[SusanC]

I am looking for suggestions on what to do the night we arrive at WDW.

We will be driving down from Atlanta, Ga on Saturday May 22 arriving at WDW at approx 4pm. I will be traveling with my 8 year old DS, DH, my mom and my dad. We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside.

We will start the parks on Sunday morning. I need suggestions on what to do on Saturday evening. A special meal to start our trip, special activity, etc. We want that that Disney jumpstart.

We have PS later in the week for O'Hanas, Chef Mickeys, Rainforest Cafe, and 50's Prime Time.

Please help!

[MerlinMatt]

Our favorite for first night dinner is to splurge a bit at Portobello's in Downtown Disney, which is a quick bus ride from Port Orleans. We ate there on our honeymoon 13 years ago and ate there twice when we were there last year. We'll be doing it again in May. :)

Living in Boston, we're spoiled by great Italian restaurants. Portobello's is right up there with the best of 'em up here. It's a tad pricey, but actually a bit less than Alfredo's in Epcot Italy.

There are a handful of other places to eat (like Wolfgang Puck and Fulton's) that are also good (so I've heard) and also a bit on the splurge side.

Downtown Disney is a great place to hang out, especially after a long trip. No obligation to spend money (although the temptation is NOT insignificant.)

Hope this helps. Have a great vacation!

[CaribBeachNut]

We usually drive and arrive Sunday afternoon and start the parks on Monday a.m.. Our first night, Sunday night is pizza night where we wander over to Old Port Royale (at CBR of course). We try to eat outside at one of their tables. The pool bar is usually open then and an exotic drink helps DW after the long hours in the car. After pizza, the kids drive over to DTD while DW and I walk back to the room and watch the WDW TV channels to plan our first days and unpack. When the kids come back we then go over what we planned and then replan with the kids. Then we stroll over to OPR again to watch the Epcot fireworks.

[disneygrandma]

I usually stay at Port Orleans French Quarter, but they have the same at Riverside. Go down by the river and catch the riverboat over to Disney Marketplace. There are a number of places to eat or you can just walk around. The new Toy Story store is great for kids and a lot of the stores are just fun to window shop. You may wish on walk on down to the West Side also. Then go back to Marketplace and catch the boat back to PO Riverside. Sometimes it can get a little busy on Sat or Sun evenings as everyone else is doing the samething. But you will begin to enjoy the Disney Magic.

[CaribBeachNut]

Disneygrandma, welcome to DC!

[JordansDad]

Hey Susan!

We're arriving at WDW coming from just north of Atlanta the day after!

We like to start off with something "neat" on our first night. This time, we're staying at Wilderness Lodge, so for dinner the day we arrive we are eating at Whispering Canyon. Never eaten there, but from what I hear it should be a great way to set the mood for our WL stay for our 5 and three yr old.

Last time we were staying at AS Movie and went to Downtown Disney the first evening and dined at Rainforest Cafe. The kids loved it and I think Downtown Disney is a great way to start the vacation off without entering one of the parks.

[SusanC]

Originally posted by JordansDad
Hey Susan!

We're arriving at WDW coming from just north of Atlanta the day after!

Interesting! Where are you coming from? We are actually north of Atlanta too - about 15 miles north of Gainesville - the small town of Lula.

[SusanC]

I like the idea of taking the River Taxi to DTD. We have been to WDW 2 times but never to DTD. This will probably be a good time to look over the resort too.

All other ideas appreciated!

[Amneris]

We usually head for DownTown Disney. With the Disney shops all over, you certainly know that you're at WDW, and you don't have to pay admission. :) We usually eat at Portobello or Rainforest at DTD, and do Chef Mickey's on arrival night -- but I see you've already got later PSs for those last two. There's a new sandwich place at DTD which might be good, and there's an ice cream place there too. Good for fun snacks while you're looking around. Also, you can check out pleasure island as it's free admission to that during the days (the clubs aren't open, but the shops are and it's still neat just to walk through and see what you're missing). There's the Virgin store there too if you want to do some "normal" shopping, and the movie theater (where saw Haunted Mansion there on our last trip). Plus this lets you have plenty of time to spalsh about in the pool and explore the hotel.

You could also head over to the Boardwalk. Flying Fish and Spoodles are great to eat at, place there's a bakery place there. And at the Yacht and Beach hotels there's regular food places, the Cape May clam dinner and Beaches and Cream ice cream parlor. Not as shopping-intensive as DTD, but it would still give your family plenty to do.

[disneyguy]

DTD has a lot of wonderful resturaunts that make a great opening into that Disney service without too much theming. I personally like to do something simple if we are going to be getting there late. Depending on how late you are getting there I would recomend Cirque Du Soleil for the night. It will completely wow you. There is a 6 or 6:30 and a 9 PM show. And the show is about 1.5 hours to 2 hrs.

[BDavis932]

How about Fort Wilderness?

Take a bus to MK and then a boat to Fort Wilderness. Go eat dinner at Trails End Buffet, then go on a hayride and do the campfire and a movie with chip and dale (free!)

After the campfire, go over to the beach watch the electrical water parade and then take a boat back to MK and take a bus back to your resort.

[BDavis932]

Or just unpack and get settled in to your hotel room....let the kids go swimming, eat dinner in the food court and get to bed early.
Our first night is usually the first night that we ever get to bed at a decent hour. :laugh

Isn't there a fishing area at POR?? That might be fun, too!

[MickeyManic]

This may not be an option to you, but I think it would be great if you could switch your PS for O'hana to the night you arrive. O'hana is such a neat Disney experience; I just think it would start the vacation off so nicely! Plus, walking down to the beach and watching the Electrical Water Pageant and even taking a quick ride on the monorail are both ways your family can dip your feet in without getting wet (so to speak). :laugh

No matter what, the first day is always so incredibly exciting. Even if you just eat at the food court and walk around the resort!!

Don't you just love the quick jaunt to WDW? We live in Lawrenceville and can get on property in about 6-1/2 hours.

Anyway, have fun!!!!

[SusanC]

Originally posted by MickeyManic
Don't you just love the quick jaunt to WDW? We live in Lawrenceville and can get on property in about 6-1/2 hours.

What route do you take? It seems to take us a little bit longer. We have only been 2 times and have not worked out the best navigation.

[JordansDad]

Originally posted by SusanC
Interesting! Where are you coming from? We are actually north of Atlanta too - about 15 miles north of Gainesville - the small town of Lula.

We're coming from NW of Atlanta (Cartersville).