Advice about Boardwalk area eating

[lllovell]

We are going down for our first ever DVC stay the first week in April (which is spring break for us). Taking some friends with us so the total party is 4 adults and 3 children (perhaps 5 adults at times if I can get my sister that lives in Orlando to join us).

We are arriving seperately on Sunday afternoon and I was thinking we would head to the Boardwalk area for dinner (probably around 5 or so) that night. First off, I don't have to have a PS to get in if driving do I? Secondly, would you make a PS at one of the "nicer" restaurants or go for ESPN or Beaches and Cream junk on your first night?

Just looking for opinions.

Thanks

Laura

 

[athenna]

A tradition my family and I have had for years is to visit ESPN on our first night. We don't want a ''big deal'' or anything we have to ''plan'' on our first night. That plus we just love it.

 

[lllovell]

What are the waits like for your family usually?

I assume there will be enough going on to keep the 2, 3 and 5 year old traveling with us entertained while we wait. We are all going out to dinner tomorrow night at a place that doesn't accept ressies, so going at 5 to try to get in sooner - will this help? Or since we are going on a big check in day, will it make no difference?

 

[athenna]

I guess it depends on the night specifically, and how busy WDW is in general. The last trip, we went on our first night, Monday. Got there about an hour or so before Monday night football started and we walked right in. As the game started it got very busy! But we weren't there for long after the game started.
The time before that was very, very busy! Also MNF game but I went there for it because it was the 1st MNF game of the year and the Pats were playing.
I plan on going my first night when I get there 4/17. I've never been to WDW in April so I'm not sure how busy it's going to be. But we want to relax and watch some Sunday night baseball.

 

[tjkraz]

First off, I don't have to have a PS to get in if driving do I?

No, you shouldn't have to have a PS to park at the Boardwalk. The ESPN Club doesn't even take PS.

You might have trouble getting into the self-park lot, though. Bring your member ID to get free valet parking.

Secondly, would you make a PS at one of the "nicer" restaurants or go for ESPN or Beaches and Cream junk on your first night?

Since ESPN doesn't take PS, I would probably make one elsewhere as a fall-back just to be safe. If you arrive at ESPN and don't like the looks of the wait, at least you'll have another option.

Incidentally, I've heard that the Dolphin and Swan have some very good dining options. And, except for Shula's, we get 20% off with our DVC at the D&S restaurants. Not too shabby...especially if you aren't buying the DDE.

 

[PVA]

Our tradition on our first and last night is a patio seat at Big River Brewery. My 5 yo daughter loves the food and the proximity to the Boardwalk. We order and then play one of the midway games while we wait. The staff is great, the food is good and the beer is...well how can a cold one on a hot Orlando night be bad? Also take a look at their passport. It costs about $20, but you get a certificate for your next visit. Best of all though is you go to fourth in line no matter how long the wait is! That's a deal especially during busy times when ESPN Zone waits can be an hour or more. As a bonus you can see at least some of the fireworks from Illuminations and the Boardwalk performers and ambience. Three more months and the three of us will be at our usual table!

Have Fun!

 

[lllovell]

You might have trouble getting into the self-park lot, though. Bring your member ID to get free valet parking.

Thanks for this answer and many others here. I know you all are going to think I am crazy, but I swear I am going to have to pin my DVC member ID, my AP and my DDE card to my dang shirt EVERYWHERE I GO because I don't know all the discounts I am entitled to and sometimes ( ) I forget to ask if we get discounts on stuff.

 

[athenna]

Thanks for this answer and many others here. I know you all are going to think I am crazy, but I swear I am going to have to pin my DVC member ID, my AP and my DDE card to my dang shirt EVERYWHERE I GO because I don't know all the discounts I am entitled to and sometimes ( ) I forget to ask if we get discounts on stuff.

Oh, you won't be the only one! I'll be the same way trying to keep all those discounts straight! So glad we've got them though!

 

[sc9500]

Just remember....

 

[lllovell]

lol Birds everywhere at WDW are agressive!!! Had one take my nieces hotdog before we ever stepped away from a stand at MK last year!

But thanks for the reminder!

 

[crisi]

If the wait is too long, you can snack on ice cream from the sweet shop or a brownie from the bakery. I know with kids that age, sometimes its a "elevate the blood sugar NOW!" situation. Fortified in this manner, you can check in at ESPN and then take a look at the resort if there is a wait.

 

[lllovell]

If the wait is too long, you can snack on ice cream from the sweet shop or a brownie from the bakery. I know with kids that age, sometimes its a "elevate the blood sugar NOW!" situation. Fortified in this manner, you can check in at ESPN and then take a look at the resort if there is a wait.

Excellent idea! (and honestly, I don't worry too much about spoiling their appetites on vacation. We just order them one meal, if they eat it all, we get more!)

Edited to add that I only have two - the 2 year old will be with her parents and they are traveling with us this trip ...so I don't try to feed 3 from one child's plate

 

[elgerber]

What are the waits like for your family usually?

We usually eat early, 5:30 or so, and we've never had to wait more than 5 minutes, if it all for a table at the ESPN Club, we love that place.

 

[lllovell]

Thanks everyone. I didn't want to make a PS for that day because I am not sure how check in will go and meeting up with our party, etc.

I think for this time around ESPN is going to get the nod.

*counting down the days*