Staying at CBR first night, need dinner ideas!

[wdwphanatic]

My mom, dh, 3 kiddies (under age 8) and I will be staying at CBR our first night at WDW and were wondering what everyone would recommend in terms of dining options... I know they have the new Shutters restaurant right at the resort, but I was trying to come up with something that would be a little more special since it's our first night and all. I would imagine that, if we opted not to eat there, our best bet would be to try one of the DD restaurants since we won't have a car and won't be using park passes that day. What would you recommend at DD for the 6 of us?? I was considering Portobello Yacht Club. Would that be ok for little kids or is it pretty adult in atmosphere? My kids love Italian food, so I thought that would be appropriate. I've heard mixed reviews about Fulton's (and since my kids don't like seafood at all, I wasn't sure if that would work out best anyway). I'm not interested in the chain-type restaurants, having been to these in other cities before.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[mom2of2]

I had asked the same question and all the vets on here told me that for my first night to do Chef Mickeys. We are also staying at CBR and we will take the bus to MK, hop on the monorail and get off at the Contem for dinner. After we plan on getting on the Epcot monorail and then taking the bus back to CBR. Don't want to blow a day pass either so this is my plan

 

[wdwphanatic]

... we tried that our last trip with the kiddies (Jan. 02) and really disliked it! I know that there are MANY people on this board -- and several people I know -- who swear by it, but I found the atmosphere chaotic, the food very mediocre, the service non-existent and the prices waaayyyyy too high for that type of meal. I certainly hope you have a much better experience there during your trip, though!

Any other ideas for a first-night dining experience not in the parks???

Thanks again,
Sarah

 

[familymagic7]

Hi, there! We just returned & are already planning the next trip (I think I have a disease ). Anyway, one place we have enjoyed on our last two trips is 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. You know, the buffets can sometimes begin to look the same, & I, too, don't care much for Chef Mickey's, but we really enjoy this Character Dinner. We have gone right when they open at 5:00 (once we had priority seating, this last time we didn't & still got right in) and it tends to be a pretty subdued atmosphere. I understand that Cinderella is now the main attraction at this dinner (we evidently caught one of the last appearances by Pooh & Friends), so I'm thinking PS would be a good idea. We took a bus from the Beach Club & then got on the monorail to the GF. Very enjoyable trip & fun to walk around the GF. The food is excellent--Great choices for grown-ups & kids. The milk chocolate fudge is to die for & service is great. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[monzmom]

Does it have to be a character meal? Why not try another resort's restaurant. I'll be staying at the CBR in a few days, and we'll be doing 'Ohana on our first night. I've got a PS at 6 PM and the MK fireworks are scheduled for 7 PM that night. From what I understand, they dim the lights and pipe in the music so it's a good show. I'll let you know when I return. Good luck!

 

[Hadjii]

What about Rainforest Cafe? There's a little bit of everything on the menu and the environment is really pretty. Kids just love the animals and even the adults enjoy the "thunderstorms". It's right in Downtown Disney (or Animal Kingdom) and you can always stroll through DD after dinner. So much to see. Or perhaps something at Boardwalk? Any sports fans? We ate at the ESPN club this fall and loved it. I had always poo-poohed the place thinking it was a guys only type of establishment but boy was I wrong. We had so much fun. Big screen tv, live "DJ" trivia contests, giveaways....etc. The menu was kid friendly and there were plenty of choices for the adults too. Then you could enjoy the Boardwalk afterwards. Have fun! - Nancy

 

[Jillpie]

I'd also like to steer you in the direction of Ohana's. We started a new tradition last year going here on our first night and it was wonderful. Not only is the food delicious (grilled meats, wow!), but the best part about it was hopping on the monorail to Epcot just for the ride. It was so COOL to ride above Epcot, look down and ride back! Its a great first night thing to do because it is so relaxing and quiet after all that travelling. Then we just take the bus back to POR (or in your case, CBR). Have fun!

 

[wdwphanatic]

I've heard a lot of good things about Ohana's on this board, so maybe we ought to try that out. My ds's and dh have never been to Poly before, so this might be a good opportunity for them to see it. Do they do anything special for kids there?? Just wondering...

Anyway, I think I have the same disease as you, Familymagic7!!! I am soooooo excited/anxious to return, and it's only been 3 months since my last visit -- LOL!!!!

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions. If you think of anything else, let me know!!

Take care,
Sarah

 

[slmjam]

Ohana's is great! They do coconut races and have hoola-hoop's for the kiddies. Have FUN!

 

[Jillpie]

Even though there are these fun things for the kids, its just once in awhile, its not constant throughout your meal. This is a really nice restaurant, as I stated before, a great view of the castle and do be sure to take that nice monorail ride afterward...its a perfect first night indeed.
Oh, forgot to mention, as you enter the restaurant, you get to see the cooks cook right over this HUGE fire grill, thats alot of fun to see too. Enjoy!

 

[mommie2angels]

Ohana's sounds wonderful! Could someone tell me what the price range is. Also is there a menu somewhere on line or could you tell me some of the food choices. Thanks so much!

 

[Hadjii]

Hi Mommies2angels,

Try this site.....


www.ThemeParks.com/wdw/menus


Great restaurant and dining guides. Have fun! - Nancy

 

[DisneyPoly]

Is there a separate children's menu here for children? I'm not sure my kids will eat what's offered as the family style meal. Thanks!

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

Here's my $.02:

We liked O'hana's alright, lots of fun, but the food all had a "smokey" taste. Of course kids meals are pretty much the same everywhere, and the other adults liked the food, it was just me who didn't care for it. But it was a lot of fun.

We're also staying at CBR at the end of the month and we are going to go the the Boardwalk Resort our first night. It's smaller that DD, has lots of restaurants and things to see, and you can see Epcot's fireworks. I think Rainforest Cafe is better for lunch. It seems too rushed and noisy and busy for dinner. Especially your first night on vacation, you want to relax and enjoy yourself.

I hope this helps! Have a fun trip.

 

[deb1835]

We are also staying at CBR and are looking for ideas for our first night there. We don't have length of stay passes so the parks are out. We definitely want to ride the Monorail though so we can get a glimpse of the parks. Maybe we'll end up at the Trail's End Buffeteria at Fort Wilderness after taking our Monorail ride.

Oh, the possibilities.........

 

[Jillpie]

DisneyPoly, I have the fussiest child ever. What we did was ask the waiter if he could have macaroni and cheese and he was happy to bring it. Thats all he charged me for, so I didn't have to pay the child's rate of 9.99. He also tried our meat servings and ended up loving the grilled turkey! Anyway, you could certainly ask for the typical children's likings and they'll bring it out.