First timers First Night Dinner

[Drcbelle]

We’ll be going to WDW for the first time this summer. It’s me, my husband and two girls who will be almost 6 and 7. I currently have a 4:30 reservation at Storybook Dining but I’m starting to wonder if we’d rather do dinner somewhere in Disney Springs and experience that area as we probably won’t be able to the rest of the trip.
Which would you do? Would it be feasible to do the Storybook Dining and then head to Disney Springs for awhile? I’d like to get everyone settled in and to bed somewhat early to be rested up for the parks. Any other input? Thanks!

 

[Pygoplites]

Storybook Dining and a bit of exploring at Wilderness Lodge (maybe do their free Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunt--ask at front desk). Or maybe a boat ride to Fort Wilderness for the free Chip and Dale campfire and sing along (just leave before the movie starts, in order to make it a shorter evening).

Disney Springs PLUS Storybook Dining might be too tiring. Just doing DS would be ok. But Storybook looks like fun.

Your idea of early bedtime is a good plan...maybe just do the dinner and then have a restful evening where you're staying.

 

[LavishWig]

I think it depends on a number of factors like how far/long your journey to WDW is and where you are staying, as well as how long you are staying.

We're going for six days and are just going to skip Disney Springs as I don't think we'll have enough time to spare so I think it all depends on the balance of your trip.

 

[OhThePain]

I think your girls would get more out of Storybook Dining then they would at DS. There is nothing very "Disney" about DS. It is really just a very big and expensive outdoor mall. I think you would be better off sticking with your current ADR (which has become the new impossible ADR to get) and then head back to your resort for an evening swim and resort exploration before calling it a night.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Definitely stick with Storybook Dining. Disney Springs is not that interesting (I know many will disagree with me) especially for kids that age.

 

[Hopefully]

How are you traveling? What time are you scheduled to arrive? If flying, delays are common and uncontrollable. Travel day is exhausting. I would choose an easy, early evening, probably not doing either.
I never schedule an ADR sooner than 5 hours after scheduled arrival.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I agree, skip disney springs and enjoy ur dining and Visit!!!

 

[garris3404]

Don't drop Storybook Dining. Go, have a delightful dinner, and then go back to your resort. Maybe have a swim in the pool, and then go to bed at a reasonable time.

 

[KenHutch]

Keep the ADR but while all of the changes at Disney Springs might make partying more fun there is less Disney there than at any time.

 

[samsteele]

Agree with a PP re when you are arriving that day and if flying in or driving as any delay can really mess up that night's dining plans. However, if you can keep StoryBook do so if at all possible as ADRs there hard to find.

 

[DisDreaming4116]

Agree with others. Skip Disney Springs and have a fun character meal as your first night dinner. Depending on mood and tired levels, explore Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Drcbelle]

Wow! It’s a consensus. I guess I know what I wil do! Glad to know I won’t be missing out on much.
Thank you all for the input. We are going to just be driving a short way from Tampa so air travel and a long drive isn’t an issue. Exploring Wilderness Lodge and the Campfire are good ideas if we are up to it. I hadn’t thought of exploring that area.
Thanks again!

 

[Specter]

At the risk of being that one voice of dissent, I will say that my DW and I's tradition is as follows, depending on arrival time (we fly from Texas). If we arrive at the hotel by noon then we add an extra park day to our tickets and usually go to Animal Kingdom for a few hours, then head to Raglan Road at DS for dinner. If we arrive after noon we will either rest, or if traveling around the holidays, we'll take buses to the different resorts to see the decorations, and then head to Raglan Road for dinner.

Now, besides the disparity in travel I will say that to date it has just been the two of us, at least for that arrival day, though we have taken extended family trips. March 2020 will be our first time travelling with a little one and she'll only be around 10 months old so we may or may not change our plan. I will say that DW and I are both concerned that RR might be a little loud for a baby that young, but we do love the food there and our tradition is always to get an ornament at the Christmas shop there and have it personalized as a souvenir of our trip. Going early in the trip ensures that it will be delivered to the resort before we check out. We are entertaining other restaurants at DS for the reason I mentioned, but that aspect of the trip is pretty set, though we are flexible if the right opportunity comes along.

I fully concede the point that DS is far less "Disney", but it has become a part of our trips and something that we genuinely look forward to each time we go. I'm not even trying to change your mind as I am sure your girls would enjoy Storybook Dining, as I am sure mine will when she's older, just playing devil's advocate, I guess. Whatever you do, enjoy the trip.

 

[gharter]

For kids that age, DS is a giant shopping area. Not a lot to get their interest.
I like the above suggestion.
Storybook Dining. Explore around Wilderness either before or after dinner. Take the boat to Fort Wilderness for the campfire.
I think they will have much more fun with that plan than DS.

 

[IAmDis]

For our first time (myself and gf), we have The Boathouse lined up for dinner! We're taking a 1am flight (from LAX) and land in Orlando at 11am local time, with a 90 minute layover in Houston, so we'll be tired.

We're guessing we'll be able to get into the room by 2pm or earlier, so we'll sleep a bit, freshen up with a shower and change into something nice and head on over to DS for our first dinner. We think The Boathouse at Disney Springs will be a great first meal, knowing we are easing ourselves into our Disney vacation with a nice meal all dressed up. After dinner, we will walk around, shop, try a few snacks, have some drinks, smoke some cigars and enjoy the vacation life before we go wild and hit the parks the next 10 nights.

We do have a resort day planned, but Disney Springs is not part of that plan, so really our first night is the only night we are planning to be there.