What place to eat first night

[Jeepgirl]

Hello all! I've been to this sight so many times over the past few months that I figured it's about time to register and get involved!! Just a quick background before I ask my question. I will be going to WDW Nov. 30th to Dec 6th with my boyfriend. My sister and her friend will be there the same time but we are staying at different places. I haven't been to WDW in about 2 1/2 years and that was only a 4 day vistit so I'm REALLY looking forward to this visit. My boyfriend was last there was he was 5 so you can image what he remembers!!

Anyway to my question. We will be arriving on Sat the 30th right after Thanksgiving at around 1:00. I have a feeling the parks are going to be busy so I'm trying to figure out what I want to do that first day. With this being the first time my boyfriend will be there (I'm not counting the trip 25 years ago) I want to make this first night special. I was going to make PS but I just don't know ware. I have a couple of options but would like some impute.

1- Eat on the boardwalk
2- Make a PS in Epcot and enjoy the firworks
3- Make a PS in Magic Kingdom

What do you all think? Thanks!

 

[catheren]

If you make a PS at a MK or Epcot (or any park) restaurant you will have to use an admission. Not sure if you want to do this since you will not be arriving until 1PM. If you do not mind using a full days admission, then I recommend making PS at the LTT at MK or go to Le Cellier in Epcot.

If you do not plan on going to a park your first day, then make PS at the CG at the CR. Make your PS in conjunction w/ the MK fireworks, it a great way to start off you visit. They dim the lights and pipe in the MK music for the fireworks.

 

[SamanthaL]

If you decide to eat near the Boardwalk area, try Cape May Clam Bake at the Beach Club hotel. It is all you can eat and has plenty of seafood and non-seafood choices. We will be there our first night.
When your done you can stroll the Boardwalk.

 

[Grumpy92]

I know this was not one of your options but have you thought about California Grill or Narcoossees. The views are wonderful and you really feel like you are at Disney.
If you want to use your admission I would suggest Epcot,
Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, Mitsokoshi Teppanyaki or San Angel are all great.
As for Boardwalk I would suggest Big River. Sit outside watch the people and boats and just enjoy the view.

 

[Jeepgirl]

Thanks for the reply's. We have a length of stay park hopper pass so the admission is not a problem. I thought about Le Cellier in Epcot because my boyfriend does not like "different" foods or seafood. He is such a mt & potato type of guy. It makes it hard when I love to try different things.

 

[LittleLady]

For a fancier, more adult oriented restaurant, I would choose the California Grill. If the MK is having fireworks that evening, you will have an incredible view. If you are looking for a more laid back type of meal, I would choose either 'Ohana's at the Polynesian or the Cape Mae Cafe Clam Bake at th Beach Club.

 

[Kallison]

We have to head to Magic Kingdom first, so I would say eat in Cinderella's Castle if admission is no problem.

 

[dansyr]

My sugestion would be to go to MGM. This is my bf's favorite place. Take in a couple of rides and see fantasmic. You can book a fantasmic dinner package and you'll be all set. This is our plan for our first day.

 

[Wildcard]

Eat late at 'Ohana and then watch the Electric Water Pagent from the poly beach.

 

[disnurse]

Try Beaches and Cream or ESPN at the boardwalk for causal fun dining withour using admission unless its including in you trip. Boardwalk area is a blast for all ages and you can view fireworks from epcot without the crowds

 

[Jeepgirl]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! It's such a hard decision to make. I really want to go into a park because I'm just so excited for my boyfriend to see Disney but knowing it's the Saturday after Thanksgiving I know the parks are going to be really busy. One more question. If I make PS for Cinderella's Castel what time would have I have to make them for to see the fireworks?

 

[Jeepgirl]

OK forget Cinderella's Castel I just called and they have no PS's available. WOW people are quick. Can anyone tell me any more information on the California Grill? What type of food? How would you rate the food?

 

[ahutton]

Here is a link to a web site with a comprehensive menu database:

http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm

Since you have length of stay passes I wouldn't give up on a park just yet... Sci-Fi at MGM would be fun and is truly different that anyplace at home, same with Coral Reef at EPCOT. And Future World is usually pretty uncrowded later in the evening, when everyone is heading over to WS to see Illuminations. You could also go to DisneyQuest or Pleasure Island assuming they are included on your passes. Have a blast!

 

[Jeepgirl]

Your right I shouldn't give up on the parks. I'm going to take him to the Sci-Fi for lunch when we are at MGM. My thinking is to try and find a place that will be romantic with good food. I really don't care about the price. I'm kinda between two right now....either California Grill (I like the idea of seeing the fireworks) or Le Cellier because I know my boyfriend will like the food.

 

[dansyr]

I vote california grill, jeepgirl

 

[queenofhearts]

Hi jeepgirl! I would also vote for California Grill! My boyfriend and I will be going to CG our first night. We do not have admission to the parks for our first night. However, as some of the other posters have mentioned, you can still enjoy dinner at a resort restaurant without park admission.

When my boyfriend and I will be in Disney, the FIS fireworks take place at 8:00pm. So, we have a PS for 6:45pm (the concierge advised us to have our PS at least 1 hour before the fireworks). When it gets dark, Cinderella's castle lights up in many different colors, and the view is supposedly beautiful from the CG. You can also see the FIS fireworks and listen to the accompanying music that is piped in to the restaurant. I was reading one of my guidebooks, and here's what they had to say:

"The dining room is inspired by Wofgang Puck's Spago restaurant and the Rainbow Room in New York...The catchphrase for the menu is 'market inspired' which means the menu changes regularly to take advantage of the freshest produce and available meats and fish. The menu is creative, with Pacific Rim accents."

The book recommends: spicy rock shrimp and lemongrass soup, goat cheese ravioli, california designer pizzas, pan-seared tuna, and chocolate quake desserts. I've never had any of these, but they sure do sound yummy!

The only potential negative is that the restaurant is rated as "Expensive," meaning that you should plan to spend approx $120.00 for 2 adults with one alcoholic beverage per person, an appetizer, and entree, and a dessert for each person. I've heard that it's worth it. We'll be sure to write a review when we return.

I hope you enjoy wherever you go!

 

[skfulkers]

One more vote for the CG. I love that place! My wife and I are eating there on on next trip and can't wait!
Just one more thought: if you do decide to eat at a restaurant outside the parks and you don't plan on going to the parks the first night at all, you can ask Guest Services at your resort to "chop off" the first night of you stay from your Length of Stay passes and save around $70-$80 total off the price of the two passes.

 

[Jeepgirl]

So the decision is made. I was a little worried about not being able to get PS for CG if I waited too long so yesterday I called and got a 8:00 PS (fireworks are at 9:00) thinking if I changed my mind I could just cancel it. Then I went into the menu sight and printed a couple different ones. I knew from looking at the CG menu my boyfriend would not pick it. Like I said if it doesn't say STEAK, HAMBURGER, SALAD.....and so on he isn't too crazy about it. So when I got home last night and pulled on the menu's and started explaining that altho LeCellier has a menu you would like right off the bat CG has the fireworks, good food......etc. He told me that it's our first night at Disney and he wants to make it as special as possible so we should do CG. Then I told him good because I already made the PS. haha. Anyway thanks again everyone for your advice and suggestions. O and Skfulkers I will keep that in mind if we don't go into a park the first day. Never knew that THANKS!!