Need recommendation for romantic dinner

[HereWeCome Mickey]

Ok I managed to talk my Mom (who will be travelling with us) to babysit our 3 kids while DH and I get one night out for dinner. Need help in picking a place...can not be in any of the parks, would love to be able to see fireworks, prefer not to go to Spoodles or Flying Fish as I have been to those already, not Boma's as we are going there as a family, also would prefer to have something close by to have a few extra cocktails at the bar or outside. Help...I want it to be a surprise!

And oh by the way I'll eat almost anything that is put in front of me but he is very picky...he is not a huge steak person though so that may hinder us.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I know you mentioned romance, but other than Victoria & Alberts, you're bound to find families and children at most of the Disney restaurants. California Grill is probably more adult oriented and will give you a beautiful view, a balcony and a lounge. Narcoossees is another spot that meets your needs, but it is popular with families coming back from the parks and it can be noisy.

I'm going to make a suggestion for an Illuminations or Wishes cruise instead. My favorite is Illuminations, so I'll just throw that out as my example. You can downsize your dinner plans and just get something quick and easy along the Boardwalk. Stroll over to the YC marina at 8:00ish and board your pontoon boat. They'll give you a little tour of the area and drive up to MGM. When it's time, they settle the boat right under the bridge that connects France and England. The view is incredible. You can make arrangements with private dining at the YC to maybe have some champagne and chocolate covered strawberries on board. The pontoon boats do hold up to 12 people, but when you reserve it, it's in your name. You can decide to have 2 or 12. They are popular though and definitely need to be booked at 90 days.

 

[lovinwdw]

TammiMcMan - That sounds fantastic...I am trying to set something up for my husband and I for our anniversary. How much does that cruise normally cost?

 

[Tabetha]

People really seem to like Artist's Point at the Wilderness Lodge and Narcoose's for this sort of thing...

Hope you come up with something lovely.

 

[TammiMcMan]

The cost of the Illuminations cruise is around $140. I think the Wishes cruise is a little less expensive at $120. Here is the number for the YC's private dining if you wanted to check out their prices 407-934-3160. I'm pretty sure their champagne and strawberries ran about $50. In total, it's less than what you'd spend for dinner at Victoria & Alberts and probably about the same as the California Grill (and as my husband would say, he didn't have to wear a suit to enjoy it).

Even though we had our 2 kids with us, I found it very romantic and we will certainly do it again.

 

[DisneyFans4]

All my years at Disney and I don't even known what this Illuminations cruise is!!! Please tell me more!! My DH and I are always thinking about having a romantic dinner without our boys. They are teens so they can stay by themselves.

 

[HereWeCome Mickey]

While the cruise sounds beautiful 2 problems....1 being we leave next week so I doubt there will be any open spots 2 being I just might find myself feeling guilty being out on a boat WITHOUT the kids ya know. I mean dinner at a fancy restaurant they could pass up but if they knew we were going out on a boat to watch fireworks uh oh look out! But believe me I would still go and keep it hush hush!!!

I am looking at the Narcosses (sp) in the GF and that is sounding really nice. I have never been in the GF and would love to walk around and check it out. I have never been to Artists Point but I have been to the resort and walked around it before which is why I am leaning towards the GF rest.

By the way TammiMcMan is that a pic of you and DH in your sig? Is he wearing a kilt? My DH is Scottish so I sometimes get all sentimental. Forgive me if I am totally off base here! Thanks for all the tips....my countdown continues...only 7 more days ahhhhhh!

 

[lovinwdw]

Would they also run the cruise for Wishes from YC?

 

[TammiMcMan]

While the cruise sounds beautiful 2 problems....1 being we leave next week so I doubt there will be any open spots 2 being I just might find myself feeling guilty being out on a boat WITHOUT the kids ya know. I mean dinner at a fancy restaurant they could pass up but if they knew we were going out on a boat to watch fireworks uh oh look out! But believe me I would still go and keep it hush hush!!!

I am looking at the Narcosses (sp) in the GF and that is sounding really nice. I have never been in the GF and would love to walk around and check it out. I have never been to Artists Point but I have been to the resort and walked around it before which is why I am leaning towards the GF rest.

By the way TammiMcMan is that a pic of you and DH in your sig? Is he wearing a kilt? My DH is Scottish so I sometimes get all sentimental. Forgive me if I am totally off base here! Thanks for all the tips....my countdown continues...only 7 more days ahhhhhh!

Chances are that the Illuminations cruise is sold out. They are really popular and go quickly. As for Narcoossees, they have great food. It's just hit or miss on whether you'll have a quiet dinner or be surrounded by families discussing their day in Disney. They have a beautiful wrap around deck that you can stand out on to view the MK fireworks and at 9:15ish, the electric water parade floats by with their little show. I love the GF and you can grab a drink at Mizners and listen to orchestra play or there is a bar at Narcoossees also.

DH is actually wearing his jacket wrapped around his waist . Have a wonderful trip.

All my years at Disney and I don't even known what this Illuminations cruise is!!! Please tell me more!! My DH and I are always thinking about having a romantic dinner without our boys. They are teens so they can stay by themselves.

