What restaurant for a first taste of the World?

[ktglads]

Obviously, this is not for myself, but my friend and I will be taking her mother to the world for the first time ever the day after Thanksgiving. What non-park restaurant would you reccommed for a first glimpse at the world? This would be for roughly 6 - 7 PM, so we would have to either stick around for a long time for fireworks or have to eat a REALLY late lunch!

I honestly have never eaten at these restaurants in all my trips so I really don't know how the food tastes, but just what is on the menus.

My top chioces are:

1 - Chef Mickey's - get into the characters right away

2 - O'Hana's - the Polynesian is beautiful, but not sure about the show for someone without children

3 - Whispering Canyon - looks like fun, plus I hear that the WL has some really nice Christmas decorations.

I need some opinions here! If you can think of anything else, it would be greatly appreciated. Please help me out in this decision making process!

Thanks!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I would book the CG for around 7:45 and see Wishes from there. Just nibble on a little something to get you by until then. Nothing like a monorail ride past the MK into the CR, a great meal, and then fireworks to start the trip off on the right foot!

Blessings.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I like Chef Mickeys - when the characters come out you KNOW you are in WDW. I also like having a buffet, especially the desserts at Chef Mickeys. The Contemporary doesn't have the best decorations.

Whispering Canyon can be loud, but it is fun! The decorations are beautiful.

I haven't been to O'hanas for dinner so I can't help you there.

 

[Kaycee]

Any of those choices would be great, but since the Christmas decorations will be up I vote for Whispering Canyon. It's a fun restaurant, and it's worth the trip just to see Wilderness Lodge at Christmas.

 

[Sabor]

I dont care for Chef Mickeys or Whisp Canyon that much.
I Like Ohanas.

How about Cape May at the BC , they could stroll the Boardwalk after.
Boma or Jiko at AKL are great choices also. You could spend a lot time exploring that resort both before and after Dinner.

 

[SamanthaL]

I would say Cape May or O;hanas

 

[Terk-1]

I would strongly recommend (if financially possible) to dine at the California Grill on your first night. The food & service is excellent and the views are amazing!! You can view Wishes either from inside the restaurant or on their private deck.

Another suggestion would be either O'Hana's or Whispering Canyon. Both are very good.

If you choose one of the above, make it later in the evening and check out the decorations at the Floridian, Polynesian & Wilderness Lodge.

Had dinner at Chef Mickey's on my last trip and it was the worst meal I have ever eaten at WDW. Total waste of money.

Another option is maybe Spoodle's over at the Boardwalk.

I will look at my stuff from last year (I arrived the day after Thanksgiving) and see if I can find a time that they set off Wishes. I will also see if I can find park hours and stuff for you too and I will e-mail them to you.

 

[LAWalz23]

We always have dinner at Chef Mickey's our first night. It has become a tradition and we look forward to it. I agree with one of the other posters who said it puts them in the Disney mood. Another benefit is that the characters come to you and you do not have to track them down later. I am sure you will have fun no matter what you decide.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I would try Cape May or Spoodles and tour the Boardwalk area and perhaps watch Illuminations from there ( you can see the high fireworks)or go to the AK and pick either Bomas or Jikos. The meals at the other places are OK but I'm not sure they would be my first choice especially for adults only. I also love the California Grill but it is expensive.

 

[Forever42]

We love 'Ohana and don't have children either! There's really not much of a show, it's really just a little entertainment for the kids, but it doesn't take away from your dining experience at all if you don't have any.

 

[marcyinPA]

I vote for Chef Mickey's. This is our "first night" tradition. The food isn't anything wonderful (it used to be good, but I thought it was "just ok" this past trip) but the character interaction is really good and the whole being at the Contemporary, taking the monorail, interacting with the characters, the "celebration" they do...it is just very DISNEY and it is a perfect beginning!!

 

[copper0426]

Have you thought of Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge or Citricos at the Grand Floridian. The GF had beautiful decorations along with a giant gingerbread house. The Wilderness Lodge also has great decorations.

I've posted links to the menus.

Citricos: http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_cit.htm

Artist Point: http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_ap.htm

If you have any questions, let us know.

Hope I helped.

Diane

 

[sha_lyn]

'Ohana gets my vote.... are you ariving on a night the fireworks and EWP will be running? Great spot to view those from, and a nice view of the castle.