Eve last year and not good. Add to that the tip they put on as there were 6 of us and it was very expensive. My sister in law had a pizza which was totally overcooked but we were off to see Cirque last performance of the night and there was no time to wait for another. One night we sat outside overlooking the water and it was a really nice calm atmosphere compared to the hustle and bustle inside the restaurant and they didn't rush us. I would go back again as any restaurants can have an off night. Sometimes I resent tips being included and that night was one of them. I heard this one is closing and a different restaurant replacing it.
Planet Hollywood is fine as a themed restaurant as is Rainforest but both have reputation for being expensive. As the portions tend to be large it is worth ordering carefully and perhaps sharing a dessert or going straight for main course and skipping starter.
My fave is Bahama Breeze - good fun, nice surroundings and food is a bit different as Caribbean themed - coconut shrimp, jerk pasta, lovely cocktails and desserts! There is one on International Drive, another off I-4 near the Premium Outlets.
florida4sun
31-07-2009, 13:55
Banana bread and butter pudding, yum yum [msntongue]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MarkJan
We've only tried the House of Blues but loved it each time. We will probably try Paridiso 37 next trip.
[/quote]