Where to go to dinner our first night?

[L-Harper]

We are going to WDW for our very first time in September! I'm trying to figure out where to eat our first dinner on our first night. I want it to be very Disney and kind of special. I will be dining with my husband and our two boys (2 & 4). I have us heading to MK when we get in, but we can really go anywhere.

ETA- We are on the dining plan and want it to be a 1 credit dinner restaurant.

 

[kennedyandkailey]

If going to MK, I would do CRT in the Castle. I just posted in another thread about boys liking CRT! My 6 year DS LOVES it! The atmosphere cannot be beat! It is as Disney as you can get IMO! ... and it is NOT just for girls! The boys get swords at their table and they participate in the wishing ceremony with a wishing star and their swords (girls get wands). The princesses often make over the little boys and Ariel is known to give boys a kiss on the cheek! My DS looks forward to dinner in the Castle every year.... he just cannot wait to recieve another one of his FAVORITE swords! ... also the food a great! BUT it is 2 credits!!! Only downfall to what you have in mind!

 

[TDC Nala]

2 cautions regarding CRT. First, it is a 2 credit restaurant and the OP was looking for a 1 credit restaurant. Second, if one is arriving by air I would not suggest it for a first night reservation because it's prepaid or credit card guaranteed. In that case, flight or transportation delays might cost you. I don't recommend it unless you are arriving a good five or six hours prior to the reservation time, and even then a major flight delay could cause you to miss it.

Possibly, do Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's if you want to go to MK and want characters, or 'Ohana or Whispering Canyon if you just want some fun with your meal and are OK with no characters. this is if you are still interested in going to MK. All of these are either in or relatively near MK.

 

[L-Harper]

If going to MK, I would do CRT in the Castle. I just posted in another thread about boys liking CRT! My 6 year DS LOVES it! The atmosphere cannot be beat! It is as Disney as you can get IMO! ... and it is NOT just for girls! The boys get swords at their table and they participate in the wishing ceremony with a wishing star and their swords (girls get wands). The princesses often make over the little boys and Ariel is known to give boys a kiss on the cheek! My DS looks forward to dinner in the Castle every year.... he just cannot wait to recieve another one of his FAVORITE swords! ... also the food a great! BUT it is 2 credits!!! Only downfall to what you have in mind!

I actually just pulled up the menu for CRT! I actually keep going back and forth debating it. It would be an AMAZING way to kick off our very first WDW vacation! That is for sure. My concern is that it'd be too much for our first night and nothing the rest of the trip could even compare with it. Hmm, now could I even get a ressie 113 days out. It is definitely on my consideration list.

 

[L-Harper]

How does CRT work though? I just found that they have a 5:20 ADR on our day, but they want a credit card. Do they instantly take the money and I get refunded later when we want to use our dining credits? Does it just hold the credit card number in case we cancel?

We actually currently have an ADR at Chef Mickey's for our first night. Our flight gets into MCO at 9:00am on our arrival day, so I'm not too concerned about not making CRT if we do end up booking it.

 

[kennedyandkailey]

How does CRT work though? I just found that they have a 5:20 ADR on our day, but they want a credit card. Do they instantly take the money and I get refunded later when we want to use our dining credits? Does it just hold the credit card number in case we cancel?

We actually currently have an ADR at Chef Mickey's for our first night. Our flight gets into MCO at 9:00am on our arrival day, so I'm not too concerned about not making CRT if we do end up booking it.

If you have the dining plan already booked, they will only hold your card info in case you cancel. They will not actually charge you unless you book without your resort reservation number attached. Make sure you are signed in with your reservation number if booking online OR give them your ressie number via phone if you call in the reservation.

Sounds like timing will not be an issue for you at all. I would do it if I were you! You simply cannot beat the atmosphere! Chef Mickey's is fun, but loud and buffet style which isn't the WOW of WDW in my opinion. Crystal Palace will give you the same envirnoment, different characters. We like both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's and they are definitely fun and have their place in every WDW vacation, but if you really want MAGICAL and that OMG we are at WDW feeling the first night.... CRT all the way! The looks on your little ones' faces when they walk up to the castle and realize that they actually get to go INSIDE and eat dinner... priceless!!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Your credit card will be charged in full instantly when you make the ADR. Then when you show up, you can tell them that you want to use dining credits instead and they will refund your card the money. This can take several days but it IS processed eventually.

