Suggestions please!

[Pinkos]

Headed to the world in May 2016 with another family. This is our second time onsite, their first. We've all been multiple times but offsite so not as much Disney eating experience

For our first day we do not have park tickets - we are arriving late afternoon so not enough time to make it worthwhile.

We have 4 kids on this trip - 6&7 year old boys and 2 4 ye old girls.

Looking for a fun meal to start the Disney Magic. We are doing dining plan so we will have 5 table credits to work with. Looking at using one at rainforest cafe during animal kingdom day (boys love RC), 1900 park fare for supper one day (girls love Cinderella). I'm considering breakfast at crystal palace and then have 2 left over.

I'm debating using 2 for mickeys backyard BBQ or 1 for Ohana ( I really want to try here), and possibly 1 @ shutters ( we are staying CBR and I like the idea of having a down evening to relax and really enjoyed it here my last trip).

If I was going without kids I know what I would do ... But I'm going with kids, thoughts? Who's been to mickeys BBQ? Worth the 2 dining credits? Or is ohanas a good spot to start the magic that first night?

 

[lovin'fl]

You could do the Luau or Hoop Dee Do the first night. The 6 and 7 year olds would enjoy the Hoop Dee Do but the 4 year olds might not get the comedy shtick. The Luau might be fun. Both shows include adult beverages too.

 

[tomatecerise]

Ohana it's fun! They have coconut races (cute cute with The little ones), a ukulele player, lei and The bread pudding is to Die for!

You can take a boat to go, it's a little beautiful ride. The monorail goes too but a prefer The boat.

 

[Mlkim]

We had a reservation for Mickey's BBQ in Nov but I ended up cancelling it because I was worried about the transportation issues getting there... getting from our hotel to MK to Fort Wilderness, then taking another bus internally to get to the BBQ with 2 small kids didn't seem like it was worth it to me. Maybe when our kids are older... or if we have more time (we're only going for 6 days and it seemed like this would take up 1/2 a day)

 

[Pinkos]

We had a reservation for Mickey's BBQ in Nov but I ended up cancelling it because I was worried about the transportation issues getting there... getting from our hotel to MK to Fort Wilderness, then taking another bus internally to get to the BBQ with 2 small kids didn't seem like it was worth it to me. Maybe when our kids are older... or if we have more time (we're only going for 6 days and it seemed like this would take up 1/2 a day)

Yes, we are only staying onsite for 5 before heading to a house rental. So our time is short as well. Although we intentionally have no park tickets on arrival and departure day this time around and no park hoppers. Our last trip, while fun, was jam packed. Tried to justify my hoppers and packed a lot in. Looking for a more relaxed version this time. Although a little scared my little boy will want to ride splash a billion times again. I swear we visited MK every evening last trip for that ride alone.

 

[Pinkos]

I'm dying to try it! You think the kids would enjoy? Never thought about the boat, that can be entertains for them as well

Ohana it's fun! They have coconut races (cute cute with The little ones), a ukulele player, lei and The bread pudding is to Die for!

You can take a boat to go, it's a little beautiful ride. The monorail goes too but a prefer The boat.

dying

 

[Mlkim]

I think if you're planning to leave CBR to go to another resort, you should try for 'Ohanas. I've never been for dinner, but I've heard the food is great and you could try for an ADR time before Wishes and request a window table so you can see the fireworks from the restaurant... I think that would be a great way to "start the magic" your first night! If we could get a reservation, I would do it!

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I've never done any of the 3, but would chose Ohana and Shutters over spending 2 credits on one meal. We stayed at CBR once and I wish we had done Shutters. It wasn't until we stayed POR and tried Boatwrights that I realized I'd been missing good food and a relaxing evening by going to the resort TS.

