Need Some Advice for ADR's..

[drj898]

Hi..I'm headed to WDW with my girlfriend in July. We're both in our 20's and I'm surprising her for her birthday...andddd...I'm also sorta proposing to her. So I wanted this to be both really fun and romantic. I'm planning on having her birthday dinner at Il Mulino over in Swan, and then making sure we hit Mama Melrose for Fantasmic dinner at DHS, and also try to grab 50's Prime Time sometime during our trip. It'll be easy to get around there since we'll be staying at BWI. 2 HUGE questions though:

1) First night over in DTD...dinner plans: T-Rex, Paradiso 37, Planet Hollywood, or Raglan Road? I already have an ADR for Paradiso but it's easily changed.

2) This is the big one...the day/night over by MK. We'll be sorta far from our resort. So it leaves options in MK, or in the surrounding resorts...Contempo, Poly, GF, or WL. She's sorta a picky eater..I mean she'll eat most things but if it's sort of out-there, like most higher end restaurants like Narccoossee's and Artist Point are, then she probably won't go for it. I'm down to Liberty Tree Tavern in MK...looks sorta bleh lol. Any other suggestions I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[deakam]

Tony's !!!!! Or Cinderella's Royal Table. Liberty Tree is not very romantic.

 

[SusieBea]

Cinderella's Royal Table would make for a memorable proposal!

 

[Albytaps]

1) I really like T-Rex. The atmosphere is great that the food was great (it's like TGIF/Applebees/Chillies/etc.)

2) Are you planning on proposing in the MK? That's sweet! Anyway, I haven't been to many TS restaurants in Mk or the MK resorts, but we're trying Ohana's this trip. I'd get some more feedback before deciding. The Wave at the contemporary might be cool!

Are you not planning any ADR's at Epcot? That's the place to eat right there! Try Biergarten, so much fun and good buffet. Pick a country and try it out.

 

[drj898]

Thanks everyone!

I honestly have been planning on proposing at Epcot. I'd like to propose early in our trip. Epcot would be the 2nd full day of our 7 days, and MK would be the 4th full day of 7. We can wear the "engaged" buttons. I mean...she'll already (hopefully lol) be wearing the "birthday" button. Anyways here how it stands:

In my past, I remember eating at: One of the romantic TS places in France, Biergarten in Germany, and Tony's in MK. I mean last time I was there was like 2004. So I probably ate at other places in WDW I just don't really remember too much.

I don't want it loud or buffet style for a nice romantic dinner. I'm terrified that Cinderella's Castle will be really packed and really loud. I'm not even sure if she'd be embarrassed if I proposed in a crazy crowded place or not lol...she better not care...

I was actually considering Ohana because it seemed like a place we'd have a lot of fun at, and it's easy to get there from MK. But everything she'd be picky with. I mean even that pineapple'y "welcome bread", she wouldn't eat. But it's a meat palace (which makes me go: ) ...I mean after all..I'm a guy. Thats why...I'm treating myself to Yachtsman Steakhouse!!! Anyyyywayyy...what do I do about MK night? What's for dinner?? I don't want Tony's because we're already doing Il Mulino and Mama Melrose at DHS....that's enough Italian for one trip!

Is Paradiso 37 a good decision? Or should I just go with T-Rex. Both places are food she'd definitely eat (if that's a clue into suggesting other places around MK and stuff btw..huge help lol).

Thanks again!!!!!!

 

[drj898]

no more responses....ugh..and this is the topic I need the most help with!

 

[excellzyxl]

If we are talking about ADR's in subject of restaurant foods and party foods than there are available following services for dinner plans:-
1. T-Rex
2. Paradiso 37
3. Planet Hollywood
4. Raglan Road
If you are large number of member than it is reliable and cheapest choice for dinner.

 

[drj898]

I think I'll just stick with Paradiso 37 for DTD.

I'm still having a bit of an issue with MK dinner though. I don't want it to be crazy loud, and I hope it'd have a lot of options on the menu.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

CRT is a family tradition ...we have been there 10+ times...

I would really never describe it as *loud*... I mean it is probably one of the most expensive meals at WDW... so I suppose the kids that do find their way there are expected to behave....

we will be there May 27th.... family of 6......

A suggestion... California Grill meal during Wishes.... we loved Cali Grill... got a table by the window....

You know.. you sound like you need the perfect ambience... why dont' you set up several dinner options and leave the proposal to find it's own way ?


I mean... you might get that "perfect" seat somewhere and not elsewhere and just decide "This is the place"... "

Have a magical visit !
Mary

 

[Dreamsdocometrue9112]

CRT is a family tradition ...we have been there 10+ times...

