Which restaurant screams, "Welcome to Disney!"

[Treysar]

we are arriving on a Sunday and it will not be a park day. Where should we, a family of 5, kids ages 6&7, eat dinner? A place that will really make them think "wow, we're really here at Disney!"

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Ohana.

 

[magicaldisney]

With the ages of your children I would definitely do a character meal. Chef Mickey's is not in a park and a fun atmosphere with Mickey and Minnie. They spend time with you at your table for pictures and autographs, and they dance around the room. The food is so so but the atmosphere screams Disney for sure!

 

[disny_luvr]

Chef Mickey's

 

[Ensusieasm]

we are arriving on a Sunday and it will not be a park day. Where should we, a family of 5, kids ages 6&7, eat dinner? A place that will really make them think "wow, we're really here at Disney!"

T-Rex or a Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs
Followed by The World of Disney store
And Goofy's Candy store for a build your own krispy treat.
Then hop on a bus to AoA and walk around to see all the Disney icons and decor for some great photo ops.
Or
You could book a character meal at Chef Mickey, 1099 Park Fare, etc.

 

[iheartdisney44]

I second Ohana. Ask for a seat next to the window so you can watch wishes. (You'll need to time your reservation so you'll be there at the correct time). They dim the lights and play the same music in sync with the fireworks. I don't know of anything more Disney than that!
If you can't get Ohana reservations, my second choice would be Hoop-Dee-Doo. Always a great show and a fun environment to go exploring!

 

[bcrook]

California Grill and watch the fireworks?

My favorite is to get to Jambo House and enjoy that setting. Boma for dinner. I think that is wonderful theming.

 

[Ensusieasm]

California Grill and watch the fireworks?

My favorite is to get to Jambo House and enjoy that setting. Boma for dinner. I think that is wonderful theming.

Yes! And then you can go out to the Savanna viewing area and see giraffes and zebras and other wild animals. They even have free night vision goggles to use.

 

[hsmamato2]

when I had little kids, Chef Mickeys was it! Characters,music,party.... like a park for dinner! Now I have heard the food isn't so great anymore... but there are a few character dinners that aren't at parks, like 1900 park fare, maybe a couple of others, I'd do caracters for sure with young kids.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Chef Mickey's

 

[js]

Absolutely Chef Mickeys.

 

[kiramay]

Chef Mickey's.

 

[BuffaloJim]

Park at the TTC and take the resort monorail to the Contemporary and eat at Chef Mickey's. After dinner, walk to MK (a relatively short, leisurely stroll), and take the boat to the Grand Floridian. Check out the GF and the Polynesian next to it, and watch the fireworks from one of the resorts. Then walk or monorail back to the TTC to pick up your car.

All things "Disney" on a non park day.

Note that some of these could be changed depending upon where you're staying, what time you're arriving, and how your kids could handle all of this.

 

[Three cats]

For us (two adults) it's always California Grill.
For your party I agree - a character meal might be the way to go

 

[tgbanks3]

we are arriving on a Sunday and it will not be a park day. Where should we, a family of 5, kids ages 6&7, eat dinner? A place that will really make them think "wow, we're really here at Disney!"

We did T-Rex when we arrived last November. It was great. Met up with my brother and his family and had 10 people total and waited for about 10 minutes (thanks Landry's Select). It may not scream "Disney" as there are no references to Mickey, etc., but it's definitely a nice intro into realizing you're at a special place. And the food is pretty good, as well.

 

[mkla2015]

Chef Mickey's- it's not the best food but you'll get the Fab 5 and it definitely screams "Welcome to Disney"

 

[verleniahall]

Chef Mickey's

 

[crabbygal902]

I don't think there's anything more Disney than a meal at Chef Mickey's in the beautiful Contemporary Resort with the monorail whizzing by overhead.

 

[DisDad-]

Id say dinner at chef mickeys, Ohana, or 1900 park fare.

 

[addiln]

When we went last year our first meal was at Chef Mickey's. That really made us feel like we were there since we generally don't go to the parks the first day we are there. Seeing the fab 5 and getting all the autographs and pictures done right off the bat was great. Also seeing Magic Kingdom right there was the perfect way to start our trip.