Help! Having remorse over booking 1900 PF

[ozzyla]

We are staying at the GF in July. When I originally booked my ADRs I booked 1900 Park Fare for our arrival day dinner. I was thinking we would arrive around 12:00-1:00, and have a relaxing time at the pool, then wander over to the restaurant without having to go through any transportation. As the time gets closer, I am wishing I had booked O'Hanas, or Chef Mickeys. Both of which only have late dinner times now available. I even considered the Wilderness Lodge, Wispering Cafe, but couldn't figure out how to get there quickly. I don't want to consider driving, as we are staying CL, and are planning on taking advantage of their adult beverages at 5:00. Tell me it will be alright to go to 1900 PF???? I should note, I am traveling w/DH (45), otherwise known as grumpy's twin brother, DS (16), and DS/DS (11) twins. So I don't even have a little girl who would appreciate Cindy at 1900 PF.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I don't know what you should do, but to get to WL and WCC you can take the monorail to TTC or MK and then the boat to WL.

 

[nanni]

I like the 1900PF dinner. The characters are very entertaining and Cinderella is the one I remember the least. The stepmother and stepsisters are great. Plus, there is strawberry soup.

 

[2forMe]

We are staying at the GF in July. When I originally booked my ADRs I booked 1900 Park Fare for our arrival day dinner. I was thinking we would arrive around 12:00-1:00, and have a relaxing time at the pool, then wander over to the restaurant without having to go through any transportation. As the time gets closer, I am wishing I had booked O'Hanas, or Chef Mickeys. Both of which only have late dinner times now available. I even considered the Wilderness Lodge, Wispering Cafe, but couldn't figure out how to get there quickly. I don't want to consider driving, as we are staying CL, and are planning on taking advantage of their adult beverages at 5:00. Tell me it will be alright to go to 1900 PF???? I should note, I am traveling w/DH (45), otherwise known as grumpy's twin brother, DS (16), and DS/DS (11) twins. So I don't even have a little girl who would appreciate Cindy at 1900 PF.

If you are not wanting buffet or character meal then i highly suggest the grand floridian cafe. I have had great meals there. Or perhaps the wave at contemporary.

 

[DEA]

We are staying at the GF in July. When I originally booked my ADRs I booked 1900 Park Fare for our arrival day dinner. I was thinking we would arrive around 12:00-1:00, and have a relaxing time at the pool, then wander over to the restaurant without having to go through any transportation. As the time gets closer, I am wishing I had booked O'Hanas, or Chef Mickeys. Both of which only have late dinner times now available. I even considered the Wilderness Lodge, Wispering Cafe, but couldn't figure out how to get there quickly. I don't want to consider driving, as we are staying CL, and are planning on taking advantage of their adult beverages at 5:00. Tell me it will be alright to go to 1900 PF???? I should note, I am traveling w/DH (45), otherwise known as grumpy's twin brother, DS (16), and DS/DS (11) twins. So I don't even have a little girl who would appreciate Cindy at 1900 PF.

It sounds like 'Ohana would be a good fit. You could walk over from GF along the Lagoon, or take the boat launch over to Poly (to avoid a long trip on the monorail), and walk or monorail back to GF after dinner.

I think 1900 Park Fare is fine, but then again I have two DDs who really enjoy the stepsisters, and a DW who occasionally gets all smitten with the Prince.

 

[bytheblood]

Are you on the DDP? the reason i ask is, are you being forced to do a table meal? My thought is if you don't want to eat somewhere, simply don't. If you are in the position of having a table credit you have to apply, keep trying. 1900 Park Fare does not have the most wonderful food, but it is not bad. The characters are entertaining and the strawberry soup is so wonderful!!

With your kids ages, maybe not doing a character meal makes sense for you. How about Kona at the Polynesian or even the Grand Floridian Cafe (just dont eat the steak)?

 

[staceylynnga]

We did 1900 Park Fare in Jan 2009 with our then 18 month old son. The characters were fantastic, especially the stepsisters. Other than that, the food was mediocre. If you are paying cash, I would definitely switch it. I feel like the buffets (especially dinner) are too $$$ for what they are worth OOP; on the DDP, it's another story. Especially with your kids ages, I'd reconsider.

On that same trip, we did Kona Cafe at the Poly for dinner and REALLY enjoyed it. Plus you can order from the sushi bar which, if you like sushi, is great.

I've never been interested in Ohana's menu so I cannot comment on that one. Same for WCC at the Wilderness Lodge. If it makes you feel better, I have read all too often that the food at Chef Mickey's is pretty rough too. We are doing Crystal Palace for dinner this trip and they seem to offer a much better variety (though it's in the park).

Since it seems you want to stay "local" to the MK area, I'd definitely suggest Kona or even GF Cafe. California Grill is $$$$ but delicious and local too (at least it was when my husband and I went in 2004).

Another option - don't know how your kids may like it, but we (including my husband who likes silly comedy) really enjoyed Hoop dee doo Revue and are going back (using DDP again) at the end of August.

One thing I would avoid (since it's your first night) is a late dinner (ie. after 730. I'd rather get a decent night's rest to be able to really enjoy the parks the next day.

Good luck!!

 

[MindyMouse76]

We did 1900 Park Fair on our arrival day! My daughter was 4 at the time. She LOVED riding the Monrail to the restaurant (didn't go to the park on arrival day). Even though the food was pretty bad (but I was exhausted also) - the character interaction was the BEST i have ever seen!!!! Cinderella talked to her for a while and just made my daughter's day come true!

Do you have kids for this dinner?

 

[DisneySarah80]

Why not try for GF Cafe? Its in your hotel, and from looking at the menu, its not to bad.

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

 

[ozzyla]

Thanks for the input. We are on the DDP. Last visit we were at Poly, and loved Kona. In fact we cancelled another reservation to eat there again during that trip. I am going to take a look at GF cafe. My first choice would be O'Hana, but threre are no times available. For a somewhat funny story, we have ate at O'hanas once. Several years ago (10), we had booked the luau with our friends to celebrate our wedding anniversaries. Except when we got there, found out the reservation agent had booked it for the next year . They eventually wrangled us a table at O'hanas, after much gripping. Since all our bookking was done with WDW travel, we don't know how it happened, it was linked to our room and all.

 

[ncc1701]

May I make another suggestion.....
Take Disney transportation over to DTD and eat at WPE Marketplace. It is DH & mine traditional 1st night dinner even when paying OOP.
The best usage of a CS credit in my book.They bring the food to your table and while they don't have a bar they do serve beer & wine.
When we had the DDP we would take as dessert a brownie and/or cookie to eat later and then go buy ice cream at Ghiradelli's