Where should we eat on our first night ?

[jpmom97]

We will be arriving to POR on Sunday, Feb 1. We won't be going to the parks that night so I was either thinking of going to Ohana's so my son can see the castle and the water parade or Chef Mickeys. What do you all think? I don't know if my son will freak out and want to go to the parks if he sees the characters or the castle. Any suggestions? TIA!

 

[Kaitysmom]

How old is your son?

Hoop Dee Doo is a great kickoff for a vacation - no "characters" but great show. There are so many great choices! If you think that the sight of MK will be too much, how about Rain Forest at Downtown Disney. We've done both on separate trips. O'Hana won't be a character meal at night, Chef Mickey's is. (We didn't care for the dinner food at Chef Mickey's) You can also see Cinderella at 1900 Park Faire, but not all boys get excited over the princesses...

 

[Madi100]

I think it depents on the age of your child and what time you are leaving to get to Disney. The first time we went, it was just DH and myself. No problems. We could eat anywhere, even if we were tired. The last time we went we had our 4 year old daughter with us. Different story. We went to Rain Forest Cafe, and it was horrible!! She was so tired. This time, we are going to get there, rest, and then we are planning an easy supper. We will have 5 days where we can see Disney, and I'd rather start with them ready to go. We are just going to eat at Downtown Disney McDonald's or at our Foodcourt. We are doing the Illuminations Cruise, which kinda goes against what I just said. However, I figure if the girls are tired, they can sleep. Plus, it will be relaxing, and I'm not asking anything of them except to sit, which I think they'll be able to handle.

 

[Kae]

Both choices are good. But Chef mickeys has the Charaters so it puts you in a Disney Mood & your son might think it is just as fun as the parks. And either way ride the monorail, both loops if you have the time.

Kae

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I liked Ohana's food and they did a hoola-hoop thing with the kids, but my dd ( 4 at the time) didn't like the long wait for food. I think Chef Mickey's is your best bet!
ps..Ohana's has a great breakfast with characters and then you can hop on the monorail for MK!

 

[disney_ac]

Try Ohana or Kona at Poly for a great meal and a good view from the beach.

 

[jpmom97]

I think we are going with the character meal for dinner. Riding the monorail is a good idea too, thanks! We thought if he gets really rammy we can take him to DTD and let him get his autograph book and pen. Is Chef Mickey's a good choice or is there a better character dinner? We love Ohana's too, but we will do that on the second night. My son doesn't really like the princesses or anything. He is a real boy. When DH and I were there alone they did games with the kids and that was great. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Harambe]

Hello! I'd have to say go to 1900 Park, over Chef Mickey's. We didn't really like the food at CM's either - 1900 Park, however, had great food! You can see the water parade from the Grand Floridian too! And you can ride the monorail!

That being said - we always hang at our resort the night we arrive! I think Madi100 has some good advice, as far as starting fresh on your first full day!

 

[fiveforall]

On our first day, we went to Rainforest Cafe at AK. We had dinner around 5. It was great. The kids loved the not over stimulating atmosphere and we had kingdom lunch vouchers so we got tons of great food. The kids also got a tiny preview of our next day's park.

 

[rcdisneyfam]

We always go over to the Market Place/Downtown Disney the first night and hit Planet Hollywood or Rainforest Cafe. We get some shopping done and eat and it is a nice first night after you check into the hotel.

 

[jpmom97]

We will defenetly do DTD. I have eaten at the Rainforest Cafe in NJ and my son was so scared of the gorillas. I wasn't impressed with the food there but that is NJ. I can go there anytime, so we will skip that one. But thanks for all the suggestions. My son is 5, will be 6 next week.

 

[spn]

We took our 5 1/2 year old in Feb. Chef Mickey was our first stop the night we got there. Could not have been a better choice. Saw the fireworks and got to see characters. Great preparation for the next days. I would recommend getting a autograph book before Chef M's there will be a lot of characters he will want to get. Also get a thick pen. Perhaps a fun pen the characters are sometimes extra special with pens.

 

[B3LM]

Before I even read your post, I was going to suggest either 'Ohana's or Chef MIckey's. IMHO, you can't go wrong with either one of them!

 

[Muffy]

I vote for Chef Mickey's! It is a great napkin twirling time. the food is good too!

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We loved O'hannas. Definately wonderful to watch the castle, and the fireworks.

 

[jpmom97]

Originally posted by spn
I would recommend getting a autograph book before Chef M's there will be a lot of characters he will want to get. Also get a thick pen. Perhaps a fun pen the characters are sometimes extra special with pens.

You are absolutely right. I didn't even think of that. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Kaitysmom]

They sell the autograph books at all the resort gift shops - just in case you didn't know already. Have fun whatever you pick - how can you go wrong?

 

[jpmom97]

Thank you, I was just thinking to myself where will I get an autograph book before the dinner? Are they all the same or should go early to the Contemporary and go to one of their gift shops? We are at the POR. Thanks!

 

[Kaitysmom]

They are all the same, no matter where you get them. Don't forget to bring a pen - we had to buy one at the parks and it seems crazy to spend the money for the pen - we never lost it though, LOL

 

[jpmom97]

Thanks! We made our PS this morning for Chef Mickey's, 6:30 dinner. Tomorrow is Kona Cafe breakfast, Ohana dinner.