Hello Jill! Welcome back to planDisney! A visit to the Walt Disney World Resort is a great winter getaway!
Staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort is a great way to begin our brief tour of some of the dining options available to you! Depending upon your arrival time on January 8th, you might want to settle into the resort and enjoy a quick-service meal at
Everything POP Shopping and Dining. Here you'll find a dinner menu to satisfy your travel-induced hunger! You'll also be able to relax and settle-in as you prepare for your big day at Disney's Hollywood Studios the next day.
If you have some time on your hands upon your arrival, then you've definitely got some other great options! Staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort allows your family to experience an "attraction" without even being in one of the Disney Parks! Climb aboard the
Disney Skyliner for an evening out with your family! The Skyliner will be able to carry you for a ride through the sky to either Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney's Riviera Resort!
At Caribbean Beach Resort, I recommend
Sebastian's Bistro. While this location is presently unavailable for dining, keep an eye open just in case it becomes available in time for your January stay! As a back-up plan, you can't go wrong with a visit to
Banana Cabana for some poolside specialty drinks and a good menu.
My final recommendation for dinner on your first night would be quite the treat for your family! The newly opened Disney's Riviera Resort is also just a Skyliner ride away from Disney's Pop Century Resort. The new resort hosts Guests at
Topolino's Terrace! This would be a very enjoyable table-service dining experience for your family. Not only is the menu loaded with delicious options, but the view is spectacular, and the new resort is absolutely beautiful to tour either before or after your dinner. The tile mosaic archways are some of the most beautiful works I've ever seen featuring scenes from some of the classic and modern Disney films!
Once you've arrive to Disney's Hollywood Studios the following day, you'll find a variety of dining options from quick-service to table-service. My top recommendation for table-service dining in this park is
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano! This is by far my family's favorite table-service restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios! Just be prepared to have your appetite satisfied! Nobody goes hungry at Mama Melrose's! Be sure to walk off that dinner prior to experiencing some of the thrill rides!
If your 13-and-15-year-olds are "strong with the Force" then you will want to consider a visit to
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo! Here you will dine in the world of Star Wars with menu items carrying names from a galaxy far, far away, but carrying the familiar and satisfying tastes found right here on planet Earth.
Jill, answering this question has worked up my appetite! Thanks for allowing this answer to take us on a Disney Skyliner ride to a few fantastic resort dining options! I also enjoyed jumping into Disney's Hollywood Studios to provide a few dining recommendations!
Hakuna Matata! Jonathan G.