Evening Meal on Arrival Day

[mousireid]

Hi folks! WE are arriving Friday March 19 late afternoon. We have ADRs for DHS day at Mama Melrose (20th), ADRS at MK Princess Lunch (21) and the Pub for Epcot Day (22). We are staying at Shades Of Green. I am wondering WHAT to do that first evening, we will not be in any park! I can't be out too late as we have two kiddos (8 and 4) and its an early morning the next day for DHS (rope drop!) Any ideas of a great place to eat dinner that they would enjoy?
Thanks for any input!

 

[mmmears]

Sounds like you could go to any of the fun restaurants around the monorail since it's close to SOG. We love 'Ohana at the Poly -- it's so much fun!!! And many people love Chef Mickey's at the CR. That would be a way to get a bunch of "Disney magic" without going to one of the parks.

1900 PF at the GF is nice, too, but since you already have a princess meal I would recommend the other two.

They are all good for kids.

'Ohana is a fun meal served family-style -- all you can eat, but you get to sit and relax at your table. They have fun activities for the kids, though, like hula lessons, coconut races, etc. And the dessert there is to die for!

Chef Mickey's is an upbeat, buffet meal with Mickey Mouse and friends. They do a dance with the kids every now and then, and the characters will come to your table. As character meals go, I find it a bit too crowded and noisy, but many people love it there!

 

[jennyh2829]

We are eating at Ohana at the Polynesian resort. We've eaten there before and enjoyed it. My DD is 9. They have coconut races for the kids and a kind of dance/parade.

 

[lauralong81]

We do Downtown Disney our first afternoon/evening, and it works out great. Lots of Disney atmosphere without having to be in a park, and lots of great places to eat (Both Table & Counter Service). I would say a counter service, just to make it quick as the kids will probably be so hyped up about their first day they won't want to sit still. I highly suggest it, as it gives you time to just "chill" and get back to your resort at a decent time for a nice early bedtime....

 

[mousireid]

Thanks guys, you have indeed given me 'food' for thought. I am off to investigate menus and ADRS!

 

[burberryplaid]

I would suggest Downtown Disney or a resort restaraunt. Trails End at Ft Wilderness might be fun - you could have dinner than hang around for the Campfire Sing Along and have S'mores for dessert. Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge might also be fun!

 

[mousireid]

Smores and campfire singing?! Is that a regular thing?

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Ohanas is always our first night dinner when we stay at the Shades of Green. The Poly is so easy to walk to from SOG, and if you want, you can ask the front desk if the "Shady Shuttle" is running, and they can give you a ride to the end of the road (in a golf cart!). We always enjoy the walk to the Poly, which takes you by a little pond (if you look real hard, you might see an allegator). Be sure to stick around after dinner to watch the fireworks from the Poly beach, or even take a leisurely boat ride in the lagoon (free) between resorts.

If you want a real early evening, the SOG has a sports bar where you can get burgers, salads, pizza, etc. You can go there for a dinner and then let the kiddos swim a little to expend some energy before bed.

If you go to the little gazebo in the back of the resort, you can look for our brick Gregg (heart) Kelly, May 16, 2009. That's where we got married last spring.

 

[mousireid]

I will look for that brick and take a picture
Still trying to make a decision here.....off to give Disney a ring as I am not having much luck online for a couple of these, perhaps they will rustle something up, or I can simply keep trying. I am certainly trying to make it simple and start EARLY on the dinner ressies (5pmish) just so we can enjoy our evening (allbeit a little HYPER) before we hit the parks!

 

[LovesTimone]

I have 2 suggestions,
When DD was little we would check in, go to the pool, and eat in the food court, then off to bed early.
As she got older we would go to the pool and then to downtown Disney, which has become our family tradition on our first night. We like to eat at Rain Forest it really put's you in that vacation state of mind.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We usually go to DTD. If you have an early morning the next day it might be better to just relax at SOG and do a CS at one of the monorail resorts or at SOG.

 

[SabbyR]

on our first afternoon there we are heading to downtown Disney and the Rainforest cafe!

 

[mousireid]

I am not sure when we will arrive exactly and I understand check in is at 3pm. Has anyone had any early check in experiences at SOG? I am thinking it will be around that time or maybe earlier that we arrive. I am leaning toward downtown disney for a few hours, dining and shopping, wandering a little. OR staying at the hotel and swimming and then heading out somewhere closer. DECISIONS! There is no availability for Ohana so thats out. I tried!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I am not sure when we will arrive exactly and I understand check in is at 3pm. Has anyone had any early check in experiences at SOG? I am thinking it will be around that time or maybe earlier that we arrive. I am leaning toward downtown disney for a few hours, dining and shopping, wandering a little. OR staying at the hotel and swimming and then heading out somewhere closer. DECISIONS! There is no availability for Ohana so thats out. I tried!

I want to say we checked in around 1:00...and we had two rooms reserved, that were ready. If they have availabiltiy, they will let you in early. I love the SOG, it's so quiet and peaceful! If you can't make any ressies, CPT Cook's at the Poly has great counter service. Thier Aloha Pulled Pork sandwhich is my hubbies favorite, and their Chicken Ceasar salad is great. you can see their menu here:

http://allears.net/menu/menu_chh.htm

Also, the Kona Cafe is very good, and it's usually pretty easy to get ressies.

 

[DizGirl20]

Don't forget about the Boardwalk area - lots of good restaurants and fun entertainment for the kids when you are done eating. Our first night ADR is at Kouzzina @ Boardwalk. My second choice for you would be Whispering Canyon Cafe @ WL - your kids will love it!