Arrival night ADR suggestions

[SuzaBanana]

Need some suggestions for our arrival night dinner. No characters or buffets please. Looking for great food and nice atmosphere. Doesn't need to be over the top themeing or entertainment/show. Our group is me, DH, DD4, DD7, grandma and grandpa (they live in Ft. Myers and are driving up for part of our stay). We are all adventurous eaters and eat all types of cuisine. Must be at Disney Springs or a resort as we will not be going into the parks on arrival day. This is also the kids first visit. We are NOT on the dining plan and arrive on a Friday in April.

We currently have ADRs for the following and prefer not to repeat: 1900 Park Fare, Kona Cafe, Sanaa, Garden Grill, Las Hacienda de San Angel, Tusker House and BOG.

I'm considering Olivia's or the Wave, but am open to other ideas...I'm just a little tapped out with research. All suggestions are helpful

 

[GBBTomorrow]

You might like to give California Grill a try. Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food. Elegant, pleasant place. Pricey,though, but I guess that's true of just about everything.

 

[L&Lfan]

Disney Springs:
Raglan Road
The Boathouse

Resorts:
Jiko
Il Mulino
Captain's Grille
bluezoo
Narcoossee's
Shula's
Yachtsman Steakhouse

 

[LSLS]

I messed up. Wave is really good. I really liked the Captain's Grille as well.

 

[OhThePain]

What time are you arriving? Are you flying or driving? If you are flying in in the morning or driving in, I would suggest Raglan Road at DS. Good food, good atmosphere, good beer and a generally good way to kick off your trip. If you are flying in and getting there in the late afternoon-early evening, I wouldn't make an ADR now. Instead, I would wait until after we landed or were on our ME bus before checking the app to see what might be available in a couple of hours from that point.

 

[L&Lfan]

I you are adventurous, you may want to consider Boma. Personally I really enjoyed Cape May (Clam Bake) as well)

I love Boma. Despise Cape May Café. But the OP said no buffets.

 

[LSLS]

I love Boma. Despise Cape May Café. But the OP said no buffets.

Whoops, guess I didn't read closely enough. Changed my opinions. I know a lot of people can't stand Cape May, but for whatever reason I have really enjoyed it.

 

[kwdw]

Wow - lots of choices. I think it's more about "where" you want to go than the meal, honestly. You have alot of great choices in your ADR's, so - I think I'd use this meal to (1) either explore someplace you won't be otherwise on your trip, or (2) keep it simple. If you are getting in early in the day (say by 3 pm) - and you don't have Disney Springs planned - I might suggest something there. Or maybe something on the Boardwalk. If you are getting in later (let's define as after 3pm) - I might actually just suggest staying at close to where you are staying. Everyone is going to be excited - you can explore where you are living, visit with each other, maybe go to the pool or try to get the kids settled in for bed. Just do something close by where you are staying. Or order pizza and stay in!

When I'm traveling with family to Disney - arrival day tends to be pretty exciting, hectic, busy just by itself - I don't like to fill it too full. We always have the plan of "if we have time" we'll headed to Disney Springs - and it never happens.......

 

[crabbygal902]

I recommend The Wave. The food is good and the restaurant specializes in fresh, local and sustainable. The atmosphere is nice but not over the top, and it is in the Contemporary, which is my favorite resort. Before/after dinner, you could take a monorail ride, take a boat ride, take a family picture with the Mickey topiary and sculpture out back, shop on the 4th floor concourse, have a speciality cupcake at Contempo Cafe, watch Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant from the 4th floor observation deck, let the kids play in the arcade, search for the 5-legged goat on the Mary Blair mural...can you tell that I love the place?

It is my favorite place to visit when I don't have a park ticket. There are so many things to do! What a great way to begin a vacation!

 

[nco91590]

The Wave and Captain's Grille were both stand-outs last week.

 

[loves to dive]

As other's have said, it would depend on what time you are arriving, are you flying or driving, what time did you leave home and where are you staying. I'd be tempted to say do a QS in the resort you are staying in then if it's early enough in the afternoon, just hang around and swim. I wouldn't go for TS that first night, the younguns are going to be wound up and probably not up for it.

 

[SuzaBanana]

We will be driving up from Ft. Myers where we'll be staying for a few days prior with my dad. Timing is flexible, but I don't think we can check-in before 4pm. We're staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations at Tuscany Village which is right between I-4 & International Drive. It shouldn't take us much time to settle in as we will have done all our shopping etc. on the way. If anyone has dinner suggestions closer to our hotel, that would be excellent! No chain restaurants, please. I just don't think we want to attempt cooking on night #1. We will have the next 2 days to explore the resorts, as we don't have park days planned until Monday.

 

[Hopefully]

I don't know of any restaurants closer to your hotel. But since you are driving from relatively close I think you can make plans.
I would recommend Raglan Road in DS or the Boathouse in DS. Both can be booked through Open Table so there is no "Cancellation Fee" if for some reason you can not go that night

 

[goofyintoronto]

The Wave is a hidden gem. Seriously great food! You can see pics in my signature below.
Cali Grill is also a great option if you want to see fireworks (a lot pricier than The Wave though). Still, i'd choose the Wave over Cali Grill.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We love bluezoo at the Dolphin, but they will charge you to park your car

In Disney Springs, the Boathouse is great!

I actually think your idea of going to the Wave is a good one. The food is good, and what a great way to start your trip! Watching the monorail go through the hotel, seeing the castle from the Contemporary - sounds awesome to me! Depending on when you eat, you could also see the electric water pageant from the resort as well.

 

[LilyWDW]

I don't know of any restaurants closer to your hotel. But since you are driving from relatively close I think you can make plans.
I would recommend Raglan Road in DS or the Boathouse in DS. Both can be booked through Open Table so there is no "Cancellation Fee" if for some reason you can not go that night

What they said. Book something like Raglan Road through Open Table. That way if something were to happen (and things do happen!) you won't have to deal with a fee if you miss the reservation. Besides, Raglan Road kicks some serious behind.