Need opinions for our first night dinner

[drew2wdw]

DH, DS (2 1/2) and I will be arriving on a Sunday in the early afternoon and will be staying at the Dolphin. I've made most of our ADRs but am still trying to decide on what to do for our first night. Let me preface by saying this will be DS's first trip to WDW although DH and I have been many times. So this trip will be a slow placed, "stop and smell the roses" and "enjoy DS's reaction to the the World" kind of trip -- hopefully with a little fun for DH and I thrown in along the way - it doesn't take much to keep me happy at WDW! We'll be heading to the MK the next day. So where do you think we should go for dinner that first night? Since we'll be at the Dolphin, I'm open to any restaurant on the Boardwalk area or in Epcot (we don't mind burning a park admission). Keep in mind we'll be w/ the two year old!

 

[timandlesley]

I would do a character meal, Chef Mickey's or something fun to kick it off. If you are there on a Thursday or Sat, do Mickey's Back Yard BBQ so your DS can get up and dance with Mickey. Have fun!

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

This is our 1st trip to Disney and we are going to MK right away and to WCC. On Monday (we arrrive on a Sunday too) we are going to Epcot and straight to Le Cellier. I hear it is a great place for service and food. Maybe you could get ADR's for there and ask for the little ones food right away.

I am still trying to find 2 places to eat during our vacation and not doing to well.

 

[drew2wdw]

Oops... I think I should add a tad more information. First, we already have ADRs at San Angel Inn in Mexico and Le Cellier in Canada for later in the week, so those options are out. Secondly, since DS has never been before (and is only 2 1/2) he doesn't know yet what he's missing , so we're hoping to keep it pretty low key and relaxing on our first night (especially since we may be a tad tired from our traveling earlier in the day) -- so probably no character meals that night - we will be doing CP the next day at the MK.

OK - thanks for the responses so far -- but maybe this will help clarify more what we're looking for!

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

What about spoodles at the Boardwalk or Coral Reef at Epcot? He might like the all the fish and it might help to keep him amused during dinner.

 

[TSWJan78]

I would try O'hanas if you do not want characters... no ordering or waiting for your food.. you have it in frount of you right away.... I still say Chef Mickey's.... It gets seeing all of the characters out of the way, great photo ops and really gets you in the Disney Spirit!!!

 

[drew2wdw]

What about spoodles at the Boardwalk or Coral Reef at Epcot? He might like the all the fish and it might help to keep him amused during dinner.

Hmmm.. you know we've never eaten at either of these restaurants. I think both are good ideas. I'm not a seafood eater however, so I'll have to go check out the menu at Coral Reef to see what other options there are. We've never tried Spoodles either... I have a friend that likes it, but it seem to get mixed reviews here. I'll check out that menu too! Thanks!

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

Your Welcome I am glad to help!

 

[kyirish25]

Chef Mickey's was going to be my suggestion as well.

We like to head to DTD on our arrival day just to stroll around and let DS run around after being in a carseat for so long traveling down.

 

[SJUGuy]

We always love doing the Cape May Cafe Clam Bake in the Beach Club. It is a very relaxing environment and is buffett style eating. It has very good seafood and a good childrens section as well. We have a 2 and a 4 year old and never have had problems finding them something good to eat their. It is walking distance from the swan and dolphin. That is what we will be doing our first night in June.

 

[themudd4]

I may have missed it but are you planning on going out to the parks on the first day?
If you are wanting to avoid Mickey and the gang...
MK: There is the Plaza for sandwichs or Tony's Town Square for more of a "meal".
EP: Many opts...just decide what country you want to eat at.
MGM: 50's Prime Time Cafe, Holleywood & Vine, Mama Melrose, Sci Fi theater.
AK: Rainforest Cafe (the one at DTD you can not make ADR)

 

[pparring]

We always go to Chef Mickey the first day. We arrive mid to late afternoon, drop the stuff off at the hotel and freshen up then off to Chef Mickey.
That way my 4 and 7 yr olds get to see Mickey and Minnie right off the bat.
Goofy, Donald and others as well.
Works great and makes the kids very happy.

 

[INdisbound]

Chef Mickey's! This is a great start to the vacation for the kids. Also, if your son has any initial fears of the characters, he will get past these fears quickly at Chef Mickey's. Also, when you go to MK, you won't have to waist time waiting in line to meet Mickey because you already did so.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Since it sounds like you're interested in staying in the area, how about the Garden Grill with Mickey and friends??? Would that be a fun start for the little guy??? Here's the menu...

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_gg.htm

If you want a more adult meal, we like Le Cellier, Chefs de France and Rose and Crown. Flying Fish and Spoodles are on my "too try" list, but never seem to make the cut.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, I would say try Cape May! Your child would be FREE! And since it is a buffet, no waiting for dinner to arrive! The Beach Club also has a LONG hallway that raps around Cape May and leads to the Pool and Yacht Club. This is a great walk(RUN) for little KIDS! Graet food and VERY family oriented! Joan

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

Actully, we will be taking our DS (23mos) for his first Disney trip in 18 days, and had the same feelings about keeping the whole ordeal low key for the first day. Being that we will arrive around 11:30am, and he will be up early with the traveling and his first plane ride , we also didn't want to overload him with Mickey magic like that. So this is what we are going to do:
1. Arrive 11:30am
2. Pick up rental car
3. Check in to the resort
4. Downtown Disney-probably eat at EOS
5. Check out other venues Downtown Disney
6. Go back to get into room, settle down-get familiar with resort
7. Pool, and nap
8. Ohana's 7:05p

Then Conner's 1st big day has to start with The Magic Kingdom.

I think this the best way to get into Disney, without getting into Disney

 

[RC Fan]

I think 'Ohanas is fun for the first night. It is entertaining for kids, and has good food and GREAT tropical drinks for adults who are so inclined.

 

[anty30]

Definately a character meal to start it off. How about 1900 Park Fare in the GF?

 

[Disneyrsh]

Ok, here's what I would do Take a boat from the Dolphin dock over to Future world in Epcot, then have an early dinner at Coral Reef so the sun's still up and the Aquarium looks amazing.

Ask if you can sit right up against the glass. The fish have entertained my kids *endlessly*! Then you can walk back to your hotel if you feel up to it, or take the boat back. It's a pretty laid back, quiet experience.

I've seen people go in with babies and the babies just conk out watching the fishes.

 

[mommystieg]

I was going to say Chef Mickey's, too but then I saw your post about keeping things low-key so I also recommend the Cape May buffet. We tried this meal last June and really liked it (Mmm Oreo bon-bons).