first timer

[dandyman@nventure.co]

My wife and I are taking a trip in September, this will be our first trip to Florida and DW. We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. Any tips on making reservations for dinning, any can't miss dinner shows?

 

[Aliceacc]

HI and welcome!

I started a thread for other newbies: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

It may help answer some of your questions.

 

[teacup317]

This will be the second trip my DH and I have taken to WDW w/o kids and our second stay at POR. We are empty nesters so maybe .........down the road.............We'll take grandchildren.............but maybe not! who knows !!! LOL

We really love the Hoop De Du Revue over at Fort Wilderness for good food and a riot of laughs, some corny but funny. allearsnet.com will give you additional information on any and all of the dining venues.

The other place that is a must do on our list is the California Grill at the Contemporary. DH specifically asked to go there for his 60th birthday, (he chose WDW over Hawaii for this celebration ).

Family members went to WDW at Thanksgiving and they loved Raglan Road at Downtown Disney so we have ADR's for there. We also are trying several places we haven't been to before. We are doing a character breakfast at 1900 Park Avenue at the Grand Floridian. The Fantasmic show we are doing from the Brown Derby and we have luncheon ressies at LeCellier in Epcot.

Basically we scheduled the park we were going to be in for the day and made our ADR's around that schedule. Nothing in written in stone mind you, except the ressies which we can cancel with notice to the restaurant.

Previously we saw the Spirit of Aloha show at the Poly before and yes the show was very good, but I felt a little uncomfortable at the long tables they sat us at, but that's just me.

This time we are also doing the Keys to the Kingdom Tour which has gotten very good reviews

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[magicaldisney]

Make sure you make those ADRs at 180 days out!!

 

[Rylee]

My wife and I are taking a trip in September, this will be our first trip to Florida and DW. We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. Any tips on making reservations for dinning, any can't miss dinner shows?

As for travel during Sept., the last 3 years Disney has offered FREE DINING... the Dining Package (DP) for free!

No one knows yet, if it will be offered to the general public again this year, but it has already been offered as a "bounce back" promotion.

To receive the DP, you must book a package at Disney, including room and at least a 1 day ticket. If free dining is offered, you MUST have the discount code when you book, or called and have it applied to your reservation. The number of packages will be limited, so you may need to be flexible with dates and resorts.

Sept. is a great time to visit DW, but because of the free DP, you will need/want to make your Advance Dining Reservations (ADR) as soon as you possibly can. Disney allows ADR to be made 180 days in advance.

Read menus at the allearsnet site.

I have 5 children, with 20 years between the youngest and the oldest, and I haven't been to DW without children since prior to 1981, and probably won't again until about 2020. So, when choosing restaurants, I have my entire family in mind, but even if I wasn't traveling with children, my husband and I would enjoy the following...

Le Cellier @ Epcot
Coral Reef @ Epcot
California Grill @ Contemporary Resort (stay to watch firreworks from here)

If you're purchasing Hopper passes, you'll have more flexibility for dining, but Hoppers aren't necessary (Hopping takes time). If you don't buy Hoppers, remember to schedule meals in or near the park you will be visiting each day.

Don't forget to consider the Resort restaurants (great way to check out other resorts), or the restaurants at the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney, also these are good choices if you don't have Hoppers.

 

[dizluvah]

I second the Hoop De Doo dinner show. My husband was skeptical...he didn't think he would like it. Our table for 2 ended up being right in front of the stage - he was really nervous then as he's not a "joiner" and didnt' want to have to participate. We both loved the show and in the end it is one of our most cherished Disney memories. I highly recommend it.

We also love the german restaurant in Epcot - you sit "family" style with other parties and help yourself to the buffet. German musicians play during the meal - very festive and that is how I learned about Disboards - from one of my tablemates at this restaurant.

Have a wonderful trip

 

[Melindarella]

Welcome to the DIS!!

You're off to a great start - you'll find everything you need here on the DIS!

Also - you will love Port Orleans French Quarter - it's beautiful and charming and small enough to get around in a matter of minutes.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[dandyman@nventure.co]

Thanks for all the replies, they all helped and were informative!

 

[colonialtinker]

Hoop De Doo a must. DH & DD 8 absolutely loves it. She insist that we go there when ever we visit. This time we're passing and trying something new, but you really should see the show.

 

[Dimaline312000]

If this is your first visit to Disney. I don't have any suggestions about dining I just want to say make this vacation as magical as you can.

 

[maddhatir]

DH and I stayed at the POFQ Sept 16/24 2006 w/ free dining!- POFQ was awesome, so quaint! Sept is a great time to go too- low crowds

Just this morning I was editing those pics to make a Snapfish album to share with someone- here are some pics!

AND- I just LOVE seeing this! This was actually taken in the afternoon on TOT!

NO crowds behind us!

 

[karmalicousss]

Welcome to the boards!

 

[Capt. Tigger]

You will definitely enjoy the trip and French Quarter is a great place to stay. If you get the chance, take a walk over to Port Orleans Riverside and just have stroll around the grounds!

 

[byoung]

Glad to have you here on the DIS!!! Have a great majacal vacation.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]