Restaurants for Disney First-Timers?

[AlohaPolynesian]

Sooo I'm pretty sure I've got a partner in crime to help me use the special offer rate and go in May!

I've been to Disney a few times recently, so I know about a lot of the restaurants. I also frequent these boards and read dining reviews, so I've seen a lot of what's out there.

HOWEVER, my question for you guys is: What are the best places to take a Disney newbie?

This is a hard question because when you think Disney you think Mickey, so maybe character meals. But I feel like so many people my age (21) think "Disney's just for kids" so that might not be the route to take.

Any advice would be appreciated; I need to show my friend that Disney is NOT just for kids and is a fun place to go on vacation!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

That's funny. We almost always end up taking "newbies" with us on our WDW trips, and they are usually your age! (early 20's)

In the studios, we tend toward 50's Prime Time. At Epcot, it's Chefs de France. AK has typically been Flame Tree, and at the MK, it depends ... usually, it's Crystal Palace. We typically end up at 'Ohana, and sometimes WCC.

I like to try for places that are uniquely Disney, stuff that isn't readily available at home. When we take guests, then, our choices tend to be more touristy than gourmet.

I do think maybe one character breakfast wouldn't hurt!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Oh, I'm at least planning on Crystal Palace because I loved it when I tried it last month! Plus, when we were in 4th grade we were obsessed with Winnie the Pooh!

Thanks for your input!

 

[wezee]

Narcoossee's for a late supper and watching Wishes and the electric water parade from the veranda.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Our DD is close to your age (she's 22), and tends to take one of her sorority sisters with her. She basically grew up at Disney, and still enjoys doing things with us! She was gonna take her boyfriend in May, but he's playing in a golf tournament and can't go (breaks my heart! ) So she's taking one of her roomies, a Disney virgin, and we'll show her an amazing time.

I just wouldn't completely discount a character meal. AND, if you haven't been to Raglan Road, I'd highly recommend it, for a great meal, that whole Irish pub vibe, fine entertainment ... it'd be a good night out experience.

If you want to kind of splurge on an "event" meal, I think the California Grille would be a great place with a stellar view. Narcoosee's, too.

 

[hgbluesparkles]

The Epcot WS restaurants for sure! My DH and I are in our mid-20s and we could have spent all week just doing that.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Our DD is close to your age (she's 22), and tends to take one of her sorority sisters with her. She basically grew up at Disney, and still enjoys doing things with us! She was gonna take her boyfriend in May, but he's playing in a golf tournament and can't go (breaks my heart! ) So she's taking one of her roomies, a Disney virgin, and we'll show her an amazing time.

I just wouldn't completely discount a character meal. AND, if you haven't been to Raglan Road, I'd highly recommend it, for a great meal, that whole Irish pub vibe, fine entertainment ... it'd be a good night out experience.

If you want to kind of splurge on an "event" meal, I think the California Grille would be a great place with a stellar view. Narcoosee's, too.

Tell her to take me!! LOL! And yes, I just tried Raglan Road last month and loved loved LOVED it!!

 

[simonkodousek]

If I could only choose one restaurant to take a Disney newbie, it would be Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[skellingtonfreak]

We always have a rule to NEVER eat someplace we can get here...what's the point of going somewhere else if you can eat it anywhere.

So to answer your question...My first time, I was taken to Chef Mickey's(now we go there almost every trip) and Sci-Fi Dine In. I think anything with characters is fun and something all first-timers should experience. It makes you feel like a kid again, no matter how old you are.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

True. Good points. Thanks all!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

AlohaPoly, I'm sure Amy would be delighed to have ya! She's a fashion merchandising/marketing major graduating in December (Lord willing !) ,a blonde, Delta Gamma, cheerleader ... you get the drill. But she adores her parents, which is kinda cool, and is one solid, poised young lady. Actually, we're gonna be at the AKL villas in May, so maybe paths will cross, depending on when y'all are gonna be down.

Let me take back that blonde statement ... she's a brunette these days. Breaks my heart, but it's her head, and I think she thinks people will take her more seriously if she's not a blonde. Or something. I never have been able to figure girls out, even though I'm married to one and have one.

You've been given some great meal options. Have fun choosing!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

AlohaPoly, I'm sure Amy would be delighed to have ya! She's a fashion merchandising/marketing major graduating in December (Lord willing !) ,a blonde, Delta Gamma, cheerleader ... you get the drill. But she adores her parents, which is kinda cool, and is one solid, poised young lady. Actually, we're gonna be at the AKL villas in May, so maybe paths will cross, depending on when y'all are gonna be down.

Let me take back that blonde statement ... she's a brunette these days. Breaks my heart, but it's her head, and I think she thinks people will take her more seriously if she's not a blonde. Or something. I never have been able to figure girls out, even though I'm married to one and have one.

You've been given some great meal options. Have fun choosing!

That's so funny! I wanted to major in fashion merchandising but just went with Public Relations after I had a not so good shadowing experience in the fashion world. I'm naturally brunette and currently blonde - which my parents hate - so I had to laugh at your comment about Amy! I'm also graduating December and was in a sorority! Too funny!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

That's so funny! I wanted to major in fashion merchandising but just went with Public Relations after I had a not so good shadowing experience in the fashion world. I'm naturally brunette and currently blonde - which my parents hate - so I had to laugh at your comment about Amy! I'm also graduating December and was in a sorority! Too funny!

This fashion merchandising thing ... back in the fall she did a weekend gig in Atlanta that is part of her intership she has to have, and at market she worked at one of the major fashion shows there. She was a model "dresser" - part of her responsibilities was to get the models off the runway, out of their clothes, and into another outfit in a matter of seconds. Her comment - "If you have issues with nudity, this is not the kind of job you want." My comment - "So, Amy, how can I volunteer for this job?" She was not amused. I thought it was funny. My wife just poked me and scowled. It was a JOKE. With her, it's all about shoes, and trends, and all that. Mercy. I think y'all could hang out. Re: your shadowing experience - my observation is that fashion attracts some, uh, interesting types. I'll let it go at that.

Oh yeah ... we were talking about restaurants, weren't we? We now return you to your regularly scheduled programme. I don't know where all you've tried, but I'd sure throw 'Ohana in the mix, since you're a Poly fan. I understand you're a vegetarian, but I know they prepared a great veggie and noodle dish for DW's aunt on one trip, and she said it was delish.