First Night Dinner

[amylevan]

We are flying into Sanford on a Saturday afternoon. My parents (snowbirds) are picking us up at the airport, dropping us by a grocery store and then taking us to our resort: Beach Club. I assume that by the time we finally get to our room and settled in, it will be dinner time.

In the past, we have often done Chef Mickey's the first night because it's "Disney" with some character fun and it was only a boat ride for FW, which is where we stayed the last several trips. It's obviously more difficult to get to the CR from BC. So, I'm looking for suggestions for dinner for our first night. Something Disney and fun for the kids (6 & 3) with pretty good food for the adults. We weren't planning on getting entrance for the parks on our arrival day, but are not totally against the idea.

 

[DisDad4Life]

We have a tradition of hitting the Biergarten on our first night. Everyone looks forward to kicking off our Disney trip with the German buffet and lively entertainment. This summer we're staying at the Yacht Club, so just like the Beach Club it's just a short stroll away!

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

We are flying into Sanford on a Saturday afternoon. My parents (snowbirds) are picking us up at the airport, dropping us by a grocery store and then taking us to our resort: Beach Club. I assume that by the time we finally get to our room and settled in, it will be dinner time.

In the past, we have often done Chef Mickey's the first night because it's "Disney" with some character fun and it was only a boat ride for FW, which is where we stayed the last several trips. It's obviously more difficult to get to the CR from BC. So, I'm looking for suggestions for dinner for our first night. Something Disney and fun for the kids (6 & 3) with pretty good food for the adults. We weren't planning on getting entrance for the parks on our arrival day, but are not totally against the idea.

Cape May Cafe - can never have too many steamed clams. Many times we have guests joining us that have shellfish or $$ allergies so DH and I go on the night of our arrival. To be fair, Most of our guests love it there, too, so there are trips when we go TWICE.

 

[AntJulie]

We're going to Ohana on our first night...Never been there but sounds like we will like it based on reviews from others!!

 

[Baklava]

Because we have a long trip and a time zone adjustment, we're planning dinner at our resort, either the food court or the restaurant depending on the time. Arrival day feels like it should be easy.

 

[MoCanada]

Arrival day we don't do a park, we hit Downtown Disney and go to T-Rex....

 

[Hopefully]

Arrival day is exhausting. What time Saturday afternoon is your flight scheduled to land? You need to plan several hours from then to claim your luggage, find your in laws, grocery shop and drive to Disney. With little ones, I would stick close to my resort and opt for an early night after dinner. Cape May buffet is one good option, or perhaps the Captain's Grille at the YC. This isn't very themed, but it is a good, close dinner.
Good Luck

 

[amylevan]

Arrival day is exhausting. What time Saturday afternoon is your flight scheduled to land? You need to plan several hours from then to claim your luggage, find your in laws, grocery shop and drive to Disney. With little ones, I would stick close to my resort and opt for an early night after dinner. Cape May buffet is one good option, or perhaps the Captain's Grille at the YC. This isn't very themed, but it is a good, close dinner.
Good Luck

We are supposed to land at 1:30.

 

[Wood Nymph]

There are lots of places to eat in Epcot but if you don't want to go to a park you can have a fun meal at Beach & Cream soda shop at the Beach Club. Or you can try the character dinner at Garden Grove at the Swan Resort. The Boardwalk has Big River brewery, the ESPN Club and Trattoria al Forna. There are plenty of options when staying at the BC. You can also grab a bite to eat at Hurricane Hannah's without leaving the main pool.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I would consider one of the DTD restaurants if you don't want to do a park. Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex or even Raglan Road. Raglan Road is one of my favorite restaurants in wdw, so that where my arrival day dinner will be in November. Last year we did Garden Grill on our arrival day, and it was the perfect way to start the trip. Great character interactions and the food was really delicious, and it ended up being our favorite meal of the trip. Since you are staying at Beach Club, the Cape May Cafe would be a great choice also. We love it there.

 

[happymommy]

On the rare occasion that we do TS meals anymore, we don't like to plan one on arrival day. I worry about being tired, or having something come up that delays us. There are great options in the World Showcase for counter service, or a few places you may be able to walk in (the one in Morocco we've walked in easily).
Just my two cents!

 

[ArmyVet80]

Have you considered the Hoop Dee Do? You could do the 8:30 pm show. It doesn't have the "disney" characters but it is very fun. All you care to eat and drink (beer, wine and sangria for the adults). It is also reasonably priced. We use the DlxDP and go to the 8:30 pm showing because we can get Category 1 seating for that show.

All of the other suggestions that have been made are very good choices too.

 

[daisyduck123]

Stay put!

Cape May Café is right at BC. BC is our favorite resort & Cape May is one of our favorite restaurants (ate there three times during our last trip).

We always have dinner there on our check-in day and the character breakfast there on our check-out day.

 

[Hopefully]

Have you considered the Hoop Dee Do? You could do the 8:30 pm show. It doesn't have the "disney" characters but it is very fun. All you care to eat and drink (beer, wine and sangria for the adults). It is also reasonably priced. We use the DlxDP and go to the 8:30 pm showing because we can get Category 1 seating for that show.

All of the other suggestions that have been made are very good choices too.

After literally dozens of trips to WDW by plane, I would NEVER, NEVER do HDDR on travel/arrival day. There are too many uncontrollable travel delays possible when flying, resulting in forfeiture of the full payment for the group at HDDR, and travel day is exhausting for most families. Please don't schedule this then

 

[amylevan]

After literally dozens of trips to WDW by plane, I would NEVER, NEVER do HDDR on travel/arrival day. There are too many uncontrollable travel delays possible when flying, resulting in forfeiture of the full payment for the group at HDDR, and travel day is exhausting for most families. Please don't schedule this then

My kids would never make it through the 8:30 show to begin with, let alone on a travel day, so no worries, wasn't going to take that advice.

What is on the buffet for Cape May dinner? I'm not a clam person, but love most other seafood.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'll second-- or third-- Cape May!

My kids hate seafood, but always find something they love. Last trip I had LOTS of mussels; my husband had crab legs. My adult niece, who has lots of allergies including shellfish, had a great dinner. There's a LOT there from which to choose.