Dinner Recommendations - first night

[zbraunj]

We arrive at Orlando airport around 5 pm.
I'm sure we will be hungry. It's me, DH, and two boys 6 and 4.
Not sure if we will go to a park that night - possibly do MK after dinner to see the fireworks.

So, I'd like a family friendly TS dinner near MK.

Suggestions? Also, what time would you book your ADR?
We'll be there the first week of May.

Thanks.

 

[Cee]

I gotta tell ya, what we've been doing the past few trips is go to DTD and
Raglan Road. Get the Daltrey Duo and the beer flight. AWESOME. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[TDC Nala]

Raglan Road is fantastic but it is not near MK.

I'd say Ohana or Kona, or if you want characters, Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare.

 

[killerpanda]

Kona is yum!

 

[LadyZolt]

I also would say try Kona at the Poly. In early May, you may even be able to walk in and not require a ressie, but you never know. After you eat, you can then go down to the beach at the Poly and see the fireworks from there, or see the Electric Water Parade.

If you decide you definitely want to use a park ticket and go to Magic Kingdom, then I would recommend Crystal Palace for a TS dinner. But since you never know if you can be delayed due to late arrival or whatever, you could also eat at Casey's Corner, also right on Main Street. With either of these choices, you would be in an ideal spot to see the fireworks and/or Spectromagic if it's running that night. Casey's has the best hot dogs! And I only eat hot dogs when I'm on vacation, so they have to be really good. <hee hee> Anyway, I suggest you make a ressie somewhere, but then just keep in mind to cancel it if you're delayed and eat somewhere else if you have to. I do think that in early May, you should not have problems walking in and being seated at a table service location.

Have a magical time!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[pianoronni37]

I would have to recommend not planning on a park, if arriving that late in the day. My husband and I were supposed to arrive at the airport at 3:30pm, but we didn't get on Magical Express until almost 4:30pm, and we checked in our hotel at about 5:30pm, so it took about 2 hours "transfer" time.

What we did was go to DTD and enjoy the little shops, a nice relaxing first night, ate some delicious dinner at Raglan Road for our 9:30 ressies and enjoyed the live music!

DTD also has the TRex restaurant, to entertain the little ones, plus they have great CS options, and it's open until about 11pm, so there's no rush....

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

 

[njprincess601]

If you decide you don't want to go to the park, I would have dinner at Ohana at the Poly anyway because at the time of the fireworks, they dim the lights and you can watch the fireworks from your table. just make sure you plan your ressie so that you're there at the time of the fireworks!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would go to the Grand Floridian Cafe, we had a fantastic meal there

Second choice would be Kona

 

[MainStMandy]

I would vote Kona too! Nice and quite and excellent food...or 'Ohana if you are up for a bit more excitement!

 

[sandym718]

Chef Mickey's would be a great way for the kids to meet the characters even if you don't go to the park. Then a quick monorail ride to the Poly and watch the fireworks!! Kona at the Poly is also wonderful!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Somehow I didn't notice that the kids were boys - for characters they may prefer Chef Mickey's to the Park Faire Cinderella dinner.

 

[OKW Lover]

Some good suggestions here, but keep in mind that if you land at 5:00 you probably won't be able to get to a restaurant until 7:00 or later. You might want to opt for a meal at your resort that night.

 

[MentalVacation]

So...if you wanted to do reservations at Ohana for fireworks time...when would that be?

 

[MJMcBride]

'ohana

 

[brergnat]

So...if you wanted to do reservations at Ohana for fireworks time...when would that be?

I'd make an 8:00pm ressie and then request a window table (which might add some time to your wait). If you get the window seat, you'll be in a perfect position to enjoy the fireworks from your table as you eat. We've done this and it was awesome!

However, be prepared to not get a window seat, and there is really no way to see the fireworks from inside the restaurant unless you have a window seat (it's not like at California Grill...with a panoramic view). The windows are smaller and the fireworks are further away, so really, only those with window tables get to see anything.

If you really want to see the fireworks, make your reservation a bit earlier (7:30) and then go outside after dinner to watch them from the beach.