Arrival Dinner

[ginah21]

Arriving on Saturday afternoon and would like a fun family dinner to welcome us to Disney for the first time. 2 DDs age 3 and 6. Sounds like Chef Mickeys or Ohana would be great, but I can't seem to get reservations this late. I have been trying for over a month. Any recommendations? What about the Aloha Dinner Show? Would the kids enjoy?

 

[FigaroandFifi]

We are going to Mickey's Backyard BBQ on our arrival day. Have never been but it looks like it would be fun. Your kids are younger than mine so yours may actually like it better than mine

 

[davkata]

I think kids that age would enjoy Hoop Dee Doo Review much more than the Aloha dinner. It's a ton of fun and lots of laughs. Although my DD did like the Aloha show and they got the kids up to hula and such. She was 6 or 7 at the time. I don't know for sure, but they are probably around the same cost (neither is cheap, though!). We were on the dining plan and used that to pay. (It counted as 2 table service credits). Either would be fun, I just think Hoop Dee Doo was more fun! We sat in the balcony for HDDR and could see much better than if we had been on the floor, although I don't think the actors came up there, if that matters.

 

[dcassetta]

1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian has a character meal in the evening.

 

[mirandaperez10]

I love the Aloha show it's very nice !! Go for it I think you will like it

 

[BuzzyBelle]

I'm putting in another vote for 1900 park fare. Cinderella, Prince Charming and her step-family Lady Tremaine, Drizella & Anastasia. If your girls are in to princess they should definitely enjoy seeing them

 

[jude&jonah]

I have always found on day one I prefer to just head to MK and take in Disney and do a simple dinner- I can never concentrate on a nice dinner when I know the castle is right there waiting for me! Over the years I've changed my plans from doing dinners on the first night to just taking it easy and being casual at a park on day one.

If you definitely want to do a dinner the first night- yes Ohana or Chef Mickeys would be good for kids (especially if you're going to be at MK to see the fireworks and what not). That rots that you can't seem to get one- even after trying for a month Keep trying because you never know. Do your kids like Winnie the Pooh? Even if your 6 year old is a bit old for it- when you're there at Disney seeing the characters in person- it feels a bit less "babyish" I think. Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh characters) inside MK might be another good option if that's the park you're heading to (not sure if it is- but most people go there on day one).

 

[maxiesmom]

Are you flying in? If so, don't book a special dinner within 3 hours of landing. It is risky. If your plane is late or you are delayed you will miss your ADR and be charged the no show fee.

Do you have your heart set on hitting the Magic Kingdom? If not, try for the Garden Grill in Epcot. Farmer Mickey is there, with Chip and Dale. Or Akershus which has many of the Princesses.

 

[4under4]

As PP said, only if you are arriving early in the afternoon would I risk an ADR on arrival night. If that's your plan, then I'll second the votes for 1900. It's a great way to have fun & see a princess.

If you are arriving later though (&/or had a long day getting there), I think a QS meal would be a better. If you want to add some excitement, eat at one of the monorail resort QS restaurants and ride around afterwards... maybe get dessert at a different resort?

 

[Elacklen]

What would you recommend at DTD for arrival dinner?

 

[tzeitel]

What would you recommend at DTD for arrival dinner?

We usually hit DtD on arrival day and have done Raglan Road, Trex and Wolfgang Puck. Raglan Rd has the most fun atmosphere and the food is good.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We are doing a split stay for our vacation. We are staying the first 2 nights off site before heading the The Grand Flordian. We are driving down. On our arrival to Orlando night we are doing something easy and down key. After spending practically 2 days worth of driving my kids need some down time to unwind. So we are planning on heading over the Disney's boardwalk and eating at ESPN Club and then heading over the the Arcade right there for some good family fun

The next day we are planning on doing Sea World and after Sea World I am hoping to get Dinner reservations for Mickey's Backyard BBQ. Fingers crossed! Then when we actually get into Disney, our first day at the Grand Floridian, I have dinner reservations to eat at the Castle. Whats more fun to start off the trip than eating Dinner at Cinderella's Castle.

But I do agree in you situation with what others have said I would go with 1900 Park Fare. We love that dinner. We have reservations there as well for later on in our week