Dinner suggestions - not in a park

[Happy Mom2]

We will be arriving in WDW mid afternoon, but will not be going into any parks until the next morning. I'm looking for somewhere to eat at one of the resorts or something that doesn't require a park ticket. It will be MIL, DH, DD 5, DS 2, and me. Something fun for kids as we will have driven for 14 hours.

It will be the week after Christmas so I am hoping to go the GF to see the huge gingerbread house, and would like to go somewhere to purchase an autograph book, t-shirts and a mickey ear hat for the kids, then to bed early.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. All of you have been so wonderful at answering all of my questions. Thank you very much!

 

[MinnieTink]

Maybe T-Rex in Downtown Disney? I haven't been but the friends we travelled with last time went and loved it!!
You could also try Ohana or Kona at the Poly and then watch the MK fireworks from the beach @ Poly.

 

[ginnymack]

How about Chef Mickeys? Get a jump on meeting some characters and then maybe a "spin around the block" on the monorail - stopping at GF for the decorations?

ETA: You would probably have to do DTD for lots of shopping opportunites - or just shop online before you go and have your ears and autograph books ready to go! Since you will have your own car, you can probably even do both depending on your arrival time and how early you want to get to bed. Waiting on Disney transportation to do all of that may be more trouble than it is worth!

 

[__disneygirl]

I have to reccommend 1900 Park Fare character dinner at the Grand Floridian Resort. The kids will love it there and the buffet is delicious. We are going on our first night also after a day of travel and we can't wait.

 

[bcuinohio]

How about Ohanas? You can hop on the monorail and go to the GF and see the Gingerbread house afterwards.

 

[KatMark]

Although we are not fond of Chef Mickey's dinner as much as their breakfast, I think it is a great way to start your trip. The suggestion of Ohana is very good as well or there is always somewhere at Downtown Disney. The only place I would avoid is the WCC at the WL -- we had a really bad meal there.

 

[okie from muskogee]

I would suggest something close to where you're staying since you have little ones and have been on the road. Try Spoodles if near Boardwalk, Boma's if Animal Kingdom, Whispering Canyon if Wilderness (Artist's Point if you want a great meal but with the young ones, you'd have to see how they traveled). Our kids like Spoodles and the menu is fairly varied. A fantastic experience we've done is to book the California Grill around fireworks time at MK and go out on the deck to watch while we waited to be seated. The service is great but it is expensive!

 

[KatMark]

I would suggest something close to where you're staying since you have little ones and have been on the road. Try Spoodles if near Boardwalk, Boma's if Animal Kingdom, Whispering Canyon if Wilderness (Artist's Point if you want a great meal but with the young ones, you'd have to see how they traveled). Our kids like Spoodles and the menu is fairly varied. A fantastic experience we've done is to book the California Grill around fireworks time at MK and go out on the deck to watch while we waited to be seated. The service is great but it is expensive!

Spoodles is gone and no longer there.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Oh, I love all these ideas! I guess I will have to let the family take a vote on it. Thanks so much for suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

 

[KatMark]

Oh, I love all these ideas! I guess I will have to let the family take a vote on it. Thanks so much for suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

You mentioned you wanted to go to the GF to see the Gingerbread House. The GF has the Grand Floridian Cafe; and there are plenty of gift shops where you can find the Mickey ears and autograph book while there.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Thank you for all the suggestions! My family voted and Park Fare 1900 won! That way we will be at the GF, and can see the gingerbread house while we are there.

Just one more question... can the fireworks be seen from the Grand Floridian? If not, could we make a quick trip somewhere by boat or monorail to watch the fireworks before heading back to the POP (where we are staying)? Speaking of fireworks... what time are they in the fall (week after Thanksgiving)? Sorry... that was more than one question.

 

[sdemore]

Yes, you can see Wishes from the GF. We watched while eating at Narcoossee's so just go outside to the boat dock or deck of Narcoossee's. Have a wonderful time, wish we were there!!!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Thank you for all the suggestions! My family voted and Park Fare 1900 won! That way we will be at the GF, and can see the gingerbread house while we are there.

Just one more question... can the fireworks be seen from the Grand Floridian? If not, could we make a quick trip somewhere by boat or monorail to watch the fireworks before heading back to the POP (where we are staying)? Speaking of fireworks... what time are they in the fall (week after Thanksgiving)? Sorry... that was more than one question.

Yes, you can see the fireworks from the Grand Floridian. Just go over to the ferry loading dock by Narcoossee's.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Thanks everyone! Arrival Day is planned!!

Downtown Disney for some autograph books

GF for dinner at 1900 Park Fare, looked at the gingerbread house and Christmas decorations, and watch the fireworks from the docks

Back to the POP for bed!

 

[KatMark]

Thanks everyone! Arrival Day is planned!!

Downtown Disney for some autograph books

GF for dinner at 1900 Park Fare, looked at the gingerbread house and Christmas decorations, and watch the fireworks from the docks

Back to the POP for bed!