First day dining

[welchie]

We will be taking a very early flight from NH in aug. We will depart around 6 in the morning and arrive around 9. We will be staying at BLT so hopefully we will be in the MK before 11:00. I do not want to make an ADR for that first day so we can keep our options open in case everyone needs a nap. We will have a 9 and 11 year old, 3 40 year olds and my father in his 70's so we all might need a rest. I was thinking of dinner at a MK resort. I would love to hear everyones opinions so we will be able to make a good choice on that first day.

 

[ghosty1000]

IN MK I would recommend Crystal Palace, it is a buffet, so something for everyone. The only other MK TS that I have eaten at is Tony's which was just OK.
If your staying at BLT, I would also recommend The Wave at the Contemporary.....great food and alawys seems to have availability!

 

[Snappy in OK]

If you don't want to make an ADR for that first day, we like Columbia Harbor House & Cosmic Ray's in MK - and there are many other options. If you want a TS meal, you might be able to get into Kona at Poly without and ADR.

Another option - you could make an ADR for dinner at a time that you think you might be ready to have dinner - after going to MK & taking a rest at BLT. Worst case you can always cancel the ADR if you won't be able to make it.

We are in a similar situation for our arrival day - we have a 7 am flight and will arrive around 10:30. We are staying at BCV and are planning on doing CS meals.

 

[coltsfanatic]

You sound so much like us!!What we usually do is go to lunch at Peco's Bill Tall Tale Inn because we are normally in Frontierland by around lunchtime at noon and the food is fresh, which powers you through your day. Another great option is Columiba Harbour House, as the food is fresh and you will probably be in that area during lunchtime-be sure to check out the 2nd floor for quiet seating.

For dinner, we generally plan on quick service locations, but another great option would be to take a ferry/monorail to Grand Floridian. Family members of all ages will enjoy the scenery, and there are some great dining choices, such as GF Cafe-good meals. Have fun!!

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Remember though that if your plane leaves at 6, you are most likely getting up between 3-4 in the morning. The last time we had a 6 AM flight, we made the mistake of dining at California Grill our first night, and while it was a lovely meal as always, we were practically falling asleep at the table.
Not only was it a long day, but you sometimes forget how exhausting traveling is. Couple it with the excitement of being in MK around noon... we crashed and burned earlier than we thought we would.
I'd definately pick an early dinner, as well as something easy to get to get back to your room... anything on the monorail would wold work perfect!

 

[The Hodge]

Captain Cook's QS in the Poly is a lovely break from the MK, and they have Dole Whip.

 

[JennyDrake]

I like Kona Cafe at the Poly and it is usually available.
The Wave is quite good, although more pricy.

 

[Dizneydaz]

If you think you might want to do a TS meal at MK I would make an ADR, just in case. Then if your plans change, or some opt out, you can cancel or try to adjust the size of your party. That way you know you'll have a place to eat, just in case.

If not, depending on when you are going (free DDP, crowds, etc.) you may not be able to get a TS meal walk up. Then you have several good CS choices to choose from as PP have mentioned.

We don't ever have this problem since we come from California. The earliest we get in is around 4 p.m. We don't do a park on the first day so if we have the DDP I will typically make an ADR at Kona for around 7-8 p.m. Then will hit the beach to watch the fireworks and back to the room to start to adjust to the time difference. When we get to MCO at 4 p.m. that means we leave ONT at 6 a.m. and get up around 4 a.m. (1 a.m. EST). It's a long day but by not napping (or only a real short nap) we can hopefully get adjusted to the 3 hour time difference quicker.

 

[welchie]

Thanks to everyone for the ideas. I was thinking the Poly might be a good choice. We have an ADR for breakfast at Kona later in the week. Maybe we will try Captain Cook's

 

[kathymu501]

We are also taking a 6:30AM flight in November, Have 3 adulits 31, 32, 33, 59 plus 2 yr old twins and a 5 yr old. We are planing to do CS the first day, but we already did TS at Liberty Tree Tavern. Good luck with what ever you deceide

 

[Quin]

If you do make it in to the MK by noon, after you wander up Main Street I'd stop and see if you could walk-in to lunch at LTT or the Plaza. Or if you are on the regular DDP and don't want to use a TS credit on a lunch, Casey's for the atmosphere.

Then in the late afternoon when everybody is hot & tired, take the monorail around to Capt Cooks. I believe the menu expands a bit after 5 pm, as do most resort CS locations. I am personally in love with the pulled pork sandwich and house-made chips, and by that time on an August afternoon a Dole Whip for dessert would really hit the spot. Or if you take a mid-afternoon nap break, monorail from BLT to the Poly for dinner at Capt. Cook before heading back into the MK for the evening's festivities.