Artist Point or Jiko for date night?

[pigletto]

We will be going to both AP and Jiko on our trip in August. One meal will be the four of us (kids are 14 and 7 and very well behaved in restaurants). One meal will be a date night for DH and I.
Which one would you choose for the family meal and which for the date?
Any preferences?

 

[nytimez]

Jiko for the family meal and Artist Point for the date.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Honestly, I think both are pretty interchangeable here. Jiko and Artist Point are two of the more adult, quieter signatures (I don't think families would feel out of place at either one, but they're still good choices for romance). Jiko's menu is a bit less familiar to people, although I think AP has many innovative preparations on the menu. Jiko has lots of bold colors and unique details to look at, while AP has a more "rustic elegant" decor and big windows that overlook the pool area and forest. Both meals provide an opportunity to explore a beautifully themed lodge. And they're both among my favorite Disney restaurants for their amazing food. Great choices

 

[cbg1027]

I agree with DonaldDoleWhip on this one. They're interchangeable for those two purposes. I guess I would show the menus to the kids and see which one appeals more to them and make the family meal at that location.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Both are kind of quiet and romantic. I agree with the other posters about talking to your kids and seeing which menu they would like more.

I would personally choose Artist Point for the family dinner and Jiko for the date night because Jiko is more special to me.

 

[madalex]

Jiko for the date night. Both have great food, but the decor and ambience at Jiko is much more conducive to an adults only meal.

 

[minniebeth]

We have not eaten at Jiko yet (on my wish list), but I can tell you that our meal at Artist Point was far from quiet and romantic. There were plenty of kids there, and there was a group of 5 or 6 kids noisily running around in and out of the restaurant's terrace around and around. We (nicely) asked the waitress if she could ask them to stop running (really, it was crazy) and she told us she felt bad, but she couldn't do that since they were dining there.
Artist Point is a beautiful restaurant, but it's also airy/open and didn't give off the warm and cozy ambiance that might appeal to couples on a date night.
We enjoyed our meal at Artist Point (albeit overpriced in my opinion) but
Jiko just seems warmer to me (we've walked by it many times)...

 

[pigletto]

Thank you for the suggestions!
I think I will show them the menus and decide from there.

Minniebeth, I am sorry your dinner at AP was ruined. That would upset me too. The day my kids ran around in a restaurant would be the last time they'd eat out for a loooonnnngggg time.

 

[minniebeth]

Thank you for the suggestions!
I think I will show them the menus and decide from there.

Minniebeth, I am sorry your dinner at AP was ruined. That would upset me too. The day my kids ran around in a restaurant would be the last time they'd eat out for a loooonnnngggg time.

You're sweet, pigletto, dinner wasn't completely ruined, just not as enjoyable...Most families we encounter in Disney restaurants are considerate. The kids were apparantly with a couple of families dining together and the parents were having a good time, of course, since the kids weren't bothering THEM!

 

[OhThePain]

I'd go with Jiko for the date night. You can do more than just eat at AKL. You can grab a drink and sit around the fire pit or watch the animals (with and without night vision goggles) or just relax and take in AKL as a whole. Yes, all the activities are family friendly, but you and DH might get more of the date feeling if you enjoy some of the things around AKL sans kids.

Another fun date night if your open to other suggestions would be dinner at either Flying Fish, Shula's or bluezoo, a pre or post dinner round of mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens and some singing and drinks at Jellyrolls.

 

[nytimez]

Jiko is a better restaurant for kids because of the open kitchen. In fact, guests are encouraged to take a look -- so if your kids need to get up for a minute and take a walk, it's a great excuse... and all the AKL activities are kid- and family-friendly.

I'm sorry for whoever had the bad experiences at Artist Point, but when I've been there it's been relatively quiet. Also, a walk around the hotel and out to the beach after the meal, at night, can be very romantic. Time it right and you can see the water pageant (but don't put a lot of effort into that, it's not really worth it).

I find Jiko to be vibrant and exciting... and that's why I think it's a better restaurant to bring kids. Artist Point, in my experience, has been quiet and elegant (but I wouldn't hesitate to bring a well-behaved child there).

 

[andylcq]

Both have great food, Both are kind of quiet and romantic but the decor and ambience at Jiko is much more conducive to an adults only meal.

 

[Pats Dragon]

Jiko is more for adults in my opinion although I like both. Last time I was at AP a family with 5 kids sat next to us. The toddler whined and cried and whined and cried. Parents totally ignored her until she threw up all over the table! Parents please don't take little kids to nice restaurants if they are hot and exhausted from a summer day in the park.