Any recommendations for first night meal?

[juliebro]

We will be arriving at our apartment at around 8:00 pm and are wondering if anyone can recommend somewhere good (and quite quick) to eat once we've unloaded the cases.

We are staying at Windsor Palms resort off 192 near Splendid China, I believe

Thanks

Julie

 

[mkingdon]

I would go for Beaches & Cream at the Y&B Club.

Depends on how tired you are though as you may need to wait for a table for 15 minutes or so, but well worth it.

Craig

 

[GerryH]

Julie - if you're staying at Windsor Palms, the closest place would be Formosa Gardens Shopping Plaza. It's 2 minutes drive away (you'll pass it on the road into Windsor Palms as you turn off the US192). There are a few restaurants there. Carrabas Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse are both very popular.

You'll also have various restaurants and diners just another few minutes away on the 192.

We'll be staying at Windsor Palms in August.

 

[SidB]

Julie,

Looks like we'll be there at the same time. We arrive on the 28th.

Anyhow, I understand we're fairly close to Animal Kingdom Lodge, so Boma might be an option. Depends on how deep your pockets are ! Otherwise there are loads of places to eat along the 192. If you do a search on the main boards ytou'll get all sorts of reviews.

No just read the comment "quick". Ignore me......

Mmmmm FOOD (in Homer Simpson style voice).

 

[vernon]

If you're staying near SC I wouldn't bother with planing a trip into WDW, it's quite possible you will get a delay, in which case any PS would become invalid. I'd agree on Carabbas or Outback being close by (outback normally has longer queues), there are a number of other reasonable restaurants in the area, another Italian ( Giordanos) is pretty good. A tradition with us is Pizzahut as it's quick and easy, after a long flight I'm never in the mood for an elongated "dining experience" (don't forget it's going to be approaching 2 in the morning UK time). There's a much under used Pizzahut west along the 192 (almost at the intersection with I27).

 

[keswick1uk]

Quick snack is on our plans. Then a hearty breakfast as we will be up early, and a good start at the parks...

 

[Mike Jones]

..I'd get beer from the WinnDixie on that retail park and a couple of Subs from the Subway there... we'd be too tired to wait for a table at Outback etc (although we eat there often & it's lovely!)

 

[lisag1]

Mike,

Snap that's what we always do

Although you must do Carabbas, The Outback & Giodanni's whilst you're there as they're yummy.

 

[juliebro]

DH & I like the Subway idea. We will be up early the next day, hitting the breakfast buffet at Ponderosa or similar, then Animal Kingdom. We've got plans for Beaches & Cream after that.

Will definitely give Outback, Giordano's and Carrabas a try too while we're there.

Thanks for the tips.

Julie

 

[themurrayfamily]

Hi,

We're staying a Windsor Palms in August to! Can anyone recomend where to get shopping on the first night? somewhere near and easy to get to from Windsor Palms, we've never been before to Orlando...

Regards

themurrayfamily

 

[SimonV]

Almost oposite the SC turnoff at Formosa Gardens is Key W Kool's Pit Barbecue, which gets good marks from several of my contacts for its steaks. Should be the best of both worlds (i.e. good food and nearby!).

 

[Olaf]

While I absolutely love Beaches & Cream, I think you'll find the wait times there extremely long, especially in April. I'd stick with the off-site recommendations.

 

[UKDEB]

We usually stay near SC and our modus operandi once we've cleared the airport is:

Check out the villa and take photos before bringing in the cases;
Drive to Publix about 1.5 miles west on the 192;
Return to villa and make our own sub rolls;
Chill in the jacuzzi with a glass or three of wine.

There is a supermarket at the Formosa Gardens Shopping Center - it's changed hands several times, but I think it's now operated by Wynn Dixie - it just isn't as good as Publix in my opinion. Actually, the newer Publix at Kyng's Heath Road (east on the 192 where it intersects with Poinciana Boulevard) is better. It's not too far away, but probably further than you'd want to drive when you've just arrived.

We always buy fillings for our own subs - beef, chicken, pepperoni, dill pickles, various cheeses, mayo, mustard, tomatoes, lettuce. Publix also has a counter where you can order them freshly made if you prefer (together with hot chicken, etc). The first time we stayed in a villa we did this. The subs come in 'wholes' or 'halves' and our friend decided to order a whole one 'with everything on it' (whilst in Rome and all that). DON'T DO IT! We could hardly stand for laughing - we were literally in tears. The sub was the size of a loaf and the filling was about 6 inches thick!

 

[GerryH]

To "themurrayfamily" - the Formosa Gardens Shopping Plaza which you should pass as you turn off the 192 and head up to Windsor Palms, has a supermarket as well as restaurants and a few other shops. It used to be a Goodings supermarket but I think it's a Winn Dixie these days.

It's only a couple of minutes drive from Windsor Palms.

Gerry

 

[themurrayfamily]

Thanks!