Looking for a Special Dining Experience

[Matt Parent]

Our family is preparing our first WDW trip since November 2010, and if you want any idea of how excited we all are, our planned vacation date is January 2019 and we're already talking about dining. We want to begin our week off with a bang: a worthy celebration of our return to Disney after eight years of forces out of our control holding us back from going.

In your experiences, what Dining Plan restaurant (regardless of credits) would be a good place for us to go on this first night?

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

How many in your party and how old is everyone?

 

[Matt Parent]

How many in your party and how old is everyone?

Should've specified: There will be five of us going, ages at the time of the trip will be 63, 60, 25, 25, and 20.

 

[Milla]

I always recommend 'Ohana for those celebrations! I just think it has great food and atmosphere, perfect for the whole family!

 

[nursejackie]

I suggest you also have a back up ADR idea as restaurants change their menus several times a year, so what used to be our personal favourites have now gone off our list due to such changes. We, and most Disboarders, like to plan well ahead so you are among like-minded people here

 

[sleepydog25]

Hmmm. Lots of fine places, and as suggested above, keep a close eye on the menus as they will change. Moreover, by the time 2019 rolls around, there will be new restaurants that have opened (or reopened). Still, some have a tendency to be good year in and year out regardless of what's on the menu. Here are a few:

CA Grill: It doesn't get much more celebratory than this spot. I don't often recommend it for small, romantic dinners or if you want to have an intimate conversation with your tablemate(s). However, it is a good place to have great views, usually very good food, and excellent service. It comes with a hefty price for pretty much anything on the menu, though. Still, hard to beat for that Disney experience if you combine it with staying to watch the fireworks.
Artist Point: Good food, good service, lovely ambiance, majestic venue. This is the opposite of CG as you can carry on very good, fairly quiet conversations in a place well known for excellence. You can also catch the fireworks over at the new TS/QS named Geyser Point with piped in music. Good place to have a drink as you watch, as well.
Jiko: Similar to AP only no place to watch the fireworks. Very good food and excellent service.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Hmmm. Lots of fine places, and as suggested above, keep a close eye on the menus as they will change. Moreover, by the time 2019 rolls around, there will be new restaurants that have opened (or reopened). Still, some have a tendency to be good year in and year out regardless of what's on the menu. Here are a few:

CA Grill: It doesn't get much more celebratory than this spot. I don't often recommend it for small, romantic dinners or if you want to have an intimate conversation with your tablemate(s). However, it is a good place to have great views, usually very good food, and excellent service. It comes with a hefty price for pretty much anything on the menu, though. Still, hard to beat for that Disney experience if you combine it with staying to watch the fireworks.
Artist Point: Good food, good service, lovely ambiance, majestic venue. This is the opposite of CG as you can carry on very good, fairly quiet conversations in a place well known for excellence. You can also catch the fireworks over at the new TS/QS named Geyser Point with piped in music. Good place to have a drink as you watch, as well.
Jiko: Similar to AP only no place to watch the fireworks. Very good food and excellent service.

Agree with all of these!
If you want to go off of Dining Plan (I know you said dining plan) Victoria and Albert's is the best restaurant on property and is very intimate.

 

[sleepydog25]

Agree with all of these!
If you want to go off of Dining Plan (I know you said dining plan) Victoria and Albert's is the best restaurant on property and is very intimate.

Yes, if you want THE ultimate experience, you can't beat V & A. Absolutely the best restaurant on property, and frankly, one of the best anywhere.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Yes, if you want THE ultimate experience, you can't beat V & A. Absolutely the best restaurant on property, and frankly, one of the best anywhere.

V&A is just as good if not better than several of the the 3 Michelin Star restaurant experiences I've had. Plus if you book really early (and call by phone) there's a chance you can get the Chef's Table which I hear is even cooler than the Queen Victoria Room experience!

 

[Mich123]

I agree that 'Ohana is fun for the whole family, you might also go to Trader Sam's for happy hour before dinner.

 

[tannerandcatesmom]

California Grill with a reservation time that would allow fireworks viewing from the outdoor balcony. Absolutely magical!!!

 

[agavegirl1]

Okay, adult peeps...what types of food do you enjoy? I think a resort dinner would be great. As PP mentioned, Ohana is good. Also Jiko or Sanaa at AKL, Yachtsman at the Yacht Club, California Grill but check the menu.