 

[lovin'fl]

We just went to Shutters for 1st time. We were at BWV and it was an easy drive over to CBR. It was a fantastic meal (great steak). But there's nothing special about the theme and it is a bit noisy since it's right there next to the food court. DH and I went after a long hot day at Universal and it did hit the spot. We also did Boatwrights (we had split stay and second part was at SSR that has a boat to POR). DH, SIL, BIL and DS-18 loved it. I thought it was okay. Again, nothing special with theme. We did Ohana too. It's an every trip must-do for us but this time was extremely disappointing (food was meh to blech and service was terrible...but we've had great visits other trips). We also booked a time right before Wishes (9:35 and Wishes was 10pm that night) but got seated in one of the, like, 3 tables that could not see the windows (behind the kitchen/grill area). If you book Ohana around Wishes time, ask to be seated near window (and maybe book 45 minutes before Wishes since folks tend not to leave until after so you might end up waiting forever for a table and miss Wishes).

Another idea is Raglan Road at DtD. I'd suggest an ADR around 6pm though. The later ADRs are more busy and the place becomes more bar-like. We had a great meal at 6:30 there a year ago and then this last trip we had an 8pm and it was horrible service (since it was so busy I guess). And at 8pm there were folks standing around the bar blocking our view of the show.

 

[sharonabe]

I think you may need many options.

The kids will love Ohana; it's a fun place to go as well as yummy, and this would be my first choice. However, ADRs are very difficult to get. You may have to try several nights in order to get this one.

So, if you can't get Ohana for your arrival night, I would consider doing 1900 Park Fare for arrival night. The girls get Cinderella, but the step sisters will have a hoot with your boys. Chef Mickey would be a way to kick things off with all the classic characters, and you could possibly see Wishes from there as well. OR, you could just stay at CBR and eat at Shutters. Enjoy the pool for the afternoon, have an early dinner, and then early to bed for an early start the next day.

 

[Hopefully]

I would stay close to my resort on travel day. You plan to arrive late afternoon, but travel is full on unexpected, uncontrollable delays. Plus it is a long, tiring day. If you make an ADR that you miss secondary to delays you will be charged $10/person no show fee. Personally I would just do a QS at our resort, unpack, settle in and head to bed early for a fun filled few days ahead
Good Lu ck

 

[tigger536]

Since you have younger kids and probably therefore want to eat earlier than Wishes, I would book Ohana for 7pm or so (this is tough time to get, admittedly) and then head to the Poly beach to watch Wishes. They pipe the music in there too, and its much easier to see than from Ohana. The only restaurant I like for viewing wishes is Cali Grill. Plus, the kids will love getting to hang out on the beach. Also - don't forget to check what time the electrical light pageant is coming by the Poly that night. Usually its around 9pm, so you want to be on the beach for that too.

 

[Pinkos]

Thank you for all the suggestions guys!!! Lots to think about for sure!! Someone mentioned chef mickeys ... I wasn't considering this bc I had heard good was terrible ... Anyone know if it's improved?

 

[loveyb72]

Headed to the world in May 2016 with another family. This is our second time onsite, their first. We've all been multiple times but offsite so not as much Disney eating experience

For our first day we do not have park tickets - we are arriving late afternoon so not enough time to make it worthwhile.

We have 4 kids on this trip - 6&7 year old boys and 2 4 ye old girls.

Looking for a fun meal to start the Disney Magic. We are doing dining plan so we will have 5 table credits to work with. Looking at using one at rainforest cafe during animal kingdom day (boys love RC), 1900 park fare for supper one day (girls love Cinderella). I'm considering breakfast at crystal palace and then have 2 left over.

I'm debating using 2 for mickeys backyard BBQ or 1 for Ohana ( I really want to try here), and possibly 1 @ shutters ( we are staying CBR and I like the idea of having a down evening to relax and really enjoyed it here my last trip).

If I was going without kids I know what I would do ... But I'm going with kids, thoughts? Who's been to mickeys BBQ? Worth the 2 dining credits? Or is ohanas a good spot to start the magic that first night?