I would really never describe it as *loud*... I mean it is probably one of the most expensive meals at WDW... so I suppose the kids that do find their way there are expected to behave....

we will be there May 27th.... family of 6......

A suggestion... California Grill meal during Wishes.... we loved Cali Grill... got a table by the window....

You know.. you sound like you need the perfect ambience... why dont' you set up several dinner options and leave the proposal to find it's own way ?


I mean... you might get that "perfect" seat somewhere and not elsewhere and just decide "This is the place"... "

Have a magical visit !
Mary

I second this idea! CRT is nice, and definitely a cute "fairytale" way to propose. If she's into that Princess stuff, it would be perfect! Otherwise, I think Cali Grill during Wishes could be a really memorable and romantic idea. You could go outside on the deck/terrace and propose before/during/after Wishes!...or just do it at the table. Either could be lovely.

Good luck and congratulations!!

 

[jedi jen]

I love Cali Grill and Wishes... we do it at least twice each trip. To me, MK dinner would has lots of nice choices at the resorts. The poly has a romantic tropical atmosphere. Of the restaurants, Ohana may be more romantic. Kona gets lots of good reviews...but not sure I would call it romantic. Citricos is really good too. I like the Wave. It has always been quiet when we are there. 1900 Park Fare has Cinderella and Prince Charming. I have fun there but not sure romantic. It is a buffet with lots of choices. It also has the step sisters which are very funny. I like listening to the orchestra in the lobby. That is kinda romantic (and a nice treat when we go to Citricos, Narcoosies or 1900 Park Fare). We like signature dinners at night so we are not going 1900 Park Fare next trip. I will miss it. We are doing Ohana, Citricos, Narcoosies, Cali Grill twice, and Kona and Wave for lunch. We do CRT for lunch for a break. We do Crystal Palace breakfast before park opening...nice to have mainstreet and the castle practically to ourselves....ahhhh.

Lots of people like LTT. Comfort food I think. It does not appeal to me and I have never been. I have never been to any of the other MK restaurants. I prefer the monorail resort restaurants.

 

[drj898]

I love Cali Grill and Wishes... we do it at least twice each trip. To me, MK dinner would has lots of nice choices at the resorts. The poly has a romantic tropical atmosphere. Of the restaurants, Ohana may be more romantic. Kona gets lots of good reviews...but not sure I would call it romantic. Citricos is really good too. I like the Wave. It has always been quiet when we are there. 1900 Park Fare has Cinderella and Prince Charming. I have fun there but not sure romantic. It is a buffet with lots of choices. It also has the step sisters which are very funny. I like listening to the orchestra in the lobby. That is kinda romantic (and a nice treat when we go to Citricos, Narcoosies or 1900 Park Fare). We like signature dinners at night so we are not going 1900 Park Fare next trip. I will miss it. We are doing Ohana, Citricos, Narcoosies, Cali Grill twice, and Kona and Wave for lunch. We do CRT for lunch for a break. We do Crystal Palace breakfast before park opening...nice to have mainstreet and the castle practically to ourselves....ahhhh.

Lots of people like LTT. Comfort food I think. It does not appeal to me and I have never been. I have never been to any of the other MK restaurants. I prefer the monorail resort restaurants.

This is really the first trip of many many many to come to WDW for me. I mean I've been there in 1994 with my parents, and in 2008 with an ex-girlfriend when we were in High School, but I don't really remember much, and there wasn't much planning involved. I'm definitely looking forward to MANY MANY family trips with my girlfriend (future wife lol). We already discussed DVC a few months ago when it was advertised in our local mall and realized it'd be the best for us in the future with a family and careers and house and all that jazz. Which rocks. But anyway, this trip looks like:

Day 1) Arrive, DTD, Dinner at Paradiso 37.
Day 2) DHS with Cape May character breakfast, dinner ADR Mama Melrose.
Day 3) Birthday in-room breakfast, Epcot, and dinner at Il Mulino @ Swan.
Day 4) MK, with AN UNKNOWN DINNER LOCATION
Day 5) DHS Again...Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner @ YC. Maybe 50's Primetime for lunch?
Day 6) AK...Tusker House character breakfast, Rainforest Cafe for dinner.
Day 7) UNKNOWN AGAIN!!

Any comments? Suggestions?

 

[drj898]

You know.. you sound like you need the perfect ambience... why dont' you set up several dinner options and leave the proposal to find it's own way ?


I mean... you might get that "perfect" seat somewhere and not elsewhere and just decide "This is the place"... "

Have a magical visit !
Mary

Yeah, this is the plan lol. I always find that women your age have the best advice and best mindsets. Maybe it's like that "aging like a fine wine" sorta thing. lol

I have no idea why I didn't see this post earlier. Thank you so much. Have a great trip when you guys go too!

