Mom and Dad of 5 looking for date night suggestions

[OHJ]

We will be in WDW from 10/31 to 11/11. Every year my wife and I go out on a well deserved date night while my oldest daughter babysits the others.
Any suggestions?

 

[3pletprincesses]

We really like the Yatchman and Citriocos. the restauran that we Disliked the most was Narcossees. The lobster was really chewy and so was dh filet mignon.

 

[mmay60046]

We will be in WDW from 10/31 to 11/11. Every year my wife and I go out on a well deserved date night while my oldest daughter babysits the others.
Any suggestions?

I'd say the Chef's Table at either Victoria and Albert's or the Chef's Table at Flying Fish Cafe. With wine pairings of course. If you do Flying Fish you could follow it up with an evening at Jellyrolls.

 

[OhThePain]

... or the Chef's Table at Flying Fish Cafe. With wine pairings of course. If you do Flying Fish you could follow it up with an evening at Jellyrolls.

My girlfriend and I usually make a "Date Night" out of Flying Fish and Jellyrolls (even though we don't have kids). We consider it our date night because it makes for a real fun night. We are actually doing the Chef's Wine Tasting Dinner on our next trip. Sometimes, if we are in the moods, we'll play a round of mini-golf before dinner. Fantasia Gardens is a pretty short walk from the Boardwalk.

But I guess it also depends on what you would consider a "Date Night". Are you the types to use your time having fun or are you the types that look for the quiet romantic night, sans kids? If you like the quiet and romantic idea, V&A's is the place to go, if you can budget it (although, the Wine Dinner at FF costs the same if not a bit more than dinner at V&A's. The Chef's Table at V&A's costs about twice as much as the one at FF). Citricos and Jiko are honorable mentions for quiet and romantic dinners.

If you want to do more than just dinner or aren't into the dinner and piano bar idea, you could make reservations somewhere n DTD, like Wolfgang Puck's and also get tickets to La Nouba if you haven't seen it yet. Or maybe a fireworks cruise on a yacht with just the 2 of you may be more to your liking.

I guess what I am trying to say is there are a LOT of options out there. Once you figure out what sort of "Date Night" your looking for it will be easier to narrow things down.

 

[tinkgurl]

Cali Grill at the Contemporary! Book our your ADR time close to Wishes, so you can go out on the balcony. Great view!

 

[mickeynut1]

Artist Point or Yachtsman Steakhouse .

 

[OhThePain]

Cali Grill at the Contemporary! Book our your ADR time close to Wishes, so you can go out on the balcony. Great view!

Ok, another option to piggy back on this one is that you don't need to be in the restaurant in order to watch Wishes from the observation deck. You can make an earlier ADR and then return that night for Wishes, just make sure you hang on to your receipt. If you book an earlier ADR, maybe you might want to go "bar hopping" around the monorail resorts, having a drink in a lounge at each resort. Then as Wishes gets near, head back to CR and enjoy the show.

And then another option is that you are going to be there durring F&W. You might be just as happy walking around the WS and sampling foods and drinks from all around the world.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. You really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. Enjoy!

 

[KristiMc]

One year we did Victoria & Albert's. It was an amazing meal. For another date night we did World Showcase, we had drinks and snacks around the world - loved it.

 

[rlahansler]

We will be in WDW from 10/31 to 11/11. Every year my wife and I go out on a well deserved date night while my oldest daughter babysits the others.
Any suggestions?

My vote is for California Grill (the best service and food ever). Enjoy!!!

 

[OHJ]

Thanks everyone! Some great suggestions!
We already did the Food and Wine festival evening without the kiddos as well as Ragland Road past couple trips. Looking for a nice dinner, but not too fancy (we are not "dress code" kinda folks). So far Artist Point looks most intriguing. (not into sushi either).

There are so many choices! Put this thread out there to find some good suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[OHJ]

maybe you might want to go "bar hopping" around the monorail resorts, having a drink in a lounge at each resort.

Love this idea as well. Anyone have good reviews on the Spirit of Aloha Dinner and show at the Polynesian?

 

[OhThePain]

Thanks everyone! Some great suggestions!
We already did the Food and Wine festival evening without the kiddos as well as Ragland Road past couple trips. Looking for a nice dinner, but not too fancy (we are not "dress code" kinda folks). So far Artist Point looks most intriguing. (not into sushi either).

There are so many choices! Put this thread out there to find some good suggestions.

Thanks!

The only restaurant that really sticks to its dress code is V&A's. As long as you don't look like you just spend 8 hours in a park in the middle of August, then headed directly to dinner, you won't feel out of place at a signature (for example I usually wear nicer shorts or pants and a polo shirt while my girlfriend just wears a nicer shirt and a skirt or pants/jeans).

