What to do about the first night?

[RaTJ]

Okay, in September 2009 I will be travelling with my dh and our 2 boys to WDW. The boys will be ages 2 and 3. I'm already planning. We'll be staying for 7 nights.

Day #1 we check in and have no dinner plans
Day #2 we're going to MK and for dinner I'm thinking we'll eat at the Liberty Tree Tavern
Day #3 We're going to Epcot. I'm thinking we'll start off the day with a character breakfast at Chef Mickey's. I'm thinking we'll eat dinner at Le Cellier.
Day #4 We're going to a water park. I'm thinking We'll eat dinner at Boma since it's in the AKL where we'll be staying.
Day #5 We'll be going to MGM. I'm thinking We'll eat dinner at the Hollywood Brown Derby.
Day #6 We'll be going to Animal Kingdom. I'm thinking we'll eat dinner at The Rainforest Cafe, the one in Animal Kingdom. I know it's got mixed reviews, but I really think the kids will like it.
Day #7 We're going back to MK. I think we'll eat dinner at Tony's Town Square Restaurant.
Day #8 we check out and won't be dinner in WDW.

So what I need is dinner suggestions for that first night.

Edited to add that do to room size and lacation, we decided to stay at the Poly instead of the AKL so now we'll be eating dinner at# Ohana on day #4

 

[Aimeedyan]

If you have enough time that first day, I would head to Downtown Disney and have dinner there. I don't see it on your schedule and it's a lot of fun - esp for kids. Great shopping, cool Lego store, lots of activity.

There is a slew of restaurants there - you may want to just eat a counter service that night since you'll be tired from your travels. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express are both good. There is also a Mickey Ds down there

 

[twooley2]

My kids love Earl of a Sandwich and DD Disney is great for a little Disney before getting a good nights rest.

 

[cigar95]

If you do the Downtown Disney route, Planet Hollywood might be fun. (Not sure how the kids that young would handle it.)

Two other options that could be combined with visits to beautiful resort areas - Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club, or 'Ohana at the Poly. Both are all you can eat. Cape May gives out crayons and the kids can color on the white butcher paper "table cloth".

The latter two would be easiest if you have a car.

 

[RaTJ]

ok, now we're back to boma since I really want to stay at the AKL.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Well if you're deciding between AKL and Poly and thus between Ohana and Boma, you could always do the other one on the first night!

Or of course DTD is always a great idea. Also Spoodles at the Boardwalk.

 

[crisi]

How are you getting in (flying, driving?) What time are you arriving? What time will you have gotten up in the morning?

We fly in, generally catching a flight at 7am - means getting the kids up at 4:30 AM! Then we spend a day in airtravel - which for some reason always is exhausting - even if you don't do anything but sit. We get to our hotel around noon. The kids are too keyed up to nap (mine are now 8 and 9 - but we've been going since they were 2 and 3), so now we need to do SOMETHING, but the grownups are exhausted. The pool often turns into a refreshing and easy option that doesn't involve burning a park day (though on occation we've headed into the park for a few hours).

Since we got up so early, we tend to hit bed early that evening.

The LAST thing we want to do is head anywhere for dinner or make any sort of production out of it. We want EASY. We stay at the Boardwalk, so for us that often means Spoodles or Flying Fish (now that the kids are older and up for a fancy dinner). We've headed over to Beaches and Cream at the Y&BC for an early dinner as well. Easy food that keeps us close to the hotel.

If you stay at the Poly, I'd recommend doing Ohana the first night, not the forth. Kona isn't bad. Or you can hit one of the monorail resorts without too much bother. I wouldn't go further than that.

If you stay at AKL, you couldn't get me to go anywhere but Mara - the snack bar. I wouldn't do the Boma buffet on a travel day with two toddlers. And I wouldn't haul two toddlers to Jiko on a travel day. AKL is too far away from anything else to travel that day.

This assumes, of course, that you are like me and will find that travel day to be challenging without fitting more in than arriving.

 

[RaTJ]

We'll be flying in out of necessity since we live in Australia. We'll probably have slept a bit on the plane. I haven't yet booked the fights, but I imagine we'll be arriving around 3:00pm. We will not be renting a car.

 

[Hopefully]

How long will your total trip be? Will you have had an overnight stop on the West Coast first?
You will definitely be dealing with weary travelers, as well as time zone adjustments. I agree with Crisi. A dinner close to "Home" is your best bet that evening.
You have planned a very aggressive schedule for your visit. I think you want an early evening on arrival day to recoup and get your energy up for the rest of the week.
I loved Kona Cafe 2 years ago. It was one of my favorite meals of the entire week. I also have been to 'OHana several times and liked it as well. Both are at the Poly and a short, beautiful walk from your room at the Poly.
Good Luck in your planning.

 

[hematite153]

I agree. A nice quiet (and early) first night sounds like a good idea. You might even want to eat at Captain Cook's so that anyone who really just wants to go straight to bed will be able to.