1st night, resort tour dinner

[rcyannacci]

OK- so I know the question about 1st night, "getting into the Disney mood" dinner has been asked a thousand times, but I'm still undecided. Please help me clarify my own thoughts...

We will be 4 adults (2 married couples, mid 30's, no kids) traveling to WDW on Sat. Dec. 11th, hoping to arrive around 2 p.m. and take in all of the decorations at the resorts (saving our 5-day Park Hoppers for full days). We're staying at POFQ. The couple we are traveling with has never seen WDW and is super excited about seeing it for the first time decked out for the holidays-they are definitely Christmas people!

I typically love the resort restaurants, and want this first night to be nice. Some places we've loved in the past are Artist Point, Flying Fish, O'Hana's.

We could take the bus to MK and then hop on the monorail and take a tour of those resorts, ending up in the WL for dinner at the Artist Point - but time-wise would that work or would dinner come too early?

Or, we could take the boat ride over to DTD, look around for a bit, then go to a monorail resort?

Or maybe we could boat over to the Hoop-de-doo- do they do anything special during the Christmas season?

Or, perhaps we should head to the Epcot resort area and show them around the Boardwalk?

Or, should we try Boma and Jiko the first night, since we definitely want to do these once this trip.

See my dilemma? Too many options- I just wish I was more familiar with the Christmas set up and what is the most fun for the holidays. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Are you planning on doing a full day or afternoon at AK? If so, then I would just plan on having dinner and visiting the AKL on that day as the park closes at about dinner time anyway.

You could save the monorail resorts for a day that you visit the MK. Maybe take an afternoon break and visit each one. You could probably do the same for the Epcot resorts during your MGM or Epcot park day.

I'd probably go with visiting the DTD area during the afternoon on the 11th. If you've enjoyed eating at Artist Point in the past, you might want to check with the WL about their sleigh rides. They did this last year during the Christmas season. Perhaps you could book one for either before or after dinner, depending on your schedule.

You're right, there are way too many choices and never enough time to get it all done.

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

I think you have a great idea. That is exactly what I like to do on my first night there. Maybe you could start off at WL (it IS absolutely beautiful) . Then maybe you could make your way over to the monorail resorts and show all of them off. This can take up quite a bit of time. I don't think you would have to worry that dinner would come too early. We like to eat at Kona Cafe our first night. I would also check out the times for the fireworks and make sure I was on the Poly beach or at a viewing area at the contemperary or Grand Floridian,( whichever resort you choose to eat at), to watch the show. There is also the Electric Water Parade to watch also around 9:00 p.m. I m sure your friends will be quite impressed by all 4 of those resorts. All of them are SOOOOO BEAUTIFULLY decorated for the holidays. I think that is the best way to go for the first night there. It is my favorite.

 

[rcyannacci]

Wow, I forgot the water parade! That would be awesome from the Poly!

Yea, I think I'm leaning toward the monorail resorts and either dinner at the WL or Poly. Maybe an early dinner would be good, then we could watch fireworks, parade, etc.

Very intrigued by the sleigh rides- do they just do this around the property? I assume they are are wheels (although I wouldn't put it past Disney to cart in snow )

Thanks for the help.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I would pick a restaurant on the monorail so that you could do the monorail loop, look through some of the resorts on the monorail and see the water parade. I think that would make a great first night. There is even a possibility of seeing the fireworks from the Poly beach!

 

[Kae]

Kona or Ohana would be a good one. GF Cafe if you want a more causal dinner. But I like your plan for AP. you could take the bus to Epcot take the Epcot loop to TTC then go to CR take the boat to AP or to whatever resort you decide.

Kae

 

[gigi1313]

another option if doing the monorail loop would be to have cocktails in different lounges in the monorail resorts before your final dinner destination... maybe even an appetizer at the bar along the way... it would be fun, definitely get you into the disney spirit, allow you to visit the resorts and check out all the great decorations too!

 

[Leota]

I think the monorail loop is a great idea! That would be a perfect way to spend the first night.....

In fact, you have given me some ideas for our next trip!

 

[crisi]

We have small children, so we avoid the monorail loop - once the kids see the castle, we can't get them to sleep that night and it becomes a battle to get them to eat anything. Maybe next time - they will be six and seven - it will be easier to explain "tomorrow" to them.

Since you don't have children - seeing the castle becomes a plus, not a minus. I'd go for something with a view - Narcoosees or CG. Or a resort worth looking at with good food where you can ride the monorail for a look after - Kona? Citricos?

WL is a beautiful resort - and AKL is impressive as well. If they aren't the type to get hyped seeing the castle lit up, I think I'd see one of these lovely resorts. I haven't been over the holidays, but WL is supposed to be quite a treat when decorated.

 

[rcyannacci]

Originally posted by gigi1313
another option if doing the monorail loop would be to have cocktails in different lounges in the monorail resorts before your final dinner destination... maybe even an appetizer at the bar along the way... it would be fun, definitely get you into the disney spirit, allow you to visit the resorts and check out all the great decorations too!

Lounge Tour! That's another great idea! I'm always a bit nervous after flying; what a great way to wind down.

Based on all of your suggestions, I'm thinking we'll either try something new (Kona) or go with the Artist Point at WL- I think these are about in the same price range...

Can you go to the CA Grill for just drinks to enjoy the view? Are there other lounges in the Contemp. or GF with great views?

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by Kae
Kona or Ohana would be a good one.

I think the Poly restaurants would be the best choices--both are great. That way you could take the monorail to the other resorts. If you were to do Artists Point at WL you would have to take the boat over to the resort--no monorail there.

I've always wanted to try California Grill at Contemp., but didn't want to take my kids. It is supposed to be the best adult dining option out there. My dream date would be drinks at the Poly, dinner at California Grill, and dessert and coffee at Grand Floridian.