If you aren't sushi people, I would skip CG, since, IMO, that is their bread and butter. If you are looking for a really good steak, the best on property are at Shula's at the Dolphin. It's a bit more expensive than YS or AP but the cuts of meat are a lot better and you can really taste the difference.

Love this idea as well. Anyone have good reviews on the Spirit of Aloha Dinner and show at the Polynesian?

Review, yes. A good review, no. The food is ok, not great, but you probably won't leave hungry. The show, however, is pretty brutal IMO. It's pretty boring and drags. There is about 10 minutes of good show and the rest was tough to sit through. We regretted using up a dinner meal there, time that could have been spent at a number of other restaurants. If you are looking into dinner shows and havent gone to Hoop-Dee-Doo, that would be my recommendation. The food is ok, nothing special, but not bad either and the show is a lot of fun.

 

[deej696]

Another vote for V&A's..it's in a different league than other Disney restaurants.

 

[kmk1180]

We will be in WDW from 10/31 to 11/11. Every year my wife and I go out on a well deserved date night while my oldest daughter babysits the others.
Any suggestions?

Idea 1
Dinner on or around the BW.
(BC/YC or even Swan Dophin could count)
Ice cream dessert at Seashore Sweets.
A stoll or surrey bike ride around the lagoon.
and the relax and have fun at Jelly Rolls.

Idea 2.
A quiet romantic dinner at Jiko.
Start with a bottle of wine, try a flatbread, and enjoy the meal.

(Jiko is Superior to Cal grill because CG is a magnet for families with kids running around to watch fireworks. Both have good food
but CG lacks the romance for a date night camprably.)

 

[mama03]

Good suggestions from others. I must say our date night is usually cali grill. Very diverse menu, something for everyone. One thing I request that is not too well know is to be seated in the wine room. Request window. Its a quieter room overlooking the back of contemporary. Depending when you dine you can see the water parade too.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'd go to one of the 3 restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin: Shula's, Blue Zoo, or Il Mulino.

 

[princess aleya]

We will be in WDW from 10/31 to 11/11. Every year my wife and I go out on a well deserved date night while my oldest daughter babysits the others.
Any suggestions?

My Dh and I are planning a date night also. We are going to LaCava (tequila bar) in Epcot to have a few drinks then head to Kimmonos for sushi after.

 

[SweetSpot]

My DH and I would opt for Epcot FW rather than a "romantic" restaurant anyday. To walk around Epcot, without kids who really don't want to be there, and do what you want is a great date night. You can try many foods, drink around the world and knowing it's F&W is an added bonus. It brings you back to the time when it was just the two of you rather than sitting at a table where the discussion would most likely be about the kids.

I remember sitting at Cali having a drink with my DH and seeing so many families with little kids walking in. I don't mind kids, love them, have my own, but when I get a night away I don't want to take a chance getting seated next to a child having a fit because the dinner is too long and boring.

 

[OHJ]

To walk around Epcot, without kids who really don't want to be there, and do what you want is a great date night. You can try many foods, drink around the world and knowing it's F&W is an added bonus. It brings you back to the time when it was just the two of you rather than sitting at a table where the discussion would most likely be about the kids.

I have been talking this over with my wife and we agree, F&W is the way to go. We will probably start by taking the water taxi across the World Showcase Lagoon to Italy to have a meal at Via Napoli (never been there since our oldest is special needs and he doesn't do well in restaurants, we usually only do quick serve in the parks. BTW, any reviews on Via Napoli??). After dinner we will walk around the countries for drinks and occasional samples.

Well, what do y'all think? Sound like a winner? I can't wait!!!

I remember sitting at Cali having a drink with my DH and seeing so many families with little kids walking in. I don't mind kids, love them, have my own, but when I get a night away I don't want to take a chance getting seated next to a child having a fit because the dinner is too long and boring.

Like I said, we have 5 children - love kids. Matter of fact, we can't wait for grandchildren someday. Kinda weird to some I suppose. That all being said, I need to agree with SweetSpot on this. When Mama and Papa get the chance to go out for some alone time, the last thing we want is to be seated next to unhappy children. Thanks for the like-minded comment!

 

[SweetSpot]

Sounds like a great plan. Also frees you up in case you get a call and have to get away fast. Easier to break away from a park then in the middle of a long dinner.

Our oldest is also special need so I understand the need to for couple time. Now that our kids are older we've been able to run away to WDW for a weekend every now and then and we always end up in Epcot. It's the one park my kids didn't appreciate. You can stroll through the world with a drink in your hand, talking and exploring together. Even better if you are on property you don't have to drive, although we usually end up taking a taxi.

I hope you all enjoy your vacation and you and your wife enjoy your date!