First night suggestions

[BWV2001]

We are arriving on a Saturday, most likely late afternoon. Not planning to do a park. Can't decide between the following:
(a)Head to the Wave for dinner, followed by ride on the monorail, watch fireworks from Contemporary
(b)Head to Kona for dinner, ride monorail, watch fireworks from Poly
(c)Head to Downtown Disney from boat at POR (where we are staying), eat at Earl of Sandwich or WPE, and head back to hotel to watch Bob Jackson at POR.

I'm also open to other suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[BBQMommy]

I like C).
On our first day this upcoming January we are going for a snack at Downtown Disney (from POFQ) before heading to the Boardwalk for dinner at Flying Fish. Husband and daughter will likely head back to POFQ and listen to Bob while I escape to Extra Magic Hours at EPCOT ...

 

[BBQMommy]

dbl post

 

[Quin]

I like C as well - in part because Bob Jackson does a great show, and in part because you are arriving "MOST LIKELY late afternoon".

To me an ADR for a TS restaurant on your arrival day is like begging fate to give you a flight delay/traffic jam/etc. Keep it unstructured. If when you get there your family changes their minds and decides they really, really want to see the MK fireworks, go have dinner at Capt Cooks or the Contempo Cafe, take your monorail ride, and hit the Poly beach.

 

[Costino1]

Honestly we do A!

What a great start to the trip to have a nice, relaxed dinner at the Wave to unwind from the travel.

Get to see an original Disney resort...ride the iconic monorail and watch the best firework show on Earth.

Its what we do too for the past 3-4 trips!

We used to do the Concourse Steakhouse at Contemporary but that is now closed, so we do The Wave instead.

Its great.

 

[akhenaten]

another C vote here !!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I like option C as well. I think it would be a tease to be that close to the Magic Kingdom on arrival day and not go in!

 

[havoc315]

Comes down to this really....
Do you want to kick off your first night truly getting into the Disney spirit... In which case go with A or B.
Or, do you want to rest up from your travel, take it easy, and start off the next day fully fresh and ready to go. In which case, go with C.

If you have a long trip, and you're planning on getting up at the crack of dawn on your first full day for EMH ropedrop... then I might really want to take it easy on the first night, staying close to the hotel, without any formal plans.

If I was getting in during the early afternoon, and wasn't already exhausted from the travel, then I'd like to kick things off with a view of the fireworks from the Poly beach most likely.

 

[sammielynn]

Honestly we do A!

What a great start to the trip to have a nice, relaxed dinner at the Wave to unwind from the travel.

Get to see an original Disney resort...ride the iconic monorail and watch the best firework show on Earth.

Its what we do too for the past 3-4 trips!

We used to do the Concourse Steakhouse at Contemporary but that is now closed, so we do The Wave instead.

Its great.

Where is the best place to see the fireworks at the Contemporary?

 

[pamkas]

We always start off at EPCOT with a meal at the Biergarten. We love EPCOT.
We usually like to give that park 2 days and we love the Biergarten. We take
It slow and it really gets you going when you end that first night with
The fabulous Illuminations!

 

[havoc315]

Where is the best place to see the fireworks at the Contemporary?

The roof, if you are dining at California Grill. But otherwise, there is a viewing platform on the 4th floor.

 

[crabbygal902]

I like C as well - in part because Bob Jackson does a great show, and in part because you are arriving "MOST LIKELY late afternoon".

To me an ADR for a TS restaurant on your arrival day is like begging fate to give you a flight delay/traffic jam/etc. Keep it unstructured. If when you get there your family changes their minds and decides they really, really want to see the MK fireworks, go have dinner at Capt Cooks or the Contempo Cafe, take your monorail ride, and hit the Poly beach.

I 100% agree with this...but we often do option A. C would be more relaxing and I may have to steal it!