Arrival Day- We have a car and no ADR's

[Koz]

On our arrival day we will not have dining credits/ADR's in place due to the split stay.

We have a rental car and will be going off site to pick up water etc anyway.

Do any of you have recommendations as to fun, lively and not terribly expensive restaurants in the immediate area? Point of reference we are staying @ POR.

Thank you!

 

[Mousetopia]

Hi,
You can still make an ADR in advance of your trip if you want one. You do not have to be staying at disney to make adr's. Disney Springs has many great options both walk up and sit down and you have a lovely boat ride from POR to visit.
Or if your want to drive somewhere and want lively head to the boardwalk. Boardwalk bakery has sandwiches, Big River Brewery is often possible to walk up and has a varied menu...then when finished head to Jellyrolls for the lively portion of the evening...then back to AMPLE Hills for icecream after...and the Boardwalk is lovely! for strolling and enjoying in itself!

 

[Koz]

Thanks Mouse. That's actually a great idea hitting up the Boardwalk. We're staying very close @ POR. Yes, I do realize that with no ADR or dining credits you can still eat on site- my only question was since we are going to be off site anyway grabbing some items for the week, if there was something we should consider looking at beyond the house of the mouse. Our first night is CBR (split stay) and obviously only the bus to get us to Dis Springs, as I've heard that parking on a Sat night can be quite a challenge.

 

[Mousetopia]

Too many great options at disney to go offsite I think! Yes Id save the springs for when you are at POR.

 

[bumbershoot]

We always love Sweet Tomatoes, personally.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Lots of chain restaurants on International Drive just off Disney property, where you can eat a table service meal for what a QS meal will cost on Disney property. In your situation, with a car and no ADR's...especially with it being your arrival day and not being totally immersed in the "bubble" yet, that's what I'd do.

 

[Koz]

Lots of chain restaurants on International Drive just off Disney property, where you can eat a table service meal for what a QS meal will cost on Disney property. In your situation, with a car and no ADR's...especially with it being your arrival day and not being totally immersed in the "bubble" yet, that's what I'd do.

Thanks Dis, am I thinking of the location where there's a Joe's Crab Shack, Chili's etc all within spitting distance of one another?

 

[Koz]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34515-d6413503-Reviews-Chuy_s-Orlando_Florida.html

Seems to be a fun place for the first night.

 

[DisBuckMan]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34515-d6413503-Reviews-Chuy_s-Orlando_Florida.html

Seems to be a fun place for the first night.

Yeah, and there are several other restaurants around that Chuy's, as well....I think there's a Red Robin, Longhorn, a Pizzeria (can't remember which one), etc....

 

[Koz]

Yeah, and there are several other restaurants around that Chuy's, as well....I think there's a Red Robin, Longhorn, a Pizzeria (can't remember which one), etc....

Great, thank you. Just need to find a big box store in the area as it looks like the Walmart is not around the corner. Want to load up on water and snacks for the parks.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Great, thank you. Just need to find a big box store in the area as it looks like the Walmart is not around the corner. Want to load up on water and snacks for the parks.

Chuy's is just south of Sand Lake Rd on I-Drive. If you go west on Sand Lake Rd after leaving Chuy's and cross I-4, there is a Whole Foods and a Publix on the left. A few more high end restaurants there, too.

 

[Koz]

Chuy's is just south of Sand Lake Rd on I-Drive. If you go west on Sand Lake Rd after leaving Chuy's and cross I-4, there is a Whole Foods and a Publix on the left. A few more high end restaurants there, too.

that's great thank you so much I do appreciate the info

 

[Chelley00]

We love Cafe Tu Tu Tango. There's art everywhere and usually some sort of artist working. It's a funky fun vibe and the food is great. (Best sangria)

 

[Koz]

We love Cafe Tu Tu Tango. There's art everywhere and usually some sort of artist working. It's a funky fun vibe and the food is great. (Best sangria)

thanks so much for the info chelley

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh and up closer to universal near the Orlando Eye there's a Yardhouse (their gardein products are so good) and a BJ's. Yum.

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse! It's hibachi and one of my favorites when I'm home visiting. They have one in the Crossroads shopping center that is right there outside of the Disney Springs exit. They have Early Bird from 5-6 (Sun-Thurs) which takes the prices down a bit!

 

[Koz]

You guys are awesome. I'm taking lots of notes.

 

[LizGirl]

There is a Bahama Breeze restaurant that was very lively the last time we visited. It's on 535 just across I-4 and is not too far from a Publix for buying groceries.

 

[Koz]

There is a Bahama Breeze restaurant that was very lively the last time we visited. It's on 535 just across I-4 and is not too far from a Publix for buying groceries.

Bamm! Look at that! Awesome, thank you.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Bahama Breeze!
We ate there years ago when we stayed off site & loved it.
Then when we were in Orlando in May this year for a convention we had a car & were able to finally go there again. It was as good as I remembered!
This is the one place I'm tempted to take a taxi to on our yearly onsite trip to Disney but we never do.