Help me plan my first dinner please!

[amsafko]

We will arrive at the airport at 10:30 so by the time we get to the resort (ASMo) we will be eating lunch there (CS credits). Then we were thinking of doing MGM in the afternoon - we will have a 4.5 y.o. and a 2 y.o. with us so I don't think it's too much to think we won't need more than an afternoon there - not as much for that age group from what I've seen. I had originally planned on having dinner there (Sci-Fi was our first choice but I'm having serious second thought due to older dd's fear of movie theaters!). Now, dh and I saw a food network special that featured 50s prime time but we both looked at each other and said "that would drive me nuts"! Just not our cup of tea. Anyhoo, I'm trying to pick a fun place for a TS meal that both the kids and adults would enjoy, something that would get them revved up to be at Disney. We are not against having a late dinner at a resort but do not want to go to any other resort that day. I would love a character meal but I'm again a little nervous about dd's fears (she's funny about people dressed up), anyone with children who've shown fears of characters/Santa at home but fine with Disney characters at the parks? What would you do in my shoes? Thanks for any help!

 

[DreaminDisney]

Do you plan on seeing Fantasmic? If so, you could do Mama Melrose or H & V or Brown Derby with fantasmic pkg.

 

[stacy6552]

Mamma Melrose with the dinner package. I wouldnt really reccommend that BD with small kids.

 

[jann1033]

i'd definitly skip scifi if she's afraid of movies plus since they are old "scifi movies " with monsters and such that might be way to much for her . Brown derby is very good food but a little more adult atmosphere. so i probalby would do mm( can't say how the food is as haven't'(gone in yrs) and i would wait on a character meal till you see how she reacts to in park characters if you think they might be a problem.

fantasmic is scary villans,dragon, fire ect some on a large water movie like screen. depending on what she doesn't like in movies, she may not like this either.

 

[amsafko]

Yes, I'm thinking Fantasmic would send her over the edge Funny thing is this girl is a brute and quite a daredevil, just certain things really upset her. I had thought of MM when first looking at it, I think that's what we'll go with since we love Italian food. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[crisi]

We always have great plans the first day and are always wiped from travel and want nothing more than to sit.

Last year we made it into Epcot from the BW - but only because it was so close, we were starving, and our restaurant of choice was Biergarten. We rode two attractions and went back to the hotel....swam a little and I think the whole party was out by 8pm.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

You know your kids, but are you sure you're not pushing it with kids that young? If you arrrive at MCO at 10:30, that means, you left home pretty early. You may or may not get into your room to give the kids a little down time. To go to a park in the afternoon and then a late dinner , would put my kids over the edge. We ate at 50's Prime Time and its cute. My kids really enjoyed it. When DS was 2 1/2 , we made the mistake of thinking we could do MGM in a half day, we were wrong. There was plenty for him to do. In January, we did a whole day, and planned another whole day for this trip. Good Luck!

 

[amsafko]

Great feedback, thanks so much. I am concerned about the same thing so I was thinking a short nap before going to MGM. We looked at the exhibits at MGM and didn't see a ton we think they'd be interested in (especially given some of my dd's fears). If we don't go there I was thinking the Boardwalk would be fun but a bit less taxing (we live near the Jersey shore and our boardwalks are their favorite part of the summer). How is the boardwalk area? Any recommendations for places to dine there (TS)? Thanks again.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

The Boardwalk is a great area. There are some shops and over priced games, just like on a real Boardwalk. You can rent bikes also. The place we love to eat at over in that area is Beaches and Cream. Its near the YachtClub/Beach Club, great burgers and ice cream.

 

[crisi]

In the Boardwalk area:

Beaches and Cream
Spoodles
ESPN
Fresh
Big River Brewing Company
Cape May

You might want to do some checking - for instance, I'm not sure Spoodles was open during lunch last trip and its earliest reservation may be late. Beaches and Cream should be timed to miss crowds if possible.

If I had little ones arriving at MCO at 10:30, I'd grab something either at the airport or on the way - just fast food to tie you over. By the time you get to Disney, get checked in, and get over to the BW area, you are looking at it being 1:00 or so. With tummies full - assuming you get into your room - take a rest and maybe a swim. Head over to the BW for the evening - timing for an early dinner. You can see some Illuminations and Fantasmic fireworks from the area (not a lot - but some - and with kids the distance can be helpful). The Boardwalk will have Midway type games (cost money), Surrey bikes (cost money) and street entertainment (free). You can check out the hotels a little if you want - Storm Along Bay is amazing - though you might find yourself springing for the $300 a night room rate so the kids can use the pool! You can take a round trip ride on the "Friendship Boats" from the resorts to Ecpot, back to the resorts, to MGM and back - which is a relaxing way to spend some time. There are a few gift shops and a candy store. You don't drop a day worth of park admission for "not much and dinner."