First Night Dining?

[kittyx3]

We are staying at the Riviera in Feb. Will have traveled about 8-10 hours to get there. For our 5 year milestone birthday we stayed at the BLT and went to the Wilderness Lodge for dinner. It was perfect. Food was nice and simple and there was activity with the running for ketchup. Now we are at the 10 year milestone. So, 1) looking for ideas for a first night of dining for some weary travelers. 2) should we opt to go the WL for the running of the ketchup, how hard do you think it will be to get there from the Riviera? 3) is it worth it to make the trek for the running of the ketchup?

Thank you in advance.

 

[LindyWebb]

I would save WL for another night. Book close to the hotel for the first night (our plan is that as we have a very early departure time). That way if some family members need sleep you are close by.

 

[CraigInPA]

After 8-10 hours of travel, I'd be looking for some place closer to my hotel. With the variety of dining options, and the skyliner to get you there, I'd be looking at Epcot for that first night dining.

 

[kittyx3]

After 8-10 hours of travel, I'd be looking for some place closer to my hotel. With the variety of dining options, and the skyliner to get you there, I'd be looking at Epcot for that first night dining.

That is a lovely idea, but we aren't keen to let go of a ticket day to dine. I looked at that as an option and yes, lots of great options.

 

[gatour]

Think Disney Springs. Lots of options, from table service to fast casual.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would eat at Toppolino’s Terrace at your resort. It should have great views of the fireworks at EP and DHS.

 

[ncc1701]

If the options at your hotel don't appeal or have no availability my vote would be for Disney Springs . Many of those restaurants take reservations via OpenTable & accept walk-ups (most likely with a wait). You can check availability early in the day or when you arrive to see what's open . The only one I know that doesn't do OpenTable is Homecomin.

 

[MomOTwins]

You could take the skyliner to the Epcot IG stop and then walk 5 minutes to Boardwalk and eat there. Those places are all laid back and no park ticket is required. Or walk from there to Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club.

Or you could take the skyliner in the other direction to Caribbean Beach resort and eat at Sebastian's, which I've heard is pretty good and has a chill vibe.

I'd recommend toppolinos at your resort, but that seems to be more of a high-end type experience and it sounds like you wanted something more casual.

 

[kcp6763]

My favorite arrival dinner is California Grill, always sets the mood for me but probably not what you're looking for. If I were you, I'd go over to Caribbean Beach and dine at Sebastian's. It's close by and you'll get that relaxing beach vibe. I think it would be lovely to walk around at night and you can sometimes catch a view of the fireworks at that resort, either Epcot or HS I believe.

 

[kastoney]

I'd definitely do Whispering Canyon later in the week when you aren't tired and consider making a reservation via Open Table at Disney Springs. Transportation would be easy and if you change your mind later you won't incur a penalty. Raglan Road may be a good option for you, but there are several reservations that book this way.

I haven't tried it myself but hear good things about Sebastians at Caribbean Beach that may be a good (and close) choice.

 

[Nolefan1984]

I would probably just go to Disney Springs

 

[NickC]

Another vote for Disney Springs. We really enjoy eating there and catching a few minutes of the street musicians on the way back to the buses.

 

[rg35]

We like HDDR as a trip kickoff, but 8-10 hours of travel is a lot to tack something like that onto.
I would dine at Riviera or go to Disney Springs where there are many very good restaurants now.

 

[KenHutch]

We travel 23 straight hours from Kansas City to Orlando and our opening night tradition is dinner at Ohana late enough to watch the fireworks. KCP6763 suggested California Grill which we do at least once every trip. The food and watching the fireworks from there is incredible.

 

[TJsMomSarahJane]

We always do Disney Springs on our first night there. We don't want to use a park ticket on just a dinner, and getting to another resort can be a pain in the butt with multiple buses. This time around we are doing T-Rex as it's the kiddo's favorite.

 

[gharter]

I would vote something in Disney Springs.
You don't say if you are driving. If you have a car, then that opens options for resort dining. Buses are a pain to get resort to resort as there is no direct.
Disney Springs has lots of good options.
Personally, I would try the new restaurant that the Riveria will have on the roof. Topolinos Terrace
Early reports about it sound really nice, but we won't really know until it opens.