Best Resort Restaurant for First Night

[fterie4u]

We are heading to the World September 29 and are having a hard time deciding where we want our first night's dinner to be. We will not get to our resort (Shades of Green) until about 5:00. That being said, we are not going into a park that evening so were are thinking of having dinner at one of the resorts. Which resort restaurant would you suggest? There are 6 adults and one toddler, our DD who will be 18months. We have made our ressies for the trip; however we are rethinking our first night dinner. Any advice is appreciated!

FYI: - Currently we have a reservation for Ohana for dinner on the first night & we have one for Kona Breakfast and dinner at Chef Mickey's already...

 

[Soubrette]

I picked Kona since that's where I'm having my first night dinner But I'm also going to MK that night.

Boma would be good too.

 

[tednvon]

Hi...great question...I think I would head for the beautiful laid back Beach Club for the wonderful buffet/calm bake at Cape May Buffet...great food choices, very warm atmosphere...could wander around after out by the lake and check out Boardwalk from afar or walk over to work off the food...That whole area is so laid back, it might be a nice choice for first evening...I believe it serves till 9PM and we always got right in after 8:00

Enjoy...Ted

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Why not just plan on eating at SOG the first night? By the time you get checked in it might be after 6pm and depending on how long your traveling day was...you might want to just relax a bit. Here is what they currently have listed for Saturday night's menu:

Saturday Country Buffet
$14 adults/$7 children

Soups: Chicken Noodle; Brunswick Stew

Carved Pit Ham
Fried Chicken
Pot Roast
Fried Catfish
BBQ Pork
Southwest Chicken Pasta
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Steak Fries
Normandy Blend Vegetables
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Corn and Green Beans
Daily Kids' Table

 

[kimis]

I voted for WCC but if I might suggest another choice. How about Capn Jacks at DTD?

 

[SeaSpray]

I voted for 'Ohana, with the Kona Cafe as my second choice. Even if you're having breakfast at Kona, you should still try dinner there, it's wonderful!

I chose the restaurants in the Polynesian resort because, first of all I think they're great, but secondly because of close it is to your resort.

Also, 'Ohana is a nice, fairly loud restaurant where you can sit back and relax after a day of traveling and not worry if your DD is making noise. I've been there several times and will be there again for dinner 3 weeks from tomorrow. We've always enjoyed our meals there, and we don't even have little kids!

Wherever you decide, have a wonderful trip!

P.S. I have pictures from 'Ohana (dinner and breakfast) as well as Kona Cafe (dinner, lunch, and breakfast), along with many other Disney restaurants, on my web site. Click the link below if you'd like to see them, then just click on the Disney World section to get to the different pages. Enjoy!

 

[OKW Lover]

I was going to vote for 'Ohana, but then decided on Kona. Either would be good. Maybe you want to consider how "up" you'll be after your journey to WDW. If you think you'll be ready for some noise, then 'Ohana is your choice. If you're thinking a little more laid-back, the Kona.

 

[firemanx]

i Voted O'hana because what is a better way to start of a family vacation then with a family style dinner.

 

[Panlow]

i Voted O'hana because what is a better way to start of a family vacation then with a family style dinner.

I agree. Nice atmosphere for any age group, and our last dinner there was terrific. The just brought out the food until we couldn't eat anymore . Plus it's really close to your location as Seaspray mentioned. Have fun

 

[barbeml]

I voted for 'Ohana too, especially for the view of the castle. I know I'm in WDW when I see the castle!

It is also a very festive atmosphere and the drinks are wonderful.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Considering your circumstances and how late you'd get in I'd eliminate WCC and Boma right off the bat.

It depends what atmosphere you want. Ohana's would be noisy and fun. Kona and 1900 Park Fair would be very nice and relaxing.

I actually voted for Kona, but now that I reread your post I would eliminate that since you are eating breakfast there.

I am not familiar with the restaurant at Shades of Green, but would be very tempted to eat there. I'll bet it's quiet with good service and you could check in, get settled a little, eat a nice dinner, relax and get a good night's sleep before the next day. Sounds better to me than having to go out and "travel" for dinner.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I just checked on All Ears Net and the menus for Garden Gallery Dinner Buffet and Mangino's at Shades of Green look really good. That would definitely be my vote!!!

 

[princesspiglet]

I voted for Ohana. That is our tradition for our 1st night. We stay at SOG also. We usually get in around 4:00, check in ( which is very quick), throw our bags in the room and head down to the front of the resort. If we are up to it, we walk over to the Poly- it takes about 10 mins for us (but we are fast walkers). If we are too pooped from traveling, we hop on the "golf shuttle" SOG offers and they take us to the end of the property- you cross the street and viola- you are at the Poly!

We love having dinner there our first night. The food is awesome, the drinks are even better and my DD has a wonderful time! The entertainment is great for the kids and the Poly is so beautiful to explore. We love to walk down to the beach area after dinner and watch Wishes or the ELP. It puts us in the Disney mood everytime.

RE: Mangino's or Garden Galley. We were not impressed with Mangino's. The food was mediocre and yet expensive. The Garden Galley dinner was like your typical Country Buffett or Golden Corral. Although the food was tolerable, the atmosphere is nothing special. Breakfast is worth it though at GG.

 

[carissanboys]

I picked WCC, but that's mainly because it's where we ate our first day during our first trip! I think it was a good choice though...good food and lots of fun. Plus, seeing Wilderness Lodge was awesome (it was also close to SOG where we were staying).

I've eaten at Boma for breakfast and 'Ohana for dinner and of those 3, I'd still choose WCC for our first meal.

 

[snicker-doodle]

I'm going to buck the system and recommend Chef Mickeys (sorry).

This is our traditional first night restaurant every time we visit WDW. We really like the buffet and the girls love the desserts and sundae bar!!

Having Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck visit your table 2-3 times is a great welcome to WDW! Our girls are always thrilled to get their autographs and pictures our very first night!

Whichever you pick, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Enjoy!!

 

[JCornell]

We arrived in the late afternoon last time so really didn't want to use a park ticket that day and opted to go to dinner at Boma since we had never been to AKL and it gave us a chance to check out the place, see the animals outside and the theming inside, enjoy a drink in their lounge, and a nice meal with a lot of selection. It is also a bit more out of the way as resorts go so we thought it made sense to do the first night when we had nowhere to be and went to Kona on a day we were at MK since it's nearby.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I voted for Boma since that's usually where I eat my first night, but I love both Ohana and Kona as well.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I would vote to eat at SOG for the quiet, then walk over to Poly beach for the water parade and fireworks.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I would vote to eat at SOG for the quiet, then walk over to Poly beach for the water parade and fireworks.

Now that sounds like a plan!