I’m sure you’ve all heard that old saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Well I’ve made some big life changes lately and I’m moving to Orlando. What does that mean for you, my dear readers? It means a couple of things. I’ll be able to attend some of the special events that are designed for Orlando locals. These include Tables in Wonderland dinners, wine dinners at Jiko, and some of the specialty dinners like last year’s Haunted Mansion Room for One More Dinner. It also means that I’ll be able to try out new menus as they change, rather than waiting for my next trip. I’ll be able to go to new restaurants as they are opening. I’ll be able to provide more up to date reviews and information for all of you.
This brings me to a big decision. My very first day in Orlando will be May 31st and so that I have some comfort in making a big change, I’m staying my first night at the Villas Wilderness Lodge. My obsession with food and drink in general is well known. Dining at Disney has become a big part of my life. It’s not only writing this blog, but making dining decisions has been the biggest part of planning my Disney vacations for a long time. I understand that for many of you, where you are staying and what you are going to see at the parks is the first thing that you plan. The first, and most often changed part of my planning, is where I’m going to eat. I take polls. I obsess. I ask lots of questions and spend hours pouring over changes in menu items. Ultimately, I’ve had a lot of wonderful meals, even if I am sometimes overly critical of the food and staff.
I’m looking as the very first meal I eat on my very first night in Orlando as The First Meal of the Rest of My Life. So I’m reaching out to you. Where would you have that very first meal? It might not sound all that important, but my obsession with food and all things Disney come together in my love of Disney Dining. I have now eaten in all but two of the sit down restaurants at the parks and resorts. The two I haven’t been too really just don’t appeal to me very much: Boatwright’s and Hollywood and Vine. I promise I’ll get to them eventually. I haven’t conquered all of Downtown Disney yet, but I’m working on that too.
So I’m asking you. Where would you have the first meal of the rest of your life? And perhaps more important, why would you choose this location? Is there a restaurant that is particularly special for you? Or a restaurant that, to you, represents the beginning of a journey? I’ll, of course, listen to all of your thoughts, but I can tell you that there are three locations that are off the table for me. I’m not going to go to Victoria and Albert’s by myself. That is an experience I think is better shared with someone else. Two other Signature Restaurants have been sour experiences for me in the past few months: Artist Point is one and Bistro de Paris is the other. I’m looking forward to trying them again in the future, but I know that they aren’t the spot for this very important first meal. I also highly doubt that I could get a reservation at Le Cellier at this late date.
I can’t wait to hear what everyone else would do! I’ll be posting back again soon to let you know what I’ve decided and of course a write up of my first meal will follow!
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Although I believe that V&A would be the best place to celebrate a new beginning, I understand not wanting to eat there alone. Next choice – and it’s a stretch at this point – is dining at the Castle! I can’t think of a more magical location. Enjoy the start of your new life, where ever you may start it!
Hmmm . . . Cinderella’s Royal Table is one I hadn’t thought of . . .it certainly would be magical! Thanks so much!
I would choose Tutto Italia. I just love that restaurant! I love the iced tea, I love the comfort food, I love the dessert, and I think it has the best servers. When my DH and I visited on our anniversary, a group of servers came over to our table with a special dessert and sang to us. I just melted. I even love hearing them talk to each other in Italian. It’s such a beautiful language.
VERY HARD QUESTION!! My traditional first-night meal is at Flying Fish, both because I usually stay at Boardwalk and because I just love it there. I also like walking out onto the Boardwalk for an after-dinner stroll. The Crescent Lake area is the center of Disney World for me. I think, though, if I wanted this meal to signify a big, new adventurous world beginning, I’d choose Jiko. You could sit at the counter and watch the chefs and choose from a menu that’s always changing and always fantastic. It’s such a beautiful space, too, and you’d get to roam around Jambo House afterwards. I’m so excited for you, Heather, and can’t wait to share a meal with you on my next trip!
I can’t wait to have dinner with you too Laurie! Jiko is a really interesting choice!
I too have eaten in most places, but if I had to, HAD TO, choose just one, whether it be the meal to take friends for the first time, or my gallows meal or my ‘new beginnings’ meal, it would be the Cali Grill.
