Opinions, please - Best restaurant for Parents' first meeting?

[Tracy Jean]

My FH and I are getting married at WDW on June 1. A few days before, we are arranging a dinner for our parents to meet. (My family is from NY, and FH's family is from FL, which is why they have never met.)

My folks are staying at the GF, and his parents probably will too. Therefore, we thought it would be easiest to have the dinner somewhere around the lagoon. We would also like a nice atmosphere where our parents can talk and get to know each other. (Or at least have fun and be comfortable!)

Our reharsal dinner the next night is at the California Grill, so we don't want to have it there. We will be having platters of steak, chicken, and fish at the RD *and* at the wedding, so maybe we want a slightly different fare for the parent's meeting dinner.

We had thought about having it at the following places:

Narcoossee's: Pros - convenient, great food, pretty view. Cons - heard it can be loud and the food is similar to RD and dinner.

Citrico's: Pros - convenient, nice atmosphere, heard the food is great. Cons - California cuisine may not be best for my picky-eater parents.

V&A's: Not really an option - too expensive! Plus, FH and I are saving that for the honeymoon.

O'hana: Pros - convenient, nice view, different type of food than RD and wedding. Cons - Is it geared too much for children? I don't really want to get pulled into a coconut shell race...

Luau: Same as O'hana.

Whispering Canyon Cafe: Pros - definitely different than RD and wedding. Cons - same as O'hana.

I know I am probably overthinking this, but does anybody have an opinion?!

Thanks!
Tracy

 

[DisneyKidds]

If you are considering the Wilderness Lodge how about Artists Point. Nice atmosphere, quiet enough to talk, and different (pacific NW type) food. I've seen nothing but good reviews. WL isn't quite as convenient as one of the monorail resorts, but it is close. You could take the monorail or a boat to either the MK or the CR. From either place you could catch a boat to the WL. The boat rides are nice and could actually add to the experience. Just watch the boat schedules. The MK to WL boat schedule depends on the MK operating hours. The CR to WL boat probably runs later, but I'm not sure how late.

Congrats, and good luck with the plans.

 

[jel0511]

If everyone has their own transportation, or doesn't mind taking a taxi, I'd recommend Jiko. I know, it's not the most convient location, but it's probably the best!! The food there is to die for, and it definately isn't too adventureous for the picky eaters. If you really want to stay on the lagoon, Narcoossee's is a good option. I don't think it's too loud and it is a nice atmosphere. If you're looking for something more casual, you didn't mention Kona Cafe at the Poly. They have some of the BEST food on property and it would eliminate the antics you're trying to avoid by avoiding WCC and Ohana. It's such a casual place, that it might seem less intimidating for those first time parent meetings. I also like Artist Point, but if you don't have your own car, to me a hike to get to. I don't like using WDW transport to go from hotel to hotel, unless you're staying on the monorail. It just takes too long in my opinion. Artist Point's food is AWESOME, but could be a little intimidating for the picky eaters, since the menu is a little ecclectic. I loved my meal there, but I did find the menu to be a little too ecclectic for my tastes.

 

[finnie48]

First meeting -


Hi, Tracy,
The thought occurred to me that maybe a somewhat less "formal" meal would be a better ice-breaker. A character meal or something where laughter might be the order of the day, and a bit more relaxing. Of course, you and your future husband know your respective parents well enough to choose. Have a most magical wedding in a most magical place.
Bob

 

[becka]

Maybe we were just lucky but when we went to 'Ohana we were placed in a back section (kind of behind the pit area) at a window seat and we did not really even hear any of the festivities going on during dinner. It was a nice casual dinner so maybe if you would like that try to get seated in an area not by the pit.

 

[Tracy Jean]

Thanks everyone for the advice!!!

 

[jaysue]

I think a character meal might be a good idea as well - it will also let you see how the parents react to funny situations - who can resist a hug with Winnie the Pooh for example...

If not your cup of tea then I would go with Narcoosee's or Artist's Point - the lobby at WL is fantastic and the food is excellent as well. Of course the view from Narco's is great as well - yes it was a little loud but not conversation stopping

Thanks
Jason

 

[lovespugs]

I haven't been to all of the restaurants you listed, but of those I have been to, I would recommend Citricos. We had a lovely meal when we were there in December. The tables are spaced further apart than most of the other restaurants at WDW, and the quieter atmosphere was great for conversation. We didn't have any problems finding food there we liked, and it was all presented beautifully!

