Where to eat first night Boardwalk

[maznorm]

We are having a 3 night mini Disney break within a 14 night Orlando stay for Dh's birthdy. We are eating at Sci Fi Dine In for lunch and then checking in to the Boardwalk.

We want to eat somewhere close by that we can walk to but that will get us into the vacation/birthday spirit.

We have 2 kids, DS3 and DD2 so it can't be anywhere too fancy.

We already have ressies at:-

Hollwood & Vine-Playhouse Disney Breakfast
Coral Reef
Tusker House
SciFi DineIn
Crystal Palace
Le Cellier
Biergarten
Chef Mickey's
Ohana's

We have booked but are looking at cancelling:-

Rainforest Cafe
Fulton's
Chef De France

Where would you suggest as a good choice for that first Disney night (around the middle of the full vacation)?

 

[MissMet]

I'd suggest either Big River Grill Brewing Works. They have great food, great beer & I LOVE to have dinner right on the boardwalk.

My other suggestions would be Cape May Clam Bake at Beach Club (across the lake) or Beaches & Cream and share the kitchen sink (they have other great ice cream desserts too)!

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

I agree with pp. Although we have not had dinner there yet (but will in August) we have been to breakfast 3 times. The atmosphere is really nice and with the characters there it'll get you in the Disney vacation spirit!

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

I also agree w/ Big River Grille & Brew. You are right there at the boardwalk so you can get a table outside, enjoy the weather, enjoy the boardwalk entertainment, maybe able to see the Epcot Fireworks...

After dinner if you did not overeat, renty a surrey bike, put the two little ones in the front basket/seat, and take a stroll around BW, BC, YC a few times.

Big River outside:

BW Entertainment:

Epcot FW:

Surrey ride:

Have Fun!

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with pp. Although we have not had dinner there yet (but will in August) we have been to breakfast 3 times. The atmosphere is really nice and with the characters there it'll get you in the Disney vacation spirit!

I am asuming you are referring to Cape May Cafe. In the evening it is a buffet Clam Bake. There are no characters at dinner, only at breakfast. On our last visit a few years ago, we found it only so, so. But we are from the New England area and accustomed to good, fresh seafood.

We have eaten at the Big River Grille and at ESPN. We have enjoyed both. Niether is fine dining",but they have good food and a pleasant atmosphere. I would recommend either.

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

I am asuming you are referring to Cape May Cafe. In the evening it is a buffet Clam Bake. There are no characters at dinner, only at breakfast. On our last visit a few years ago, we found it only so, so. But we are from the New England area and accustomed to good, fresh seafood.

We have eaten at the Big River Grille and at ESPN. We have enjoyed both. Niether is fine dining",but they have good food and a pleasant atmosphere. I would recommend either.

Yes, sorry, I was referring to Cape May. Gosh, I never realized that they only have characters at breakfast ... I may have to rethink my dinner pick.

 

[jdisnut]

I love the idea of a quick dinner at Beaches & Cream. It's a wonderful place to celebrate a birthday because the desserts are so heavenly. Since you have a full slate of meals planned, it might be fun to have a light entree and indulge in an ice cream sundae!

If that doesn't appeal to you, I recommend trying Kouzzina. My family and I ate there for the first time in January, and it is now one of our favorite restaurants on property. It offers delicious Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.

Good luck!

 

[maznorm]

Thanks for the replies so far. Big River Grill was nice last time we ate there. Is there usually a long wait since you cant make adr's for it. We ate at Cape May for our rehearsal dinner. I didnt rate it highly. That was 2004. Has it changed since then? Beaches and Cream looks really good, or at least the sundaes do? What is the rest of their food like? Love the Surrey bikes idea btw!!

 

[MissMet]

Beaches & Cream also does not take ADRs, so there could be a little bit of a wait. They are known more for their ice cream sundaes than their food, but there cheeseburgers are very good.

It's typical diner food. Here's the menu...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.ID=9

 

[skunk]

The Fountain at the Dolphin is another option. Might be less crowded than Beaches and Cream.

http://198.65.111.87/fountain/index.html

 

[CanadianPaco]

We love the wings at ESPN!!!! And will be trying Cape May this next trip!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

A quick dinner at Beaches & Creme would be fun.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Kouzzina has a very celebratory atmosphere and a great menu.

 

[all4fun]

We habitually stay at the Boardwalk, so we're pretty familiar with the scenario...

Since Big River Grille is sooo convenient, we've been there many times. Honestly, for us there have been more misses than hits. We have had some times when the specials were exceptional and we were glad we went there, but way too many times when we regretted the decision.

As someone who enjoys watching Iron Chef, I'm interested in trying Kouzzina, but we haven't been there so can't confirm if it's worthwhile.

However, Chefs De France is a reasonably short stroll away and has some wonderful food. Last time, I had the Filet de boeuf grille, sauce au poivre noir Gratin Dauphinois et haricots verts followed by a wonderful creme brulee.
Yum!

DW doesn't remember what she had, just that she really liked it.

 

[Forever Fairy]

NOT Big River - I've had only sub par food the both times I've been there. Try the Flying Fish. They have a normal kids menu, the food and service is excellent, and it's right next door to the Boardwalk.

Dessert is excellent there, but you can always go outside and have a funnel cake - YUM!

 

[CandyMandy]

Big River Grill was nice last time we ate there. Is there usually a long wait since you cant make adr's for it.

The reason you can't make an ADR at Big River Grille is because it's not a Disney owned or run restaurant so it isn't handled by Disney dining. However, you can telephone Big River directly and make a reservation at 407-560-0253.

 

[EvilQueenT]

we stayed at boardwalk inn last december and one of the best meals and best service (from a fantastic waiter named bob) was at flying fish. food, drinks, service, and location from hotel were all fantastic.

 

[maznorm]

Flying Fish sounds good but I'm not sure how the kids would cope with it. They are quite highly strung. Is it a long meal?

 

[Tri-Delta4Life]

Flying Fish sounds good but I'm not sure how the kids would cope with it. They are quite highly strung. Is it a long meal?

It's as long as you want to make it really... if you do an appetizer, entree and dessert, it'll be at least an hour and a half... if you just do two courses I'd say more like an hour. That's assuming you don't eat exceptionally slow or are sitting around enjoying a bottle of wine. Everytime we've been there have been lots of kids in the resturant and it was quite loud, so don't worry about being out of place with kids!

 

[Luv4Disney]

I'd also recommend Big River Grill. We've been there for meals and also have just stopped by to have a drink outside. We like it there a lot.