Where would you go for lunch/dinner on your arrival at Disney?

[FairyDust2008]

Where would you all suggest be the BEST place to begin your WDW vacation upon arrival? We want something really "special", "memorable" to mark our first day at WDW. Something that will really WOW us and set the tone for a magical disney vacation It will be me, hubby, and our 2 children Thanks for any input

 

[stagemomx3]

Where are you staying? What time are you getting in? Do you want to go to a park, or Downtown Disney, or Boardwalk? Or do you want to do a dinner show your first night?

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

That is my question too...where are you staying and what are your plans? I am sure many of us will have some good advice. Please let us know - thanks!

 

[bizeemom4]

We try to do Chef Mickey's on our arrival days.

It was our very first character meal on our very first trip and it was so special. Seeing my children's faces light up and getting so excited about meeting Mickey was just the best.

 

[hohoz]

We plan on doing Shula's for our 1st day and put our DD7 in Camp Dolphin. We rarely go anywhere without her but I think we would like to start out with a adult dinner and she is excited about being with a bunch of kids and going to dinner with them instead of a "stuffy restaurant". Also if you bring your receipt from Shula's you get the 1st 2 hours free at camp dolphin. Not a bad deal and everyone is happy.

 

[Mkrop]

Yes we need more info, like what time do you get there, do you have park tickets for that day etc?

 

[Harambe]

This year we are having dinner at Sci Fi followed by Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios.

Sci Fi is not part of the fantasmic dinner package, but if you want the package, you could check out those restaurants. You can eat and then they give you a voucher for preferred seating at Fantasmic!

We love fireworks and it's great to see all the characters, especially The Mouse.

 

[princezB]

I'm going to Chef Mickey's. Nothing beats going the first day and seeing all the classic characters in a silly setting. Whatever your plans are I'm sure you'll have a great time. Enjoy!!!!

 

[Northern_Julie]

I think it depends on the age of the kids and if you want to go into the parks the first day. I ussually don't because it is ussually late in the day.
For kids aching to see Mickey and Friends you can't beat a charactar meal. Chef Mickey's is a good choice...the others depend on which park you want to go to first.

When we went last time. We didn't want to go into the park so we did Hoop DeDo Dinner show. Well worth the time and it set a festive mood. The next morning we did Crystal Palace to see Pooh Bear. For an older child it would be neat to do The Castle Princess meal (I still remember a trip in the early 80's we did this when I was young)

This year I am getting in really really late so the next day I am doing a mom and me tea at the Grand Floridia the next day to add magic to the trip. On the last night we will do the Spirt of Aloah show at the Poly hoping to catch wishes or the water pagent.

 

[jewelmom23]

We always go to MK on our arrival day(have to see the castle first day!!!). So we always go to Liberty Tree Tavern, get to see Minnie and stay at the same park for the rest of the day..

 

[sandym718]

Chef Mickey's would probably "set the mood"!

We, however, do Kona for our first night. We check in at the Poly early in the AM (after staying off-site after our long drive, it's about 12 hours at that hotel), and go straight to the MK. Come back to the Poly when the room is ready late afternoon. We spend the evening at the Poly, unpacking, dinner at Kona, swimming and enjoying the resort.

So depending on your arrival time, maybe your "home" resort restaurant would be a good choice, also.

 

[Br'er Soap]

I've had a tradition for as long as I can remember. We always take the earliest flight out and by 12 - 1, we are in Magic Kingdom eating a wonderful Caseys hot dog!

If we stay at AKL, which we normally do, then Boma is usually our first dinner of the trip, but this year, we're going to try Ohana.

 

[HopperFan]

Your location and transportation may play a part in the decision....

But when our kids were small, we usually booked a dinner where we could possibly see characters like 1900 Park Fare, as they were alittle older we went for something that was just a nice big meal such as BOMA, and then when they were hitting teens we would want to spend evening at DTD, so we went with Rainforest Cafe which is always fun.

Really depended too on our day the next day....if a full all park kind of day we would want to get to sleep at a decent time and be ready to go.

 

[Atchley]

We always hang out at the resort and DtD on our check in day. This year we are going to the HDDR for dinner and then watch the water parade. I think it will be a nice way to start our vacation. We will wake up bright and early to go to Epcot the next morning!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

We always hang out at the resort and DtD on our check in day.

We always head to DTD first, too. We usually eat at RFC. DD likes it, so it's kind of become tradition now.

 

[noahdove]

On our first day, we will have dinner at Hollywood and Vine so that we get to see Fantasmic that night. We will just check out our resort and then head on over to Hollywood studios or whatever the name change is Enjoy this special time

 

[bedell32]

OHANA'S BABY! Three weeks ago right now I was enjoying that great meal, atmosphere and Disney happiness!

 

[fmed845]

If we arrive early we like going over to ESPN CLUB for lunch.

 

[jenseib]

I am considering Hoop dee doo show too! We most like wouldn't get in till afternoon time. I think it would be a fun way to start the trip. we are also late nighters so doing a later show may work for us.

 

[stitchlover]

We usually spend the first afternoon at Downtown Disney. This last year we ate at Wolfgang Puck Express.

This year our flight doesn't land until 1:10; we are going to play it by ear. If we land and everyone is starving we will grab a bite at the airport. Don't really see my family agreeing to be in the same STATE as Disney and stopping for anything before we get there. So from there we will check into the hotel. If everyone is ready to faint we will eat at WL or everyone is doing okay we will eat at DTD. More than likely it will be Wolfgang again!