VOTE NOW!! For the place we should go to eat our first day!

[michaela mouse]

As you know, the first Disney dinner really sets the tone for the trip and DW and I are really struggling where to eat the night we arrive. The restaurant with the most votes will win and I will bring my family there. After all, I trust you all. Don't let me down.

Backstory: Along with my DW, will be DS and DD. We've got an early flight out of Providence at 6am and will be getting to the AKL around 11a.


We plan on pooling it for the day since the kiddies will be wrestless and my wife can't relax until every sock and t-shirt is neatly put away in the the DF (Disney Furniture). I on the otherhand am totally cool with living out of a suitcase for a week but that's neither here nor there.

It's been a tradition to do Boma day 1 but not feeling it this time around. This will be the first disney trip the kids REMEMBER and want to start a new tradition.

Votes will be tallied at 12midnight this friday. I look forward to seeing the results.

Thanks all...

DD

 

[KungFoomF]

Personally I am trying to start a Hoop Dee Doo tradition on our arrival day. Get to the resort, relax at the pool, go eat some ribs and chicken. If we do it any other day of the week we might have to cut our touring short in order to make it.

 

[MedicBill]

I always get reservations for Royal Table, about 30 minutes before the nightly fireworks for our first night at Disney. Being in the castle and seeing the fireworks up close really sets a nice mood for the start of the vacation.

 

[tlhbdm]

Are you wanting in park or out of park?

We used to have a tradition of going to Rose and Crown at Epcot and watching Illuminations, but we haven't done that for a couple of years.

This year we are arriving the day before our package starts and have a room only so we have no park tickets that day, so we are eating at Yachtsman Steakhouse; but the first night in the park we are eating at Rose and Crown

 

[MHSweb79]

I second Hoop-de-Doo since you're not having a park day on arrival.

But really I just wanted to chime in because I'm from Providence too (well, 7 miles away) and I wanted to say hi from the land of coffee milk, Dunkin' Donuts and Del's.

We're headed back to the World at the end of May.

 

[OhThePain]

If you really want to start off on the right foot and you are staying at AKL, if money (or TS credits) are not a worry and your kids can handle a signature, Jiko. It allows you the whole day to relax at the resort, do some of the activities that are going on both before and after dinner, and be fully rested and prepped for the rest of your trip. If money or TS credits is an issue, Sanaa would be a great option for similar reasons.

 

[stitchfriend]

We like to go to Cape May Cafe on our arrival day. We have done it the past 2 trips. Love it there.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I would pick Chef Mickey's. A perfect way to get a "Disney" fix without actually going to the parks!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

If you want to start a tradition and this is the first time that the kid's will remember I definitely would do something catered towards the kids... Although, not known for the food what about somewhere like Chef Mickey's? go there for dinner take a ride on a monorail and then head to TTC to get the bus back to AKL?
However. HDR is also a great option, kids of all ages love it.. Its funny and the food is good and mommy and daddy can partake in some sangria and beer.. fun for all

 

[beroh2253]

I don't know why but it has always been San Angle, Mexico in EPCOT.
The Hoop would be good because of not using a park ticket but remember you have to make sure you are not delayed on getting to Disney because you would have to pay for the Hoop if you got there or not also you may be tired from the trip to Disney so I don't know think I would do that the first day.

 

[JackTraveler]

We did Sanaa first day last year and it was incredible. Great service, amazing food and wine. Highly recommend it!

 

[WAWDWLUVER]

You could easily catch a MK bus and then walk or (even better for the kiddos) catch the Monorail to the Contemporary. Then monorail back to MK and catch the AKL bus back. About as close to a "park" day you can get without using a ticket!!!

 

[mommystieg]

I will also nominate Chef Mickey's. Even though we haven't been too crazy about the food on our last couple of visits nothing says "Let's get this Disney vacation started!!" like dinner with the Fab Five. You could finish off the meal with a trip on the monorail.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I am going to suggest Hoop Dee Doo! If you do the 7 seating then you will be getting out in time to grab a boat back to the Magic Kingdom and watch the fireworks over the water.

It is a great way to start the trip and to unwind from a day of traveling.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I think I would also have to say Chef Mickey's. Although we're eating at Boma our first night b/c we try to eat at as many different restaurants as possible. We've done Chef Mickey's "too much" according to DH. I also live in MA about 20 min from Providence Hi Neighbor

 

[GovieMom]

Even though we've never eaten there, I think with your kids being that young, Chef Mickey's would be a good start. Not only for the food, but with getting to see the characters. Second choice would be 'Ohana, but I think your kids would probably have more fun at CM.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

Another vote here for Chef Mickey's--althought we have only done breakfast & relaly enjoyed the food, not sure about the dinner fare, but as far as the kids remembering....How about the lasting memory of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto & Goofy??? Make sure you make reservations...I also love the ride on the monorail around the resorts & then from MK to Epcot...That's one of my favorites!! It will definitely get everyone in the Dsney mood & they can see some of the buildings lit up at night-Magical!! Have a wonderful time!
Debbie

 

[pixarmom]

I think I've already been outvoted!

I highly recommend our arrival night tradition - Garden Grill in Epcot! While we love many of the signature restaurants and book several signature ADRs per trip, we like to start the first night with a character meal. So at Garden Grill, the kids get to meet Mickey the first night of the trip (along with Pluto, Chip and Dale) and we get to 1) sit - it's served family style, so no juggling plates with three kids or taking turns at the buffet; 2) enjoy good food - I especially like the salad, bread, mahi mahi and the mashed potatoes - and the recent dessert (apple cobbler) is great; 3) relax a bit (a relative term for a character meal) because in the lower level booths we just see our family, our server, the characters and the rotating scenes from the land - far more low key than most character meals! After dinner, we walk around World Showcase a bit and see Illuminations - then we like to start our first full day at MK bright and early! Anyway, all of this makes the Garden Grill is a perfect compromise and great for both the adults AND the kids in our family.

We've been to Chef Mickey's many times, but took it out of our rotation because we enjoy the food, atmosphere and character interaction at so many other places more (in addition to dinner at Garden Grill, we love breakfast at Ohana and Tusker House.)

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[gizzoid]

Kouzinna at Boardwalk!

 

[jstouder]

We like doing Crystal Palace. The food there is so much better than Chef Mickey's.