Great food, great atmosphere, great views. For me, it is the ultimate restaurant anywhere, whether in the world or the World.
Thanks so much–those are great reasons to chose CG!
Heather,
I think you ought to head to California Grill where you could reflect and enjoy your sushi and wine.
Or maybe you ought to go for some fun and hugs at Crystal Palace.
OH boy that’s one I didn’t think of! I celebrated my 30th birthday at Crystal Palace!
so excited for you, heather! my first meal would have to be at flying fish. why? well, the food is fantastic, but i think it is the atmosphere and decor that gets me. it is all about fun and whimsy. sort of seams appropriate that you are entering into a new very fun phase of your life.
Great reasons Sheri–taking it under advisement–and working on a decision.
Well, I was going to say Artist Point, but I understand if you want the memory of your last visit to fade. We had such a great experience in April we went back a second time. But this was after a less than stellar experience in December.
I say California Grill for the variety of offerings and it’s beautiful venue. Also, don’t they have a major refurb coming up? We had a great meal there in April, too.
I’m seriously considering the California Grill as an option!
Hi Heather,
First, I have to say I am so jealous. Moving to Orlando would be a dream come true for me too!
On to your question, if it were me, I would celebrate at Victoria & Albert’s. What a great way to kick off your new life close to WDW!
I would also like to recommend a restaurant outside of Disney in Orlando. I believe they have at least 2 locations and one is not far from Lake Buena Vista. Seasons 52 is a personal favorite of mine. The food is very good, but they have adopted a true “Disney” customer service theme.
Enjoy!
I’ll be giving Seasons 52 a try in the future! I just cannot see going to V&A by myself. I loved my last meal there, but the memories would be too much.
Hi Heather. First i wanted to say as I did in your thread, Congrats on your new chapter in your life.
Okay, I think your first meal should be California Grill or Flying Fish. I have heard so many great things and have never been to either one. I am looking forward to see waht you choose and can’t wait for your review.
Thanks so much and I love both of those restaurants–that’s one of the reasons this is so hard.
Heather you are taking a step my hubby and I want to take – move to Orlando or Lake Buena Vista. We too are DVC members and by living so close to the magic we can explore the rest of the world and what it may bring with our points.
We love and suggest for your first meal be at the kitchen bar of the California Grill. You don’t need a reservation, you go early and check in at the reservation desk. We love to make a meal out of appetizers so enjoy.
I eat the same way–thanks for the ideas! Good luck with your dreams!
That’s easy–The Hollywood Brown Derby. Why? Two reasons.
Reason one–the food is great. That’s the short answer. Reason two matters more.
Reason two–it’s the Holllywood Brown Derby. To me, the whole idea of Hollywood represents hopes, dreams, and risks. What better place to break into your new life? Set the stage for your future? Break a leg? Should I stop coming up with punny reasons now? Because I’m serious. Hollywood Brown Derby. Its a winner.
That’s a great idea Tracy–and one I hadn’t thought of and I LOVE the HBD.
My new favorite..but we need to keep it a secret..I’ve been lucky enough to walk in a few times there…
My vote is for California Grill. Though I like laurie’s idea about the Boardwalk too. Since you are staying at VWL, you will have the boatride over and back to look forward to. I love riding the boats at Disney. I like the idea of being on top of the World,as you first meal.
You are about to enter a wonderful new life… Enjoy
I love all of the ideas so far! Many of my favorite place have been mentioned, but I’ll get out of the box and through out one more idea. How about a progressive dinner? You could start your new adventure by visiting all 4 parks and having your favorite items at each. Fo example you could start with a Yak Attack at Animal Kingdom – then head over to DHS for an appetizer (maybe some onion rings from the Tune in Lounge) – follow that by a leisurely stroll over to Epcot for an entree at your favorite TS restaurant (Chefs? or Tutto? – you might actually need an ADR here) and end the evening at MK for dessert from Main Street Ice Cream Parlor while watching Wishes.