Other one credit suggestions that would also be spectacular for a first night dinner are Crystal Palace with Pooh and the gang (my kids LOVED this one) or dinner at Chef Mickeys over at the Contemporary with Mickey and the gang.

I've done CRT and Crystal Palace and hope to do Chef Mickey's on our next trip. Though DD7 would tell you that her favourite was CRT, DS6 on the other hand would say that his preference was Crystal Palace.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with any of these choices...but in my heart of hearts I have to agree with DS...with the ages of your boys, I think the best first night choice in or near the MK would be Crystal Palace.

Good luck deciding!!

 

[kennedyandkailey]

Your credit card will be charged in full instantly when you make the ADR. Then when you show up, you can tell them that you want to use dining credits instead and they will refund your card the money. This can take several days but it IS processed eventually.

Other one credit suggestions that would also be spectacular for a first night dinner are Crystal Palace with Pooh and the gang (my kids LOVED this one) or dinner at Chef Mickeys over at the Contemporary with Mickey and the gang.

I've done CRT and Crystal Palace and hope to do Chef Mickey's on our next trip. Though DD7 would tell you that her favourite was CRT, DS6 on the other hand would say that his preference was Crystal Palace.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with any of these choices...but in my heart of hearts I have to agree with DS...with the ages of your boys, I think the best first night choice in or near the MK would be Crystal Palace.

Good luck deciding!!

Not if you book with your hotel reservation/dining plan already in place. You MUST make sure they get your number when booking and attach it then. We do this every year. Just did it again for our November trip. The credit card info is only a guarantee IF and ONLY IF they have your dining plan/resort reservation attached to the dining resrvation at CRT! We have never been charged in advance when on the dining plan.

 

[preemiemommy]

I would try and get Chef Mickey's.... We eat there either on our first night, or our last... It's just a great way to start a trip, or to end one..... Then you can watch the fireworks from the fourth floor ledge, if they are having them that night...... Good Luck!!!!



DH ME DD (11) DS (7)

 

[MsPeggySue911]

When you are making the dining reservation online, if you already have the dining plan purchased there is a link at the bottom of the reservation window that says something to the effect of I WANT TO MAKE A RESERVATION USING MY DINING PLAN. You click that. If you don't your credit card will be charged in full for the CRT meal. I have had 2 CM's tell me how to do it to avoid being charged up front. If you already have the dining plan purchased or associated with your reservation you can make the ressie without paying for it. You DO NOT have to pay for it and be refunded later.

 

[Coconuts]

With kids that age, I would go with CP or CM. You can't go wrong with such great characters and great locations!

I personally think that CRT is a big waste of money/credits on kids so young. Yes, the atmosphere is great, but I think it's lost on little ones. Don't flame me, I loved my meal there and plan on going back when my youngest is older.

 

[smiths02]

I would do Crystal Palace.

I haven't eaten at CRT...mostly because I have a 5 year old son (only child)...when we went when he was 3 he would have had no idea which princess was which. Do your two boys 2 and 4 even know about princesses?

I agree with a previous poster that Chef Mickey or Crystal Palace is more age appropriate.

 

[ToddyLu]

I would have to agree that CRT is great to do once--I have actually eaten there twice--but I think your meal will be better at CP. I would also like to make a suggestion. The Plaza Restaurant is right at the end of Mainstreet. It is a one credit meal. They have great sandwishes and ice cream desserts. It is quickly becomming one of my favs. Plus when you exit, just a few steps awy you can get your spot for a parade if it is around that time. It is also a nice place to eat if you are going to MNSSHP on one night. I am not a little boy but I would think Whispering Canyon was awesome. The canyon skillet is great and a lot of food for your TS credit. THe kids can get milkshakes there, too. I would arrive at MK take the boat over (kids would love that) and be seated around 5:30, then take the boat back around 7 p.m. for parade and FW. THe children get to ride stick horses around the room and it has a cowboy vibe. Don't forget to ask for ketchup !!

