Hi Paula:
You can never ever ever go wrong with a character meal at Chef Mickey's. My boys not only enjoy the huge buffet, but their smiles shine when Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and Minnie stop by the table to pose for pictures and sign autographs. My favorite non-character fun Disney restaurant is Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot. As you eat an all-you-can consume German-style buffet (along with some American favorites), you will be entertained by costumed musicians playing traditional German music. Dancing is encouraged, and on our two last trips, our two young boys had a blast dancing with other kids on the restaurant's dance floor. I never knew how much fun I could have watching my boys getting' jiggy with Polka music.
Other great family-fun favorites include:
- 50's Prime Time Café, American comfort food and fun service in a period setting
- Whispering Canyon Café, an Old West themed family-style restaurant
- Raglan Road, a modern twist on traditional Irish pub food
- T-REX Café, a dinosaur-themed family restaurant with a large menu
- At Animal Kingdom Lodge, check out the buffet at Boma
While not necessarily semi-budget friendly, I'll throw out the names of two other family favorites where my family has had wonderful memories, 'Ohana (for dinner), a Polynesian family-style restaurant, and Coral Reef, a wonderful and fun experience for kids (and adults) where you can dine in front of stunning underwater views.
Happy dining and enjoy your vacation.