Where to eat day of arrival? Too many choices

[mylightshines]

Our plane is arriving at 6:10 pm. Since MGM is open three hours late on that day, we have decided to go there our first night.

I can't seem to decide where to eat for dinner. I have reservations for Brown Derby, but I'm thinking that's too "much" of a first meal with two 12-year old girls. Should I change it to 50's Prime time? Or should I change it to a Fantasmic dinner? We are arriving on 5/24. By the way, my daughter says she does not want to do Sci Fi because of the reviews she's read.

I'm actually thinking of not having an ADR at all. I'm afraid since we won't arrive until 6:10 it will be at least 7:30 before we get to our hotel and then 8:00 before we can get to MGM (at least). I'm thinking one ride and then we need to get in line for Fantasmic.

 

[Pumbaa_]

You arrive at 6:10 IF your flight is on time. Are you doing ME or renting a car?

You may want to do a counter service that first night so you don't have to worry about your arrival. You may arrive at your hotel and be STARVING and want a quick bite. Plus once you get to your hotel you need to check in, drop your stuff at your room and then head out.

Where are you staying? Taking a Disney bus to MGM?

A counter service meal will give you more time for rides/shows that won't be open after Fantasmic.

I just checked Disney's website and they are showing MGM open until 10pm on June 24 with no EMH that night and Fantasmic at 9:00. Here are June EMH

June 2006
Morning Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom® Park - June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Epcot® - June 4, 11, 18, 25
Disney-MGM Studios - June 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park - June 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28
Disney's Blizzard Beach® Water Park - June 1-30
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon® Water Park - June 1-30

Evening Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom® Park - June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
Epcot® - June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Disney-MGM Studios - June 7, 14, 21, 28
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park - June 5, 12, 19, 26
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon® Water Park - June 3, 10, 17, 24

Good luck planning!

 

[mylightshines]

It's May 24th. We are taking ME to our hotel and then the buses to MGM.

 

[Tam1067]

I don't think you'll be able to do a Fantasmic package because of the time limit. I'd also avoid a major Brown Derby meal on the first night. Your flight could get delayed; your trip on ME could be slower than you anticipate; your check in could be slowed down if there's a line in front of you.

I would expect that you'll have less time than you anticipate once you get things figured out. I'd probably do CS either at the hotel or at MGM and then head over to Fantasmic. That's assuming, of course, that you'll be there early enough to even make the show.

 

[Swimnoid]

Hey! I'm planning MGM on May 24th too! Its my birthday! We are going to do counter service though.

 

[Marthasor]

I don't know what hotel you are staying in, but I would get a quick bite there and then head over to MGM.

 

[keishashadow]

If your plane arrives around 6:00 p.m, you'll probably be lucky to get to your resort by 7:00 p.m. Then figure travel time to park. Do you have AP's, do you really want to use a day of tix up for a few hours?

We think (w/kids) a charactar meal is a great way to start out the trip. Chef Mickey's is our fav., with a loop around the monorail, then back to the room to unpack & rest for the next day's a.m. emh.

Good luck.

 

[mylightshines]

Thanks for all the ideas. I've bought 8-day hoppers so we're definitely going to the parks. I think we're going to grab a counter meal either at the hotel or when we get to MGM. I'm hoping we'll get there in time for Fantasmic. If not, then we're going back to MGM the next day so hopefully we'll catch it then. My daughter is bringing her friend who has never been to Disney and I think Fantasmic will be a great way to start. I'm just hoping it's not too crowded during the EMH that night.

 

[rigs32]

If you have time to catch Fantasmic, get a CS and eat it while waiting for the show to begin.