Date night suggestions...

[jksmith17]

It will be our anniversary during our visit and I wanted to take a night and send the kids to Lilo's Playhouse (or equivalent) while hubby and I went to dinner. I am debating whether to schedule something nice at the Yachtsman or somewhere, or just take the night to wander the boardwalk or Epcot and "snack" our way around. Any suggestions or guidance on where to go/what to do? Only main concern with doing a nice dinner is that we have three kids, so putting them in childcare for several hours is already going to cost quite a bit! But if the nice dinner is worth it, I would be willing to splurge for the experience!

 

[JZCubed]

It will be our anniversary during our visit and I wanted to take a night and send the kids to Lilo's Playhouse (or equivalent) while hubby and I went to dinner. I am debating whether to schedule something nice at the Yachtsman or somewhere, or just take the night to wander the boardwalk or Epcot and "snack" our way around. Any suggestions or guidance on where to go/what to do? Only main concern with doing a nice dinner is that we have three kids, so putting them in childcare for several hours is already going to cost quite a bit! But if the nice dinner is worth it, I would be willing to splurge for the experience!

Swan & Dolphin Signatures give 2 hours of free childcare at Camp Dolphin, I believe, for each entree purchased.

So, if you split a pasta and each had your own entree, childcare is free for three - I think (we have an only child).

Two more cents: don't travel far from your childcare, wherever that might be. You can walk from Poly to Grand Floridian - Citrico's & Narcoossee's are nice; Victoria & Albert is over the top….but you pay for childcare.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Or, pop up the monorail to Contemporary for California Grill.

 

[kandb]

Don't have a dinner far from where you are going to send the children to be watched.

 

[pixarmom]

Our older boys are teens and babysit our youngest, so we don't have childcare expenses. Even without those expenses, our view of "date night" at Disney is a little different from most. First, it's not usually an entire night - it's a couple hours either before or after dinner with the kids. As for signature restaurants, I think we've been to every signature on property with kids - most multiple times - except for Citricos. So we have an idea for what they are and what they are not to us. Our kids are always very welcome, the menus are interesting, the food quality is generally higher than at other Disney locations, and the atmosphere is more relaxing than the typical theme park restaurant. So with kids, the cost of a signature dinner is worth it to us. But not so much for a date night.

So instead, we go for fun and festive when planning Disney dates. We've done several 'mini dates' in the club lounge when staying club level, but I think our favorite dates are quick breaks at other Disney lounges. If you're in the Epcot, the bar at Il Mulino or at blue zoo are great for that. At WL, Territory Lounge is a wonderful spot. We also enjoy Tutto Gusto - the wine bar in Italy. La Cava in Mexico is fun too. But I think one of our favorites is Tambu Lounge at Poly - very fun and festive. So I think your snack date is a great idea!!!