Dinner after long day at AK?

[New2Dizney]

Hi, I am new to Disney - and the disboards

We are going for the first time in 6 months.

I am overwhelmed by this planning and hope someone here can help me with one of many questions.

I have a day planned for Animal Kingdom and having a hard time with it. Being our first time - and having 2 young children (5 and 9) I don't want to get burnt out so, what do you suggest after a long day at AK for dinner?

We are staying at CBR. We'll be eating breakfast at the resort then off to AK bright and early. Eating lunch someplace in the park I guess.

Any suggestions as to where we could eat thats not too far out of the way after a long day. (not sure if we'll have a rental car or using Disney transportation yet)

I'm wondering if we should just eat at the resort for dinner? I just don't want to plan something like Chef Mickey's becuase I think that its too far to go from AK to travel at the end of the day. I'm not sure. Maybe save that for a day we're in MK?

It seems thats not good planning, going from AK all the way over to MK to the Contemporary then back to CBR.

Seems like much too much driving around.?. Know what I mean. Sorry - I'm so confused.

Having not ever been - its hard to plan what is going to make sense to go from place to place in an orderly fashion.

Please help! Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[Cinders]

Any suggestions as to where we could eat thats not too far out of the way after a long day. (not sure if we'll have a rental car or using Disney transportation yet)

If no rental car: Take WDW Transportation to either your resort and eat there, another WDW resort eat there then take WDW buses to DownTown Disney for the evening then WDW buses back to your resort, or bus to closest resort then bus to Downtown and eat dinner there.

If you have a rental car: If the kids arent tired eat off site and check out an outlet mall or is they are tired grab a pizza at Pizza Hut (outside south entrance to the west a lil bit) and take it back to your resort then spend the evening swimming.

Eating lunch someplace in the park I guess.

I'd suggest Tusker House for lunch. Tusker House Menu


DIS Dining Database

 

[Harambe]

You could eat at Rainforest Cafe, which is right at the exit of AK. My kids don't really go for it all that much - and we have one close to home - but maybe you guys would enjoy it!

If it were me - I'd have a nice sitdown meal at that new Shutters restaurant at CBR - then let the kids go for a swim!

 

[kdibattista]

I was also gonna suggest Rainforest Cafe... great place, great food, great atmosphere!!!

 

[Kae]

Shutters has been getting good reviews, I would try there or Rainforest.

Kae

 

[PatriciaH]

You could take a bus or your car over to Animal Kingdom Lodge (5 minutes) and eat at Boma! That is what we do for dinner when at AK.

 

[Eggleboo]

If you aren't renting a car, it would be much easier and a time saver to eat at or near whatever park you are visiting that day. While Disney transportation is good, sometimes you just feel like you don't want to take another step. There are many good restaurants in all of the hotels. I have heard great reviews about Shutters in the CBR and they have a nice food court. Nothing fancy but sometimes all you need. If you want to eat at Animal Kingdom I agree with Rain Forest which is right at the entrance. The little ones are all pointing out Nemo in the fishtanks! We also enjoy munching here and there in the park. Tusker House or just grab a pizza and salad somewhere in the park. I guess it all depends on what your family enjoys. We learned alot of these boards but I am a book person and buy the BirnBaum Walt Disney World Book every year just to read what's what! Enjoy!

 

[BuffaloDisney]

When my children were younger, at that age they got antsy and tired and hungry. what I did was let them relax at the hotel room and I would run down to the food court at CBR and get take out. THat way they are nice and comfortable and its a nice, fast meal.

 

[uncle al]

First, I realize you didn't ask this question, but you did indirectly ask for advice, so here goes:

Since this is your first visit (and it won't be your last, I'm sure), and considering the fact you have relatively young children I would suggest you not try to do it all. A full day at AK might be too much. Perhaps you narrow down the list of things to do to those you really, really want to do. Take a break in the middle of the day - go back and enjoy your resort. I have never stayed at CBR, but everything I read says it is nice. Enjoy the pool, and have some relaxing family time at the resort. I promise you will not be sorry - it will drastically improve evryone's frame of mind. Plus, it always seems 200 degrees hotter at AK, so you will especially like the break.

Secondly, if you have to rent a car, rent it, then park it. In all of the times we have been to WDW I only remember one trip where I thought the WD transportation was inadequate (and it probably wasn't that bad). Use the buses, boats, & monorail. We sometimes even take a cab if we are visiting another resort or sometimes even when we are going to DTD/West Side.

Lastly, if you have the opportunity & your budget will allow (and assuming you are of a mind) take advantage of the nice restaurants and dinner options on property. Part of the excitement and enjoyment of WDW to my family is parking the car and never leaving the "magic" (as we call WDW property) for our entire visit. Take a cab over to Poly for dinner at Ohanah's, head over to the Contemporary for the Concourse Steakhouse or Chef Mickey's (or both), head over to the Boardwalk for ESPN, or Spoodles.

Just remember you can't do it all - or maybe you can - but you'll hate yourself in the morning. Have fun!!

 

[lucysdad]

We just had a wonderfully full day at AK in June and after the parade (which is a don't miss) we took the Disney bus to the AKL and ate at BOMA's. What a wonderful buffet, especially on Friday when they have flank steak! Key word here: dessert. Do save room for dessert.

 

[tazz]

I'd go with the Rain Forest Cafe. Our kids loved it there....really beautiful aquariams, great theming after going to AK. That's exactly where we're planning on going during our long AK day in October. Last trip we went to the one at DTD and they had a good kids & adults menus -- not too expensive. Great desserts too!

 

[Rneighh]

BOMA BOMA BOMA -- In case you didn't hear BOMA

We never rent a car and use Disney transportation. I'm on vacation I don't want to have to drive. I plan meals at the sit downs in the parks or eat at a resort close to the park we are at.

The bus ride from AK to AKL is very quick. But I would still plan on a PS for an hour or later after you plan on leaving the park. You can enjoy the sites of this wonderful resort while you wait for your table. They have little buzzers so you can go explore.

Boma is a must do for us. The food is wonderful and everyone will find lots of things they love.

After dinner catch a bus to either TTC or Downtown Disney and then back to your resort. It really is not a problem at all. The busses are very efficient. Sit back and enjoy.

Renee

 

[ceecee]

Depending on how hungry you are, I'd say Rainforest or Bomas, try for PS they could be crowded at the park closing. We did AK in a day and since it closed at 5:00 we just went back to our hotel and rested then ate at the foodcourt and swam before heading off the Epcot for Illuminations. Your kids are old enough that they'll probably be still ready for more.