Suggestions for first dinner

[Aristomommy]

Our plane will arrive around 1pm and we are staying at POP. Our first day we would like to go to DTD for a little shopping and then dinner there, or just go to dinner at another Disney hotel. Do you suggest a character meal to get in the "Disney mood" or shopping at DTD and eating at Rainforest Cafe (or another restaurant there)? What has been your "first night at WDW" in the past? How did it work out?

 

[MrShiny]

I think easing in to it is best. Don't run yourself ragged the first day. RFC is a good choice. You might want to consider the new Raglan Road too.

 

[tinkandbelle]

We always ease into it too by going to DTD. My DD loves Rainforest so we usually go there. I have not been back in a few years and since we have a package this year our tickets are active when we check in so I thought about going to a park too. I like easing into it especially if you drove!

BTW,this is my first post thought I have been reading for years so sorry if it's not quite right.

 

[CinRell]

I traditionally jump into the magic... we go right to MK and CP for lunch

 

[Fionasmommy]

We're going to do Chef Mickey's.

 

[momandseandodisney]

we are getting in about 3pm - going to Ohana's the first night at 7 pm

 

[daisyduck123]

Crystal Palace will be our first night next month....we actually loved Chef Mickey's the most, and have an ADR for it our 2nd nite.

A character meal really starts off our trip well for my kids.

 

[shoes99]

Our plane gets in at 4:45PM on a Monday afternoon in mid August, so we are renting a car, checking into POP, then driving to DTD to eat at Raglan Road.

 

[swankybeth]

On our trip in Dec, we're going to Garden Grill for our first night dinner. Since you're not going to the parks the first day, definitely do a very "Disney" dinner-Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana or 1900 Park Fare. Rainforest Cafe is also a pretty good choice.

 

[famfab5]

For our last trip we arrived at Pop around noonish, we played in the pool then caught a bus to the Magic Kingdom and rode the Monorail looking at everthing. Then we hopped a boat to Fort Wilderness and watched the Hoop Dee Doo!! (we laughed and laughed plus the food was yummy) It was the most fun night!! The children still talk about that first night for although we didn't go into any parks, it was full of magic and anticipation!

E.

 

[jimmytammy]

Ohanas is a great place to ease into the Magic. If you time it right, Wishes will happen right before your eyes. They dim the lights, turn the music of the restaurant down and tune into the soundtrack of Wishes. Get a ressie for about an hour before and by the time dessert comes, Wishes will start.

This is a great way to the start of a trip. We love doing this.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

We are doing 1900 Park Fare the first night. Our plane is supposed to land at 1:30, so by the time we get to POFQ and check in/unpack a bit/whatever it will be time to get the girls dressed up in their Cinderella costumes and go eat! We will probably stop in for an hour or so at the Magic Kingdom too. Otherwise our first day there will be 3 days later and that won't cut it!!!

 

[byoung]

Portabellas DTD, loved there sangria.

 

[kath1210]

I also vote for Ohana. We like to eat, then walk out to the beach to watch the fireworks at MK. We have tried staying in the restaurant for the fireworks, but it's hard to see if you are not right next to the windows, and people tend to stand and get in your way.

 

[Pat]

When you have younger kids, it is fun to have the first meal at Chef Mickeys. The waving of the napkins gets everybody into the spirit. It certainly gets you into the mood. If you don't have annual passes, you don't have to use one of your day passes to get into Chef Mickeys.

 

[ashlynn_j_m]

We are arriving at 10, I have an appointment in DTD for my daughter at the bippity boppity boutique at 3:50, then we're off to 1900 Park Fare for a 5:50 ADR...

 

[Tam1067]

We're doing Crystal Palace the night we arrive, so that we can get in the mood. We're not fans of the DTD area at all and intend to avoid it entirely. Lots of people do Chef Mickey's on arrival night, too, as you can see.

 

[Aristomommy]

How much time should we reserve for travel from POP to Chef Mickey's? I am beginning to like that idea, since we have been guests at CR before and I like their stores and shopping area. It would be a good time to check out new merchandise, lol. Is the best way to go to MK or TTC and then take to monorail or walk?