The Illuminations cruise is done on one of the pontoon boats. You might have noticed them at one of the Disney marinas. They have a little awning over half the boat and the rest is exposed. On the evening of your cruise, you arrive at the Yacht Club marina about an hour before Illuminations is scheduled and meet your driver. He'll bring you on tour around the lake and finally settle in under the bridge to watch the show. You can make separate arrangements with the YC's private dining staff if you want anything special on the boat.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Would they also run the cruise for Wishes from YC?

No, that would be from an MK resort. You can set up whichever is most convenient for you when you make the reservation.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks so much for this info, I'll look into it.

 

[Focusdude]

I read somewhere in this board that it is really smokey after the Illuminations cruise - any opinons?

Also - although the California Grill had great food - I would not count it as "romantic" - it was very crowded (next table was maybe 18 inches away!) and very LOUD! I am trying to plan a dinner for my husband and I for our next trip - but I would not go back to California Grill. I was thinking of either Artist Pointe or something at EPCOT.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I only have one Illuminations cruise under my belt and we had no smoke issues. In fact, I would think it might be fairly difficult to have the wind blowing in that area because it's almost a cove. It probably does happen from time to time though.

I know in the California Grill you can ask to be seated in the wine room. It's a smaller room off the main dining room. Perhaps this would be less crowded and as they encourage everyone to go outside now for the fireworks, it really wouldn't take away from the view. As for Epcot, I would take a look through the menu's on the Allears website. Check and see if they offer a kids menu. If not, then chances might be better that it would be mostly adults and quieter. Someplace like the Bistro de Paris in France would probably not appeal to alot of people and you are up on the 2nd floor, so the view would be nicer. I've seen lots of rave reviews for Artist Pointe, but I've never eaten there myself.

 

[BCV23]

HereWeComeMickey, you mention that your husband is picky. What type of food does he enjoy? If you tell us where you are staying it could help too.

If the MK area is convenient for you, there are so many good restaurants to try. And if by picky you mean plain, most WDW restaurants are great about leaving off sauces, substituting vegetables, etc.. I think a fun thing to do would be to combine a dinner with a loop around the monorail for a drink or two.

Victoria & Albert's is the best as well as most romantic (IMO) restaurant at WDW. But Citricos at the GF might be another good choice. The food is quite good and the atmosphere is more subdued than some restaurants. Narcoossee's is another great choice although as Tammi warned you it can be noisy. In my experince that is usually later though so if you can dine on the early side, it does have a lovely view of Seven Seas Lagoon.

To me California Grill is romantic too. We do usually ask for the "wine room" but with the new seating procedure, it seems more subdued in general up there.

With any of these restaurants, you could have a before dinner drink at one monorail resort, take a boat (from GF or Polynesian) or monorail to another for dinner and then go to a third for a nightcap and perhaps Wishes or the Electric Water Parade.

Artist Point is great too although it is exposed wood and stone, soaring ceiling, etc.. not a cozy space if that is part of romantic to you. But the food and service are great and the lobby is very cool. It is of course not on the monorail so won't work quite as easily as the other scenarios.

 

[HereWeCome Mickey]

BCV23,
Thanks so much for your reply...ok yes DH is picky by that I mean he really only eats 2 types of food at home Indian and Mexican. But see I want to totally avoid those two by all means! He is European so he really likes his sweets
I guess I should rephrase "romantic" romantic to us basically is no kids (by that I mean "our" three kids!) so we can actually have a conversation without being interrupted We do not mind loud at all. We are staying at POP Century but we are doing this dinner on a free night, meaning we will not have gone to any parks that day, just lounging around the pool-so travel time is not a big deal. V&A is completely out of the ? as my DH is not the "jacket" type. I thought I seen that Narcoossee's you can see fireworks? Also CG, is that a good spot for fireworks?

Also noticed you're from Illinois...me too Just about 30 miles south of Chicago. How about you?

 

[BCV23]

I remember when romantic had the same meaning to us!

We're about 30 miles west of the city. Did you get much snow last night. We had only about an inch.

Yes, Narcoossee's does offer a view of Wishes across the water...very pretty. Ususally these days, people walk out on the verandah to see them thus blocking the window views. I remember a kinder, gentler day of dining there but what can you do. The servers will time meals accordingly.

California Grill also has a great view of Wishes from on high. Its vew is from the side though. It has a more extensive menu so that might help your huband.

After the MK closes, the buses back to Pop only run from the MK for a while....I think it is an hour or hour and a half? You could take the monorail back to the MK or from the Contemporary just make the short walk over to the bus stop at MK. If the MK buses have stopped running, you'll need to go from the resort to DTD to transfer (or Epcot if it is still open). That's why I asked where you were going to stay. Or take a cab but we're too cheap for that!

Have you had a chance to look at the menus?

 

[HereWeCome Mickey]

BCV23,
We got just a dusting of snow last night. Fine by me....it can snow all it likes cuz you know what I am going to be basking in the Florida sun in 6 more days! Come to think of it do you think I will have any problems getting in to any of these restaurants in such short notice??
Yes I am scouring over the menus and I keep going back to Narcoossee's and I know exactly what I would get: the seared tuna with wasabi cream or something like that...I just know I love wasabi! Also I have never been to the GF resort and would love to see it. Contem resort ah I can take it or leave it. Are you going to the World in Feb? I noticed in your sig no?

 

[BCV23]

Yes, we are...can't wait either.

Have fun visiting the GF. It is lovely. I love wasabi too...in moderation!