Arrival Date Restaurant?

[Cinderelly78]

Hey everyone- we'll be coming in on a Saturday at the end of September and staying at the Saratoga Springs Resort. There's a bit of travel before we even get on the plane, and then from MCO to the hotel - we'll probably arrive around 5 or 5:30... check into the room and then we'll want to eat. I don't want to "hit the ground running" until Sunday, but am definitely willing to travel to the right resort for dinner. I'm kind of leaning towards 'Ohana and watching the MK fireworks from the beach at the Poly, but I also LOVE the Boardwalk and Beaches and Cream on the first night. Can you see any fireworks from there? The Park Hopper tickets won't start til Sunday. This is the boyfriend's first trip and I know he'll be all googly-eyed just from Saratoga Springs.

So I guess the questions are:
Where do you think we should eat on the first night without going into the parks?

And just for fun-
What's your favorite place to eat on your first night in WDW?

 

[Robin K]

We are trying Ohana for the first time this Sept so I can't really give any info there. I have always thought seeing the fireworks from the beach would be
In the past we have done dinner at DTD. We have eaten at Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex, Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich. Your resort isn't that far from DTD. Maybe do some shopping and get the feel for Disney without going to a park this night. Especially since you are not arriving til 5-5:30.
Good luck with your choice. Have a great vacation.

 

[iloveeeyore]

'Ohana would be awesome for a first night celebration! You will know you are in Disney for sure, we think the views from the Poly are magical! The only potential problem is that there is a credit card guarantee to book it, and if you don't show (travel delays, too exhausted to make the trek?) your card will be charged a penalty fee. Perhaps somewhere in DTD would be less stressful?

 

[minnie mum]

Given your late arrival I would definitely recommend that you DON'T make any ADRs for that night. If your flight is delayed (and the later in the day that you travel, the greater the certainty that you will be delayed) then you risk either racing frantically to make your ADR (which is no way to start a holiday) or missing it completely and being charged a no-show fee.

But it would certainly be lovely to see Wishes from outside the park. There's no reason you couldn't go over to the Poly and eat at Capt. Cook's, or to the GF and eat at Gasparilla Grill, or to the Contemporary and eat at Contempo Cafe. These are all CS places. Then after dinner go out to that resort's viewing area for Wishes (the beach at Poly, Narcoossee's deck at GF, the 4th floor observation deck at CR).

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Given your late arrival, I would stay closer to home the first night. Maybe have dinner at the Turf Club, then hit Downtown Disney for drinks at Raglan Road or Paradiso 37.

 

[anelson81993]

I love 'Ohana for arrival night, but I would suggest making your reservation late, just in case you get delayed in getting there. If your reservation is late enough that you won't be able to watch Wishes! from the beach, get to 'Ohana early for your reservation, ask for a window table with fireworks view, and indicate that you're willing to wait for one. 'Ohana has a great fireworks view from the window tables!

 

[Hopefully]

Given your late arrival, I would stay closer to home the first night. Maybe have dinner at the Turf Club, then hit Downtown Disney for drinks at Raglan Road or Paradiso 37.

I second this plan wholehearted!!!!

Drinks in DTD would be great fun. You don't want to be out too late, as travel is tiring and you want to hit the ground running in the monring

 

[JennyDrake]

I usually eat at Boma or sometimes Kona Cafe. O'Hana would be too crazy for me (personally) after a long day of travel.

 

[EmALee]

We've been to Disney a lot and have our favorites as I'm sure anyone does. We're staying at POFQ and on our first night I have an 8:15 at Boatwright's at POR and our flight gets in at 5:52pm. I know others have expressed concern about missing an ADR and being charged a penalty...this is an easy fix. Save the number for the dining reservations (407-WDW-DINE or 407-939-3463) on your cell phone and you can let them know even an hour ahead that you can't make your ADR due to unforeseen circumstances. They'll cancel your ADR and ask if you'd like to reschedule. They're really great about it. Also, if you have a smart phone you can access your reservations on the wdw website and cancel it that way.

 

[Cinderelly78]

Given your late arrival I would definitely recommend that you DON'T make any ADRs for that night. If your flight is delayed (and the later in the day that you travel, the greater the certainty that you will be delayed) then you risk either racing frantically to make your ADR (which is no way to start a holiday) or missing it completely and being charged a no-show fee.

But it would certainly be lovely to see Wishes from outside the park. There's no reason you couldn't go over to the Poly and eat at Capt. Cook's, or to the GF and eat at Gasparilla Grill, or to the Contemporary and eat at Contempo Cafe. These are all CS places. Then after dinner go out to that resort's viewing area for Wishes (the beach at Poly, Narcoossee's deck at GF, the 4th floor observation deck at CR).

This is sad to admit, but I got so caught up in the happy pixie dust, I momentarily forgot that things can go wrong- naive, I know! Honestly, thanks for bringing me back to reality- Capt. Cook's is a much better plan. A friend of mine also suggested buying a bottle of wine, taking it out to the beach and sipping it there while Wishes is on- sounds like another great plan!

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

is that you'd better get cracking if you haven't made your ADR's by now.

On arrival night we typically dine close to the resort and don't make an ADR that requires a CC hold. Our last trip we arrived 4 hours later and had to make a mad dash to the MK to get to the Plaza in time. I wish we had chosen something at the WL. We did make it by scant seconds but it stressed us out.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are going to make a reservation, I suggest not choosing a place like 'Ohana that will charge you a no-show fee if you don't make it. The odds are against you getting a reservation at 'Ohana this late at any point.

I would choose something at Downtown Disney, or if you must try for a table service at the Polynesian, pick Kona and remember that you may end up having to take a taxi there if you were planning on using Disney transportation.

 

[POOHsie]

I can't get a reservation for 'Ohana for any time in November. So I don't think you'll get an ADR for September. Unless someone cancels. And they might not have the time slot you need.

You're not too far from a lot of chain restaurants on Apopka-Vineland Rd. Go out Hotel Plaza Boulevard and turn left onto A-V Rd, there's Sweet Tomatoes, Chevy's, Olive Garden, Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Joe's Crab Shack, plus lots of fast food outlets. Or, turn right on A-V Rd, and there's even more... Most of these places are walk-in.

What I like to do my first night is go to DTD and have a simple meal from Earl of Sandwich. House of Blues is also a favorite. You catch the boat at the Marketplace dock that takes you to the West Side of DTD. HoB is close to the West Side dock. The idea of DTD (casual) suits me better than doing a fancier sit-down meal at the end of a travel day. 'Cause sometimes on a travel day, the sand-man suddenly catches up with me ... zzzzz-zzz-zzzzz