nonpark dinner but want to ride the monorail

[twinsplusone]

We want to take it easy on our first full day because we arrive late the evening before. I'm pretty sure we are staying offsite but would like to explore the resorts. Is there anywhere we can eat that is nonpark and then take the monorail to explore a few resorts?

 

[dancin Disney style]

All three of the monrail resorts have great restaurants. At the CR there is Chef Mickey's and The Wave. GF has 1900 Park Fare and the GF Cafe. Then at the POLY there is Ohana and Kona. If you are looking for a more upscale meal there other options as well.

 

[disnut8]

Just pick any place at the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian or the Contemporary. You can choose to self park at that resort but you will be limited to three hours. You can pay to valet park at the resort and your time would be unlimited. Or you can park at the TTC, then monorail to the resort and your time would be unlimited.

We did just this a few years ago when I was taking my in-laws to the Florida Keys. Kissimmee was a good halfway stopping point so we stayed offsite, had dinner at Kona Kafe and then rode the monorail around to the other resorts.

 

[twinsplusone]

Thanks that is exacting the info I needed. Now off to check out your suggestions.

 

[cwnhokie]

Our first night tradition is to ride, the monorail completely around once, then go to Chef Mickey's for dinner, then watch the MK fireworks from the observation deck at the Contemporary.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you have kids I would say a great way to start of your vacation is by going to Chef Mickey's. Also with the excpetion of the Resort Monorail stopping at the Transportation & Ticket Center after it leaves the Contemporary, the next two stops are the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. So you will be going in a direct order and will have a direct ride back to the Contemporary once your ready to go back to your hotel.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Ohana's at the Poly is our favorite monorail restaurant.

 

[7165red]

Be sure to make your ADR 180 days in advance.

 

[wendydarling33]

Make sure you tell the parking attendant as you enter the MK area that you have dining reservations so thy don't charge you the parking fee for offsite day guests - at least that worked for us when we did that a few years ago.

 

[B-Ride]

You can choose to self park at that resort but you will be limited to three hours.

If you plan to self park, do not pick the Grand Floridian as your parking destination. The self parking lot is about 5 miles from the resort (okay a slight exaggeration) and the monorail doesn't run to the parking lot.

Whichever restort you choose (we would recommend Kona Cafe or 'Ohana at the Poly), take this opportunity to hop on the monorail and visit all three monorail resorts. The Contemporary has great shopping especially if you have Pin traders in your party.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The Contemporary has great shopping especially if you have Pin traders in your party.

Actually they have two great stores to look at. The Fantasia store is the one with all the great pins for sale and there is Bay View Gifts, which has a lot of shirts and various clothes for sale.