First meal for first timers????

[Oilers]

I am taking my wife and daughters to DW for the first time and we are thinking of heading to Disney springs on arrival day for supper. I think I have narrowed it down to the Rain forest cafe, T. rex or Planet Hollywood. I think those would all be places the kids would enjoy. Even though this trip is all about me I have to pretend it's all about them. Where would y'all suggest we eat.

 

[Serenebean]

Of those...T Rex, but only because the other two are available outside of Disney. I think T Rex might be as well...but I don't come across it as often as Rainforest or PH. Did you look at Raglan Road? That could be fun for them

 

[KT0191]

I agree with PP. Of the 3, I'd choose T-Rex. Have you thought about doing a dinner at a resort? Ohana at the Poly, 1900 Park Fare (character dining with Cinderella, Prince Charming, evil step sisters and Lady Tremaine) or Chef Mickey's (again, character dining with the Fab 5) at the Contemporary are all very fun dinners that really get you into Disney mode. You could then bus over to Disney Springs for all of the shopping, entertainment, etc.
We usually do Ohana the first night and then bus over to DS.

 

[alex9179]

In DS, I'm deciding between Homecomin' and Frontera Cocina for our first TS. My kids are 13,12,&9 but value tasty food over the stuff going on at those restaurants. Sure, we have RC near us and went there last month (we were in the area and I had a Landry's b-day credit I had to use). The kids aren't interested in going back.

I'd direct you all to Homecomin' if the kids are ok with fried chicken. You and your wife will enjoy it MUCH more than those other three.

 

[disneyvoice]

I would also recommend looking at one of the resort restaurants. We don't eat at any of the three you have listed because none of those restaurants are actually Disney restaurants so you can find them outside of WDW. We prefer to immerse ourselves in the WDW experience and stick with the Disney restaurants unless it is a restaurant that is ONLY found at Disney Springs (or if WDW is the only place WE will ever encounter the restaurant).

Another fun option that the kids would like (all ages like this one) is Hoop de Doo.

 

[mernin]

I'd agree with above too about trying a resort meal. We've eaten at Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex on our last two trips and both meals were nothing special. The atmosphere is the only thing that saves them really.

 

[kastoney]

If you are set on DS and want something the kids will enjoy (assume you mean atmosphere wise given your selections) I'd do Raglan Road over the 3 you named. First, the food is great (which the ones you are looking at are decidedly a mixed bag) but they have the Irish dancers that the kids should enjoy.

 

[Micharlotte]

We always do 1900 Park Fare as our first night dinner. It is so fun and gets you into the Disney atmosphere in a big way. You could always do that then bus over to Disney Springs. If you're set on Disney Springs I would also pick T Rex, it looks the coolest and I heard the food is actually pretty good.

 

[Farps]

I am taking my wife and daughters to DW for the first time and we are thinking of heading to Disney springs on arrival day for supper. I think I have narrowed it down to the Rain forest cafe, T. rex or Planet Hollywood. I think those would all be places the kids would enjoy. Even though this trip is all about me I have to pretend it's all about them. Where would y'all suggest we eat.

Just out of curiosity, where are you staying? What time will you be arriving? And How old are your daughters?

 

[Laurieannc]

Like previous posters have said, if you are set on Disney Springs, I would do Raglan Road. If you are willing to travel to a resort, I would do Ohana or Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[amberpi]

California Grill, with its view of the castle and fireworks would be a pretty good way to start a WDW vacation and a delicious dinner (I don't understand this supper word...lol).

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Agree that Raglan Road is a fun and unique option! The food is great, and the entertainment is really fun. It can be loud though (very loud!) so you might want to request a booth/table that isn't on the main floor with the stage. Like others have said, we prefer not to do chain (i.e., non-Disney) restaurants when we're at WDW!

 

[Eddie512]

I went on my first trip (as an adult) in 2014, so I'm no expert. But I would highly recommend a character meal somewhere. I have been to "neat restaurants" all over the world, but dining with characters ONLY happens at Disney. I totally underestimated how much we would all love meeting the characters, and wish I had done multiple character meals!!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Planet Hollywood is not fun for little kids, so I'd just take that one off the table entirely. Rainforest Cafe's are, but they're also found in places outside of Disney. T-Rex would be my choice of the options you gave, but if your kids are really young, I'll offer you the caution that it can actually be a bit scary for some. There's a fake "meteor shower", and the lights change and its loud. My DD was a little turned off by it, and she's basically not afraid of anything (I think it was the noise that bothered her).

Raglan Road has excellent food and good entertainment. Sometimes they invite the kids in the audience up on stage to try out Irish Dancing.

However, if you're willing to travel to a resort and eat there, you'll have so much more/better options for kids. In general, the Disney Springs restaurants are not kid oriented. Ohana would be my choice for a first meal. Point of fact, I'm currently planning a trip which will be my godson's first Disney vacation and I'm vacillating between Ohana and Raglan Road to be his first meal there.

 

[BigredNole]

I would go TRex followed by RFC. However, there are many other options besides Disney Springs. Chef Mickey's at CR, Ohana at the Poly, Cape May @ BC, Boma @ AKL.

Just some things to think about. My personal favorite is Ohana. Not just because the food is insanely good, I can get a Lapu Lapu.

 

[steg]

I'd suggest Wolfgang Puck's Grand Cafe (not dining room @ Wolfgang Puck's Grand Cafe), lots of approachable pizzas and some pastas as well as sushi and some other approachable yet varied dishes and their mac and cheese is a hidden gem.

Raglan would also be fun but the food won't be as good as Wolfgang's IMO.

Raglan and Planet Hollywood can be loud.

 

[Jennasis]

If you are set on Disney Springs for your meal, definitely hit Raglan Road. The food is fantastic and the entertainment was amazing.

 

[Nancyg56]

For a first trip with kids I always suggest Chef Mickeys. I know it does not get a lot of love, but I think it is a fabulous way to kick off a Disney trip.

 

[texaslovesdisney]

i always suggest Chef Mickeys for 1st timers. I know it gets mix reviews but this is the place where we start on our 1st day.
Its our welcome to Disney World Dinner celebration dinner. Lots of fun!

 

[texaslady22]

Of the 3 you named, I recommend T-rex. It's super fun, unique, and the food is actually pretty good. Very, very themed to get you in the Disney spirit.