Dining outside of park for group?

[PHXscuba]

We will be taking our family, my husband's staff, and their families to DLR next fall. I have been lurking here and watching park hours, crowd estimates, etc. for what to do next year.

We will be staying onsite and want to have a big group dinner the night we arrive, so no park tickets that night. Prefer in one of the hotels or Downtown Disney. Doesn't have to be a private room, but would be nice to have our own corner and everyone together at one or two tables. It looks like there are several restaurants in the 3 hotels that might work, but I'd like some firsthand opinions, espcially if you've eaten there with a group.

I am looking for a good place for a group of 15-20, including kids, to have dinner, kind of a "welcome to DL."

No character meals. We have at least one adult and one kid who are furr-a-phobic , so I'm not going to pay extra to frighten people.

TIA for your suggestions

PHXscuba
"You can't have everything -- besides, where would you put it all?"

 

[avalon451]

Depends on what kind of atmosphere you're looking for. If you'd like a bit more elegant but still palatable for the kids, Storyteller's Cafe in GCH would be great. Very good food and beautiful setting. You can wander around the enormous, beautiful lobby and hang out by the fireplace afterward. I believe they do storytelling there some nights? You'd have to check with guest services.

If you'd like something more of a fun atmosphere for the kids, Rainforest Cafe is pretty cool.

I've heard that Ralph Brennan's has fabulous food. That's more of an adult atmosphere, though.

ESPN Zone might be a lot of fun. They have a big game room for the kids (and the big boys ) to play in, too.

Of course, these are all going to be pretty costly, but I'm sure you expected that.

Just a couple of thoughts to throw out there!

 

[Goofster57]

First things first...where should I send my resume so that I can get hired before next fall.....

I would agree Storytellers would be good,

ESPN would be nice since they also have the arcade upstairs and I believe that they may even have a room that you could get for your group.

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria in DTD may be another choice they have a very nice patio area for dinning.

Catal Restaurant would not be a bad choice they also have an upstairs area that might be good for your group.

At the Jazz Kitchen if the fireworks are going they let you go out on the balcony and watch them.

Which ever you choose I think you will be happy with it and remember to send that address for my resume..I would be ok with a middle six figure salary with no responsibilities

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I would only do it some place that takes PS, especially for a group that large. That means, even though I love it, ESPNZone would be out. We've done 10 people at Storyteller's for lunch and I thought it was great. So that would be my choice.

 

[PHXscuba]

I'll look into Storyteller's Cafe, Naples, Catal's, and the Jazz Kitchen. They all sound promising. We have a Rainforest Cafe here and I like it, but I'm trying to find something unique to Disney, especially since none of DH's staff has EVER been to DLR.

I'm afraid if we went to ESPN Zone I might never get DH and DS out (maybe some other night)

Goofster57: We'll keep you in mind ... just send $99 and a self-addressed envelope to me (just kididng, of course) Our staff works hard to keep the office productive and we can never pay them as much as we want to, so this is a big one-time bonus for everyone.

Thanks for the input. Anyone else with ideas?

PHXscuba

 

[Goofster57]

Goofster57: We'll keep you in mind ... just send $99 and a self-addressed envelope to me (just kididng, of course) Our staff works hard to keep the office productive and we can never pay them as much as we want to, so this is a big one-time bonus for everyone.

Would you take a credit card?

I think it is a great thing you are doing for them, sounds like a great place to work.

 

[wendylady36]

I think Naples is a good choice for adults and children! I do love their pizza, and the kids mac and cheese is pretty freakin' good too!

 

[RaeRae's Mommy]

I would do Storytellers Cafe at GCH because you can do the buffet and will be able to know the cost up front. And you can make Priority Seating by calling (714) 781-3463. And as avalon451 said the lobby is beautiful. We just stayed at GCH and had diner at the Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen it as $90 with no drinks for dh,dd3 and myself. And my food was cold and not very good. And it took forever to get are food and it was a slow night. I will never go back. I thought goofy's kitchen was way better for the money. I've eaten at some great restaurants. My dh has no problem spend money on a good restaurants and that was not for us.

 

[PHXscuba]

I like the idea of the buffet at the Storyteller's Cafe. Definitely lets you know the budget before we set foot in the place, and everyone can get what they want w/o worrying about price. I looked at the menu on another website and it looked decent. Naples also seemed nice on the menu.

Any other buffets of note? (outside the parks)

PHXscuba

 

[kingLouiethe1]

Can I just put in another negative review for the Jazz Kitchen. I think their food is so bland and overpriced. The creole type food at Mimi's cafe is much better than that.

We all love the storyteller's cafe, I think it's one of the best Disney owned meals you can have at DL.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We did a large group like that at Rainforest Cafe a few years back. They gave us a corner with the big aquarium. Made for a nice meal.

 

[avalon451]

ut oh. Now I'm re-thinking our PS's at Jazz Kitchen. But, but, but... the bread pudding looked SO good!