Where to eat first dinner?

[Aristomommy]

We will arrive to AKL hotel early afternoon and I would like to have a special first dinner to get us in the Disney mood. We usually eat at Chef Mickeys and I would do it this time also if it was closer. I don't want to go in the parks and use a day admission for dinner. Any suggestions? I'm afraid the AKL restaurants lack in Disney ambiance, or am I wrong? Thanks.

 

[luv2nascar]

we have two kids so for our first night we are going to 1900 Park Fare buffet dinner. You wouldnt have to use a park admission for GF. Cinderella is there. I have heard the food is really good there but we haven't eaten there yet. We will eat there on 6/18.

 

[jl3614]

Why not just continue your tradition? Just take the bus over to MK, and then walk or monorail to Contempory for Chef Mickey dinner. Just because you take the MK bus doesn't mean you have to go into the park.

Our last trip we also stayed at AKL. Our first night meal was Boma - it was good, but nothing special to put you in a Disney mood.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Don't forget Downtown Disney for dinner. There's Rainforest Cafe, Fulton's, Portobello, Bongos, Planet Hollywood, House of Blues, Earl of Sandwich. I know I'm forgetting some. There's also Disney Quest, World of Disney, Lego store, etc. and those always help me get in the Disney mood. Approx. 20 minutes to/from AKL by bus.

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

*twirling napkins in the air*

Hoop dee doo Review!

 

[jag90]

IMO, because of AKL's location ("off the beaten path"), you will be travelling no matter where you decide to eat. Might as well stick with Chef Mickey's if distance is the only thing holding you back.

If you would like to try somewhere different, Whispering Canyon @ WL is always a good time...'Ohana @ Poly is a fun time, too. We enjoy Rainforest Cafe because of the decor. It isn't "Disney" decor but it is very entertaining, none-the-less.

 

[Carol1973]

I love the idea of Disney traditions. And Chef Mickey's on the first night is such a great one. We treated a young family to a WDW vacation a few years ago and we ate at Chef Mickey's the first night. Just the right place to get some Disney magic. Then we went on a little monorail tour and just as we were walking in front of MK the fireworks were going off. What a great start to a great vacation.

My suggestion would definitely be to continue the tradition that you have started.

 

[Aimeedyan]

If you haven't been to AKL, I would eat at Boma that night. Though maybe not as "Disney" as Chef Mickeys (very few restaurants are!), your family will likely enjoy checking out the resort, seeing the animals, taking a swim, etc. We always try to take it easy our first day so we can be up and ready the next!

AKL is a bit far removed from everything else, I wouldn't travel just to dine that night personally. If you're going to leave the resort, you might as well just head to Chef Mickeys and continue your tradition

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We have dined at both Boma & Jiko and they are both very good. Jiko is our favorite restaurant at WDW. We will be staying at AKL for the first time in October, so hope your stay is really magical.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

We are dining at 1900 PF first in hopes of finally meeting Prince charming.

Last year we went to RFC in DTD. The atmosphere is good and if you plan on shopping afterwrds, you're at the ideal place.

 

[JenLynn]

Just back from 10 days at AKL and our first night's dinner was at Boma. The theming was amazing. Of course there were no characters or anything like that, but with Disney's typical attention to details, the atmosphere was wonderful. DH enjoyed the food but the children and I ate primarily from the kids pod. The foods were more flavorful than what I like. The desserts were phenomenal! I am glad we did it, but do not feel the need to rush back.

Personally, if Chef Mickey's is your tradition then I would stick with that. You won't need a park ticket, it will get you in that "Disney mood" and you can take the bus to MK and then the monorail to Contemporary (my children think the monorail is a Disney ride). I suppose my family is accustomed to having to "travel" a bit to get places, but the 15 minute ride to MK did not bother us.

Another option might be Boardwalk. Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club? Spoodles? or as someone else mentioned - maybe Downtown Disney?