Best place for arrival night dinner, not in a park?

[cheryterese]

We were there last week, and we did the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare for our first night. It was GREAT! First of all, the Grand Floridian is just gorgeous, so my 6yo twin daughters were just in love with the beautiful hotel from the start. Then, the characters at the dinner were wonderful. You get Cinderella, Prince Charming, and her stepmother and 2 stepsisters. The stepsisters are FABULOUS -- really great interaction.

After dinner we went down to the dock. The water parade was just starting up, and we took a ride on the ferry while the parade was going. The ferry driver stopped the boat while the parade was passing. Not only was the water parade fantastic, but they loved seeing the castle all lit up.

We rode the ferry all the way around the route (GF, Poly, MK, back to GF), then walked around the resort a bit. My daugters wanted to walk on the beach. We then walked back to the dock and watched the fireworks with a wonderful view.

My daughers were in HEAVEN! It was really a magical way to start our trip. Without ever even stepping foot in a park, they were having the time of their lives, and it just built up their anticipation to hit the MK the next morning.

That sounds amazing!!

 

[Linda T.]

We are going to Ohana on our arrival day this July.

 

[Vowelmommy]

Our plan is Chef Mickey's and then watch the fireworks. I can not wait.

 

[wdwislife]

Depending on your price range, I would suggest either Chef Mickey's (for a cheaper, but still festive and yummy option!) or California Grill (for a more expensive fancy meal. Nothing beats watching wishes from your table to ring in a WDW trip!)

We've done both, and they're great!

 

[DEA]

My 4yo DD says that Chef Mickey's is the best place to start. This was her contribution to this year's ADR planning.

 

[Rox.jea]

What would you recommend for our arrival night dinner? We won't be using our park passes that day, so it would have to be at a resort or DD. I'd like something to really get us into the Disney spirit! 2 adults and 3 kids ages 6, 4and 2.

A great way to jump off a WDW Vacation is w/ one of the 3 shows. THey are very entertaining even if your not "a show person" They are pure Disney & tons of fun! Most people like The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review. I agree it's fantastic. I am one who loved The Spirit of Aloha. [some people don't care for the food, my husband & I thought it was awesome.] You can use 2 credits from DDP for this if you have it. [I do this & pay cash one night for say, The Plaza or a cheap TS breakfast.] I'd say check the menus on allears.net to find what you are looking for.


Oh + wine & beer is included in the price.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

This has been our standard for 35 years for the first night of arrival. (And it's a big money saver too if that matters to you).

Go to the Polynesian Resort (easy to park there with your own car, or transportation by monorail).

We like to eat at Captain Cooke's quick service on the lower level because they have a great selection of different things that you don't find most places like premade sushi, pulled pork sandwiches, flatbreads, and stir fry noodles. They also have big burgers as well. They also have self serve dole whips (included as dessert or a snack credit with meal plan)!

We take our Dole whips outside to the pool area behind the restaurant and sit at the tables along the beach. There is Hawaiian music playing and a beautiful beach for the kids to play on. AND at 9pm there is a WONDERFUL electrical water pageant show on the water. It is boats that have different things that light up and it is coordinated to music (don't wanna give too much away). It's a 10 min. show that happens each night ant I find that the beach at the Poly is the best place for viewing it. (It happens in several locations around Bay Lake each night).
ALSO, check for the time for the MK fireworks. The poly beach is the BEST location ever to watch the fireworks and see the FULL view of the park. Even better than being inside the park.
Trust me, this will be the most relaxing moment of your trip if you do this and will really get you feeling like VACATION.

If you want a more elaborate dining option, we like the Kona sushi bar upstairs at the poly. It is a first come first serve basis so you just sit down..no reservations needed. And you can either order sushi or order off the kona menu. (make sure to ask for the free welcome bread with macadamian nut butter. it is not automatically brought to your table if you sit at the sushi bar, only if you are inside kona.)

 

[cheryterese]

So many wonderful arrival night ideas! Thank you so much!!

 

[Niki in NJ]

I would definitely kick off your vacation with a character dinner!

Cape May Cafe would be fun .. then you could walk around the boardwalk area after .. but I think I would go with Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare, and then walk around the hotel area and watch Wishes.

 

[pixie08]

O'hana, or 1900 Park fare!

From either one you can watck the electric parade and wishes from the marina/beach afterward...that will get you into the spirit. O'hana is family style hawaiin and 1900 is character.

If you want something more rowdy then chef mickeys but I personally hated the food there.

 

[disneygirlmass]

my vote would be for whisypering canyon as well, its a very fun atmosphere...but chef mickeys can also put you in the disney spirit with the characters there

 

[TPCShauna]

You didn't say what your party composition is, but I would recommend anything that puts you on the beach at either the GF or Poly to watch the fireworks. We've done Ohana and viewed the Electric Water Pageant and Wishes from a swing on the Poly Beach, and done Narcoosee's with an amazing view of both as well.

I think Ohana is better with kids, but I'd do any of the GF restaurants in a heartbeat with just adults.

 

[cheryterese]

You didn't say what your party composition is, but I would recommend anything that puts you on the beach at either the GF or Poly to watch the fireworks. We've done Ohana and viewed the Electric Water Pageant and Wishes from a swing on the Poly Beach, and done Narcoosee's with an amazing view of both as well.

I think Ohana is better with kids, but I'd do any of the GF restaurants in a heartbeat with just adults.

Just DH and I plus our 3 kids, ages 6, 4 and 2.

 

[decomouse]

With children I'd go to Kona Cafe, Ohana, or Chef Mickey's.

When we go down for DD#1's wedding in June we are all eating at Narcoosee on arrival night and the reservation is timed to see Wishes.

 

[cheryterese]

We have done Chef Mickey's twice on our 1st nights. We plan it for about 90 minutes before the fireworks and after we eat we go to the balcony outside and watch the fireworks over the castle. Great way to start!

Does it take 90 minutes for the dinner and to meet the characters? How good is the character interaction here?

 

[JOLAROCHE]

Chef Mickeys would be my choice.