Wow! That’s a great idea, but I’m not sure if I’ll be up for that much action. I will have driven all night, picked up my new keys, had new apartment cleaned, checked in to VWL and hopefully had a nap!
Now that’s what I call “Park Hopping!”
For myself it would be Cape May Cafe’, we just love it there. Love the Clam Bake! But since this is for you I think that California Grill is the place to go! They have wonderful food and you just can’t beat the view and if you time it to watch wishes then how can you go wrong! Congrats on starting the rest of your life!
Heather – I was going to go with the flow and say Cali Grill. Because of the view, sushi, wine, etc. But I decided to go in another direction (kind of like you ;-)).
I would suggest Yachtsman Steakhouse. Reasons? Great food. Quiet atmosphere. But you must ask for Sam as your server! We went there on our last night of our last trip. We had the worst day of our trip. We lost our car keys, had issues with the hotel and the commute from Bay Lake Tower to Yacht Club took over 90 mins! We finally got there – a bit stressed – and met Sam. He was heavenly. He welcomed us, gave us suggestions and served us with grace and style. We even saw him greet repeat guests with hugs and warm wishes. So despite our bad day, Sam turned it all around. We had a peaceful, delicious dinner and recouped what could have been a terrible last night. It is my most highly recommended restaurant experience.
Good luck to you. I have a feeling you will be just fine. And I hope if you see us (Coop and ChukkerB) that you will say hi and maybe we can get a margarita in Mexico?
Well I was actually going to say California Grill so it looks like a lot of others agree with me ;). You get a great meal whether you have a traditional entree or just appetizers, and the bonus of being able to see Wishes! and The Electric Water Pageant for dessert :)! You cannot beat that, IMHO.
I would go to Downtown Disney, to the House of Blues. Have a drink, listen to some music, and have a wonderful meal celebrating your new beginning. Eat outside, and you get to people watch too!
I too love the restaurants at Disney World and this is a difficult choice to make, but I would go for The Hollywood Brown Derby. As Tracy mentioned “Hollywood represents hopes, dreams, and risks.” What could be more appropriate for beginning your new life in Orlando. The food is excellent, the pace of the service is not rushed, and it is fun to try to name the Stars in the caricatures hanging on the walls.
Good luck in your new adventure and may your first meal of the rest of your life be wonderful.
I love Artist point….but have became a fan of the brown Derby in my last few trips…( funny how the big “must haves”( ex: le cellier,California grill) got replaced by some easier to get ressies or even walk Ins .But if you wanna hide me in your suitcase…I still wanna try Victoria and Albert’s LOL
Boma. My personal ‘1st night fave’
You might be pleasantly surprised by LeCellier. We often get last minute reservations because someone has cancelled. I suspect other people do like we do and overbook LeCellier so they can choose later which reservation they want to use. Some may see this as greedy, I choose to see it as making someone happy. We cancel, someone else calls for reservation and ” voila ” one just became available! Since reservations can now be made via computer, it only takes a few minutes to check, way faster than talking to operator. LeCellier is worth it. If you keep trying, you may get a little Disney ” magic “!
I had a not so great meal at Le Cellier, right after they changed to Signature Dining. It’s out of the rotation for the moment!
I agree with California Grill or Hollywood Brown Derby. I’ve never been disappointed for service or food quality at either. May I suggest one that is often overlooked and because of that usually isn’t hard to get a ressie? Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco is exotic but not that foreign. It has entertainment that presents itself well but doesn’t dominate meal like character dinning does. I’ve even learned some of the dishes and incorporated them into meals at home.
I’ve never understood the attraction to Le Cellars. Uninspired meals and flat service. Worst experience I ever had was Jinko. Bad service from the start and throughout the meal. Forget about recovering the experience – it just started bad and became worst. I should have gotten up and walked across the hallway to Boma. The food is far better there.
I would probably pick Narcossee’s. But I like the view and the food. And something about kicking off the new phase of your life at Grand Floridian just seems like you’re setting the right standard.
Best of luck, Heather!
My dinner suggestion would be La Hacienda with a dinner time late enough to see Illuminations from the restaurant. I think that the show would represent the big step and new life that you are starting.