What was the very 1st WDW owned resturant you ever had breakfast, lunch or dinner at?

[ufgator]

I don't remember my first trips when I was a baby. But when I was a little older, I remember eating at Coral Reef, Alfredo's, character breakfast at CR and 50s PT.

 

[Mouse511]

Crystal Palace

 

[jimmalru80]

CP for breakfast; we loved it and have been back ever since.

 

[DeborahA]

My first trip as a child in summer 1972. We stayed ay the Fort Wilderness campgrounds. We splurged on our last night and Dad took us to the Polynesian for dinner. It was were the Kona Cafe is now. I still remember what I had. It was a teriaki burger with grilled pineapple. Families really didn't eat out as much as they do now. It was very special for us.
Deb

 

[jimmytammy]

Our 1st trip in '99, I remember we got to WDW late in the day. We stayed at The Grovesnor and walked to DTD and ate at Wolfgang Puck Express. The next day we went to SeaWorld for about 3/4 of the day. Then we went to Epcot. We did a walkup at Akershus in Norway. That was our 1st WDW owned restaurant experience. I remember the food being of good quality but not exactly fitting our palletes. Our palletes have changed since that 1st trip, mainly because of WDW dining so we really ought to give it another try.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

Our first meal was breakfast at the Poly at what is now called Kona Cafe. Just like the last poster, I just can't think of what it used to be called. Can anyone help me out and let me know what the name used to be.

Anyway, I beleive it was 1984 and I just loved the Tonga toast and the kids loved the Mickey waffles. I'll never forget that trip. It was really so wonderful, and I think I cried everyday because I was so happy to be there.

Michele

 

[bnf2]

It was 1979... I was in 8th grade (OK... I just gave away my age Yes... I turned 40 this year and love it!!)...it was my first stay in a Disney hotel (first 2 trips I camped at FW). We stayed at the Polynesian and one morning my little brother orded this strange sounding french toast... yes- TONGA TOAST!! Next morning we ALL ordered Tonga Toast!! Every once in a while Mom would treat us on a Saturday morning with "Florida French Toast" (for the longest time we didn't know the name of the dish!)

Next trip I took was as an adult with my DH (before kids) and yes, I drug him to Kona for the famous Tonga Toast. (I was a bit afraid that it would not taste as good as my memory... but it did ) Last trip was a Magical Gathering in 2004 with my DH & twins, my parents, my brother and his family, my sister and her family. Of course we had to go have our "Florida French Toast". Again- my brother ordered first... Tonga Toast! The whole family followed suit! (all except for DH... not much of a sweet eater- he loves "The Big Kahuna" at Kona!

I'm down to double digits for our next trip and I can just taste my Tonga Toast!

 

[Eeyore2003]

First trip CS behind the castle 1986. First sit down, either Chef Mickey or Hoop de Doo, can't remember which we did first, 1991.

 

[GoofyGirlnPrincessV]

was on our honeymoon in 1995. We ate at Ariels at the Beach Club.

 

[granmaz]

The first counter service I remember was in 1994, queuing at Easter time for something like a MacDonalds at the American Pavillion in Epcot...bad experience!

However, our first TS was 50's Prime Time in February 2005 - brilliant! We just didn't know all the restaurants were themed and we loved it. So much so that we now do the dining plan to experience more!

 

[jennifer293]

Ours was 1900 Park Fare on May 14, 2005!!!

 

[pjstevens]

Sometime around 74; my parents got divorced. My father took us to Disney World (kind of a pay off, lol). We didn't stay on property, but I do remember going to the Polynesian for the Luau. As an adult, we took our kids to the Polynesian for a breakfast with the caracters in 1992 (I think we did the Crystal Palace also with Pooh).

