1st Night At Boardwalk: Where To Eat

[HJL413]

We are scheduled to arrive in Orlando around 5:30 pm on 1/27 and this will be our 1st time staying at Boardwalk. We will most certainly be hungry when we arrive.We don't want to do too much on our 1st night and I am looking for some suggestions for a good place to eat and to start our trip. Our children, DS (9) and DDS (twins 6) will be almost as excited as DW and me. We have plans for an early breakfast on 1/28 and a day at EPCOT. Any suggestions for our 1st night.


HARRY

 

[Aneille]

My first time staying at the BW we checked in during the evening too and didn't want to do too much.

We checked out our room and then hung out on the BW for the night. The kids played some of the carnival games, and we walked up to the bridge to see the Epcot Fireworks. We didn't have park tickets that day so that is why we just went to the bridge.

If you have park tickets you could take the boat over or go for a walk into Epcot, see the Fireworks and then go right back. You could get fish and chips in Epcot and eat while watching the show.

Eating at ESPN might be a good choice. I am sure your kids will be excited so a sit down meal at Spoodles or Flying Fish probably would be too much, it would depend on your kids though. But ESPN might be just right.

The pizza isn't great I don't think but both times I've been at the BW I end up getting a pizza at the window, grabbing a table outside and people watching while letting the kids run around a bit. Its relaxing because I don't have to worry about the kids disturbing other people at dinner and I think that makes up for the fact that I don't like the pizza!

Another option is the Brew Pub on the BW. I forget the name right now. But they have outside seating. If its nice you can request to sit outside and that might be nice too and give the kids a little more freedom.

 

[etink67]

I have to just add that we love Spoodles. We ate there twice on our last trip. If you want something more casual, the brew pub is called Big River. There is also Beaches and Cream over at the Beach Club.

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

Hi Harry,
Being on the Boardwalk is great. If you have park tickets, you can avail yourselves of any number of restaurants at EPCOT (depending on how international you feel, you can choose meals from any of the different countries including the U.S.). My kids usually like to grab a quick meal at the Electric Umbrella or the Land (if you want quick but good counter service). If you want to remain on the boardwalk, you can try Spoodles (which we prefer breakfast to dinner), Cape May (at the Beach Club) or the many restaurants located at the Swan, Dolphin and Yacht Club. It just depends on what you and your family will be in the mood for when you arrive. You can even grab a light fare at Beaches and Cream (again at the BC/YC side).

 

[Epcotgal]

We loved our stay at the Boardwalk. Our whole family enjoyed both the ESPN Club and Beaches and Cream at the BC. Food and prices are good at both.

 

[Simba's Mom]

When I checked in around 6:15pm on a solo trip, I just went down to Boardwalk Bakery, where they have sandwiches and salads, so I could sit outside on the Boardwalk and take in the "ambiance".

 

[crisi]

We really enjoyed Flying Fish, but its a committment - one of Disney's "better" restaurants.

We got in a did B&C. Cape May might be fun as well over that the Y&BC.

We walked by ESPN one morning while they were cleaning, you could smell beer and stale cigarettes from the Boardwalk walking by. I won't be going in. Food may be great, but I was gagging on the smoke smell 10 yards from the door the next morning. (The did have fans blowing the place out).

 

[fmed845]

The ESPN club is very good or you could walk or take the boat over to the Beach Club to Beaches and Cream. The kids would enjoy the old time ice cream parlor.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Beaches and Cream is where I'd go.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Please don't waste your time and money on Big River Grille. It's not a Disney restaurant but the prices seem to think it is. Not at all worth it. Any of the other suggestions made would be fine. We brought back pizza and a calzone from the Spoodles take out window to our room in the BWI. It's not the best pizza, but when you're hungry it's not bad. The calzone was actually very good, but I understand they stopped making them.

 

[JFrey4240]

Beaches and Cream!!

 

[welovedis]

We really enjoyed Flying Fish, but its a committment - one of Disney's "better" restaurants.

We got in a did B&C. Cape May might be fun as well over that the Y&BC.

We walked by ESPN one morning while they were cleaning, you could smell beer and stale cigarettes from the Boardwalk walking by. I won't be going in. Food may be great, but I was gagging on the smoke smell 10 yards from the door the next morning. (The did have fans blowing the place out).

Wow, that is interesting to hear. We've dined there a half a dozen times and have never even smelled smoke in the place. I'm really bothered by smoke & need my inhaler when I smell it but have never even touched it there.

I wonder if they had a private party in there after hours?

For the OP--I would go for a take-out pizza if you really just want to get into the room and relax. If you want to go out, but not far--then ESPN Club or Beaches & Cream would be good choices-ESPN is probably a few minutes closer but different ambiance. You'd be seated more quickly there unless B&C isn't busy.

Or you could try a place over at the S&D, like someone else mentioned it just depends on what you like/are hungry for.

I wouldn't venture too far away, even though the Epcot WS restaurants are pretty close, you'd still probably be out later than you'd like with an early morning planned the next day.

 

[welovedis]

Plus, I'm not sure if by "arriving at 5:30" you mean that your flight gets in at 5:30 or what. If so, you'll need some time to collect your baggage or use ME or whatever & get to the BW which will take a good chunk of time.

 

[magicqueen]

On our recent trip we enjoyed 7 sit down meals with our kids (DDs 7 & 10). Spoodles was our favourite place this time around. It's bright and colourful and there is plenty of room between the tables, unlike many Epcot restaurants. Order 'we scoop it you make it' for dessert, the kids will love it.

 

[crisi]

Wow, that is interesting to hear. We've dined there a half a dozen times and have never even smelled smoke in the place. I'm really bothered by smoke & need my inhaler when I smell it but have never even touched it there.

I wonder if they had a private party in there after hours?

I've never heard it mentioned here, and was surprised myself. And I'm not asthmatic - I don't like smoke, but I don't have reactions other than "gross." But both my husband and I thought that the smell emitting from it was definately "bar" and I commented to my husband that I was surprised so many Disers thought it was a good place to take kids if it smelled like that from way out on the Boardwalk the next morning.

I don't think it was a private party, because it was World Series Playoff time - but the playoffs may have brought in more sports bar goers who smoke and drink beer and less families grabbing a burger.

 

[welovedis]

I don't think it was a private party, because it was World Series Playoff time - but the playoffs may have brought in more sports bar goers who smoke and drink beer and less families grabbing a burger.

I hope that is all it was! We honestly do enjoy going there, albeit for an early evening. This past trip we ended up there on arrival day and it worked out really well for us. Hope it doesn't smell bad for the next trip!

 

[Cookie Princess]

We have never had a problem with smoke at ESPN. This is a great place with YUMMY wings!

 

[Mike N Kathy]

Spoodles at BW or Cape May or beaches and cream at Yacht and Beach

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

Beaches and Cream, most definitely.

 

[goalie5hole]

I would say a burger at Beaches and Cream.I don't care too much for the food at ESPN and I like the lunch menu better at Big River.