 

[TheSchultzFamily]

Delted

 

[wundermommy76]

How come you needed your credit card to book a reservation at Crystal Palace? I just reserved a lunch at Crystal Palace today on halloween and didn't need a credit card to do so. I DID need a credit card to reserve the Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, but Disneys site itself says the card is not charged now. I had to call WDW for questions about our Hoop Dee Doo Revue reservations and the lady explained that my card would not be charged at Akershus if I choose to use one of my TS credits that night.....I just tell them how I wish to pay with my dining plan and my credit card is never charged. I also did not put in my vacation reservation # (don't even have it yet from our travel agency) but don't even recall an area to enter that info if I did have it. So now I'm confused by reading that they do charge you........

 

[pooh2001]

Boys ages 2 & 4 - they will have a blast at WDW.

I would recommend Crystal Palace in MK for Pooh and friends, They do a parade around the restaurant where your boys (and a parent) can be part of the Pooh parade. A very nice section on the buffet for all ages. 1 TS credit.

Other places - Chef Mickeys in CR - Mickey and friends. Also a nice buffet and has an ice cream fixin bar for desset plus other goodies. Chef Mickeys can be very loud and if either of your boys are wound up from their 1st day in WDW, you may want to save Chef Mickeys for breakfast or dinner a bit later in your trip, 1 TS credit.

A fun boat ride from MK to WL and eat in Whispering Canyon Cafe. 1 TS Credit. Western style place - ask for wooden nickles (free) for the boys.
The inside of the WL is breathtaking and the gift shop is one of the best in our opinion. No characters, but lots of fun. And would be a good place for 2 young boys who may have already seen a bunch of Disney characters, been on many Disney rides and enjoyed lots of WDW to eat dinner.


You know your kids and what they can handle.
Remember, you still have other meals you can enjoy characters and
you may want a decent nights sleep the 1st night before a full day at WDW

 

[tww369]

Go with CG or Chef Mickey's, maybe Ohana's if your not determined to get a character meal

 

[nathaliabrown]

I would do Ohana's. With our kids we like to do a couple of character meals and schedule them later on the trip. Reason being is if you do them early on they will be disappointed when the next few days they arent eating with Mickey. This is what we have for our DD(3) DS(4) DD(11)- Ohana, Boma, Narcoossees(kids are getting put in camp while we eat there),Kona, Chef Mickeys, Norway Princess, Crystal Palace. In that order. We find that by the end of our trip the kids are lot more tired and groggy and knowing the last three nights the kids will be on there best behavior cause Mickey or a princess is there is great. Kids happy equals me eating in peace.

 

[kmk1180]

We are going to WDW for our very first time in September! I'm trying to figure out where to eat our first dinner on our first night. I want it to be very Disney and kind of special. I will be dining with my husband and our two boys (2 & 4). I have us heading to MK when we get in, but we can really go anywhere.

ETA- We are on the dining plan and want it to be a 1 credit dinner restaurant.

where are you staying?
do you have a car?

Where you stay will help give easy suggestion.s

If you have a car, I would say Boma at AKL.
Quick drive after you check in. Great fun meal for the whole family.
you get to exprience a the lodge atmosphere.
plus it's a place that's out of the way after your there in the sense that if you would choose to go on a park day, it takes up alot of time to leave, get there and get back to a park.
so it's great to go on arrival day to get done, get in the magical mood, and have a cool meal all at the same time.
then if you can eat early enough still have time to get to MK for the parade and fireworks.

 

[TDC Nala]

How come you needed your credit card to book a reservation at Crystal Palace? I just reserved a lunch at Crystal Palace today on halloween and didn't need a credit card to do so. I DID need a credit card to reserve the Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, but Disneys site itself says the card is not charged now. I had to call WDW for questions about our Hoop Dee Doo Revue reservations and the lady explained that my card would not be charged at Akershus if I choose to use one of my TS credits that night.....I just tell them how I wish to pay with my dining plan and my credit card is never charged. I also did not put in my vacation reservation # (don't even have it yet from our travel agency) but don't even recall an area to enter that info if I did have it. So now I'm confused by reading that they do charge you........

You do not need any credit card guarantee at all for Crystal Palace.

Akershus is not and is never prepaid. It's strictly a credit card guarantee. You'll be charged if you don't cancel and don't show up. You pay for the meal at the restaurant, so you can use any method to pay. Nor do you need to enter your resort reservation if you have already made the ADRs.

The discussions about prepaying refer to Cinderella's Royal Table.