Overwelmed by the Choices Need Help TS Dinner First Night

[katrocity]

We arrive on a Friday late afternoon - family of 4 with twin 7-year old boys. We are staying at the CR and are on the dining plan. That dinner will be our first TS meal on the plan and I just can't decide where to book it. I'm completely overwelmed with the huge list of choices.

I'm a vegetarian, but rest of family is not. I know the boys are really going to want to ride the Monorail - like crazy, so I'm leaning towards dinner at PR or GF, but I also like the idea of going to Downtown Disney say Raglan Road (though the mixed reviews don't make this a sure bet.)

Discouraged by how long people say it takes to get to Downtown Disney via resort bus and we will not have a car. Any thoughts?

Also probably do not want to use two credits for California Grill. Should we just make it easy and stay at CR - say dinner at Waves?

Or should we go farther and do something like Boma? How long would the bus take to get there?

Oh the choices.....Uuuuuugh! I look forward to all of your suggestions. Thanks to all!

Kate

 

[rlahsin]

Kate --

I always like to stay near our resort on that first day/evening. I find that "decompressing" on a travel day really sets a nice tone for the trip. So with that in mind, I would suggest you pick a restaurant right there at CR. Wave is supposed to be great (I haven't tried it), and there is always Chef Mickey! Good luck, and try not to get too overwhelmed.

 

[SnowWhite33]

Our first meal tradition is Chef Mickey's, this started when ds was only 6, he'll be 15 this year and still loves it. For us it is the best way to get into the Disney mood and what's better than meeting Mickey and Minnie on the first day?

Have a great time!

 

[lizandjason]

I agree with the Chef Mickey's recommendation. You don't want to tire too much before your first full day. Chef Mickey's is a great character experience that's right in your hotel...and after dinner you can take the boys on a couple loops on the monorail.

After your long day of travel, getting on a bus to go to Downtown Disney, Boma at the AKL or anywhere else NOT on the monorail will be exhausting. Have a WONDERFUL time!

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I also agree with Chef Mickey given the ages of your children. Seeing Mickey will be a great way to start the vacation.

 

[Wants2Live@WDW]

Chef Mickey's is a great option or Waves (which has vegetarian options). Staying in your hotel is a great way to relax and unwind from traveling. Also, you can see the monorail passing by when going to Chef Mickey's. You could ride it round trip once to see everything from the windows.

 

[devonsmommy]

How about Ohana at the Polynesian? I've read they make awesome vegetarian dishes there.

Take the bus to MK and then the monorail to the Poly.

 

[katrocity]

Thanks to everyone. I hadn't even considered Chef Mickey's for dinner. Staying around our resort does sound like it is the best idea. I was thinking Chef Mickey's more for Breakfast in the morning.

How is the food there at Dinner?

Kate

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

We always stay close to our hotel for dinner the first day. It feels so much better after traveling. The next day we are on the move

 

[mommy*RN]

I've never done CM for dinner, but that was going to be my first suggestion. What a fantastic way to start your vacation!! I've done breakfast there and it is good...standard breakfast fare. Otherwise I have done Ohana for dinner and that was VERY yummy and very fun with the stuff for kids to do...plus it's on the monorail which would give your boys their first thrill.

 

[garanorymom]

Chef Mickey seems like the natural choice to me, especially with two boys. After dinner ride the monorail around to the hotels. Try to time it so you catch the water pageant on the beach at the Poly or the G.F..

 

[joshua4]

Another vote for Chef Mickeys --- it is our family's first night dinner tradition no matter which resort we are staying at. Your seven year olds will like waving their napkins around to the Celebrate Mickey song with the characters. There are always some pasta options, veggie sides and a decent salad bar for you -- also, love those mashed potatoes. Great dessert bar and a wall of the candy dispensers with stuff to decorate the icecream sundaes that the kids will go nuts over. It is a loud, somewhat chaotic place but so very "Disney" -- also, nice view of the castle on one side.

Have an amazing time.

Lauren

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We've done CM for dinner several times, prime rib, peel and eat shrimp, parmesan mashed potatoes, and cheese tortellini are pretty decent. The desserts are phenomenal! You can't beat the atmosphere, monorails rushing overhead, character parades, and napkin twirling fun! This would be my #1 recommendation for a first meal, esp with boys that age!

A great way to kick off your vacation, and after dinner you can make a loop on the monorail for giggles!

Getting to Boma will not be too hard, walk to the MK and catch a bus to AKL. Getting to the Poly is a breeze, just two monorail stops away. The only restaurant I recommend at the Poly is Ohana for a first night, Kona is good but it is not exciting!

 

[Hootch]

does a pretty good vegetarian meal and has a lot to offer the kids. Boma is across WDW from the Contemporary. The Unofficial Guide shows an average time of 26 minutes from the CR to DAK. If you choose to go to Boma, I would recommend walking to the MK and taking a bus directly to AKL. It's a pretty short and pleasant walk and it avoids waiting on two buses.

 

[PoohsFan1]

For our first night we had originally planned and booked Cali Grill so we could go on the monorail after we eat to go check out the different resorts (first time going during Christmas time). Well that plan fell through when I got a call from Disney Dining saying that they had to cancel our ressie due to a Private Party being booked for the whole night . Because of that, the dining rep was working with me to try to get another ADR for somewhere else. She was able to book us at 1900 Park Fare, which we have never done and heard many good things about. So now my girls will be able to see their favorite princess/prince and the stepfamily on their first night AND still be able to ride the monorail afterwards...oh yeah, they have no idea we are eating there too

 

[my2disneyboys]

Our first night tradition is Chef Mickey!! This year we are staying at the CR and you can bet on our first night we will be eating at Chef Mickey (If I am luck enough to get an ADR!!!) It has a good variety of food- and a great ice cream bar and the kids LOVE seeing all their favorite characters on their first night. We usually take the monorail to the Poly after dinner and sit on the beach and watch Wishes and the EP! (We get Mai Tais from the Poly Lounge first!) It is a great way to spend your first night.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

My vote is O'Hana's. It's on the monorail, and time your ressies right, walk down to the beach after and catch Wishes.

 

[tinkgurl]

We always have to eat dinner our first night at Chef Mickey's! It's a great way to start off the trip.