20th anniv dinner suggestions

[MadFF]

We will be at Fort Wilderness in October this year. I am looking for ideas for a "fancy" dinner.... it is our 20th wedding anniversary, and wife would like a nice sit down dinner. We aren't really looking for semi-formal type dress - we are in the camper, no room for fancy clothes! lol.

Not looking for a "character" dinner. It will be myself, wife, 16 year old son and 15 year old daughter (both very well behaved).

We were at FW in 2008, and only did the character meals and counter service, so I have no idea about "nice" restaurants at Disney World. We will be on the meal plan, but I am willing to pay out of pocket for a nice place. I do want to keep it in Disney World.

Another thing for me to consider - having to cleanup before dinner if necessary. Being at FW, I will need to keep in mind travel time to and from the campground.

Maybe a dinner timed with a good view of fireworks if possible?

Thanks for ideas.

 

[MadFF]

As to dress... I don't mean we will be showing up in bathing suits. I am assuming we might be wearing, say, nice polo shirts and slacks type of thing.

 

[gillenkl]

My first thought was California Grill on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort - you can time it to have a view of the MK Fireworks.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/california-grill/

 

[DisCamper]

California Grill will fit your needs but it's pricy

 

[UMADDBG]

We love Fulton's for special dinners. Pricey too...all things Disney are pricey!

http://reviews.wdwinfo.com/showproduct.php/item/781_ Fulton's Crab House

 

[becky1960]

Artist Point at WL and Bomas at AKL...

 

[Sandi]

I like the suggestions of California Grill. It's very nice and convenient to FW. I would also like to suggest Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge. Not only is it convenient, but it is very good and we had a wonderful experience having an anniversary dinner there about 8 years ago (I've eaten there since). They prepared a special menu for us that said "Congratulations on your Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. XXX" at the bottom. We also received a complimentary dessert. I still have that menu and great memories.

Another suggestion is to tell your son and daughter to do dinner on their own that night! At 15 and 16, they can certainly go to a themepark on their own and just check in with you by cell phone at times you designate. It's perfectly appropriate to bring your kids, but they would probably have no problem allowing you and your wife a time to celebrate alone.

 

[Krystalynn]

I would also like to suggest California Grill! It would be perfect for an anniversary dinner

 

[jherauf]

Flying Fish at the Boardwalk

 

[dblr]

My first thought was California Grill on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort - you can time it to have a view of the MK Fireworks.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/california-grill/

People from Delaware must think alot alike that's waht I was going to say, we did this last year for the 4th of July and it was great. It's not cheap we were on the DDP and it was a 2 sit down credit but we really did enjoy our self. They have an outside viewing area but we were able to see everything from our table, the viewing area was very crowded.
We also like Le Cellier in Canada not as fancy more relaxed but I heard they raised that place to a 2 credit place now also, not sure how much the prices went up when paying for dinner.

 

[LarryJ]

Our once a trip "NICE" dinner is now Bistro in France (not the downstairs restaurant, but the smaller upstairs one) since V&A's dress code got so relaxed. V&A's actually had coats and ties to lend if you weren't dress appropriately, but all that changed about 3 or 4 years ago.

IMHO I don't like the open atmosphere and traffic in the huge open air atmosphere of the CG and the Flying Fish just didn't measure up for seafood. Back in the mid 1980's the CG restaurant which I think was called the Top of the World actually had "LIVE" floor shows during the dinner which was really nice.

Larry

 

[5stljayhawks]

The two "nice" restaurants include the Cal Grill, which the wife and i went this past dec. If you drink wine, there is a little sticker shock, but the worth the price of admission. There is an observatory out the back of the rest. or you can request a window seat, overlooking the park. Well worth the extra wait, so ask when you arrive and check, it. If you haven’t been to the comtemp. it's pretty cool place to kill 1/2 hour walking around.

I also vote for the upper rest in France. Actually took our kids in there, 5,3,.9 and had a great time. Prob. one of the best meals as a family out of all our trips. We were the only ones with kids, and we bribed them to behave it all worked out.

If you have a rental car there are plenty of offsite at a fraction of the cost. Think there’s a ruth chris and number of other steak places and seafood as well.

 

[starbuc71]

If you let the kids fiend for themselves and really want the most romatic best dinner and you have very deep pockets, Victoria and alberts at the Grand Floridian would be up your alley. Shulas Steak house at the Dolphin/Swan is a little more affordable and a very nice place. We have one here in Tampa that we goto when my company fits the bill

 

[MadFF]

Thanks for all the quick replies!

Mom actually wants to have dinner with the kids (I guess "young adults" would be more accurate, lol)... We are all so busy, that we rarely get out for a nice sit down meal.

The California Grill looks very nice, and right now is the top contender. Convenient to the Fort, too.

I'll look into reservations tomorrow or the next day, so more recommendations are welcome!

 

[MadFF]

If you let the kids fiend for themselves and really want the most romatic best dinner and you have very deep pockets, Victoria and alberts at the Grand Floridian would be up your alley.

That looks great... maybe another trip. Gives me another reason to return!

 

[2goofycampers]

Narcoossee's is very nice. A window seat at the right time is a good spot for fireworks also.

 

[photofreak]

thank you so much for asking this question... We too are celebrating our 20th anniversary and are looking at a nice dinner while we're there in late October.... I definately enjoying reading everyone's suggestions!! THANKS!

 

[MadFF]

Narcoossee's is very nice. A window seat at the right time is a good spot for fireworks also.

Where is this? I can't seem to find info about it.

 

[MadFF]

Ahhh... I found it. At the Grand Floridian. That looks nice also! Disney World does have a couple restaurants, doesn't it? lol

 

[MadFF]

We've decided on California Grill -- thanks for the responses. What is a good time for reservations so we can see the fireworks? And how much time do you think we need to get back to Fort Wilderness to "freshen up" before heading over for dinner? Including time for boat transportation.

And..... any ideas for me to surprise the wife, since this is our 20th anniversary? Flower arrangement, singing mariachis, sky writing airplanes, whatever (lol). Just looking for ideas, humorous and otherwise! Simpler, the better!

I was thinking along the lines of a special delivery flower arrangement maybe. But something unique would be neat. For wife's 40th birthday, I arranged a small party at a local restaurant (which she easily found out about), but what she didn't know was that I arranged for a limo pick us up and bring us there. It was a quick trip to the local restaurant, but she loved it!