Needs ideas for special meal in Epcot for parents' anniversary!

[U2_rocks!]

This year my parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and 2 weeks later we will be at WDW together! My brother and I (and our families) want to organize something really special for them.

I thought of Epcot because, due to food allergies, they won't be able to do the Food & Wine booths with the rest of us while in Epcot, so it was a good opportunity to book something for just the 2 of them. I thought Bistro de Paris would be suitably quiet, romantic and special. None of us will be on the dining plan, so no worries there.

Do any of you have experience with booking special things like flowers etc. (no wine or champagne, or chocolates - they can't drink/eat those) during dinners, especially if the ones organizing it aren't actually attending the dinner? Can it be done? We'd also like to pay, but not sure how to arrange that either, other than making sure to drop by at some point in their meal and discreetly give the maitre d' a credit card to put the meal on.

I'd love some ideas of how to make this super special!!

 

[KCMiller]

This year my parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and 2 weeks later we will be at WDW together! My brother and I (and our families) want to organize something really special for them.

I thought of Epcot because, due to food allergies, they won't be able to do the Food & Wine booths with the rest of us while in Epcot, so it was a good opportunity to book something for just the 2 of them. I thought Bistro de Paris would be suitably quiet, romantic and special. None of us will be on the dining plan, so no worries there.

Do any of you have experience with booking special things like flowers etc. (no wine or champagne, or chocolates - they can't drink/eat those) during dinners, especially if the ones organizing it aren't actually attending the dinner? Can it be done? We'd also like to pay, but not sure how to arrange that either, other than making sure to drop by at some point in their meal and discreetly give the maitre d' a credit card to put the meal on.

I'd love some ideas of how to make this super special!!

Well, whatever you do, don't plan on actually getting anything you plan on. We went last year for my parent's 50th, and my DS went out of her way to make special ADR's for meals, calling the restaurants directly to let them know that it was my parent's 50th, calling again when we got to WDW - and it was a big let down, because it was as if by telling the restaurants we were celebrating this special event they went out of their way to ignore it. Really. Oh, the parks were just as wonderful as they always were, but as for paying attention at the restaurants to indications of what the patrons are celebrating? Big fat zero. Not even a mention by the waiter, and we literally TOLD THE MANAGER on the way in the door at Chefs du France.


KC

 

[Luv4Disney]

When we went to Narcoossee's for our anniversary they gave us the menus with our names and anniversary date printed on them. She also gave us complimentary champagne and anniversary buttons. I guess it depends on the restaurant and the server. I'd walk to Yachtsman from Epcot and eat there. Maybe if it's within your budget, book an Illuminations cruise?

 

[PictureJumpr]

Not sure where you are staying, but if you are at any of the deluxe resorts, maybe a nice personally-prepared (and usually quite nicely-presented) private dinner from In-Room Dining? You would definitely not have to worry about picking up the check - you just give them your credit card information when you call to arrange it.

I did this for my friends' anniversary a few years ago - we took their 7-yr-old to MK for the evening and ordered dinner from In-Room dining at the Wilderness Lodge. They (Wilderness Lodge) did a great job with it - brought them caesar salads, steaks, the works, along with a bottle of wine and a chocolate-berries-cake concoction of some sort with 'Happy Anniversary!' and hearts drawn on the plate with chocolate. I paid the whole thing, tax and service and gratuity included, on my card (each of their sisters had given me some of the money before the trip), the total was something like $170.


If you aren't staying in a deluxe resort, Bistro de Paris is a good choice - depending of course on what sort of food allergies you are dealing with. There are sauces and jus, herbs, and all kinds of things in their dishes.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Don't know how much you're looking at spending but Lurkyloo planned a really great anniversary dinner on the patio at the Rose and Crown Pub. Here's the link.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Don't know how much you're looking at spending but Lurkyloo planned a really great anniversary dinner on the patio at the Rose and Crown Pub. Here's the link.

That sounds cool - my parents like Rose & Crown! How do you arrange something like that?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Here's a much better thread with all of the information (costs, who to contact, etc.)

Private Anniversary Party

 

[yourMaire83]

Well, whatever you do, don't plan on actually getting anything you plan on. We went last year for my parent's 50th, and my DS went out of her way to make special ADR's for meals, calling the restaurants directly to let them know that it was my parent's 50th, calling again when we got to WDW - and it was a big let down, because it was as if by telling the restaurants we were celebrating this special event they went out of their way to ignore it. Really. Oh, the parks were just as wonderful as they always were, but as for paying attention at the restaurants to indications of what the patrons are celebrating? Big fat zero. Not even a mention by the waiter, and we literally TOLD THE MANAGER on the way in the door at Chefs du France.


KC

Same thing happened at Les Chefs on our anniversary... no aknowledgement and it was on our ADRs and we were wearing buttons. Maybe it's an Epcot thing? They made a big fuss over our honeymoon at Crystal Palace (in Magic Kingdom) 2 years before.

 

[KCMiller]

Same thing happened at Les Chefs on our anniversary... no aknowledgement and it was on our ADRs and we were wearing buttons. Maybe it's an Epcot thing? They made a big fuss over our honeymoon at Crystal Palace (in Magic Kingdom) 2 years before.

Maybe the French don't like to make a fuss?

KC

 

[U2_rocks!]

My parents like Rose & Crown - I wonder if they would give them one of their best patio tables because of the occasion, especially if I ask on their behalf? I could bring by some flowers for their table and maybe some little gifts a little while before their ADR, and at the same time beg for a special table for them. They would much rather watch Illuminations that way.

The special event on the private UK patio looks amazing, but there seems to be some doubt whether this is still offered. Plus, this would be in October, when those private patios may be used for F & W events?