Help! Don't know where to eat on our 1st night...

[mbordeleau]

DH, DS10 , DS7 & I will be arriving @ 2:34 pm on Sat. April 18th. We're using ME so I don't expect to get to our resort (CSR) until around 4pm. We're planning to go to MK that evening and see if we can get onto Space Mountain (it closes the next day for refurb). We also want to get the SpectroMagic and Wishes out of the way so that the 2nd day we're at MK, we'll be able to skip them and ride instead.

We're on the DxDP and I'm looking to sit down for dinner. I don't know if we should eat at the resort (Pepper Market or Maya Grill) or @ MK. I currently have ADRs for Liberty Tree Tavern @ 6pm but since they no longer offer Character Dining I'm not too sure if that's where I want eat.

What do you suggest?

 

[brendaziz]

Well first off- you could be to your hotel by 4- but it coudl def be more like 5. I agree that getting to space mountain is important so personally I would just head to MK and grab a snack while you're on line. Then wait til after for dinner.
Also- i havent heard about LTT not doing character anymore? where did u hear that? that sux!
I would try and get a later ressie for somewhere for dinner- more like 7:30 to be realistic- but also it may just be too much of a hassle to sit down. You may want to stick with a counter service for this one.
I love pinnochios village haus for that

 

[Elmo888]

I agree with the PP - if you are trying to ride Space Mountain, you may have to make that your priority over a TS restaurant.

Otherwise, have you considered eating at one of the resorts near MK? You could try Chef Mickey's at CR, 1900 Park Fare at GF or Ohana's at Poly. All three have character dinners and all three are easily accessible from MK. It just depends on which characters/food you prefer!

 

[mbordeleau]

I was told about LTT not offering Character Dining when I called to make the ressie. I also downloaded the latest DDP Brochure and it is no longer listed as Character Dining.

Will it take that long to get to the resort from the airport?

 

[Elmo888]

I was told about LTT not offering Character Dining when I called to make the ressie. I also downloaded the latest DDP Brochure and it is no longer listed as Character Dining.

Will it take that long to get to the resort from the airport?

If I remember correctly, it seemed like it took about 2 hours using ME to get from the airport to our resort.

Another TS at MK to check out is Tony's Town Square (no characters though)...

http://allears.net/menu/menu_tts.htm

 

[mbordeleau]

Otherwise, have you considered eating at one of the resorts near MK? You could try Chef Mickey's at CR, 1900 Park Fare at GF or Ohana's at Poly. All three have character dinners and all three are easily accessible from MK. It just depends on which characters/food you prefer!

I thought about it but once I was in the park I did not want to waist time leaving it to go eat.

We do have ressies at Chef Mickey for dinner the next day and at 1900 Park Fare for breakfast 2 days later. We're not doing Ohana's but we'll be doing Disney's Spririt of Aloha Dinner Show later in the week.

 

[mbordeleau]

Another TS at MK to check out is Tony's Town Square (no characters though)...

I went a little crazy with the Character Dining so I'm not too worried about that. It does seem like it makes more sense to eat at the park.

I'm still debating CS vs TS but I were to go with TS which would you pick:
LTT, Plaza or Tony's Town Square?

 

[mbordeleau]

If I remember correctly, it seemed like it took about 2 hours using ME to get from the airport to our resort.

Wow! Here I thought I was being conservative by planning 1.5 hours to get to the resort.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Have you considered Crystal Palace at MK?

This was the best overall character meal of our trip earlier this month. Great food, lovely restaurant, excellent character interaction (Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger), super service. And oh-so-conveniently located near Cinderella's castle.

Also, if you'd rather not be tied down to a TS meal that one day, try Cosmic Rays in Tomorrowland (not too far from Space Mountain). Their chicken and ribs meal with mashed pototoes and green beans is HUGE and very good. I know you'd prefer a TS meal being on the deluxe plan, but maybe this gets you the best of both worlds.....a good hearty dinner PLUS the flexibility of more time to ride!

Just a thought. Enjoy your trip, wherever you decide!

 

[Elmo888]

If it were me, I think that I would look at the menus and decide. I haven't been to LTT or Plaza, and I went to Tony's 12 years ago.

