Where to eat on ther first night?

[Amyrlin]

We are flying in and staying at RPR for the first few nights. If all goes well, flights on time etc, then we should reach the hotel 6pm. We are two adults only. I have been cionsidering either Tchop chop or HRC.

Any suggestions, comments or info appriciated.

 

[gschmerl]

We are flying in and staying at RPR for the first few nights. If all goes well, flights on time etc, then we should reach the hotel 6pm. We are two adults only. I have been cionsidering either Tchop chop or HRC.

Any suggestions, comments or info appriciated.

The two restaurants you mention are VERY different from each other. Tchoup Chop is quiet,GREAT food and service, and expensive. HRC is LOUD, fun, with OK food.
If you want Tchoup Chop make a reservation NOW. You can make it on line at www.opentable.com

 

[robvia]

To be honest with you, I'd eat at the food court in the airport. Grab something after getting off the plane, then go get your luggage. It usually takes about 15 minutes before the luggage carasuel turns on, so you actually have time to order something like a pizza or salad, eat it, then continue to luggage pickup.
The onsite restaurants are nice, but expensive, so I'm trying to save you some money. Places like the All Star resorts at Disney have cheap food courts with great food. USF/IOA does not, so once you are there, you'll be spending money.
The other idea is to spend the time and visit Publix so you can stock a cooler. Most limo services will make a stop as a perk for using them. Publix has a deli, and you can order a nice sub and take it with you. Yes, there's work involved with making a stop and shopping, but it pays off when you have a cooler in the room, instead of looking at a locked mini bar with a water bottle on top that goes for $7.

 

[kaceyisme]

We have arrived at dinner time twice, and our favorite place to go is Mamma Della's at the Portofino.

 

[Amyrlin]

Robvia we are arriving in at Sandord, so the airport is not an option and after a 9 hour flight and before that a 3 hour car journey I don't think I will be up to going shopping. However, it is on the list for the next day when we go to get breakfast

 

[Patch'sD]

I would recommend the Hard Rock Cafe. Nice Easy going evening after some travel. Then take a walk around Citywalk to loosen things up about it. I think the food is great there, for finger food.

 

[lovetheparks]

For a first meal, I say Margaritaville - just gets you in the vacation mood!

 

[goofy!]

After a 12 hour travel day, I think I would leave Tchoup Chop for a day when you are refreshed and can really appreciate it. The quiet ambiance, the good service, the food - it is really one of the higher end restaurants.

If you feel up to it, definitely head over to City Walk. Will put you in the vacation mood and it is just plain fun. Hard Rock is there, along with Margaritaville (I second this as the place to go), Pastamore, NBA City, Nascar, Emerils and I know I am missing some.

If you want to stay at the hotel, Jakes or Island Dining are also decent.

 

[Eclpz314]

I second the choice of Margaritaville.........take the nice 10 min. stroll along the waterway (good way to stretch after being couped up on airplane!) and it's the first restaurant as you enter Citywalk! Use your room key for priorty seating, get a chair outside to have a drink while you wait!

 

[DisneyWisher]

I also vote for Margaritaville. Actually we ate there the 2 nights of our stay. Everything came to the table piping hot. The hamburgers were good. DD12 loves the chocolate cake. Plus the margaritas are the best. Brought home 4 glasses. hehe. They sell them in the gift shop for $8.95 or do as I did and drink the margarita and get to keep the glass for $10.95.

On the second night we arrived just before they started charging to get in (about 10:30). I loved it. I wish we had one here. It was classic rock. Jimmy Buffett, Lynard Skynard, Eagles.... Its such a nice laid back atmosphere. Its a really good band. Can't wait to go back. 1 night in Sept then 5 nights at Disney. Free dining at Disney couldn't pass it up.

 

[Mickey&Co]

After a 12 hour travel day, I think I would leave Tchoup Chop for a day when you are refreshed and can really appreciate it. The quiet ambiance, the good service, the food - it is really one of the higher end restaurants.

If you feel up to it, definitely head over to City Walk. Will put you in the vacation mood and it is just plain fun. Hard Rock is there, along with Margaritaville (I second this as the place to go), Pastamore, NBA City, Nascar, Emerils and I know I am missing some.

If you want to stay at the hotel, Jakes or Island Dining are also decent.

I agree with Goofy...you should definitely visit Tchoup Chop on another day when you are rested and can fully enjoy it. My family and I went there for lunch and it was our favorite meal during our vacation!

For our first night at US we went to Pastamore at CityWalk and had a nice meal. Margaritaville was very entertaining and the food was delicious. Nascar had a laid back atmosphere and food was pretty good (burgers, chicken & steak).

As you can tell...we enjoyed them all!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I agree with the Margaritaville recommendation. If you are determined to do either HRC or TC the first evening then head to City Walk and do HRC. Goofy! and Mickey&Co are right, you will want to go to TC when you are rested enough to enjoy it.

 

[Amyrlin]

hmmmmmmmmmm this is giving me a lot to think about. WE like to start off the holiday with a nice meal of some sort, but it does sound like maybe Margaritaville will be nice and relaxed after a long day... plus Margaritas!!!!!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Margaritaville is the first place you come to along the path from RPR leading to the parks and City Walk. I definately recommend the walk--especially after a long day of travel.