Dinner for first night

[Tallent]

We'll be visiting the World in Dec, arriving on a Wed with dh, ds 2.5 and dd 5. Don't think we'll be doing a park the first day so we can't do a character dinner (saving Chef Mickey's for our last breakfast as a fun 'see you soon!').
I really wanted to do Hoop Dee Doo or Mickey's Backyard BBQ but neither of them are held on a Wed (boo!). I would have even gone for Spirit of Aloha but nope, no Wed shows. Are there any other fun dinner places the kids would enjoy as well as adults? We're using the DDP but not the first night--ADRs are already in place (WCC, 'Ohana, Concourse are all taken)

Thanks!

 

[mrzrich]

We'll be visiting the World in Dec, arriving on a Wed with dh, ds 2.5 and dd 5. Don't think we'll be doing a park the first day so we can't do a character dinner (saving Chef Mickey's for our last breakfast as a fun 'see you soon!').
I really wanted to do Hoop Dee Doo or Mickey's Backyard BBQ but neither of them are held on a Wed (boo!). I would have even gone for Spirit of Aloha but nope, no Wed shows. Are there any other fun dinner places the kids would enjoy as well as adults? We're using the DDP but not the first night--ADRs are already in place (WCC, 'Ohana, Concourse are all taken)

Thanks!

Does DD like Princesses? Ciderella's Gala feast at the Grand Floridian is an option.

OR

Trail's End at Fort Wilderness is a family friendly option. Bonus for eating here is exploring FW. If you arrive early enough there are Pony rides at the nearby stables (I think they close at 5)
After dinner you can go on a wagon or carriage ride.
Everynight Chip and Dale have a Campfire sing a long (FREE!)...which is followed by an outdoor movie

 

[raven69david]

If you want somewhere fun that's not located inside of the park, i'd suggest Whispering Canyon Cafe. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=17

It's a fun time for everyone and the menu is terrific. This is where we intend to eat on our first night upon arrival.

 

[Tallent]

Does DD like Princesses? Ciderella's Gala feast at the Grand Floridian is an option.

OR

Trail's End at Fort Wilderness is a family friendly option. Bonus for eating here is exploring FW. If you arrive early enough there are Pony rides at the nearby stables (I think they close at 5)
After dinner you can go on a wagon or carriage ride.
Everynight Chip and Dale have a Campfire sing a long (FREE!)...which is followed by an outdoor movie

Both of those are great ideas! I'd thought of Trail's End (right up dh's alley!) but I wasnt' sure how the kids would do after a travelling day of potentially no naps (for ds). But I know we'd love it! And I didn't know about the Gala Feast--Next stop is allears for info on it! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tallent]

If you want somewhere fun that's not located inside of the park, i'd suggest Whispering Canyon Cafe. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=17

It's a fun time for everyone and the menu is terrific. This is where we intend to eat on our first night upon arrival.

That's definitely an option for us. I'm just keeping it in my backpocket since we're supposed to be doing it with later arriving family during the week. But I've heard nothing but good things about it!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Another "fun" option would be the Rainforest Cafes (either at Downtown Disney or Animal Kingdom(you don't need park admission to dine there). My kids really love the Rainforest Cafes...we've been to about 4 of them.

 

[Tallent]

We've never been to a Rainforest Cafe. They have one near us but when dd was young loud noises scared her and I'd heard that there were 'thunderstorms' at RC. Now she can probably handle it (still doesn't like loud noises) and ds probably wouldn't care. Good to know. Thank you!

 

[paDISnut]

I was going to suggest the Rain Forest Cafe as well....that is where we will be going our first night....arriving late afternoon Sunday 9/2....walk around DTD and then do RFC...its a fun night!

 

[paDISnut]

I was going to suggest the Rain Forest Cafe as well....that is where we will be going our first night....arriving late afternoon Sunday 9/2....walk around DTD and then do RFC...its a fun night!

 

[Sinderelli]

What about Boma at AKL? It's a beautiful restaurant, and your family can observe the animals before eating dinner. It would be a great welcome-to-Disney kind of meal.

I've read about a lot of people who eat at Beaches and Cream on their first night. We've never done that, but it sounds like so much fun!

 

[Tallent]

Well, we decided to just throw money to the wind and find the money for a ticket to MK that first day even though we're arriving in the early afternoon and ds may need a nap (fingers are crossed that he'll have napped on the plane or at least on ME). We'd thought about cs somewhere in the park since it's open until 8 or 9 that night. But dinner at AKL is a great idea...I'm going to have to go check their menu. Thanks for the great idea!!

 

[cwnhokie]

If you do decide to go to MK, you could do Liberty Tree Tavern. We usually do Chef Mickeys the first night but decided to change it up with LTT this trip. It was very good. We got a late ressie and the boys had a nap before we went. The character interaction was great, since we were among the last ones there.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

On our first trip in 2004, on our first afternoon/evening, we ate at Beaches and Cream then rode the friendship boat across the lake and hung out on the boardwalk, and rented a surrey bike and rode two laps around the lake. It was a very "Welcome to Disney" evening.

 

[Pirate Me]

Hoop De Doo is great for the first night! A great place to start off your trip (or finish off, I'll add)

 

[KatGarcia]

I would suggest Boma, its one of our favorite buffets! There is something for everyone there! You could always try calling again and see if you can get the ressie for Ohana (i wasn't sure if you meant it was on your list already or it was booked for the night in question) as sometimes times open up, you never know unless you call back. Or maybe try Beaches & Cream?

 

[stepdisney]

We'll be visiting the World in Dec, arriving on a Wed with dh, ds 2.5 and dd 5. Don't think we'll be doing a park the first day so we can't do a character dinner (saving Chef Mickey's for our last breakfast as a fun 'see you soon!').
I really wanted to do Hoop Dee Doo or Mickey's Backyard BBQ but neither of them are held on a Wed (boo!). I would have even gone for Spirit of Aloha but nope, no Wed shows. Are there any other fun dinner places the kids would enjoy as well as adults? We're using the DDP but not the first night--ADRs are already in place (WCC, 'Ohana, Concourse are all taken)

Thanks!

Where are you staying? If you want to turn in early, you could eat at the resort and enjoy the pool. We usually go to DTD the first night. We are eating at WG Pucks, checking out the disney toy store and the lego land and then enjoying Disney Quest the first night. We will be checked in by 4:00 and want to be back in the room by 9:30 at the latest. Adding another day onto your tickets is minimal so the MK may be the answer, in which case I would suggest Crystal Palace with Pooh and Pals.

 

[Tallent]

Hoop De Doo is great for the first night! A great place to start off your trip (or finish off, I'll add)

We wanted that originally but it doesn't run on our arrival day