What do do the 1st evening?

[AZ Disney]

HI Everyone,
I'm hoping to get some great ideas for what we should do the first evening to maximize our time? We will be travelling all day and arriving at MCO at about 4:45pm (DH, DS9, DS4). We'll be there from Jan 19-26 (first and last day are travel days). We'll also be using the DDP and after all day travel DH will want a really good dinner. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Jasper]

Getting into the airport that late in the day and then taking into account the time it will take you to get to Disney World and then settled into your room, I would suggest that you not try to do a park on the first day. I would however, suggest that you take in DownTown Disney. There are several good places to eat and you can stretch your legs while doing some shopping. Plus, you won't feel so rushed and then if you are tired from traveling you can get back to your room for an early night and be ready to hit the parks the next morning.

[AZ Disney]

Thanks. I realized I should have added just a little bit more info about our trip. I definitely don't plan on going to any of the parks, but was really wondering where we should go for dinner to start the magic and also that this is a birthday celebration for my boys. At this point, it looks like POP will be our resort.
Thanks again!

[caryrae]

I might suggest if you would feel up to it and not to tired, We really loved the Hoop-Dee-Doo revue dinner show at Fort Widlerness. It was very fun and the foos was pretty good. You would have to make avanced reservations cause it sells out pretty fast I think. http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/...shows.asp#Hoop

[KAJUNKING]

if you want to start your trip with character dining, we love chef mickeys and that would be a great place to start and clebrate the birthdays, and it is on ddp

[KAJUNKING]

I might suggest if you would feel up to it and not to tired, We really loved the Hoop-Dee-Doo revue dinner show at Fort Widlerness. It was very fun and the foos was pretty good. You would have to make avanced reservations cause it sells out pretty fast I think. http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/...shows.asp#Hoop

a friend of mine went there on his last trip and really enjoyed it, his only complaint was its not worth 2 ts credits, you are better off paying for it out of your pocket and use you ts credits elsewhere character dining (with the exception of crt) only uses 1 ts credit

[Ricbr]

I am going to be in the same boat as you for our trip coming up in July. We arrive at MCO close to around 4-4:30 pm and we wanted to try to get something in that evening.

My DW and I have two DS's (2 and 6) so we didnt want to try and go crazy with such a busy day of travel.

So we finally decided to eat dinner with a 6 - 6:30 PM reservation at Boatwrights in POR since that is where we are staying. We figured that we didnt want to make a reservation for a really good place just in case we have any delays with the flight....you never know. If I was going to miss out on a reservation it was going to be for the restaurant in our resort and not something like LeCellier or one of the character meals that the kids would be upset about had they missed it.

Finally after dinner we were just going to take a relaxing trip over to the Magic Kingdom. It will be my sons first time to see anything in WDW...so we thought a trip to see the castle would be the way to go. We could easily watch one of the night time parade (Spectromagic I think it is) or we could hit a few of the kiddie rides if the lines are manageable. I think it is the way to go for us. But knowing that you didnt want to go to a park on the first day....just remember those kids may never forget seeing that castle all lit up at night on their first day there.

Either that or they will be going nuts for a day or more waiting to see it
When is your trip?

[HndrdPrcnt]

We were in your same boat for our trip. We decided to start our trip off with a dinner at O'Hana. Let me tell you, after a full day of travelling and being totally famished, it was perfect. The food is great and it is meat by the pound that you can just eat and eat. Also, the scalloped potatoes and the bread pudding were highlights of the meal as well. And, if you get a table by the windows, you can watch Wishes from your table. A GREAT way to get started!!

[AZ Disney]

Ricbr,
You make some great points. This is our 2nd trip to WDW and hope to have a better plan this time around. We were so overwhelmed last time. I know my husband too well to think that he'll be up for a park that evening. Keep him well fed and everything will be fine. We are regulars at Disneyland, so I just want to make sure we get the most out of WDW since we won't be back for probably another 3-5 years. The ADR's have me a little confused, so I think I'm going to post another thread asking for clarification.
Thanks All!

[AZ Disney]

HndrdPrcnt,
I'm really liking the Wishes idea. Just moved to Arizona not too long ago. We're originally from Walnut Creek, CA - not that far from Roseville. Thanks for the suggestion.

[mmr42]

I like the cape may cafe. Then afterwards you can stroll the boardwalk. If you time it right you may be able to see the fireworks from Epcot.

[Tasmen]

I'd recommend dinner either somewhere in DD or a resort restaurant. We are having dinner at Jiko on our first night. Just be sure to have a buffer on your ADR to take into account possible flight delays.

[dizfanforever]

Our favorite thing to do is eat at a "monorail" resort and then hop on the monorail for a bit. Last year and the year before we ate dinner at 'Ohana and then took the monorail to the TTC and then over to Epcot. We didn't actually go in the park, we just rode the monorail. My boys got to ride in the front. It was really neat and a great way to get into the "Disney mood"!

[Jasper]

I would agree that Chef Mickey's is a good place for a celebration dinner. And as others have mentioned you can then do the monorail and see the lights or maybe even stop at the other monorail resorts and take in the themes. We also love taking the monorail through Epcot.

If you don't want to do that much riding around and also are thinking about the shopping I mentioned earlier than a great themed restaurant at Down Town is the Rain Forest Cafe. The House of Blues is also a good place to eat. The only issue with eating at any of the restaurants in the Down Town area is that they are not Disney themed.

[AZ Disney]

Thanks Everyone! I really appreciate all the suggestions.

[May524]

My family is driving, I think my DH and I are flying, but for our first night we are doing the Hoop Dee Doo. Depending on travel time and flights we aren't sure if we will hit the parks day one or not.
Hoop Dee Doo is great and Fort Wilderness is a beautiful resort.

[DizNee143]

my suggestion is..going to downtown disney...walk around get something to eat..maybe do some shopping...its a pretty good way to start your...or just hang around your resort...take a look around there get something to eat..go hang out at the pool for a while...whatever you decide to do i hope you and your family have a great vacation!!

[heart4princephillip]

HndrdPrcnt,
I'm really liking the Wishes idea. Just moved to Arizona not too long ago. We're originally from Walnut Creek, CA - not that far from Roseville. Thanks for the suggestion.

There is a great comedy club in Walnut Creek...ahh, college memories!

[Tink35]

During our last trip we had the same circumstances as you. We decided on taking our boys to Chef Mickeys (7pm ressie) to celebrate my son's 5th birthday. It was their first taste of all the magic waiting for them in the days ahead. Minnie came over with a special cupcake for him and danced at our table. It was great!
We then walked around the resort and then hopped the monorail for their first "ride." That night we got back to our room at 9:30ish and the boys went right to bed. It was a perfect arrival day for us.
Have a great time!! It's great to get that little taste of magic that very first day, whether it's early or later in the day.

[Speedy1998]

We do diner at 1900 park fare. Similar food to Chef Mickey, but eaasier to get into, and it gives my DD her Princess fix.