Any advice on first night dinner?

[mel373]

I am arriving on a Sunday in October at noon and I wanted to have a fun diiner with the kids ages 3 & 6 that night. I called chef Mickey's and the earliest they have available is 8:20. My kids will never last that long!

Does anyone have any suggestions? We did Rainforest Cafe last year. Do reservations usually open up closer to the date or am I out of luck with Chef Mickey's?

Any advice would be great!
Thanks

 

[debbiedoo]

Which resort are you staying at?

Dinner at resort or in park?

 

[wdwishes1990]

Are you looking for a resort restaurant or will in a park work for you?

 

[Stacerita]

In the past for a few trips, we have done Boma for a first night dinner. That has always gone over well. Made us feel like we were really on vacation and away from home.

 

[tluvstink]

How about 'Ohana at the Poly

Terri

 

[sheilag]

If you're at MK, try Liberty Tree Tavern or Crystal Palace for character meals. Or, if staying out of park, try 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian for character meal.

 

[lovmy2girls]

The Garden Grill was fun with the moving seats overlooking The Land with the characters.

'Ohanas is fun too with games and you could watch the fireworks from the beach after dinner. Ride the monorail around, really gets you in the mood.

 

[wishstar]

We always go to an Epcot resteraunt the first night. The last time we went my DD was 6. After arriving in Orlando, we go to the hotel (on-site), go swimming to get active again after the plane trip, take a nap and then head over to Epcot for reservations at 7 or 7:30. There's no rushing, if we are early then we see some of the park. After dinner we walk leisurely back to the front of Epcot and usually are in place for the fireworks. Then head back to the hotel. In Oct, the crowds are not that bad. This is our way of easing into the theme park experience.

But it's the nap that allows us to do it. I am exhausted after the trip to Orlando and if you let the kids sleep longer than usual (which they usual do because it seems like you've been up forever) they will be able to stay up a little later. They sleep well that night and then it's up bright and early with a Mickey wake-up call.

Hope this helps,
JC

 

[laughinplace199]

How about the Whispering Canyon Cafe? My kids love it there.