First Trip EVER arrival dinner!

[Annick]

Hi everyone! July 24 to July 28th, I'm treating my mom and my 5 year old to a Disney World vacation. None of us has ever been and so I'm as nervous as I am excited! My daughter will be turning 5 on the 26th, at Magic Kingdom.
I scored a ton of great reservations for us, but I'm still unsure about where to eat on our very, very first dinner at Disney! It has to be a non-park restaurant, but we'll be staying on property (POR), so anything that's reachable by the transportation would be good.

Would you suggest Chef Mickey's or the Irish pub in Disney Springs? Or Ohana? Or anything else?
We LOVE good food!

 

[Shannon G]

For a 5 year old girl, I'd suggest the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare (at the Grand Floridian). Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine & the step-sisters. We've done it a few times, and the character interaction, particularly with Lady Tremaine and the step-sisters has consistently been the best!

 

[msdaisy]

I was also going to recommend 1900 Park Fare! My youngest daughter's birthday is June 7th, and she has spent many birthdays at WDW. She normally has picked this dinner or breakfast for her birthday. She loves the hotel. She is 12 now, and she has even told me that she wants to get married at the Grand Floridian one day. I hope she finds a guy who likes Disney!

 

[Alicefan]

I think Chef Mickey's will get you into the mood!

 

[Annick]

Thank you so much for your suggestion!
I'm torn because I did get a BBB appointment on her bday, right before a table at Cinderella's Royal Table. If we do go at 1900 Park Fare and see Cinderella before her birthday two days later, I fear the day's going to be way less magical then... Won't it?

 

[Alesia]

What time are you arriving? Are you flying or driving?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would do Ohana or Chef Mickey's out of your list. I think your daughter would enjoy them more and it's fun to see the resorts. I would do Chef Mickey's probably since it's your first trip and your daughter is at the perfect age. Have a great time

 

[mcurran]

Hi everyone! July 24 to July 28th, I'm treating my mom and my 5 year old to a Disney World vacation. None of us has ever been and so I'm as nervous as I am excited! My daughter will be turning 5 on the 26th, at Magic Kingdom.
I scored a ton of great reservations for us, but I'm still unsure about where to eat on our very, very first dinner at Disney! It has to be a non-park restaurant, but we'll be staying on property (POR), so anything that's reachable by the transportation would be good.

Would you suggest Chef Mickey's or the Irish pub in Disney Springs? Or Ohana? Or anything else?
We LOVE good food!

Depends on when you arrive and how long your travels were and what your next day plan is. When we come down in August we land around 1 and drive to resort. After checking in we will head to the pool for a dip and then have quick service for dinner and make it an earlier night because we plan rope drop the next day. But to each their own. I can see chef mickeys being a lot of fun too but give yourself time to enjoy the experience and not run around like crazy too. Strike that balance and pace yourself.

After our daughters first trip (4 yrs old) I asked in the airport what her favorite part of her trip was and she said "eating cheetos and swimming in the pool". Not bbb. Not chef mickeys. Not rides or meet and greets or any of the stuff we planned out. For what it's worth.

 

[carlymcqueen]

I remember my first dinner at WDW. I was 6, and my parents took me to 1900 Park Fare for Cinderella dinner. Highly recommend it because I'll never forget it

 

[Chime]

I also suggest either Ohana or Chef Mickey. Especially since you'll see Cinderella later.

 

[Shannon G]

I know that Cinderella's Royal Table gets all the attention and people love it, but, having done both, I think that 1900 Park Fare is by far the better dinner. The food is better, there is variety (since it is a buffet), and the character interaction is much better. Not to mention the price difference.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think Chef Mickey's will get you into the mood!

I agree! I know CM gets some terrible reviews but we always take first timers there and never have been disappointed. We then hop on the monorail and take a peek at the MK and sometimes take the Epcot loop as well.

 

[disneyvoice]

We always start off our trips with Chef Mickey's! Although I do think your daughter would probably love Cinderella's Royal Table, I think starting your trip with Chef Mickey's would be a lot of fun for all of you. For me there is nothing better than starting a trip off with Mickey and Pals while the Monorail goes by. We have always enjoyed both the food and the experience at Chef Mickey's in spite of the mixed reviews it gets.

 

[Annick]

What time are you arriving? Are you flying or driving?

Flying! (First time for my daughter, too!) I land at 11am, so I should be at POR around noon?

 

[Smooth_80]

For a 5 year old girl, I'd suggest the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare (at the Grand Floridian). Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine & the step-sisters. We've done it a few times, and the character interaction, particularly with Lady Tremaine and the step-sisters has consistently been the best!

+1 This is what we did

 

[Shannon G]

Another suggestion, although a bit pricey - have you thought about taking her to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue? That has always been a favorite with my kids. Even now (at 12 & 14) they ask to go.

 

[Annick]

Another suggestion, although a bit pricey - have you thought about taking her to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue? That has always been a favorite with my kids. Even now (at 12 & 14) they ask to go.

I honestly have no idea what or where that is! haha

Thank you for all your suggestions! We might stay in the resort, too. I don't know anymore!
So we arrive on the 24th around noon. No meals booked that day yet.
On the 25th, it's AK. We have lunch reservations at Yak & Yeti. No dinner booked yet...
On the 26th, BIRTHDAY! we have breakfast at BOG, at 12h40 we head to BBB, around 7pm is CT.
On the 27th, we have breakfast at Bon Voyage. No dinner booked yet. We plan on going to the Camp Fire and movie night at POFQ (if it stays on a thursday!).
On the 28th we leave around 4pm for our flight at 9pm. No meals booked yet.

That's all I have so far! I know I have to hurry, but it's tough to decide and I do want us to pace ourselves and enjoy.

Anyone know if the food at POR is good?

 

[mindeola]

We used to do Chef Mickeys on arrival night, but it has gone down so much over the years. It is probably still very magical for a five year old though. 1900 Park Fare is one we did a few times on arrival. You can't beat the funny interactions with the step-sisters and lady Tremaine and of course you have Cinderella. Ohana is a current arrival night favorite.

I would not do Raglan Road on arrival night. I enjoy eating there, but I think you need a Disney experience for your first night! Hoop Dee Doo would be fun.

In addition to dinner, You could also head to Chip and Dales Sing along and do smores at Ft Wilderness. It is so fun and your only cost is the smores supplies ( bought there or you can bring your own).

 

[mindeola]

That's all I have so far! I know I have to hurry, but it's tough to decide and I do want us to pace ourselves and enjoy.

I think you are doing great! You have a couple of busy days there. One the ones with one TS, I would not even book another one.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Flying! (First time for my daughter, too!) I land at 11am, so I should be at POR around noon?

You probably won't get to POR until 12:30 or so would be my guess, then you'll need to check in, which can take a bit of time at that time of day. POR has a nice pool. Last time we arrived around the same time of day and hit the pool for a few hours before taking the boat from POR to Disney Springs, walking around there and having dinner at Raglan Road. Might be worth trying to get reservations at Beaches & Cream at Beach Club and then walking around Boardwalk area.