Where to Dine 1st Night

[Terk-1]

So after locking in an earlier flight to WDW (should be at resort by 11:30am-12pm), need to switch up my dining plans for my first night (solo trip). EPCOT is scheduled to be open for evening EMH, so, after check-in, I was thinking of popping over to the Magic Kingdom for a few hours (got to see my 999 friends), then head over to EPCOT for PM EMH. My original plan was to do a CS meal, but now I would like to do a 1 credit sit-down dinner. I should mention that I am a pretty picky eater. I am wondering if I should try to get an ADR at the Crystal Palace for an early dinner or head over to EPCOT and dine either there or the Beach/Yacht Club.

What would you recommend?

 

[Terk-1]

 

[minnie mum]

If it was me, I think I would opt for a meal at Epcot. If you wont arrive at your resort till noon, then have lunch either at your resort or the MK, I doubt that you would be hungry enough for an early CP buffet.

And if you want to enjoy a full evening at Epcot, why waste time going all the way over to the boardwalk and back?

I see that you have been to WDW many times before, so you know all the restaurants available to you at Epcot. Why not make an ADR at a place you've never tried before? Or if you're super picky, then opt for one you have enjoyed in the past.

 

[cathydwin]

Our favorite is Epcot - any place rather than Crystal Palace. DH does not do buffetts. I would go to Tutto Italia or the new place in Italy if you enjoy pizza. Heard that it is great there. My other favorite is Chef de france - remmy was visiting here but not sure of the time. I did enjoy getting items from the bakery at France & sitting in park at france & people watch.

 

[OhThePain]

I would go to a place like Rose and Crown, where you can sit and enjoy your meal (and a few pints) after a day of travel. Travel days and buffet dinners don't "mesh well" in my book.

 

[Terk-1]

bump

 

[Quin]

I'd grab a CS lunch at your resort as soon as you arrive, then head to MK. When you Hop to Epcot, have a 1 TS meal there. I would not bother to exit and re-enter even though I like the food options at BC/YC.

TONS of great food options in Epcot. For a first night dinner, both Biergarten and Rose&Crown would give you the opportunity of starting your vacation with a good glass of beer to go with that dinner. Or if you usually travel with a group, pick a restaurant you haven't been able to try because someone else in the group doesn't like that type of food.

 

[Terk-1]

I'd grab a CS lunch at your resort as soon as you arrive, then head to MK. When you Hop to Epcot, have a 1 TS meal there. I would not bother to exit and re-enter even though I like the food options at BC/YC.

TONS of great food options in Epcot. For a first night dinner, both Biergarten and Rose&Crown would give you the opportunity of starting your vacation with a good glass of beer to go with that dinner. Or if you usually travel with a group, pick a restaurant you haven't been able to try because someone else in the group doesn't like that type of food.

I have adr's at Le Cellier, Rose & Crown and Tutto Italia (trying this for the 1st time) for later in the trip when family is coming. I thought about trying Chef's de France or Via Napoli, but have not heard the best reviews for those places. Mexico, Germany and Morocco don't interest me at all. I was thinking about maybe trying either the Captain's Grille @ YC or Cape May Cafe or Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club.

 

[justamy27]

Sounds like our plan.We leave at 6am and get in to Orlando at 11:37am so have opted to make an adr at Via Napoli at 8pm since the reviews seem pretty good. With any luck we will get out just in time for Illuminations on our way to crash for the night. For the last few years Epcot has been the place we get dinner on arrival night, just seems natural now.

 

[Uno Mas]

Not sure if you can make reservations at Beaches and Cream (I think not, but I don't know for sure) but that place always seems to be mobbed with people. Especially during the time you may be there - lines out the door. There are great restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin too - Il Mulino, Blue Zoo, Shulas - but of course they are not on your dining plan. I've seen mixed reviews of Via Napoli too - some argument about the pizza - some say it's authentic, some say it's not, I probably wouldn't know either way! I've heard the entrees are better than the pizza = but I'm sure there's debate on that too.

 

[Quin]

I have adr's at Le Cellier, Rose & Crown and Tutto Italia (trying this for the 1st time) for later in the trip when family is coming. I thought about trying Chef's de France or Via Napoli, but have not heard the best reviews for those places. Mexico, Germany and Morocco don't interest me at all. I was thinking about maybe trying either the Captain's Grille @ YC or Cape May Cafe or Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club.

Ah, that gives us lots more to go on.

As a PP said, no ADRs at Beaches & Cream. I suspect the volume depends a lot on the weather (hot weather = more folks want ice cream). If you want ot try it, allocate a lot of time or be prepared to turn right around and trek back to Epcot for a CS dinner. Which might also be tasty, but not very 'special' for a first night.

The menu at Tutto appeals to me far more than Via Napoli, and anyhow I am not sure if you want to have 2 Italian meals in 1 trip.

CG at YC had had some good reviews, of the 'hidden gem' type, so it would certainly be worth a try. Or if you want to stay in Epcot, looks like your only other choices are Chinese or Japanese (am just flat out going to assume that a Princess dinner in Norway is not your cup of tea either.........).

My final thought would be to suggest you re-thing Marrakesh. We ate there for the first time last month. I booked it only because I'd promised DH we'd try new and different places. I had the Couscous M'Razia and it was absolutely wonderful! Totally surprised me.