First Night in Disney-RE: Dinner -Most Disney Festive Place?? Which one?

[fairytinkerbell]

We are arriving in FL early in the morning in October and were planning on
huffing it to AK @ 1130 am and then touring til 4:30 pm, then going to check in hotel, and then over to Magic Kingdom to at least get there the first day and
then we were going to EAT at Crystal Palace. (now not sure of CP bec. it looks cafeteria-ish (paper cups). :

Now I am wondering if instead we should forgo MK (Since we'll be there all day & nite the next day (sunday)) and instead go to The Disney Marketplace AREA for dinner, I don't know where, maybe Rainforest Cafe?? or should we just
go to Ohana's the first nite instead of the first full day/nite at MK on Sunday?

The first nite we want to be relaxed, have GOOD food in a FUN disney atmosphere.......

HELP!!!! Recommendations for first nite dinner?? Boardwalk maybe/?



HERE'S THE PLAN, IF IT HELPS:


SAT (ARRIVAL)
AK 1100am until 430pm
go back to Hotel in LBV
MAGIC KINGDOM for Dinner @ Crystal Palace, maybe a ride or just Main St.
now i looked @ the photos of crystal palce and looks like a cafeteria.....not sure!! help!

SUN - MK ALL DAY
taking lunch break @ Plaza Rest.
eating dinner @ Ohana

MON - MGM - All Day
Lunch @ Sci Fi
Dinner @ Boma (??)

TUES - EPCOT - All Day (?)
Lunch @ Beaches & Cream
Dinner @ Cape May Cafe or Le Cellier?

WED - Universal Studios
Dinner @ ??
HALLOWEEN HORROR NITES

THURS - Typhoon Lagoon,
eat lunch there
MNSSHP & Dinner @ LTT

FRI - FREE DAY (SUGGESTIONS?)

SAT - MK All Day (last full day)
lunch @ Plaza Rest & Dinner @ Chef Mickeys (?) ????

 

[Mattsmom]

We weren't served drinks in paper cups when we ate at CP.

 

[WDW LOVR]

I would recommend DTD. Of course, I might be a little biased. We did the same thing as you're planning (we arrived around 3 PM). Went to MK, had a character meal at Crystal Palace and then staked out our spot for the Electric parade. About 45 minutes after dinner my DS (10 yrs old at the time) got sick for the first of 10 times. Can you say "food poisoning"? My son and I spend the entire parade in the restrooms at Liberty Tree Tavern, he got sick waiting on the docks for the boat to Ft Wilderness, again when we got off the boat at Ft Wilderness (like a trooper, he managed to not get sick on the boat), and twice more before going to bed.

The next day he was fine. So sorry I can't get excited about CP. Everytime we pass CP we ask my son (now 16) if he wants to go in and he still gets that "not in my life time" look.

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Crystal Palace is really a beautiful place to eat. And the food is very good as well. I think that would be an excellent choice. If you wanted more of a relaxing evening though, you may also want to consider Kona Cafe. It is my favorite restaurant on site and is always my first dinner on my Saturday arrival. It is also nice to watch the fireworks and the electric parade from the Poly beach after dinner.

 

[jcemom]

No paper cups at CP when we were there. They have "real" dishes, glasses, and flatware.

However, I think that AK and MK on the first not-even-a-full-day will be too much. I would relax and go with dinner at 'Ohana, especially if you can time it to catch Wishes afterwards from the beach!

I would then put Crystal Palace in for lunch the next day to give you a nice break during your all-day MK day.

 

[ohMom]

just a plug from me for Whispering Canyon Cafe -- we LOVED it! lots of family; very friendly atmosphere. not quiet though if that's what you're looking for

and -- btw -- erase those question marks besides Boma!!! you'll love it!! one our favorites!!!

 

[mjmcca]

Since you are already planning on spending the day at AK depending on the time you want to eat dinner just stays at AK till it closes and eat at the rainforest cafe there. I would avoid the downtown Disney market place restaurants they are always very crowded. I think the Westside restaurants are less so. Why not parks hop over to Epcot for a few hours and eats there or go to the boardwalk and eat at one of the restaurants there.

 

[hannahryan]

I wouldn't go to MK that first night since you'll be there all day the following day. I like Crystal Palace, but don't love it. I personally would spend the night at the Poly. Go to Ohanas or Kona Cafe for dinner (both great), then enjoy the fireworks or EWP from the Poly beach. This would be much more relaxing then fighting the crowds at the MK parade.

 

[Kaycee]

Originally posted by jcemom
No paper cups at CP when we were there. They have "real" dishes, glasses, and flatware.

However, I think that AK and MK on the first not-even-a-full-day will be too much. I would relax and go with dinner at 'Ohana, especially if you can time it to catch Wishes afterwards from the beach!

I would then put Crystal Palace in for lunch the next day to give you a nice break during your all-day MK day.

I agree with jcemom's suggestions. I think trying to go to MK after AK on a partial first day would be too much. Having dinner at 'Ohana the first evening with lunch at CP the next day during your MK day sounds like a fun, relaxing first and second day.

 

[2Disneybuggs]

Crystal Palace is not cafeteria style. It is a buffet but the place is beautiful characters were great and the food was good too. Maybe you're thinking of a food court?

 

[fairytinkerbell]

This is where i saw the paper cups and got turned off: :

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mk/mk_cp12.jpg

 

[simonmunro]

I subscribe to the tried and true first night Chef Mickey's to kick off our vacation in the most festive place possible AND to stuff myself from the dessert bar!

 

[hannahryan]

Originally posted by fairytinkerbell
This is where i saw the paper cups and got turned off: :

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mk/mk_cp12.jpg

That picture does look pretty unappealing! It actually is much better than that. When I ate there last with my daughter, we had a great table/booth kind of tucked away. The paper cups are just for the litttle kids so they don't spill and break glass.

 

[bru_ellman]

My wife and I have a first (and last) night tradition of eating at BOMA at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We make twilight Priority Seating arrangements--depending upon the time of year--and arrive an hour before to tour the lodge and its grounds (We've stayed at AKL and didn't like it, but we LOVE visiting!). Afterwards we head over to Epcot and watch Illuminations.

Just our little family tradition.

(Next traditional dinner on 10/24!)

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by hannahryan
The paper cups are just for the litttle kids so they don't spill and break glass.

They would certainly never give a paper cup to an adult, and children can have glasses also if they want. I think almost every WDW restaurant has those cups with lids available for children. Don't worry, they won't give YOU one!