What are your first night traditions in WDW?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I got the idea for this question from this thread, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1415086 only difference is it's the opposite question. So when you have your first night in WDW, where do you do like to eat? For my family and I it we either go to the Rainforest Cafe (Downtown Disney location) or the Earl Of Sandwich. Our decision depends on what food the Atrium Club Concierge lounge at the Contemporary serves at 5:00 PM. If it's something heavy we like to walk of the food and then get a bite at the Earl Of Sandwich. If they are serving something which we won't eat then it's the Rainforest Cafe where we will go and eat.

 

[Lancer]

In the past, because we always arrived in late afternoon,and didnt want to waste a days ticket for the parks, we always did either the board walk or DTD with a traditional stop at the Earl of Sandwich. Now with the new ticketing plan, an extra day in the parks only costs an extra three dollars so we have started to include a dinner at EPCOT for our first evening.

 

[cslittle999]

Like Lancer we too usually arrive late afternoon and don't want to waste a park day so we go to DTD and tour around. For dinner we always eat at Portabella Yacht Club.

 

[TheDisneyBunch]

On our first day in Disney we get there around 10am or sooner...get our room and then rest and settle in for about an hour. Close to lunchtime we take the boat to DTD (from POR) and have lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express. After that we head back to the resort and around 4ish we go to MK for our first night. We always eat that night around 7 at LTT. It is such an awesome way to start the trip and really gets our son into it.

 

[graciegirlie]

For our trip last year, we arrived around 4 and settled in. Then we went and walked around the Boardwalk and ate at Beaches & Cream. I think this is what we will do again. Nothing major so we can get to bed at a decent hour to hit the parks bright & early the next day.

 

[mabenoab]

It all depends on our arrival time in Orlando. The past couple of trips, we've arrived in the am, and so after dropping our bags at the hotel, we head straight to MK and a meal at the Crystal Palace. When our flights have arrived mid day, we've checked in and headed to Downtown Disney...my kids like Planet Hollywood, so we'd go there.

 

[NC State]

We check in about 12:30 pm off to have a CS lunch at the resort; then take a nap until about 6:00. Then we're up ready to eat at a MK resort, we enjoy watching the fireworks while ride the monorail.

 

[Delaware Mike]

We arrive at MCO in the late afternoon/early evening on Fridays, check-in, drop our bags, clean-up, then head over to Raglan Road (since they opened, that is... Before that, we ate dinner off-property.)

Its nice to stroll through Marketplace, PI and West End (not necessarily in that order), arriving at RR for an 8:00pm ADR. After quaffing a Harp or two, having a good rib-stickin' meal "carbs us up" for all the fun running around the parks in the coming week.

 

[DreaminDisney]

similar thread started last month you might find interesting

 

[boomhauer]

First night used to be Planet Hollywood. Now, it's Rainforest Cafe, followed up with an ice cream from Ghiradelli's and some shopping at the Marketplace.

 

[Mickey76]

I don't really have a first night tradition as far as where I eat is concerned. I'm usually in the Magic Kingdom the first day, so I imagine we'll be eating dinner there. However, I will be on my honeymoon in July and although we already decided to go to the Magic Kingdom the first day, we might eat at a restaurant in the Grand Floridian, where we are staying. If we do eat in the Magic Kingdom, it will probably be at Tony's or Cosmic Ray's.

 

[carone0318]

We always head to MK the first day once we arrive and I really like to eat at LTT. It really starts our trip off on a good note!

 

[PoohsFan1]

We usually arrive late at DW, but this trip we are planning on arriving no later than 10am. We are not planning on heading over to the parks that day, so once we drop off our luggage (since the room will probably not be ready), we are taking the ferry over to DTD (oh forgot to mention we are staying at POR) and having Gheredelli's for lunch and then shop. For dinner my husband wants to go to ESPN Zone, which is his one and only favorite non-park restaurant. I enjoy that place too because they have the biggest and best chili/cheese hot dogs that I have ever eaten...

 

[carolinagirl]

We drive down from NC, so we are usually arriving around 6 PM. We check in to our hotel, go to the room, freshen up, unpack if we have time. BTW, I just love the feeling that I get when we unlock our room and step in for the first time. It's that "Beginning of WDW Vacation" feeling!!!

Then we drive over to 'Ohana for a great sit down meal. I try to time it so that we are in the restaurant during Wishes. Sometimes we get a window view of MK, sometimes not. But either way, it gets us in the mood for the rest of the trip. Afterward, we ride the monorail around (I just love the monorail!) and then back to the room for some sleep!

 

[Luv4Disney]

As soon as we check in we head straight for MK. At night, we watch "Wishes".

 

[missminniemouse]

We always head to EPCOT, ride Spaceship Earth, then have dinner somewhere there, usually in one of the world showcase restaurants. Favorites for our family are Chefs de France (DD and I love the lobster bisque), Biergarten, or Alfredo's. Then it's Illuminations and off to bed!

 

[FutureCinderella88]

If we decide to go to a park the first night, it is usually Epcot... then we can get our test track fix and roam around WS. We usually end up eating in China while watchin Illuminations.... OR If we don't hit up a park, DTD is the best bet... usually Rainforest cafe then shopping at World of Disney

 

[DISHUD]

We learned the hard way with two boys 5 and 10 that an early flight ,and running to one of the parks as soon we get to WDW sets the tone for a rough trip, so for the last couple of trips, we check in, let the boys swim for a little while, then maybe head to downtown disney for dinner and a little shopping. That way we can be back in the room and to bed early.

 

[jenjersnap]

Chef Mickeys!

 

[NC State]

Then we drive over to 'Ohana for a great sit down meal. I try to time it so that we are in the restaurant during Wishes. Sometimes we get a window view of MK, sometimes not. But either way, it gets us in the mood for the rest of the trip. Afterward, we ride the monorail around (I just love the monorail!) and then back to the room for some sleep!

It sounds like we think alike!