Arrival night dining?

[lala3291]

We will be going to WDW in February, and our 180 day mark falls within the next month. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for dining on arrival night. We will be staying at the Poly and we really don't want to go to a park on our arrival day. We want to stay at or near the Poly. Does anyone have suggestions as to where to dine? Please keep in mind that with me will be DH, DD7, DD15, DD18, DD18's friend, my mother, and father.
Thanks for any input!

 

[ChefaStepha]

I'd go with the Kona Cafe. Here's the dinner menu.

 

[karentan]

we've got 8.30pm ADRs at ohanas fr our first night, cant wait

 

[ROEDISNEY]

We will be going to WDW in February, and our 180 day mark falls within the next month. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for dining on arrival night. We will be staying at the Poly and we really don't want to go to a park on our arrival day. We want to stay at or near the Poly. Does anyone have suggestions as to where to dine? Please keep in mind that with me will be DH, DD7, DD15, DD18, DD18's friend, my mother, and father.
Thanks for any input!

Chef Mickeys is always a good starter for us for your vacation. We love it there.

 

[liquid]

If the menus at the Kona (I highly recommend it!) or Ohanas do not appeal to you, you may like the Cinderella Dinner at 1900 Park Fair in the Grand Floridian - only a monorail stop away! If you think that your family would enjoy a character meal, that is.

The buffet is very good and the character interaction is wonderful. My teenaged daughters really enjoyed it and my younger ones were thrilled! The step sisters are hilarious, Lady Temayne is wonderfully grave, Prince Charming is - charming - and Cinderella is lovely, though maybe a little boring compared to the other characters.

ETA: I meant to mention that we found the pace more relaxing than Chef Mickeys. Buffets can be hectic (Chef Mickeys and the Crystal Palace especially) but 1900 could be nice for a first night after you have been traveling.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Kona and Ohana are fantastic places to dine

 

[morgtroy]

I'd eat at Ohana, you're usually tired on the travel day and since you're there already. Or if you wanted to venture out some then any restaurants in the resorts that the monorail runs to, Grand Floridian, or Contemporary. May be nice to get out on the monorail after being confined during travel. Chef Mickey's is fun for younger kids or older ones that like the characters but the food there was just ok on our last trip. They also have the new restaurant "The Wave." Haven't tried that one, check out the dining forums for reviews.

 

[vbarry]

I have to agree to stick with Ohanas. Great atmosphere and just a few steps away from your room. We always go out and watch fireworks on the Poly beach afterwards. Great start to a vacation!

 

[B-Ride]

We love both Kona and 'Ohana. If your daughters are like many I know you might prefer Kona which has less emphasis on meat.

 

[phisigprincess]

Ohana or Chef Mickey's would be fun for your whole family.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

My vote would be for Kona. Ohana's was okay, but nothing to write home about IMO.

 

[Lisa77]

I love love love Kona Cafe But honestly.. even the counter service was good there.


Depending on what the schedule is maybe you can eat and then go watch the fireworks on the beach. What a perfect start to the vacation!

 

[sandym718]

We did Kona on our arrival night (at the Poly) last time. It was great and made for a relaxing evening hanging out at the resort. I think this next time we're going to try Chef Mickey's, though, so the kids can see the "big" characters. It's just a quick monorail ride away, so we can still come back and relax.

 

[Tricia1972]

Ohana would be our pick.

 

[_queenie_]

Kona or GFC, they're both on the more casual but have good food.

 

[JimR24]

I booked Ohana's for our first night. Afterwards, I have a Wishes Cruise booked. I'm hoping to surprise my wife and kids but I suck at keeping secrets.

 

[bkfree]

Our trip in Dec. will be the first one where we will be flying in late afternoon and not planning a park on that day.

I have booked us a 7:15 dinner at Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This will give us a chance to check out the Christmas Decorations and roam around a bit before and after dinner and get us in the mood for the parks the next morning.
To tell you the truth, I am looking forward to this more relaxing first night and easing into the park frenzy.