First-Time, First-Night (Non Park)

[kmg1107]

Hello!
I am going down for a quick trip in February with a friend who has never been to WDW. I am trying to decide where to take her for dinner the night we arrive. We will not have park tickets this day. I am considering Kona Cafe at the Poly so that we can watch the fireworks from the beach. Where else might be good options?
Thanks for your advice!

 

[blondinkaya]

We did Hoop Dee Doo our first night. While we enjoyed it (not enough to go again, though), I think somewhere at the Poly would have been much better, just for the fireworks.

Are you on the dining plan? We'll be on it again our next trip (dxdp) and plan to hit Narcoose's and the fireworks from the Grand Floridian.

 

[KBaum]

Great idea for the Poly! You can't beat the beautiful resort, great food at Kona (or Ohana's if you wanted to try there) and the fireworks afterward? I think it's PERFECT. I'd suggest that or maybe AKL - AKL at night is just drop-jaw beautiful.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

California Grill at Contemporary, the view of the castle is amazing. The fireworks are not center (because you are looking at them from an angle), but for everything else, it cannot be beat.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We are kicking off our trip next month with dinner at 1900 PF....I figure our nieces will love dining with CIndy and Prince and the wicked stepmother and sisters.

For adults I would go with Ohana, GFC at the GF, Cali Grill or something at DTD

 

[ms*mountaineer]

your idea for Kona sounds great to me!

 

[Mick West]

Our first night is always spent at Downtown Disney, and there is a variety of dining choices. When we go in January our first night will be in DDT with a dinner at Ragland Rose(sp?). We figure we're going to see the parks and all that during the trip so DDT fits us well on first night.

 

[thehails]

Our first night ever at WDW is going to be at Ohana's

 

[ScottJoseph]

You might consider Citricos if California Grill is booked. You can see most of the fireworks from the restaurant or you can time your meal to finish just before the show starts and wander down to the lagoon. I'm not currently recommending Narcoossee's, based on my most recent review.

Scott
ScottJosephOrlando

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

The Polynesian has become a first night tradition for us whether or not we are staying there. We switch back & forth from Ohana to Kona, favoring Kona slightly.

I've never done California Grill as a first night dinner but think that is a great suggestion.

We've also done Downtown Disney and feel that Raglan Road is the best choice there.

I have friends that love Beaches & Cream at the YC/BC for first night and others that rave about Spoodles on the Boardwalk.

You could also do Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko is spectacular!

 

[amycishere]

California Grill at Contemporary, the view of the castle is amazing. The fireworks are not center (because you are looking at them from an angle), but for everything else, it cannot be beat.

That is what we are doing for our first night as well!

 

[Fionasmommy]

I think it's a great plan! Kona is wonderful, it's one of my faves. We go there every trip!

 

[Yarna]

We have a tradition of eating at Boma on our first night. The food is great, the lodge is spectacular, and overall it makes for a great kick-off for our week at the World!!

 

[dizfan]

Kona's is a great choice.

Another option is Boma's or Jiko's. Before/afterwards you can watch the animals from various locations. If it's dark out, they have night vision goggles to see the animals. They also have fireside story telling.

As PP said, another great option is California Grill. My family used to go to the top and watch the fireworks from there on the first night.

 

[onelilspark]

Jiko is my favorite restaurant in Disney

Kona is what I decided to do for my birthday. We're only heading to the parks for one day and I really want to see Wishes, but the bf isn't a huge Disney fan, so we're going to Epcot because I know he'll like that more. So we're going to watch Wishes from the beach then have dinner at Kona (great minds I tell you...)
Thing is, signature restaurants are great, but to a first timer, do you really want her first impression to be the prices there? I mean, regular restaurants are pricey enough...

 

[PoohsFan1]

I agree that the Cali Grill is the place to go. If you go early enough you can get a seat by the window and watch MK while you dine. Then you can go outside to their balcony and watch Wishes with a nice glass of wine (or whatever you desire) in hand. The food and the service is outstanding, however it is a bit pricey.

 

[WallE]

We are doing Chef Mickey's on the first night of our next visit--jumping right in to the character experience. We did Boma our last visit, but decided to do something different this time.