First night dinner suggestions

[rusty4]

We are going to be flying in at about 2:30pm. Staying at the GF. Trying to decide where our first meal should be. The Aloha dinner show at 5:15 or would that be pushing it? The 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's (want to do breakfast there sometime during the trip for sure) or maybe somewhere else that you suggest.

We want to do the dinner show but that can wait until our second night. I don't want to be make the reservations and then not be able to make it. Can't remember how long it takes to get to the hotels and check in.

 

[Nadjalu]

I think that would be pushing it. You could probably make it, but only by minutes, certainly not enough time to check in and relax a bit.

I would go with another restaurant on the monorail line. Maybe The Wave, or Ohana at the Poly, even Kona. Riding the monorail your first night would "set" the Disney mood. Nothing says Disney like that monorail.

 

[purple figment]

I assume you're referring to the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian.

I would not book it on your arrival day because it requires full payment at the time you make the reservation and it will not be refunded if you fail to show up. Right now your plane is scheduled to arrive around 2:30 which is less than 3 hours before the show. If your plane is late arriving you definitely could miss the dinner show. I would plan dinner at a restaurant that does not have a financial penalty if you fail to show up.

 

[bluejasmine]

I say stay close to your home resort on your first night thats what we like to do so what about GF Cafe? or take a monorail ride to the Poly for Ohana or Kona or the Wave over at CR but my first instinct would be to book GF so you can relax and enjoy the resort when you arrive and wake up fresh ready to hit the park in the morning!

 

[rusty4]

I forgot to mention that we are traveling with our 6 year old son. Would the Wave, GF Cafe or Kona work for a child as well? I have not been able to find a kids menu for those 2.

Dh was afraid of the paying in advance for the dinner show too for our first night. Right now they have an 8pm available too but I think that would be too late.

What time would you suggest I reserve a restaurant for with our flight time? Maybe 6pm or 6:30pm?

 

[rusty4]

Found the kids menu. Should of known to check this site first!

 

[Hootch]

has kids' menus for all three locations mentioned.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm#resorts

You may also want to look at the Grand Floridian Cafe menu. I would probably choose a restaurant in another resort like those above just to get out and get the feel of Disney

I would go with a 6:30 ADR. We had one trip where we had a delay in Atlanta, my suitcase was lost and the rental car agency did not have an appropriate car for us. We ended up getting to the resort about three and a half hours late.

Are you using Magical Express?

 

[cjemscott]

With a six year old, I'd go for a character meal and really get in the spirit....We did Chef Mickeys on our arrival day and then watched the fireworks from outside MK - set the mood!

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

With a six year old, I'd go for a character meal and really get in the spirit....We did Chef Mickeys on our arrival day and then watched the fireworks from outside MK - set the mood!

Ooh, yeah with a six year old, that would really set the tone of the trip....seeing Mickey and gang and the fireworks all on the first night!

 

[rusty4]

has kids' menus for all three locations mentioned.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm#resorts



Are you using Magical Express?

Yes. No rental car. That is how DH justified staying at the GF instead of the BC.

Thanks for the link!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I think that would be pushing it. You could probably make it, but only by minutes, certainly not enough time to check in and relax a bit.

I would go with another restaurant on the monorail line. Maybe The Wave, or Ohana at the Poly, even Kona. Riding the monorail your first night would "set" the Disney mood. Nothing says Disney like that monorail.

That is what we are doing our first night. We have ADRs for Cali Grill at 5:30pm (plane is due to arrive at 11:08am), then after our meal we plan on taking a nice ride around the monorail, then when it is time for Wishes, we are going to head back over to Cali Grill and watch them from up on their balcony (you can do this if you have your dining receipt still).

 

[PamelaKay]

I think character meals are a great way to start the trip. I have only done breakfast at Chef Mickey's, but have done dinner at Park Fare.

The food at Park Fare is good and the step sisters and Lady Tremane are hysterical if you get a good dialog going when the visit your table.

 

[rusty4]

Thanks! We decided on Chef Mickey's. Have never been able to get ressie's there before so this should be fun. DS wants to go for breakfast though too. Would you return to the same place for breakfast or choose another one?

 

[Kimi313]

Glad you are doing Chef Mickeys, we have done Chef Mickeys on every trip when it is just me, DH, and DD. Instead of doing Chef Mickeys for breakfast I would go to Crystal Palace for breakfast. Get an early, before park opens, sitting, get right into park, take pictures on Main Street with no crowds, and be done for rope drop. Have a great time!