Honeymoon Dining Advice

[PrincessNewsie]

I hear that you can see Illuminations from Bistro de Paris, Wishes from Narcoose's & California Grill... I plan on getting reservation at all 3 of these when we go to WDW for our honeymoon in May of 2009. Should I shoot for fireworks time?

The fireworks are SO special to us. Illuminations, we got some pixie dust after our engagement in May and got to sit in the reserved section behind Rose and Crown, it was AWESOME. Wishes, the night we got engaged, I watched it and I sobbed because it was so perfect.

My question is, sitting in the restaurant, risking missing the fireworks during these shows-- is it worth it? Should I try to schedule during firework time, or schedule at 630 (during prime child less romantic time) so that we can make it on the nights we're using passes?

Are ADRs at signature dining difficult to get if I call on the 180 day mark? Do you have to dress up to go to these restarants? And should I just wait until Nov 1st (when EMH are released) to finish planning? we have our list of restaurants we want to go to, but it's hard to know which days (for the MK or Epcot required entry restaurants) we are going without knowing that we want to avoid EMH AM...)

 

[PrincessNewsie]

Also, are ADRs difficult to get right at the 180 day mark? And does WDW really release the EMH for May right on Nov 1st? (I can technically call to reserve ADRs on November 18th, provided the new system is up) This will give us 16 days to outline a tentative park/ADR outline for our trip

HALF THE FUN IS THE PLANNING!

 

[LisaZee]

I hear that you can see Illuminations from Bistro de Paris, Wishes from Narcoose's & California Grill... I plan on getting reservation at all 3 of these when we go to WDW for our honeymoon in May of 2009. Should I shoot for fireworks time?

The fireworks are SO special to us. Illuminations, we got some pixie dust after our engagement in May and got to sit in the reserved section behind Rose and Crown, it was AWESOME. Wishes, the night we got engaged, I watched it and I sobbed because it was so perfect.

My question is, sitting in the restaurant, risking missing the fireworks during these shows-- is it worth it? Should I try to schedule during firework time, or schedule at 630 (during prime child less romantic time) so that we can make it on the nights we're using passes?

Are ADRs at signature dining difficult to get if I call on the 180 day mark? Do you have to dress up to go to these restarants? And should I just wait until Nov 1st (when EMH are released) to finish planning? we have our list of restaurants we want to go to, but it's hard to know which days (for the MK or Epcot required entry restaurants) we are going without knowing that we want to avoid EMH AM...)

Hi there! The spouse and I ate at Narcoosee's on our anniversary 2 years ago, we were there for the fireworks. I think we had an 8:25pm reservation with Wishes at 9pm. Just to give you some info:

We had to use 2 TS credits for Narcoosee's (we were on the dining plan, not sure if you're planning on doing that.) They do have a dress code - no shorts or t-shirts, I believe. I wore black cotton capris and a double-layered nice sleeveless shirt. The spouse wore Dockers and a polo, I believe.

They dim the lights and pipe in the music for Wishes. We had a table facing the MK, but keep in mind there is an outside deck that some people walk out to. They CAN get in your line of sight, so you may not even get a great view of the fireworks from your table. But the spouse and I enjoyed our evening - the fireworks are pretty special to us, too. If you're lucky, you'll be able to see the Electrical Water Parade from your table, as well.

If you're dead set on getting a table for the fireworks, I would call when your ressie window opens. I don't think it's too nutty to get the date you want, but I'm sure the times around Wishes fill up first.

Congrats on the upcoming wedding!

 

[PrincessNewsie]

Hi there! The spouse and I ate at Narcoosee's on our anniversary 2 years ago, we were there for the fireworks. I think we had an 8:25pm reservation with Wishes at 9pm. Just to give you some info:

We had to use 2 TS credits for Narcoosee's (we were on the dining plan, not sure if you're planning on doing that.) They do have a dress code - no shorts or t-shirts, I believe. I wore black cotton capris and a double-layered nice sleeveless shirt. The spouse wore Dockers and a polo, I believe.

They dim the lights and pipe in the music for Wishes. We had a table facing the MK, but keep in mind there is an outside deck that some people walk out to. They CAN get in your line of sight, so you may not even get a great view of the fireworks from your table. But the spouse and I enjoyed our evening - the fireworks are pretty special to us, too. If you're lucky, you'll be able to see the Electrical Water Parade from your table, as well.

If you're dead set on getting a table for the fireworks, I would call when your ressie window opens. I don't think it's too nutty to get the date you want, but I'm sure the times around Wishes fill up first.

Congrats on the upcoming wedding!

Thank you so much!!! It sounds even better than I hoped. We are going to try ASAP for the reservations, but with this nutty new system and the crazy timelines they are allowing for ADRs, I hope that I will be able to get ours!!

I'm so excited they pipe the musin in. On the viewing platform outside of Narcoose's, if we walk out there during the fireworks, do they pipe music in there?

I'm so excited now. Thanks!

 

[sarcasticblonde]

We watched Hallowishes (the Halloween Wishes) from California Grill a few weeks ago and they dimmed the lights and piped in the music and it was very neat. We sat right by the window looking out at the Magic Kingdom.

But as far as romantic... I'd say children are always pretty prevalent at CG. Don't know if that makes a difference at all.

I can't speak to the other restaurants and watching Wishes from there.

 

[Pakey]

Both CG and Narcoosees are restaurants full of children, more so than the other signature places. Hopefully noise will not affect your idea of romance. Even at the early seatings, these places will be full of family diners. We've always found the very latest seatings to be less likely to have young children.

I would book one hour before fireworks if you want to be seated at the time the fireworks start.

Bistro de Paris only takes reservations 30 days out. There is no children's menu here and no dining plan so it's definitely more romantic (less crowded) although the view of Illuminations is limited as their windows are smaller and there are trees partially blocking the view. Have them note on your reservation that it's your honeymoon and then request a window table at check in. Bistro has the same dress code as the others but people have a tendency to dress nicely for this restaurant whereas the others you will see a more casual crowd.

IMO, both of these shows are best viewed from inside the park rather than from any of these restaurants.

 

[JasonsPrincess]

Also planning my Disneymoon for late may tho.

One idea is, if your worried someone might stand in front of your table at Narcoosees and hinder your view, make your ADR for dinner a couple hours before fireworks, that way you can enjoy dinner and then take a stroll out to the pier, or to the beach area at poly. I believe over by the beach they pipe the music in as well (pls correct me if Im wrong).

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

California Grill has to be on top of your list!!! The roof deck gives you a truly romantic perspective to view Wishes, and as a double bonus you can also see Illuminations if you turn around and look towards Epcot. For a reservation at the CG, allow yourself at least an hour an a half before the start of the fireworks. The food is magical, the view is even better, and you should have a memorable experience!

 

[Tricia1972]

I am not sure if you're keeping an eye on THIS thread here, but it's where we're trying to keep everyone updated about any changes to the ADR system as soon as we hear them. DisneyDine (Dining CM) has been a dear and always seems to get the information to us before anyone else on the net seems to know.

Good luck getting your ADR's! Disney as a couple is fantastic. We didn't go on a Disneymoon, but celebrated our 10th anniversary there. It was awesome! (Victoria & Albert's was our favorite)