Here's Plaza...
http://allears.net/menu/menu_pr.htm

And LTT...
http://allears.net/menu/menu_ltt.htm

Personally, I'm not a fan of family style or LTT's menu. And I like the Main Street locations of Tony's and the Plaza (better view to people watch!).

 

[brendaziz]

If I remember correctly, it seemed like it took about 2 hours using ME to get from the airport to our resort.

Wow! Here I thought I was being conservative by planning 1.5 hours to get to the resort.

Yeah- I would say 2 hours is about accuracte- though it could be an hour and half, but on my honeymoon it was 2 1/2 hours

It's just good to have a longer time frame in mind and then if it's less that's just gravy

 

[jblrn2b]

What about eating at your resort and relaxing by the pool? By the time you reach your resort you may be pooped. I am having the same debate for our February trip- considering we will be at Logan Airport at 0430a our first day and into MCO at 11;23a. I was thinking that the kids may want to rush there or they may just want to swim in the pool - but then I made an ADR for Cali. Grill (mine are 9 and 14 but ate there at 5 and 10 and loved it!)around 7:30p either way to watch Wishes. I think we'll play it by ear. I want to be able to get up early and go so I want us rested.

If Wishes is a priority you could eat at 'Ohanas - which is not a character Dinner - only breakfast, and watch Wishes from the beach that's really fun. Or Chef Mickey's or Calif. Grill from the Contemporary to get in the Disney magic.

 

[Totally Tink]

I agree with the PP - if you are trying to ride Space Mountain, you may have to make that your priority over a TS restaurant.

Otherwise, have you considered eating at one of the resorts near MK? You could try Chef Mickey's at CR, 1900 Park Fare at GF or Ohana's at Poly. All three have character dinners and all three are easily accessible from MK. It just depends on which characters/food you prefer!

Just to clarify - 'Ohana has characters at breakfast only.

 

[DISNEYNV]

I would reccomend heading over to MK and just grabbing a CS meal and saving your TS credits for a more relaxed sitdown meal. Or having a meal after you have gotten settled in at your resort before heading to MK. Then you will be refreshed and less distracted when you get to the parks and ready to ride the rides...especially SM!

We love the Crystal palace but it is a character buffet and it takes a while to eat and have the character interactions. I would save that for another day

 

[millerjmls]

DH, DS10 , DS7 & I will be arriving @ 2:34 pm on Sat. April 18th. We're using ME so I don't expect to get to our resort (CSR) until around 4pm. We're planning to go to MK that evening and see if we can get onto Space Mountain (it closes the next day for refurb). We also want to get the SpectroMagic and Wishes out of the way so that the 2nd day we're at MK, we'll be able to skip them and ride instead.

We're on the DxDP and I'm looking to sit down for dinner. I don't know if we should eat at the resort (Pepper Market or Maya Grill) or @ MK. I currently have ADRs for Liberty Tree Tavern @ 6pm but since they no longer offer Character Dining I'm not too sure if that's where I want eat.

What do you suggest?

We are also arriving on that day and also staying at CSR and we have ADR's at The Liberty Tree Tavern. Our plans are sooooo similiar. We are planning on doing the parade/fireworks thing too. I don't think we will have time to do Space Mountain before dinner, so we are hoping to get on after we eat. We don't want to eat at the resort because we are anxious to get to the park. I think it will work out fine and if you plan on keeping your ADR, we will see you there !!! Ours is at 6:15pm. We just scheduled another character meal since Liberty Tree isn't doing one anymore.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Maya Grill is very good

 

[Bree]

I would eat CS at MK on your 1st day then use that night's TS credit to eat at a signature restaurant (cali grill, Narcoosee's, etc) later in the week.

 

[fausz4]

Ohana and Wishes

What time would you recommend getting a ressie for if you want to take in Wishes from the Beach at the Poly?

We are arriving on our Anniversary and heard about the whole Ohana/Wishes thing and thought it would be a nice start to the trip.

Any other suggestions?

 

[hannah_03]

Are you arriving on a day for the Spirit of Aloha dinner show? That might be fun. I plan on doing it on our first night

 

[fausz4]

Are you arriving on a day for the Spirit of Aloha dinner show? That might be fun. I plan on doing it on our first night

I'm not sure...have you been before?

We heard that Ohana can be fun for the kids without going to the Spirit of Aloha show.

I can start making my ADRs on Sunday, so the crunch is on