 

[Ishy]

First vacation I ever took - I was 18 and the year before I couldnt go on my senior class trip because of my mother being ill... (I gave her all the money I saved) so I got my first good tax refund and went to Florida. First time on a plane, first time in a hotel, first time renting a car, first time using travelers checks -Epcot was being built but wouldnt open until the following October. Ate lunch in Pinnochio's Haus next to Small World. Still purchased ride tickets back then. I have a few unused in an old scrapbook - I totally forgot

I ate at the Brown Derby that trip, over in Sarasota - Steak and Lobster. Spent a day exploring the John Ringling mansion and museum - LOVED it, also spent a day at Bush Gardens - LOVED it, and went back another day for the Adventure Island water park (this was pretty new there too).

It has built up so much since then.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Summer 1976 - King Stephan's Royal Table (I think that's what it was called)

my first visit to USA from UK.

Started out staying with S.I.L on Staten Island visiting Manhatten, Long Island & Catskills, then down to stay with F.I.L. in South Daytona. Visits to Everglades, Keys as far as 7 mile bridge (the old one), Silver Springs, KSC (when you could still go inside VAB) and of course, day trip to MK.

Andrew

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Our first meal was breakfast at the Poly at what is now called Kona Cafe. Just like the last poster, I just can't think of what it used to be called. Can anyone help me out and let me know what the name used to be.

Anyway, I beleive it was 1984 and I just loved the Tonga toast and the kids loved the Mickey waffles. I'll never forget that trip. It was really so wonderful, and I think I cried everyday because I was so happy to be there.

Michele

Back when, it was the Coral Island (or Isle?) Cafe. The Poly used to be home to some other restaurants, the South Seas Dining Room, and Tangaroa Terrace (birthplace of the famous tonga toast, I think.) And 'Ohana was the Papeete Bay Verandah, which had this insane Sunday brunch and a very upscale Polynesian menu at dinnertime.

Restaurants come and go at WDW. "There are places I'll remember, all my life, but some have changed. Some forever, not for better..." (anyone recognize the groovy song cue?)

 

[LUVMICKEY]

Back when, it was the Coral Island (or Isle?) Cafe. The Poly used to be home to some other restaurants, the South Seas Dining Room, and Tangaroa Terrace (birthplace of the famous tonga toast, I think.) And 'Ohana was the Papeete Bay Verandah, which had this insane Sunday brunch and a very upscale Polynesian menu at dinnertime.

Restaurants come and go at WDW. "There are places I'll remember, all my life, but some have changed. Some forever, not for better..." (anyone recognize the groovy song cue?)

Thank you so much for refreshing my memory on the Coral Isle Cafe. It was a great place to eat. At that time, I remember the Pateete Bay Veranda and Tangaroa Terrace. We loved to eat at TT. It's a shame it's not there any more. Anyway, thanks again.

Michele

 

[loveFL]

The Polynesian Luau, back when it was the old show.

 

[sotoalf]

If anyone's got information or stories about the South Seas Dining Room, I'd love to read them. Wasn't it located where the Wyland Gallery is now?

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Back when, it was the Coral Island (or Isle?) Cafe. The Poly used to be home to some other restaurants, the South Seas Dining Room, and Tangaroa Terrace (birthplace of the famous tonga toast, I think.) And 'Ohana was the Papeete Bay Verandah, which had this insane Sunday brunch and a very upscale Polynesian menu at dinnertime.

Restaurants come and go at WDW. "There are places I'll remember, all my life, but some have changed. Some forever, not for better..." (anyone recognize the groovy song cue?)

In my life, I've loved them all.

 

[BCV23]

If anyone's got information or stories about the South Seas Dining Room, I'd love to read them. Wasn't it located where the Wyland Gallery is now?

Well, the Wyland Gallery moved about a year or so ago to the back of the lobby where News from Civilization used to be. A sad change in my book but....

Yes, South Seas used to be in the front right hand corner of the lobby where Wyland Galleries was for the last few years. I think our very first meal at the Polynesian was there. For certain we dined there during our first Polynesian stay which was in November of 1983. It was a character buffet breakfast. There was also a buffet dinner but we didn't go to that. I have a picture of our experience and it looks very different from the one on Tikiman's sight. In 1983 it was a bright room. At that time Papeete Bay served a wonderful buffet every morning of the week but sans characters. On Sunday, I think it became a champagne brunch but not positive about that.