First Night: Which is best for dinner? Help me decide!

[fairytinkerbell]

WHERE SHOULD WE EAT THE FIRST NIGHT?

We will get to Orlando on Saturday morning - we will race
over to Animal Kingdom and get there around 11:00 am, eat lunch at FTB
at 11:30 am.

At AK we were going to just go to a few rides: Kali Rapids, Dinosaur, and the Safari and then leave at 4:30 PM.

We were then going to check in hotel (7 mins. offsite from AK) and then freshen up and run over to MAGIC KINGDOM and eat at 6pm, at the LIBERTY TREE TAVERN, for our first dinner in Disney.

Problem # 1 with this:
We don't know if MK closes early that day and not sure if LTT is exciting enough for 1st nite- also eating at LTT before MNSSHP later that week.

Problem # 2 with this: :
Not sure if we should do AK another day (which there isn't any other day available!) Wanted to get AK over with, since so few rides.

 

[princess lovers mom]

you don't say when you are going so can't help you on "if MK closes early that night" it would only close early if there is another MNSSHP that night..I don't think there usually are any on a Saturday.....

second question...I wouldn't eat twice at LTT.....if you are looking for a character meal how about Crystal palace or if not...eat a big lunch at AK and have "street fare" as we call it for dinner....pick something up as you go..there is a place in fronteirland with decent burgers served fast food style...turkey legs...hot dog carts etc...

 

[fairytinkerbell]

we're arriving Saturday, 10/9.

we want a "magical disney" dinner, and figured that if we ate at LTT, it wouldn't cut so much into our limited MK park time . What do u all think?

 

[daisy112878]

Personally I love the food at Boma. The food is just amazing. But if you are trying to go to MK you might think about 1900 Park Fare. I haven't eaten there but it's on the monorail and you get to see Cinderella and Prince Charming. We are going there next time we go and to see how it is.

 

[cd&kids]

We LOVE Liberty Tree Tavern...maybe our favorite place of all at Disney. BUT, I wouldn't recommend eating twice there in one vacation, considering all of the many places to choose from.
I agree that Animal Kingdom is a good thing to "get out of the way"...it's a half-day park at best.
Personally, of your nominees, I would go with Boma. It's a fabulous place....great food...great atmosphere....can really put you in the "Disney mood" on day one of your trip.
Have fun!!

 

[jcemom]

Just a note: if you leave AK at 4:30 there is no way you will be able to check in to your hotel, freshen up, and be at LTT in time for a 6:00 PS. I don't think it's possible. If your hotel is 7 mins from AK, then it must be near...what is that road? 192? That is going to put you about a 30 minute drive from MK. (BTW where did you get the 7 minutes figure from? Are you sure it's correct? AKL is 5 minutes from AK and still on Disney property!)

Do you have another night for MK? How about AK until closing, then dinner at Boma and THEN to your hotel to relax for the rest of the evening?

Last October I think pretty much every Saturday had two Spectros with a closing time of 10:00. You could fit in Wishes and the second Spectro but I think you need a later dinner if you're planning to check in at your hotel first.

 

[jcemom]

I just noticed that you have 'Ohana listed. How about AK, back to hotel, 'Ohana and watch Wishes from the Poly? I really don't think you're going to accomplish much by going into the MK for a couple of hours on a Saturday night anyway. My goal would be to make the first day/evening as enjoyable as possible...to me that does not mean standing in line all evening to do 1 ride, KWIM?

 

[fairytinkerbell]

Thanks all of you for posting wonderful ideas and taking the time to respond to me! :cheer:

Yes, we are going to MK for full day/nite on Sunday (the 2nd day), again on Thursday for MNSSHP ,and again on the last full day (following Saturday).
BUT
I just feel like I should start the trip w/ Magic Kingdom, you know?
If I don't go to MK til the next day, I don't want to have to devote one of my full days to touring AK, you know? :

I would love to take yr advice and do AK all day, REST (would be nice) and then
go eat at Boma or Ohana. That's a vacation!

I am a great scheduler and a great adherer to schedules; BUT I am older now and appreciate resting time!!!! :faint

 

[fairytinkerbell]

Thanks all of you for posting wonderful ideas and taking the time to respond to me!

Yes, we are going to MK for full day/nite on Sunday (the 2nd day), again on Thursday for MNSSHP ,and again on the last full day (following Saturday).
BUT
I just feel like I should start the trip w/ Magic Kingdom, you know?
If I don't go to MK til the next day, I don't want to have to devote one of my full days to touring AK, you know? :

I would love to take yr advice and do AK all day, REST (would be nice) and then
go eat at Boma or Ohana. That's a vacation!

I am a great scheduler and a great adherer to schedules; BUT I am older now and appreciate resting time!!!! :faint

 

[doombuggy]

I should have read the thread before responding - I picked LTT, but didn't realize that you would be going there later in the week. I would go with the recomendation of spending the day at DAK, then eating at Boma. I just ate there for the first time last month, and am a little bit of a picky eater. There is plenty to eat, and the deserts are GREAT!

Enjoy, no matter what you decide!

 

[timC]

I'd stick with the AK theme for day 1, and go with Bomas... AKL is a great resort to visit, wind-down from the first day's activities... and Bomas is one of the best buffet's at WDW.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Buzzfanmom]

I agree with going to AK and heading to Boma after since you are going to be so close. We went to Boma for the first time in April and we were blown away. Its so wonderful. Whatever you choose, have a great time!!!!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I would stay at AK a little longer and add The Lion King Show, the best show in the theme parks in my opiinion, and It's Tough to be a Bug. Then I would head over to Boma. It is delicious! I don't think you need to try and squeeze MK in that day since you are going to be there 3 more times. I would get there bright and early the next morning.

 

[wannabee princess]

If you REALLY REALLY want to get to MK that first night, I would plan to eat a lighter meal instead of doing a repeat of LTT. The Columbia House or even Pecos Bills would be better if time is important. If you do LTT, you are tying up at least an hour + of park time.

However, how about a wild card answer? I would say go to Epcot for the evening if you can stand not to go to MK. I know that you think you should go to MK that first night, but I would say that with the dining options at Epcot, you have a better choice (especially with eating at LTT later in the week). The nice thing about Epcot is that it has things going on that don't require you standing in line at WS.

Personally, I would do AK all day, check in at hotel, head over to Epcot, catch a couple of the performances in WS and eat at Le Cellier (for a fantastic meal) or try for Rose and Crown and see about getting a spot for Illuminations.

 

[Terk-1]

At the Magic Kingdom:
1. Crystal Palace
2. Cindy's.

Outside of the MK:
1. O'Hana's
2. Whispering Canyon Cafe

At MGM:
Why not skip over there, have dinner at the 50's Primetime, then head over to watch Fantasmic?

At EPCOT:
Another option would be to head over to EPCOT, go through some of the countries in World Showcase and have dinner at the Rose & Crown. Make a PS for 1 to 1 1/2 hours prior to Illuminations, then check in early and request a patio table. Tell them you do not mind waiting for one. This way you can have a good meal, then relax and enjoy Illuminations from the comfort of your table.