Lunch idea for arrival day-want kids to feel the magic!

[Marypoppinsfan11]

Hi everyone!

We are traveling in early December for a couple of days- 4 adults and 2 kids, ages 6 and 4. This will be the kids first time at WDW! We arrive in the morning and are staying on site, but not planning on going to a park the first day. I'm trying to think of a lunch place that would add to the excitement of the first day. We are already planning on going to Disney Springs for dinner that night and will probably end up at Rainforest Cafe or T Rex and of course walk around, go to World of Disney, etc.

Since we are staying on site and will be using bus transportation, I was thinking that maybe we take the bus to MK and take the monorail loop to the Poly to have lunch? Captain Cooks? The kids might get a kick out of the monorail and we might even take the Epcot loop as well.

My other thought was to take a bus to HS and take the skyliner to Art of Animation. We would eat at their quick serve which I've heard is a food court style, but the kids might enjoy walking through the resort and seeing all of the Lion King, Cars and Little Mermaid theming. The skyliner is definitely on our to do list, but we were also planning on doing it on one of our non park days to go to Cape May Cafe for breakfast, so we wouldn't necessarily have to do it on the first day.

I would appreciate any thoughts/ideas/opinions! Thanks so much!!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Sounds like some great ideas. Not sure if you have a car or not, but another potential option is to make lunch reservations at Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani - a very magical experience sitting at the restaurant with the animals on the savanna right outside the windows - and then perhaps walk over to the Jambo side to view that amazing lobby with the Christmas tree and decorations.

Many amazing options. Riding the monorail is also quite magical, and not just for young kids! Enjoy your experience!

 

[StevieB81]

Are your children going to be OK seeing a park and not being able to go into it? How about Sanaa at AKV? Lunch next to the savanna might be pretty exciting, and afterwards you could go onto one of the observation decks. My (young adult) kids still like doing that.

 

[sponica]

I second the recommendation for Sanaa. We've brought the kids there for dinner and there's a viewing area just outside the entrance to the restaurant that the kids enjoyed.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We've enjoyed Chef Mickey's to get our first taste of characters and excitement when not actually going to a park.

 

[mort1331]

I would maybe change it up and do DS in the day and have lunch there,,,then head to HDDMR for dinner and show...great time all have fun one of the best deals onsite.

 

[Karalee402]

Your idea of riding the monorail and eating at Captain Cook's is something we've done a few times, and our kids love it! We usually follow lunch up with a dole whip from Pineapple Lanai and then walk around the monorail resorts. It's definitely a way to get the magic going! We've also done a character meal that first day for the same reason, so Chef Mickey's may be another good choice is you're looking for lunch ideas. Arrival day excitement is one of the best feelings in the world!

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Since we are staying on site and will be using bus transportation,

Which resort?

 

[Marypoppinsfan11]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I never would have thought of going to Sanaa and seeing the animals. We are staying at OKW though without a car though. We plan on taking the boat to Disney Springs when we go there- otherwise we'll be on buses!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Even the Disney buses will likely be exciting to the little ones! Perhaps a bus ride OKW to AK, and then another bus AK to AKL? It really depends how adventurous you want to be. Many many magical options for the first day!

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We've enjoyed Chef Mickey's to get our first taste of characters and excitement when not actually going to a park.

I second this. We have no kids but have taken our 5 nieces/nephews over the years. Chef Mickey's is always our first day breakfast. In my experience, nothing gets kid those ages in the Disney mood like starting out getting a hug from Mickey

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Since we are staying on site and will be using bus transportation, I was thinking that maybe we take the bus to MK and take the monorail loop to the Poly to have lunch? Captain Cooks? The kids might get a kick out of the monorail and we might even take the Epcot loop as well.

I like it.

Food court at a Value doesn't strike me as a Disney vibe booster.
Monorail is a "ride" and getting to survey the area as a preview is an enhancer.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Your monorail ride and Captain Cook's is a great introduction! Enjoy!

 

[unrequited23]

If you are staying at OKW, I would hit up Trex and DS for a meal and wandering around. Make sure to plan on some pool time too.

 

[PRomano]

I like your art of animation idea, it is fun to walk around. The skyliner to get there is so fun!

 

[Poohs Pal]

Sounds like a busy day for a 4 & 6 year old after traveling. Plus you are doing Disney Springs for dinner in the evening. Maybe grab some quick service and enjoy the pool for some chill time before the big adventure begins. I know you want that Disney excitement that first day but take it from a 70 year old grandma and great Aunt who has been more times than I can count with little ones. It’s very easy on that first day to over do it. Of course December weather could be too chilly for the pool so I then agree with above posters. Check out Animal Kingdom Lodge and the animals. You could do quick service then leisurely explore the resort.

 

[Brian Noble]

I agree with @Poohs Pal and that has been my experience when my kids were little and not so little! I've learned the hard way to plan less on arrival day, and play it by ear based on how we are doing. It's hard to know what the travel day will be like. Was it smooth or were there a lot of disruptions? Did everyone sleep well the night before or did the excitement of the trip keep people tossing?

Just coming through the gates and being at the resort will be magical. And TBH kids that age have only three requirements of a Disney vacation:

1. That their resort have a pool
2. That the pool has water
3. That the water is wet

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Monorail and Captain Cooks is great but you can see the tall chef hats of characters at Chef Mickey’s from there - and if your kids are like mine, they’ll want to visit the characters instead! So consider Chef Mickey’s at Contemporary.

Sana’a is also a great idea. There is a community room at Animal Kingdom Lodge that we usually visit on our Sana’a days for fun activities and crafts.

Cape May Cafe is my daughter's favourite but be warned, there’s no Mickey. Minnie is the star. We are there right now and the characters have all come by at least twice. A couple tried to get her to dance, but no dice. And my little picky eater loves the food there. I personally enjoy the omelette station.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Sounds like a busy day for a 4 & 6 year old after traveling. Plus you are doing Disney Springs for dinner in the evening. Maybe grab some quick service and enjoy the pool for some chill time before the big adventure begins. I know you want that Disney excitement that first day but take it from a 70 year old grandma and great Aunt who has been more times than I can count with little ones. It’s very easy on that first day to over do it. Of course December weather could be too chilly for the pool so I then agree with above posters. Check out Animal Kingdom Lodge and the animals. You could do quick service then leisurely explore the resort.

This idea is also a really good one. OKW is a fun place to enjoy some down time. At the Conch Flats area near the main building, the kids might also enjoy the shuffleboard, the basketball, or the sand beach area by the pool.

 

[beccasmom]

There are tons of choices if you head to DS - Blaze pizza, food trucks, Polite Pig, T-Rex, Rainforest, Earl of Sandwich and dozens more. There’s a lot going on there and it’s fun just to walk around. Just to mention - at OKW (Olivia’s) has brunch every day and it is very good, although I wouldn’t call it “exciting” . Maybe worth trying for another meal during the week though (no characters).

I also agree that a character meal would be great idea, although I’m not sure which ones serve lunch - 1900 Park Fare at the GF, Chef Mickey’s, Topolino’s (characters at breakfast), Story Book Dining at the WL (dinner). Hoop Dee Doo at Fort Wilderness is great fun - no characters and only available for dinner, but a family favorite. Also Fort Wilderness is fun to explore on its own.

The food courts at some of the resorts are fun as well. Or perhaps Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club (not just ice cream!). Or Whispering Canyon at the WL; it can be very loud and crazy, but kids seem to love it and the resort is lovely and fun to explore.