Best first night restaurant?

[EllenMurphy]

Hi,

My parents, two young boys and I are heading to Disney in 2022 for our first time. We are staying at WBC but I thought maybe of doing an ADR if possible on our first night. We would have time to relax at the resort for a bit and then get into the Disney spirit with a Disney resort dinner. We wont be in the parks until the following day. What resort dinner if you had to take Disney first timers to would you go?

 

[SeanWM48]

honestly the best warm-up experience for your first night that isn't in the parks would be Disney Springs based on my experience. just throwing that out there for you. The dining choices have gone to another level at Springs the last couple years.

especially with first timers. let Springs wow them, then let the parks take them another step further the next day.

however, if we are to keep it to a resort dinner, others here can speak to that better than i can

 

[tstein12]

It really depends on your food preferences. For dinner at resorts, I recommend the following:
AKL - Sanaa
CR - California Grill
Poly - Kona Cafe (since Ohana isn't open)
WL - Whispering Canyon

Personally, I would recommend Sanaa since it's one of my favorite on-property restaurants. Kona and Whispering Canyon aren't my favorite by a long shot, but I love the Poly and WL resorts.

 

[hes122]

We did lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe (WL) as 4 adults in 2018 and loved it.

If your kids at the age where they'd appreciate a character meal, Chef Mickeys could be an option as well.

 

[EllenMurphy]

Are there and dinner options that do character meals? Thanks! I did check out Disney Springs and it looks great! My Dad would love Boathouse

 

[tstein12]

Are there and dinner options that do character meals? Thanks! I did check out Disney Springs and it looks great! My Dad would love Boathouse

I believe the only resorts doing character meals right now are CR (Chef Mickey's) and Riviera (Topolino's), but only for breakfast.

BTW, Boathouse is awesome - one of my favorites at DS. Depending how old your kids are, T-Rex at DS may be a good option for them (food is medicore, but theming is great for younger kids).

 

[EllenMurphy]

Yes, I did see T-Rex! Ok, I think Boathouse would be a great treat for my Dad who is into boats.

 

[EllenMurphy]

I believe the only resorts doing character meals right now are CR (Chef Mickey's) and Riviera (Topolino's), but only for breakfast.

BTW, Boathouse is awesome - one of my favorites at DS. Depending how old your kids are, T-Rex at DS may be a good option for them (food is medicore, but theming is great for younger kids).

Do you know if normally there are any dinner character meals? We are thinking 2022 to visit.

 

[tstein12]

Do you know if normally there are any dinner character meals? We are thinking 2022 to visit.

Currently, there is character dining in the parks at lunch and dinner, of course, socially distanced.
MK - Cinderella's Royal Table (Disney princesses), Be Our Guest (the Beast)
HS - Hollywood & Vine (Mickey & Minnie, as well as other characters sometimes)
Epcot - Garden Grill (Chip & Dale, plus other characters)

Pre-COVID, there was much more choices for lunch & dinner. Hopefully by 2022 these options will be available (I may be missing some):
AK - Tusker House (Mickey & friends in safari gear)
Epcot - Akershus Royal Banquest Hall (Disney princesses)
MK - Crystal Palace (currently open, but no characters - in the past Winnie the Pooh and friends)
WL - Story Book Dining at Artist Point (Snow White characters)
CR - Chef Mickeys (I believe they used to do lunch & dinner, but only open for breakfast right now)

 

[OKW Lover]

Hi,

My parents, two young boys and I are heading to Disney in 2022 for our first time. We are staying at WBC but I thought maybe of doing an ADR if possible on our first night. We would have time to relax at the resort for a bit and then get into the Disney spirit with a Disney resort dinner. We wont be in the parks until the following day. What resort dinner if you had to take Disney first timers to would you go?

I'd just go across the street to La Luce at the Hilton. Really good restaurant. Relaxing. Or, if you want even more up-scale go to Bull & Bear at the Waldorf next door.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Normally I would recommend Chef Mickey but they aren’t doing dinner right now. Of the available options I might lean toward TRex at DS for young boys. Sanaa would be another fun option, but the food is a bit more adventurous.

 

[EllenMurphy]

Normally I would recommend Chef Mickey but they aren’t doing dinner right now. Of the available options I might lean toward TRex at DS for young boys. Sanaa would be another fun option, but the food is a bit more adventurous.

We are not going until 2022 as my parents are older so playing it safe.

 

[Micca]

With your trip so far in the future I suggest waiting to see what options might be best for you. I will say that if your travel time is more than a few hours, you might want to stay fairly close to your resort.(I'm drawing a blank on what WBC is right now.) Traveling can be taxing on the old and very young. The last thing you want is a group of tired people going to some elaborate meal, possibly with characters.

 

[EllenMurphy]

With your trip so far in the future I suggest waiting to see what options might be best for you. I will say that if your travel time is more than a few hours, you might want to stay fairly close to your resort.(I'm drawing a blank on what WBC is right now.) Traveling can be taxing on the old and very young. The last thing you want is a group of tired people going to some elaborate meal, possibly with characters.

WBC is right across from Carribean Beach. Its within the gates.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

We are not going until 2022 as my parents are older so playing it safe.

In that case I’d definitely go with Chef Mickey. IMO you can’t get more quintessential Disney for a first night dinner with young kids.

 

[EllenMurphy]

I also know that I am planning way far ahead but I need something to look forward to during this pandemic

 

[B-Ride]

If you want some Disney atmosphere then Kona Cafe at the Poly is the best bet although I would agree that options available at Disney Springs are impressive.

 

[MomOTwins]

If it is back by 2022, our favorite resort character meal was artist point.

 

[Marthasor]

With young boys, I would consider Chef Mickey's (if they bring dinner back), Whispering Canyon at WL or Sanaa at AKL if you go before sunset. The food at CM isn't great, IMHO, but to see the characters and the monorail whizzing through the hotel is a great way to start off a first trip! You could even ride the monorail after dinner!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've eaten sit down a couple times either at or near the resort I was staying at, and that's what I'd recommend. One year, DH and I went straight to Olivia's when we were staying at OKW. Last year I stayed at Poly and got a last minute ADR at Narcoose's. That was outstanding!