My family did Mickey's BBQ back in 2012 on 2 recommendations from 2 different families who both raved about it. My DD's were 10 & 4 on that trip. We were not impressed. As for the food it is just ok at best. The pluses: when we went it did include beer & wine. You can eat as many as those Mickey ice cream bars as you can. I would say that the main food was the worse that I've ever had at a character meal. The 2 credits are really for your interaction with the characters. If your kids are shy, I'm not sure how they will do. The kids get to get up and dance with them. There is a lot going on. My kids aren't shy but they were very reserved. It was cute but I would not do it again. We had stayed at the Wilderness so we just had to take a boat to the campground. An option for getting to the dinner is using the boat that goes from the Contemporary to the campground. You could take the bus to the MK & walk to the Contemporary. It may be a bit of a walk for the little kids.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would ditch the BBQ in a heartbeat! It is 2 TS credits, and it is not at all relaxing. it is controlled chaos, in that you must arrive early enough to ge your choice of seat...and by seat I mean you choice of picnic bench. This is not a normal character meal, it is a dance party kind of thing. The food is decent, and there is plenty, but the characters do not circulate. They are in teh center of an open air pavilion, and your kids go to them to dance. A lot of folks like it, but I would never suggest it as an opening character meal.

We like CHef Mickey's to kick off a trip, and the experience was decent in August. The character interaction was really very good, and the food was tasty. It was not always hot, but I have no idea if tha was because I concentrated more on watching the two little girls with us who were mesmerized by the characters, or because it just was not hot. I would not rule it out.

We like Shutters, and if you are staying at CBR and think the family would benefit from a relaxing afternoon by the pool and a good dinner at your resort, I would choose this lovely restaurant. It is not 'Ohana, but in August 'Ohana was not 'Ohana for us either. It was the worst dining experience we ever had on Disney property in 10 years. I am sure that it was just an anomoly, but holy hell!

I know you are looking at Rainforest Cafe at AK, but I would skip that and choose Tusker House for my character meal. The food is really good, and the characters are fun.

I liked 1900 Park Fare for a character meal, especially if you are looking for a good arrival night meal that is not in a park. Yes, it sounds Princessie, but it really is not. The Tremaine Family is hysterical and if the boys will play along, they will have a blast. The girls still get their Cinderella Fix, complete with Charming, and you have Cindy out of the way. The food is good, especially when you consider it is a buffet.

If you just want to relax for your arrival meal, think about heading over to FW and having an early dinner at Trails End, and then go to Chip and Dales Campfire Sing-a-long. It is free, and Chip and Dale are there! you can buy a kit to make smores and there is a movie following the sing-a-long. You still get to see Fort WIlderness, have a meal and see a few characters.

 

[Pinkos]

I would ditch the BBQ in a heartbeat! It is 2 TS credits, and it is not at all relaxing. it is controlled chaos, in that you must arrive early enough to ge your choice of seat...and by seat I mean you choice of picnic bench. This is not a normal character meal, it is a dance party kind of thing. The food is decent, and there is plenty, but the characters do not circulate. They are in teh center of an open air pavilion, and your kids go to them to dance. A lot of folks like it, but I would never suggest it as an opening character meal.

We like CHef Mickey's to kick off a trip, and the experience was decent in August. The character interaction was really very good, and the food was tasty. It was not always hot, but I have no idea if tha was because I concentrated more on watching the two little girls with us who were mesmerized by the characters, or because it just was not hot. I would not rule it out.

We like Shutters, and if you are staying at CBR and think the family would benefit from a relaxing afternoon by the pool and a good dinner at your resort, I would choose this lovely restaurant. It is not 'Ohana, but in August 'Ohana was not 'Ohana for us either. It was the worst dining experience we ever had on Disney property in 10 years. I am sure that it was just an anomoly, but holy hell!

I know you are looking at Rainforest Cafe at AK, but I would skip that and choose Tusker House for my character meal. The food is really good, and the characters are fun.

I liked 1900 Park Fare for a character meal, especially if you are looking for a good arrival night meal that is not in a park. Yes, it sounds Princessie, but it really is not. The Tremaine Family is hysterical and if the boys will play along, they will have a blast. The girls still get their Cinderella Fix, complete with Charming, and you have Cindy out of the way. The food is good, especially when you consider it is a buffet.

If you just want to relax for your arrival meal, think about heading over to FW and having an early dinner at Trails End, and then go to Chip and Dales Campfire Sing-a-long. It is free, and Chip and Dale are there! you can buy a kit to make smores and there is a movie following the sing-a-long. You still get to see Fort WIlderness, have a meal and see a few characters.

Thanks for the suggestions! We did rusher house a few years ago, and while my kids enjoyed it, they prefer rainforest cafe. They love that place. Lol