Arrival Day Dinner

[atykay]

We will be arriving at CBR October 1st in the afternoon. We will not have park tickets and will be using DDP. I would like to do a dinner to get us in the Disney spirit, so probably a character meal. I'm thinking Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, or Hoop Dee Doo. I've heard mixed reviews of the first two though. Any reccomendations? It will be myself, my mom, and my sons -7 and 2.

 

[DynamicDisney]

Chef Mickey's is our traditional first morning breakfast. I love starting our trip with a fun, upbeat meal, and the food is okay.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Hoop Dee Doo is our favorite! It is a GREAT way to start a trip, or even end a trip on the last night. It is so much fun, so much good food and just a great experience. It just screams "I'm in Disney!" to me. That would be my vote for an arrival day dinner.. especially with 2 boys. Chef Mickeys is just horrible for dinner IMO, but we have enjoyed breakfast there.

 

[heywagners]

I know Chef Mickey gets rough reviews, but my kids love it for the character interaction. It's a great way to kick off a trip - you'll get to see all the main characters and they can eat as much mac and cheese and brownies as their hearts desire.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Our tradition is heading to Disney Springs on arrival day at eating at T-Rex. Food is average, but the atmosphere cannot be beat!

Otherwise, I'd go with O'Hana or Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[Nancyg56]

I know Chef Mickey gets rough reviews, but my kids love it for the character interaction. It's a great way to kick off a trip - you'll get to see all the main characters and they can eat as much mac and cheese and brownies as their hearts desire.

We have generally chosen CM for our arrival day meal. It gets a bad rap, but we like it, and I do not know any better way to get into the DIsney Spirit. You are in the Contemporary Resort, can hop on the monorail for a pre or post dinner spin to get in the mood, and then meet the best bunch ever!

 

[verleniahall]

We enjoyed both 1900 Park Fare for Breakfast or Lunch and Chef Mickeys - we did breakfast last year, and its OUR arrival dinner for next year

 

[Hopefully]

We will be arriving at CBR October 1st in the afternoon. We will not have park tickets and will be using DDP. I would like to do a dinner to get us in the Disney spirit, so probably a character meal. I'm thinking Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, or Hoop Dee Doo. I've heard mixed reviews of the first two though. Any reccomendations? It will be myself, my mom, and my sons -7 and 2.

We Love HDDR and I always recommend it. But I would Not do it on arrival night. Travel day is tiring, and full of unexpected, uncontrollable delays. If you are delayed you will forfeit the full cost of an expensive meal.
I would stick close to our resort, settle in and have an early night to start the vacation rested.

 

[LovesTimone]

With Travel and Arrival day. Depending on what time you arrive, If your flying and using DME you need to factor in all this. My friends made this mistake when planning an ADR for arrival day, there is a difference in landing time and being at your resort room, luggage pick up at airport, wait time on DME, what order you will be dropped off at your resort, check-in, luggage delivery, and such. Even if your flying and renting a car there is travel time to add into the mix. There is so much road construction going on, it takes forever to get around, I live here ....

With your kiddos being little, it might be nice for them to get the chance to blow off some steam, head for the pool, check out your resort, there is a TS at CBR, or just go with QS.
When we lived out of state we went this route, it was nice to relax and get into that vacation state of mind. Then hit the hay early, so everyone will be well rested for your first full day.

Have a magical journey

 

[atykay]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We will be driving so I was concerned about the boys being too cooped up to want to sit through HDD that evening. And I chose CBR because of the pool so we will probably keep it low key and enjoy the resort. If we don't do Chef Mickeys on arrival day, we will do it on the morning of MNSSHP since we are not doing a park that day.

 

[lovin'fl]

Chef Mickey's for dinner on Oct 1 may be tough to get now. We arrive the day before on Sept 30 and have no park tickets. We also have no DP or TIW card so I was trying to figure out best resort or DS place that wouldn't be too pricey. I went with Kona as my DH and DDs kept asking for Ohana but they are pricey and maybe can get a similar meal at Kona. Was thinking of Whispering Canyon at WL...one DD kept asking for that. I also suggest Raglan Road at DS or Sanaa at AKV (if your kids aren't too picky).

 

[jimmytammy]

We used to always do Ohana dinner 1st meal as it just screams Disney to me. You can incorporate Wishes if timing is right. Of your choices, HDDR would be my choice. The character meals are fun, but HDDR really gets you in the spirit in a big way.

 

[lynnfitz]

We always do Rainforest at Disney Springs. Like a previous poster said about T Rex, food is good (not great), but we've been doing it for years our first night. I think Disney Springs is just enough to get us in the spirit of our vacation, but not too much overload after traveling the day.

 

[BizmoFunyuns]

Our tradition is heading to Disney Springs on arrival day at eating at T-Rex. Food is average, but the atmosphere cannot be beat!

Otherwise, I'd go with O'Hana or Hoop Dee Doo.

Going to trex first is our plan for arrival day this year as well. Couldn't get a decent dinner time initially so we are doing lunch unless anot her time opens up. Character dining we are saving for park days.

 

[GillianP1301]

I love a character meal on arrival day. It is definitely a great way to kick off the vacation. I think CM is a great choice because you get the Fab 5 right out of the gate, although I would only do that if you have plans for 1900 PF at another time in the trip because the food there is way better.

I would not do HDDR, for the reason stated above. If you miss CM or 1900, you are only out $10 a head, if you miss HDDR then you are out the full ticket price and that to me is a bit risky for arrival day.

 

[Parker Clan]

HDDR for sure! It's a must do for us each year. I am sure you can't go wrong with a character meal though

 

[emnems34]

Lots of people like HDDR. I haven't been there since I was a child myself but it was our tradition back then. I think Chef Mickey's mainly gets rough reviews because the food is just ok. It's typically my philosophy to rate places first on their experience and second on their food at WDW. Chef Mickey's will probably get you and your kids in the Disney spirit more than anything else, but I think all of the options you chose are good ones! My one caution would be book ASAP, it already might be tough to get 10/1 ADRs. Don't fret if they aren't there, keep checking back because people DO cancel. I once got a Cinderella's 5 weeks before that way! Have fun!

 

[addiln]

The food was not great at Chef Mickey's but it does scream Disney and will get you in the spirit. We did this our last trip on our first night and it was great to get the autographs and pictures done right there. The food at 1900 was far better than CM but I am not sure your boys would care for the characters there.

 

[lubob]

Our plan of attack is Disney springs on arrival day. T-rex or raglan road nothing gets you in the mood better than a bunch of disney stores and great atmosphere. Another choice would be ohana

 

[SunnieRN]

With your children's ages, my vote is Chef Mickeys. It will be a great way to start your trip. I know the food is not the best, but I think it will be worth putting up with buffet food to have that magical experience that first night!!