 

[shaun&miranda]

For your MK dining, if you want to propose during a meal, and you want somewhere quieter than the Castle, I suggest the Plaza, which is inside the park. The menu is here http://allears.net/menu/menu_pr.htm

My DH proposed to me on one knee in front of Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom after Wishes. We waited to let the crowds go away, and walked to the front of the castle and then he proposed, and gave me some minnie mouse wedding ears

There are so many romantic places to propose around Disney you'll be spoiled for choice.

If you were looking for the best meal option in Magic Kingdom without needing to propose at the table, I would hands-down say Crystal Palace Buffet, which has lovely food, and a huge range of choices for even really fussy eaters. We had our wedding rehearsal dinner there! It has a lovely atmosphere but it isn't quiet or intimate, and being a buffet you get up a lot and walk to the buffet area.

But I do suggest you think about having a lovely meal, and then separately finding a quiet romantic spot to propose somewhere else. If you really do want to propose over a meal maybe do it at the Yachtsman, which has a lovely atmosphere, I think it can feel really romantic there and the servers will make a real fuss of you.

For your last night, eat inside EPCOT somewhere around world showcase, or if you can get a table, at the Coral Reef, where one whole wall is a massive aquarium.

My favourite world showcase restaurants are:
San Angel Inn (mexican, inside the temple, set at twilight so it is beautifully romantic),
Nine Dragons (China, which has nice theming and really nice food, although some american guests that live near really great neighbourhood chinese restaurants don't find it as special i think),
Via Napoli (Italy, for amazing Naples-style pizzas, also romantic with the italian feel)
and Le cellier (Canada, steakhouse but in a lovely setting).

Other people like Chefs De France, but personally it doesn't do it for me.

I would also suggest you consider eating some counter service instead of a table service meal - EPCOT world showcase has so many amazing counter service things to eat you could spend your last night wandering slowly hand in hand around the lagoon, trying a dish or two in a few different countries around the lake, like hot, fresh, french crepe pancakes with chocolate sauce, or frozen margaritas from mexico, egg rolls in china, kebabs in Morocco, teriyaki in Japan, burgers in America, or caramel pastries from Germany (the list goes on!), then watch the Illuminations fireworks together and just have a lovely romantic evening! (That was what my DH and I did a few times last trip and we thought it was more romantic than even the fanciest dinners!)

I hope some of these ideas are helpful to you. Have a great trip and I hope she says yes wherever you decide to pop the question!

Miranda

 

[kelleigh1]

What about The Wave at the Contemporary? I honestly haven't eaten there and I don't know the menu, so maybe there isn't anything she'll like, but it might be worth looking into. It will get you away from the park, but not too far away. And from what I'd seen and read, it looks like a nice place.

Found the sample menu: The Wave

Of course, I also think CRT is a good choice, but it can be hard to get that ADR.

Good luck to you!!

 

[drj898]

What about The Wave at the Contemporary? I honestly haven't eaten there and I don't know the menu, so maybe there isn't anything she'll like, but it might be worth looking into. It will get you away from the park, but not too far away. And from what I'd seen and read, it looks like a nice place.

Found the sample menu: The Wave

Of course, I also think CRT is a good choice, but it can be hard to get that ADR.

Good luck to you!!

---Thanks! Yeah...well according to the ADR service on the Disney World website, there aren't any times available on the days I'll be there, but if I really wanted to get an ADR, I'll try calling. Looks low on the chances I'll do CRT.


---And thank you, my British Disney friend! lol That's so great that you guys got engaged AND married in WDW!! I really really love the idea of Crystal Palace. Buffets are always a fantastic choice for my semi-picky eater girlfriend!
As far as Nine Dragons, and Napoli, us Americans have rather high standards for chinese food and pizza. And as a native New Yorker, the standards on pizza anywhere other than NYC and Chicago, is almost inedible.

 

[rafiki14]

Have you looked at California Grill yet? I feel like that would be a great place for a MK dinner..... or any night for that matter.

 

[focusondisney]

1. We ate @ T Rex once & the food was good. We like Planet Hollywood too but it is loud & busy usually. But there is lots to look at & 2 young 20 somethings should like the music & atmosphere. Can't help with Reglan Road or Paradisio.

