Meal for our first night (non-park!)....

[Pirate-Jeff]

Heres what we do on the day we check in. (usually arrive around 2pm.)

We usually ride the monorails and then take the boat to Fort -Wilderness and eat at the Trails End Buffeteria. Then take the bus to DTD for the evening. Sometimes we go the petting zoo and the campfire program,instead of DTD. Depending how many of the kids are with us. Best of all both of these are FREE to all WDW guests


The Trails-end has to be the meal value at WDW

it's 16$ or 17$ for adults and less for kids.

 

[rcyannacci]

I also think O'hana's is a great idea. Another option, especially if you are looking to WOW your parents and aunt would be the Calif. Grill at the Contemporary. It would be more of an upscale experience, but could be impressive to your folks. And I'm sure everyone, children included, would get a kick at looking out over Cindy's castle and the MK. Similar to the Poly, you could then catch a bus to DD after dinner.

 

[hannahryan]

Ohana would be my choice!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Anyone see a theme emerging here?

 

[Disney_1derland]

Yes, I see the theme! Thank you all, you've been most helpful. I'm going to make PS for Ohana and then if everyone is too tired to trek over there then we will eat at our resort. Thanks!

 

[northern michigan]

I'd suggest going to 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian by monorail! It's a great well-rounded character meal. There are two buffets: one for kids and one for adults. I think there were make your own sundaes as well. My DH, dd7, dd11, and I were all pleased with the food. We weren't rushed. This last time we went, we really lingered much longer over dinner as we were with friends. There's a lot of characters and even the beast which I've never seen in at any other character interaction. He keeps his distance and lets the kids come to him. We saw Belle, Fairy Godmother, Perla and ?(they're big flirts), Cinderella, Prince Charming, Hook, Smee, Peter Pan and more than I can remember. The main reason we've done this more than once was first the food and secondly the characters. Both of which have far surpassed any other similar experience we've had at WDW (even the castle).

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, I'm proposing something a little different - dinner at BOMA's in the AKL.

It's a buffet with enough items to appeal to everyone - from the picky to the adventurous.

The lodge and especially the lobby area is beautiful and IMHO, well worth a trip just to look around. You may not get to see it otherwise.

There are animal viewing areas just outside and within the lodge - we saw several diffenent animals the evening we were there visiting.

In the evenings, there is a "campfire" surrounded by rocking chairs. Believe there is a storyteller there at selected times.

The gift shop is full of interesting African items as well as the more traditional Disney items.

Afterwards, you can drive or bus to Downtown Disney.

Best wishes -

 

[Terk-1]

Here's a few suggestions:

1. O'hana's @ the Polynesian
2. Spoodle's @ the Boardwalk
3. Whispering Canyon Cafe @ the Wilderness Lodge
4. California Grill @ the Contemporary

 

[Forever42]

I have to throw in my vote for Ohana as well. It's our pick for all around fun, good food, and a great experience, as a must-do restaurant. We don't have any kids and we still have a blast!