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

[wdw&sonny]

Agreeing with those that are saying don't overdue the first day. Stay at OKW, rest, enjoy the pool. It takes a long time to travel by bus and monorail. Plus expensive and filling eating TS lunch and dinner. Slow down the first day. Just enjoy being there.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If you do enjoy the main pool at OKW that first day, they have pool parties for the kids in the afternoon with games and prizes and music - probably something fun for the young ones.

 

[Brian Noble]

I will also throw out the idea that lunch at Olivia's at OKW is great, relaxing, and easy to walk into without an ADR. It was our "first lunch" for our first-ever stay at WDW, and has always held a special place for us ever since.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Old Key West, imho, has one of the best play areas for kids the age that yours are. If it’s a travel day, I think they’d probably love relaxing around the resort while going in the pool (weather permitting) and playing in the big sand area, laying in the hammocks, riding bikes, etc. They could also enjoy the craft room if it’s raining, and outside games, etc. Quick service we found to be pretty good there. We loved our quiet pool too.

We always rent a car and it makes it a lot easier to visit other resorts. They will let you park at any of the resorts if you order something to eat there. On our first trips when our kids were that age sometimes they would fall asleep in their car seats and we would drive around and check out all the resorts. It was fun. We also visited them all when they were awake and talked about where we’d like to stay someday, etc. Some later became favorites. I know a car is an extra expense but I think it can enhance a trip, especially with small kids and when you’re staying at a place that only has bus transportation. (But I love OKW and think it’s a great resort! You’re so lucky to be staying there!) Just a thought.

I feel like sometimes at Disney we strive too much to leave our resorts to go elsewhere when we could have a more relaxing and enjoyable trip if we just hang out at the resort where we’re staying. Each resort can be a destination unto itself. I’ve heard many people here and IRL say they wished they’d spent more time at their own resort when their trip was over.

That said, I agree with doing the monorail loop. It’s especially beautiful and twinkly at night. And AKL is a great visit. Boardwalk area. Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness - visit the horse barn and the kids can do pony rides. Coronado Springs that time of year has Mexican Christmas music playing all around the resort and it’s all so beautiful, great play area, etc. So much to do!! You will need to book another trip once yours is over, lol. But have a great one!

 

[Karalee402]

I just have to say...all of these suggestions are making me want to plan a resort only trip!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I just have to say...all of these suggestions are making me want to plan a resort only trip!

Our trips are mostly resort trips these days. We go into the parks one or two days, but mostly just enjoy everything else.

 

[CynBeth]

I would not make a lunch ADR on arrival day. The last time we were there a few years ago we had a first flight of the day which got delayed by a few hours so we arrived late morning and by the time we got to our hotel it was early afternoon.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

Bus to MK and then resort monorail or boat to Polynesian for Capt cook's (great food and one of my fave QS), or as others were saying, a bus to AK or EPCOT (since it's across the street from OKW) and then onto the bus to AKL-Jambo ( have lunch at The Mara which is the QS there) and then lobby and animal observation decks. Just a warning though, you may want to stay there and skip DS once you get to AKL and take in all it has to offer. ;0)

ETA: Just a head's up that there is a Rainforest Cafe location at AK theme park that you can access from outside of the gates and IIRC you don't need admission for.

 

[Marthasor]

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!

I would make a list of option that do not include make a reservation and then playing it by ear. You already have some great ideas - skyliner/AoA, monorail/Poly, pool/DS - I would just wait to see how you feel once you arrive. Personally, since you are arriving in the am and your room may not be ready, I would consider doing DS upon arrival for lunch and then spending the rest of the day at OKW to enjoy your resort and get the lay of the land. When my DS was that little, one of his favorite things was to just hang out at the pool and enjoy the resort.

 

[KenyaSierra]

I’m guessing you are flying in since you don’t have a car. Conventional wisdom says don’t do anything reservation based if you are flying. You have lots of good ideas that can be modified on the fly (no pun intended)!

 

[NickC]

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.

I was going to say the same thing. But, then again, I always suggest HDDR for everything.
I would go to DS, eat lunch at Polite Pig or Blaze Pizza. Walk around a bit, then take a bus to MK and a boat to HDDR for the middle show, take the boat back to MK, take a buss back to the resort and get some sleep.

 

[hookala]

For me personally, I find the monorail resort loop in December chaotic because the lobbies are packed with everyone wanting to see the gingerbread houses. (Although, when you're at Cape May on your rest day, be sure to see the gingerbread houses at the Crescent Lake resorts. The crowds aren't as large, and I find them more delightful as the feel more detailed, rather than grand in size.)

My vote is for skyliner to Art of Animation. The characters at AoA will make a 4 and 6 year old think they are in the most deluxe resort...and the skyliner is as good as a theme park ride at that age, (same with the monorail or boats.)
If you do go to AoA, and the kids are up for it, consider stopping at the Caribbean Beach lobby. It's a bit of a walk from the skyliner load point, but I just love the Christmas decorations there. So colorful!

 

[blue oranda]

We do T-Rex for lunch instead of dinner, then go back to the resort and unpack the room, look around the resort, possibly pool, dinner at resort.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I’d recommend Contempo Cafe. Nothing would excite the kids more than watching the monorail whiz aback and forth. You could take the bus from OKW to the Magic Kingdom, walk to the Contemporary then take the monorail back to the MK. You could even take the boat to and from Fort Wilderness and explore there for a bit.

The kids would enjoy the character interaction at Chef Mickey’s but the food is pretty mediocre. If money is not an issue, go for it, if you’re budgeting, rhere’s better options out there.

 

[Justrose]

We do T-Rex for lunch instead of dinner, then go back to the resort and unpack the room, look around the resort, possibly pool, dinner at resort.

This is a great idea for the OP!

 

[jimmymc]

What resort are you staying at? Depending on what time you get to property, it might be worth taking rideshares or taxis to the resort, since transferring at Magic Kingdom can take a while. Then take the bus to and from Disney Springs.

The Polynesian is always a great resort to hang out at. They have Dole Whips and several fun dining locations. Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge will also have their Christmas trees set up, so that could be a fun afternoon on its own. I can personally recommend both Geyser Point and Whispering Canyon Cafe for lunch.

It seems like the resort character meals don't do lunch, so you'd either need to get there for a noon breakfast or wait until the 4 or 5 pm dinner. You could try doing Disney Springs first, then a character dinner at Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, or Artist's Point.

 

[mousiemom]

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!!

So exciting their first time their going to have so much fun! You have some good ideas, everywhere is going to be decorated for the holidays so the skyliner or monorail crawl is a must to stop at the resorts to look at all the decorations Chef mickeys would be a fun kick off to your trip too

 

[Nancyg56]

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

When we had little ones with us we always started a WDW trip with Chef Mickeys. A ride around n the monorail and ending with Chef Mickeys was a perfect first day.
I actually would skip Disney Springs the first day. that first day can be rough and if you pack too much in, day 2 may involve tired kids.

 

[DJFan88]

most of these ideas are great, however givin the ages of your children.
Poly is great, i love it and capt cooks But little kids would find more value in visiting Art of Animation than there. Big icons vs boring to kis landscaping.
Disney springs is great, i love it But little kids love pools. Swimming in a cool pool at a place i just got to and can see it temptingly right there vs being dragged to walk around in and out of shops.

 

[Isabelle12345]

I have to agree - at these ages my kids would rather go on the Skyliner and visit art of animation / pop than visit a deluxe resort…
great picture opportunities, lots of running around and even a mini playground!
And you could have a nice lunch / dinner at the riviera quick service either on your way or coming back