2. I think you should look at the lunch menu for Liberty Tree Tavern. They have different selections then. The restaurant is made up of several small rooms so we have had several quiet, relaxing meals there. You could have a sit down lunch & lighter counter service dinner. We also really like The Grand Floridian Cafe. Again, a varied menu & good food. The place is beautiful & the tables are not right on top of each other but spaced apart, so it feels more private. And what is more romantic than walking the grounds of the Grand Floridian? You can sit in the lobby &listen to the band & piano player before or after dinner. And if you don't go back to the MK, you can watch the fireworks & Electric Water Parade from thier dock.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

---Thanks! Yeah...well according to the ADR service on the Disney World website, there aren't any times available on the days I'll be there, but if I really wanted to get an ADR, I'll try calling. Looks low on the chances I'll do CRT.


---And thank you, my British Disney friend! lol That's so great that you guys got engaged AND married in WDW!! I really really love the idea of Crystal Palace. Buffets are always a fantastic choice for my semi-picky eater girlfriend!
As far as Nine Dragons, and Napoli, us Americans have rather high standards for chinese food and pizza. And as a native New Yorker, the standards on pizza anywhere other than NYC and Chicago, is almost inedible.

I'm an Italian-American and I would highly recommend Via Napoli. It is authentic Italian pizza and quite delicious.

As for other romantic restaurants, Cali Grill and Artist Point top the list. Remember you can always deconstruct menu items (take off the sauce, etc.), so I'm sure she can find several choices. The Wilderness Lodge is gorgeous, so it would make a wonderful backdrop. Of course, when you propose it won't matter where it happens. It's the words you say and the love you share that really matters.

I know you mentioned you were looking for romantic restaurants, but I also wanted to bring up the idea of going on a carriage ride at POR. It's so lovely there, you can bring a beverage and it's just the two of you and the driver. It's really so romantic!

 

[jedi jen]

This is really the first trip of many many many to come to WDW for me. I mean I've been there in 1994 with my parents, and in 2008 with an ex-girlfriend when we were in High School, but I don't really remember much, and there wasn't much planning involved. I'm definitely looking forward to MANY MANY family trips with my girlfriend (future wife lol). We already discussed DVC a few months ago when it was advertised in our local mall and realized it'd be the best for us in the future with a family and careers and house and all that jazz. Which rocks. But anyway, this trip looks like:

Day 1) Arrive, DTD, Dinner at Paradiso 37.
Day 2) DHS with Cape May character breakfast, dinner ADR Mama Melrose.
Day 3) Birthday in-room breakfast, Epcot, and dinner at Il Mulino @ Swan.
Day 4) MK, with AN UNKNOWN DINNER LOCATION
Day 5) DHS Again...Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner @ YC. Maybe 50's Primetime for lunch?
Day 6) AK...Tusker House character breakfast, Rainforest Cafe for dinner.
Day 7) UNKNOWN AGAIN!!

Any comments? Suggestions?

Here are my comments:

Day 1 - Never been to Paradiso 37 or dinner in DTD. We usually visit Wolf Gang Puck Cafe for lunch...so no real comments on this one.
Day 2 - We usually eat at Brown Derby (I prefer the signature restaurants) but would like to try Mama Melrose. It is my second choice, but never been there.
Day 3 - Epcot has the best in park restaurants. I would definitely choose this day to have dinner in a part. Each country has a restaurant and the servers are from the restaurant. I have had very good experiences at each one I have visited...Chefs de France, Le Cellier, Rose and Crown.... I would save Il Mulino for another day if you can. It gets good reviews too.
Day 4 - I have given you my comments on this one. I would go Cali Grill and see Wishes from the observation deck.
Day 5 - Never been to Yachtsman Steakhouse. It gets mixed reviews and I have seen many people not recommend it and say there are better steaks at other restaurants. I believe DHS is a boat ride to the Swan, so you might consider Il Mulino for this dinner. If you want steak, check out the menus and reviews at allears (dot) net. I believe Cali Grill has a good steak, Jiko, and most (if not all) signature restaurants.
Day 6 - many people do not stay an entire day at AK. I never have either. If you get done early, it might be at a disadvantage to have dinner plans there and lunch both. Also, AK closes earlier than the other parks. You might consider an ADR away from AK after the close time. Then, if you stay at AK all day, you can go to your dinner afterwards. If you don't want to stay at AK all day, you have another plan. If you are set on doing Yachtsman, then this could be your Il Mulino day. Otherwise, there are lots of options for dinners at the resorts and DTD. We have Rainforest Cafe's here in Texas, so not a must do for us in Orlando.
Day 7 - I always do Epcot and MK two days, so I would probably do one of them. If Epcot, I would eat in Epcot because I like many of the options there. If MK, I would eat at a resort on the monorail, because I like them all so much. I also like your plan of keeping it open so you can do your favorites and have some flexibility. There are lots of great options and restaurants. Not sure what you are leaninig towards. You are going to have a great trip.