Where to eat on first night with 3.5 yr old & no park tickets?

[chipper10]

We will be arriving in Orlando on August 14th. We will be driving from IL. The first night we are going to stay at a Best Western at Downtown Disney. We won't have park tickets until we check in at All Star Movies the next day.

Where would be a good place to eat that first night? We plan on making it to Orlando aroun3-4pm. I wanted to eat at T-Rex, but when I went to make a reservation today, the only thing available was 10pm.
I'm just not sure what to do.

Should we just eat quick somewhere off site or at Downtown Disney? Or is there another good place that will put us in the Disney mood?

 

[Tiggerfan40]

If you feel like getting into the Disney spirit the first night - you might try Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. T- Rex is very loud and might be frightening for your little one and we found the food was not that great and on the expensive side! Or if you don't feel like dealing with the Disney crowds, you might try Ponderosa or Golden Corral off-site!

 

[jenjen212]

You can also check to see if Rain Forest cafe in Downtown is available. Lots of things to do with kids there. Check out the Lego store, the Toy Store, etc.

Also, you can go to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort - no park tickets needed for that. I always love to jump start my trips with Chef Mickey's.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[chipper10]

Thanks for the suggestions! I just tried Rainforest Cafe and the only time was 10pm too. I also tried Chef Mickey's, but it was at 8:45. I just think eating at almost 9 will be too late with our son.
Maybe I'll try Earl of the Sandwhich or somewhere offsite then.

Keep your ideas coming. Thanks so much!

 

[chipper10]

If you feel like getting into the Disney spirit the first night - you might try Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. T- Rex is very loud and might be frightening for your little one and we found the food was not that great and on the expensive side! Or if you don't feel like dealing with the Disney crowds, you might try Ponderosa or Golden Corral off-site!

We like Golden Corral around here. Is the one in Orlando easy to find from Downtown Disney area?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

How about Cape May Cafe? You could stroll the Boardwalk before or after. Any of the resort restaurants will be a possibility. You could also go to DTD & take the boat to SSR or POR to dine in their restaurants. I've never eaten at SSR or POR's restaurants, so I don't know how good they are.

If you really wanted T-Rex, go as soon as you get settled in your room & you shouldn't have to wait long at all. We ate there Easter week. It is loud, but my nieces (2) 4 yr. old boys loved it. Her 7 week old slept through it.

For offsite, Bahama Breeze is a good reasonably priced meal with some themeing. There's also CityWalk at Universal. (This would be my choice.) They have a lot of themed restaurants that could put you in vacation mode. Don't forget the restaurants in the Crossroads across the street from your hotel.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you were trying to get a reservation through Disney and couldn't get one at a time you liked, call T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe directly and try that way. They are not Disney restaurants and do not offer very many tables for booking through Disney. Google to find the direct phone numbers.

 

[maj42169]

Go to T-Rex, you can call them directly or you can do the walk-up. They take walk-ins with about a 35-40 minute wait. I had phoned reservations with them directly last year. All it does is gives you a time to show up and you still have to put your name on the list and wait. The woman on the phone from T-rex told me that I would have a better shot at just walking up and giving my name then waiting. I have done it both ways and both ways were about the same wait time from the time I gave my name!

 

[stepdisney]

I would take the DTD bus to the contemporary for dinner at Chef Mickeys. It would get you in the mood and you would be very close to MK. It is a good chance to see Mickey with no lines.

 

[misseulalie]

Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club is fun and has great burgers and ice cream.

The boardwalk is also a great idea, too

My opinion is that the T-Rex and Rainforest restaurants are so overpriced for mediocre food. Not worth it...

 

[Silverfox97]

I would vote for Bahama Breeze, as well. There is one very close to DD/Hotel Plaza Blvd. It's delicious, and it's off property pricing, but vacation atmosphere. Very kid friendly also! Our 3 year old loves it!

 

[Yngpreacherman]

I would vote for Bahama Breeze, as well. There is one very close to DD/Hotel Plaza Blvd. It's delicious, and it's off property pricing, but vacation atmosphere. Very kid friendly also! Our 3 year old loves it!

Another vote for Bahama Breeze! It is AWESOME. I have been there a couple of times now (if not three?). Great food! Cool atmosphere! Wonderful service! It has that vacation feel to it.

 

[quirkymom]

Wolf-Gang Puck EXPRESS (downtown Disney) is very good and pretty reasonably priced - either that or just eat lots of ice cream at hagendaz, sp??

 

[principessa0ox]

Have you tried calling T-Rex directly? I found no availability through Disney, but got my preferred day & time when I called directly.

 

[crabbygal902]

A few other ideas for fun & food with a 3.5 year old:

Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge, then watch the electric water pageant from the dock if it is not too late
Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness, followed by Chip n' Dales' sing along and marshmallow roast
'Ohana at the Poly--coconut races and other games for kids during dinner
POP Century Food Court, then play the giant Twister game and take pics with Mr and Mrs Potato Head
Burgers at Beaches & Cream at Beach Club, then take a surrey bike ride around the boardwalk

I wouldn't go back to T-Rex ever again. It was way too loud and over-stimulating for my kids, JMHO.

 

[chipper10]

I haven't tried calling T-Rex directly. I thought our son would really like to eat there, but now after your comments, I wonder if its worth it. Maybe we will just try something else. I'll look into the Bahama Breeze. I've never heard of it before.

Thank you everyone for all your help! I really do appreciate it,

 

[TwingleMum]

my boys loved T Rex. And afterwards we went to Goofys Candy Kitchen YUMMMMM.

 

[Goldilocks07]

OHana's!!!
I love that place- and you can see Wishes from there (if you book at the right time) and they put on shows/dances/entertainment.

 

[Singinglizzie]

It's not a widely publicized fact, but you can go to guest services on your arrival date and have them issue you your park tickets they day before you check in. I personally haven't done this, but was told by guest services that it is allowed. Dont know how many days you are planning to spend, but if you are staying for a few days with park tickets, it might not be that much extra to add an extra day. If you go this route, you could then go to your favorite park and have a dinner there. Have fun planning.

 

[JJsmama]

How about one of the restaurants at AKL? You could go over a little early, look around, see if you see any animals from the viewing sites and then have dinner.

Otherwise, with a 3.5 yr old, the Contemporary will be fun.

I have to say though, that after driving all that way with a little one, you may just want to stay at your hotel or eat next door. Been there. Done that.