Anniversary, family, fun -- help needed!

[gopherit]

We invariably end up spending our wedding anniversary at WDW, although never just dh and me -- always at least our 3 kids in tow, and this year we have SIL, BIL, and their 2 boys along as well.

Last time, we did Coral Reef. DH didn't care for the meal (thought it was overpriced), mine was just ok, so that was a bummer. Looking for somewhere with good food AND ambiance -- though since kids are along, make it good for them too (nothing stuffy).

SO..... that said, DH and I would like somewhere special to dine. A park or resort is fine, although I will add that we will most likely be in a park that day -- quite likely MK -- so any resort would have to be an easy-access one. Some ideas are: The castle at MK, Whispering Canyon (yes, we know they might pick on us and we're "OK" with that!), Ohana, Chef Mickey's, LeCellier or Teppanyaki (if we're at EPCOT instead), or Prime Time (if we're at MGM). Any other ideas welcomed.

Thought about Ohana in particular since it's a festive atmostphere, but we're going in the summer so I don't think viewing the fireworks is an option (would be well past our dining hour!)

THanks for any help --

 

[ahutton]

You didn't mention how old your kids are, which for us would factor into the decision (but ours are toddlers!).

At MK I would pick either LTT or the castle, food is good but not great, and they have nice atmosphere. At MK resorts I would pick Contemporary Steakhouse or Kona (great seafood) as my favorites that have great food. 'Ohana is good food too, and lots of fun and games, but the other two have a bit fancier choices for adults while still being kid friendly.

All in all I like the food better in the hotels, although they don't always have as much atmosphere as the park restaurants do.

 

[gopherit]

THanks for the reply!

Our kids are 9,7,and 3. My nephews will be 4 and 8 mos. So no teens -- just a LOT of the "ten and unders" !! (and 4 young-at-heart 30-something adults!)

Is LTT a "heavy" meal in the summer? Something about Thanksgiving dinner in August seems intrinsically wrong, but maybe not -- if anyone out there has done LTT in the summer, let me know!!

Question: How "fancy" is Narcoosees? Just wondering, since GF is also a monorail resort.

 

[donac]

We loved Tepanyaki at Epcot. We have eaten there for an anniversary and have gone there as a group with kids. IT is a lot of fun and it keeps the kids entertained throughout the entire meals.

Dona

 

[funhouse8]

We ate at Teppanyaki for NYE. It was wonderful. The chief was very entertaining. They sit the children towards the ends of the table because the middle of the table is very heat. With very young children, I'm not sure if I would be able to enjoy my meal knowing this, I would probably do an anniversary dinner at the garden grill with a rehitching cerm. That would be alot of fun.

 

[ahutton]

I think LTT is as heavy or light a meal as you make it. They serve a wonderful salad, my kids loved it. Some roasted sliced turkey and ham, salad, rolls - that's not too heavy. Yes they also serve dressing, potatoes and mac and cheese, but on a warm November day (we actually bought tshirts because we were too hot!) it was great. The atmosphere was wonderful with the kids.

Narcoosees is great food, and an open, airy setting but I would call it nice and not too fancy. There is a nice view of the castle and the grounds are nice to wander around. There is a patio the kids could go out to if they needed to work a few bugs out. It is generally a bustling atmosphere, and we saw many families with kids there.

 

[CamColt]

My first vote goes to leaving the kids with your family and you and your DH go out for a night alone(thats what we are doing on our anniversary in July).

But, if thats not possible, then I would go with your idea of Ohana. We ate there for the first time last month and enjoyed it very much. It even became my new favorite WDW restaurant. The food, service, and atmosphere were wonderful. The kids were able to have a good time with the coconut races, and they were able to get kids meals since they wouldnt eat any of the food served.