 

[Alice28]

I vote for 'Ohana...it's a relaxed atmosphere and in no way will you feel pulled in by the games. It's fun to watch the kids hula hoop and might add some light-hearted conversation/laughs to the mix. The food is great, the view is wonderful and I think it will be a good choice. We had dinner there last time with my parents and my mother in law, and while they have known each other for 10 years, it was just a nice family restaurant and everyone felt at ease.

 

[floridafam]

I think Artist Point is a great idea. Nice but not too "froofy". Good food, a nice selection yet not too overdone. You're bound to all find something you like. They also have great desserts.

WL is beautiful and you could sit by the fire afterward and unwind.

 

[BCV23]

For a meal like that I think I would look for a spot with a round table for six...it makes it so nice for everyone to be able to see and hear each other. I know Citrico's has tables like that. I believe the Concourse steakhouse does too. There is nothing like a round table to include everyone in converstion IMHO.

I would avoid Narcoossee's because it has long tables for six and is somewhat louder. Kona has great food at good prices and is very informal.

It may sound silly but the round table would be my first priority!

 

[franw]

The best meal we have ever had at WDW was at the Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. The food was out of this world and the ambiance was just the right combination of a little fancy yet very easygoing. A walk along the boardwalk afterwards is the perfect way to end a great evening. Congratulations and enjoy every minute of your wedding week. Also, the name "Flying Fish" is misleading. The NY strip steak was the best I have ever had.

 

[Tracy Jean]

These are all great points, thanks everyone! Keep 'em coming, if there ar eany more.

I think the round tables are definitely a good idea.

I have made preliminary PS ressies at O'hana for 7pm. I requested a quiet table in the back. Are the tables round there?

I will probably change my mind a hundred times before we get there...

 

[tink2]

I also think you should consider a character meal. Even though a lot of people think these are for children, every adult I know loves them too. It also is a lot of fun and might would take the pressure off- not only of the parents meeting but the wedding in general. It might be a good way for everyone to relax and have fun.
Whatever you decide, remember to take a deep breath and enjoy the evening and events of the wedding. This is a once in a lifetime event and you want to relax and enjoy it.

 

[Alice28]

Tables are round at Ohana.

 

[Margie J]

In my opinion a first meeting like this is very important and people must be able to relax and talk. Therefore, I don't consider a character meal or other "event" meal such as a luau appropriate for this. I know it's fun and you could "test" someones reaction to this but conversation might be limited to what is happening around you and not on the people at the table. It can get loud at dinners like that too. I'd save the fun and games for a non-dinner time, maybe before to break the ice.

Although Ohana's is good you will get platters of BBQ'ed meats and shrimp. Sounds too similar to your RD plans. Plus, it can get very loud and crazy in there. Great with a group of people but not if you really want to talk and get to know someone better IMO.

I've been to Citricos a couple times and it is a favorite. The food is creative Mediteranean and there are sample menus available for you on-line to look at. The atmosphere is pleasant but not too stuffy. The wait staff is great also.

Artist Point is also wonderful. The restaurant is quiet and food very good. The WL is impressive too. You could relax on the lakefront after and watch the electric water parade.

 

[MinnieGi]

I also would not do a character meal for the first meeting of parents. I would want everyone to be able to concentrate on each other and sometimes character meals are just too busy to be able to really "talk" to each other.

Now I've never eaten at any of the GF places you have choosen, but I have eaten at Artist Point and think that is a great option. It has excellent food and a very relaxed atmosphere for everyone to get to know each other. It is also not usually overly crowded and there are few children present. I just think this would help each other to get to know each other better. One of the GF restaurants might be great too since you will all be right there. I would just go with relaxed and on the quieter side.

Best Wishes!

 

[Tiger Fan]

I was going to suggest O'Hana even before I read your choices. It will be an easy and fun ride over to the Poly on the monorail and as for noise, request to be seated around the "edges" of the restaurant. We had a large table in the corner and didn't even notice the kids games going on. I think this is also a good choice for the following reasons a) food is outstanding, b) great atmosphere, lots to see and observe to keep things moving in the conversation, c) the convenience as you stated !! Congrats on the wedding and let us know what you decide.
Lisa

 

[sgtdisney]

The times we have eaten at O'hana's I felt it was a little loud. Loud can be fun and watching the kids is nice too, but personally for meal such as you are describing I would think a very quiet dinner with a higher level of service would be in order. Because of this I would have to give another vote for Artist Point. The surroundings have a rather understated elegance and it is a nice, quiet restaurant.. The last thing I would want to have happen is to have people meet and not be able to hear each other for whatever reason. I am sure whereever you go it will be very nice, but since you are asking for opinions, you have mine..