Least expensive private dining for 17?

[sajilunni]

I'm looking for a post-VR dinner place that has a private dining room. It seems that a party of 17 doesn't have that many options, because many private rooms are for under 12 or over 20 people. From what I've gleaned on mouseweddings Jiko has a minimum of $2500, California Grill has a minimum of $2000, and surprisingly Victoria and Albert's comes in the cheapest at a minimum of $1650. My DH said that the V&A price was fine but we have 5 children in our party and I've heard that some people are very hostile about the idea of children at V&A.

Does anyone else have any suggestions? I've heard that Narcoossees is very accomodating to large parties (and only $65 per person), but I worry about not having a private dining room and the kids running around.

Any suggestions?

 

[Skylarr29]

California Grill Napa room has a 1k minimum during the day. I think that is a good option. Menu is at about $33 for a plated lunch so very reasonable and the view is awesome. It is also a private room so the kids can run around etc.

 

[Brier Rose]

Are you interested in restaurants only?

How about one of the private locations at the Grand Floridian?

The Summerhouse and Small Beach Area has a F&B min. of $1,500. We have several kids in our group too, and I love the thought of them being able to run around and play on the beach while we sit and realx!

If you would prefer something inside, the Whitehall Room has a F&B min. of I believe $1,800. That's what we were told about 2 months ago.

Also, i'm not sure how many it would hold, but the Key West Room had a F&B min. of around $795.00!

 

[yearbook50]

Just to let you know with Victoria and Alberts its actually 1750 for up to 10 guests, then 115 for each guest over that.

Also, in there private room you can request that the doors be shut from the outside way so you can have a slightly louder party than normal. So don't worry about children in that situation. You'll be in your own room (I went to V&A as a child and loved it!)

 

[lurkyloo]

Are you interested in restaurants only?

How about one of the private locations at the Grand Floridian?

The Summerhouse and Small Beach Area has a F&B min. of $1,500. We have several kids in our group too, and I love the thought of them being able to run around and play on the beach while we sit and realx!

If you would prefer something inside, the Whitehall Room has a F&B min. of I believe $1,800. That's what we were told about 2 months ago.

Also, i'm not sure how many it would hold, but the Key West Room had a F&B min. of around $795.00!

I'm not sure that Intimate brides are allowed to book these locations after their ceremonies. One bride, Janine from the UK, booked a party in the GF Marina after her Intimate Ceremony and when DFTW found out, they cancelled it. She almost called off her wedding, until the head of DFTW stepped in to make alternative arrangements...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1059574&referrerid=&highlight=janine

Just one case, of course - it never hurts to ask your WP!

 

[aprincess72]

I'm not sure how much you are looking to spend but some of the Downtown Disney restaurants are much more reasonable and just as good. We had our wedding dinner at Raglan Road in a room they call the Snug. It's really only semi-private but I thought it was awesome. They offered us limited menus or the regular menu when we scheduled with them. They offered us different decor options like table cloths and candles. We brought quite a bit of our own things like flowers, place card holders, and stuff for the guestbook table. They set everything up for us. They was no charge for the room and no cost for any decor. We pre-ordered appetizers to begin being delivered as our guests started to arrive. In the end our bill was just under $500 for 20 people and that included alcohol!

 

[Tabetha]

Wow, you're really selling me on Raglan Road! I kind of love the whole Irish Pub vibe, so it seems that it's now a strong contendor for a welcome dinner!

 

[aprincess72]

Wow, you're really selling me on Raglan Road! I kind of love the whole Irish Pub vibe, so it seems that it's now a strong contendor for a welcome dinner!

I was very happy with Raglan Road! They really took care of us and the Snug was very cozy. Our guests loved the food just like we do! The variety there was great as well because I have a few picky eaters on my team.
I honestly don't know how we got out so cheap. I was expecting to spend at least $800 with people drinking. Even $800 would have still been a deal. I am so glad that I didn't have to worry about meeting minimums.

 

[Brier Rose]

I'm not sure that Intimate brides are allowed to book these locations after their ceremonies. One bride, Janine from the UK, booked a party in the GF Marina after her Intimate Ceremony and when DFTW found out, they cancelled it. She almost called off her wedding, until the head of DFTW stepped in to make alternative arrangements...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1059574&referrerid=&highlight=janine

Just one case, of course - it never hurts to ask your WP!

Oooh...sorry! I didn't realzie that.

That seems so crazy!

 

[RangerPooh]

Oooh...sorry! I didn't realzie that.

That seems so crazy!

It does seem like an odd policy, but it seems like it's done to "encourage" brides to go custom.

 

[sajilunni]

I'm not sure that Intimate brides are allowed to book these locations after their ceremonies. One bride, Janine from the UK, booked a party in the GF Marina after her Intimate Ceremony and when DFTW found out, they cancelled it. She almost called off her wedding, until the head of DFTW stepped in to make alternative arrangements...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1059574&referrerid=&highlight=janine

Just one case, of course - it never hurts to ask your WP!

Wow, that seems kind of mean! I don't understand why intimate brides would be denied being able to make private party plans just like any other guests that are willing to pay for it. I thought the only caveat was that you couldn't wear bridal attire into the actual parks. But it sounds like just being under the DFTW umbrella limits your options for where you want to have dinner in the resorts as well. Sheesh!

 

[sajilunni]

I'm not sure how much you are looking to spend but some of the Downtown Disney restaurants are much more reasonable and just as good. We had our wedding dinner at Raglan Road in a room they call the Snug. It's really only semi-private but I thought it was awesome. They offered us limited menus or the regular menu when we scheduled with them. They offered us different decor options like table cloths and candles. We brought quite a bit of our own things like flowers, place card holders, and stuff for the guestbook table. They set everything up for us. They was no charge for the room and no cost for any decor. We pre-ordered appetizers to begin being delivered as our guests started to arrive. In the end our bill was just under $500 for 20 people and that included alcohol!

What does "semi-private" mean? My main concern is that at some point the two 2 yo's will want to get out of their highchairs and start walking around. When we have booked private rooms in the past around here, we just close off the doors during dinner and let them go around here and there talking to relatives, or just playing on the floor. I think that they would be a distraction to other patrons of the restaurant though. I think I would be kind of self-conscious in my wedding attire as well, which is why I really wanted to book a private room.

I've found on this board that people feel very strongly about the topic of children at V&A's. When I was researching it I found a closed thread because the topic got so heated. But on the other hand, I've also found threads from Mr. Disney who booked a chef's table there on a night that had so many children that he himself asked to try the V&A mac and cheese that all the kids were getting. I still am not sure what the actual vibe of the place is. It does not have an "adults only" policy like the restaurant on the Disney cruise, which makes it seem like children are allowed but not welcome? We love upscale food, and our children are not rambunctious, but I wouldn't want anyone giving me the evil eye during our dinner reception either.