Best Restaurant to start off the Vacation?

[mrlinck7421]

Im arriving Aug 14th. In your opinion what is the best place in all of WDW to eat dinner to start off the vacation???

 

[GAN]

I think it depends on if you have children, or are you looking for a more romantic spot, etc....

 

[Heva2015]

I'm watching this - I have the same question!

Mine is two adults.

 

[mrlinck7421]

I think it depends on if you have children, or are you looking for a more romantic spot, etc....

2 Adults- ages 24 and 22. Romantic, and quiet. good food and great atmosphere.

 

[jimmytammy]

Ohana gets us in the spirit of being in the world. Via Napoli, Artists Point couple other choices.

 

[LucyBC80]

If you are not going to any of the parks, I'd try to go one of the resorts where you could see Wishes. Narcoossee's, 'Ohana or California Grill. My top picks would be Narcoossee's or California Grill for ambience and food.

 

[Auntie Liz]

Im arriving Aug 14th. In your opinion what is the best place in all of WDW to eat dinner to start off the vacation???

Great question! We are trying to plan for our ADR and where to go for dining at our first trip to DW. We arrive around 8 PM on a Tuesday night, so thinking DD for the first meal. Any input would be greatly appreciated!! I heard T-Rex is great??

 

[Kae]

What resort are you staying at & how much travel time did you have before you arrived. In or out of the parks? Kona at poly, is a nice choice then you can hop a ride on the monorail & then head to the beach to catch the Electric Water parade & see wishes. CF Cafe or the Wave would be good too. We like to relax are first night & hit rope drop at MK in the morning.

Kae

 

[wide receiver]

Cali Grill, Sanaa (fun to watch the animals come eat dinner while you are)....Or Jiko. YUM! Enjoy!!!! Sounds fun! Sanaa can be romantic and they have a pretty Lounge there (don't they?) We have eaten at Sanaa with the kiddos. But a friend of mine just stayed at AKV with her four children and she and her hubby snuck down to Sanaa a couple of times for dinner (its OK their children are teens). My friend is also Gluten Free and like all Disney restaurants Sanaa was very helpful.

 

[wezee]

We always try to do Fulton's the first night then wander DTD.

 

[goofierthangoofy]

Seems to be a theme here guys!! I agree that the best place to start and end your dining experience in Disney World is the Polynesian Ohana Restaurant! My family looks forward to this every time we go to Disney World!!

If you arrive about 8:00 PM and get the seat over in the corner facing the Magic Kingdom you will have the best seat in the house for fireworks about 9:00 PM

 

[Uncleromulus]

Where we always start our Disney trips--California Grill. Good food and a great view.
However--it really isn't terribly romantic, or quiet.

 

[wide receiver]

This is a great post...please let us know what you decide....

My hubby LOVES Ohana (in fact I make the salad and bread pudding from the recipe I found online) and while I feel Ohana is a great place for anyone, especially families I don't find it romantic.....waiters coming to your table over and over (with yummy food). For a couple in there mid 20's I say live it up and go somewhere cozy....you are going to have enough of everyones kiddos during the rest of your trip.

 

[comicguy]

I would go with the Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona

Both tend to be more quiet that Ohana's

 

[tinkerbesh]

Some of my faves that I think will give you what you want--

Le Cellier (at Epcot): romantic, quiet, GREAT food, "nice restaurant" atmosphere

'Ohana: GREAT food, fun atmosphere, not quiet, not textbook romantic

San Angel Inn (at Epcot): romantic, quiet, good food & unique atmosphere (low lighting, scenery makes you feel like you are in Mexico)

Tutto Italia (at Epcot): romantic, quiet, good food, "nice restaurant" atmosphere

Tony's Town Square (at MK): romantic, good food, great atmosphere if you can get a table with a window view around the time of the parade, quiet depends on how crowded it is


I've never been to any of the following, but based on reviews I've read, they may work well for what you want--
California Grill, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Bistro de Paris, Cinderella's Royal Table, Coral Reef

For prices and menus, check http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm#epc

 

[mrlinck7421]

This is a great post...please let us know what you decide....

My hubby LOVES Ohana (in fact I make the salad and bread pudding from the recipe I found online) and while I feel Ohana is a great place for anyone, especially families I don't find it romantic.....waiters coming to your table over and over (with yummy food). For a couple in there mid 20's I say live it up and go somewhere cozy....you are going to have enough of everyones kiddos during the rest of your trip.

I'm getting alot of good feedback! Seems like Ohana currently has the #1 spot. What does anyone think about The Coral Reef at Epcot since the park will be open that night until 12am?

 

[RDP]

If your not the DDP, try Bluezoo at the Dolphin, it has an uber cool bar and the food is amazing. Afterwards you can walk it all off around Boardwalk.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

In my opinion, the best way to start a Walt Disney World vacation is at the Magic Kingdom. Nothing makes me as giddy as taking the bus to the Magic Kingdom and hearing that Mickey Mouse fanfare as we near the entrance.

We fly in and try to arrive as early as possible. We spend a few hours in the Magic Kingdom and then have dinner somewhere on the Monorail loop. That used to mean California Grill or Citricos, but now that the signature restaurants require a credit card hold and will penalize no-shows, we don't plan on signature dining for our arrival day. If our flight is delayed or canceled last-minute, we could be out $20. It's just not something we want to risk when travel delays are often out of our hands.

Because of that, the lounge at the Wave or the Grand Floridian Café are our current picks. I would also add the Kona Café, but the atmosphere there is terrible. If you want quiet and romantic, it is not the place.

Another great option is Todd English's Bluezoo at the Dolphin. They have outstanding food, service and atmosphere, and because the restaurant doesn't participate in the dining plan, they don't require a credit card hold for a reservation either. It's a great first-night option if you plan to be near Epcot on the first day. You can head over to Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk for drinks and entertainment afterward.

 

[mrlinck7421]

I'm getting alot of good feedback! Seems like Ohana currently has the #1 spot. What does anyone think about The Coral Reef at Epcot since the park will be open that night until 12am?

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I'm getting alot of good feedback! Seems like Ohana currently has the #1 spot. What does anyone think about The Coral Reef at Epcot since the park will be open that night until 12am?

I really like the food at Coral Reef. Service is a slower pace than most in-park restaurants. The fish tank is cool, but because of the acoustics of the room, it is NOT quiet. Also, I wouldn't expect the restaurant to be open late even though the park is open until midnight. They'll probably close at nine.