Our Girls (17 & 14) Want to Go Somewhere Where They Can Dress Up...

[BethR]

...but not have to eat fancy foods.

We usually go to the 1900 Park Fare Buffet. The girls (all 4 of them when they ALL can go) always love being at the Grand Floridian for an evening.

But the 1900 Park Fare will be closed while we are at WDW in July/August. So I am trying to find something where they can dress up and have a nice, but not overly fancy meal.

We are open to any place on site - resorts, parks, Boardwalk, etc since we are on the Dining Plan.

Any suggestions?

 

[smartestnumber5]

My first thought was Chefs de France. I've been there for lunch and while most of the people weren't dressed up since it's the middle of the park, it did have more of air of fanciness about it than most 1TS restaurants, so I wouldn't be surprised if people got more dressed up for dinner. (I don't know if you're girls would like French food, but the menu does seem to be somewhat Americanized.)

Other than that I'd consider some of the 1TS restaurants at the deluxe resorts like Kona Cafe and Concourse Steakhouse (I haven't been to either but want to try them). I've been to spoodles and people don't get very dressed up there, but definitely more than in the parks--and I don't think dressy would be out of place. Also Grand Floridian Cafe is very fancy looking (to fancy for us--we didn't like it that much for lunch), though I've heard that 1900 Park Fare is somehow using Grand Floridian Cafe to serve some meals, so I'd check into that.

 

[BethR]

Grand Floridian Cafe is very fancy looking (to fancy for us--we didn't like it that much for lunch), though I've heard that 1900 Park Fare is somehow using Grand Floridian Cafe to serve some meals, so I'd check into that.

I actually had had the Grand Floridian Cafe on my list of places to try before I knew about the 1900 Park Fare being closed. (We would have gone there in addition to the 1900 PF.) But you are right, they are doing the 1900 Park Fare dinner there - but it won't be a buffet, it will be a preplated meal. Choice of appetizer, entree, dessert to share for the table for one price. I had ruled it out, but I should look at the menu (someone posted it yesterday) and maybe we would reconsider.

I am not sure about the French place. I know that it would be "tres" fancy, but both girls take French in school and have gone to a French restaurant and thought that it was to fancy for them.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

This is a great question. DD, 20, has taken a friend/sorority sister on our last two trips, and they would place a higher premium on "looking cute" than "being comfortable." On our last trip, DD's friend tore her feet up the first day wearing "adorable sandals." Lord.

I'd say that in order not to be a bit overdressed would be to look first at resort restaurants. With your "fancy food" disclaimer, my experience has been that WDW chefs will graciously tweak what's presented on the menu if guests don't want a particular sauce or style of preparation.

Just my call ... but California Grill just lends itself to being dressy for young ladies. Maybe it's the setting. And if the menu comes across as too fru-fru, I can tell you firsthand that they will adapt styles for pickier (or, more discriminating! - doesn't that sound better?) eaters. I know it's a 2 credit spot, but there y'are.

Spoodles is one of the best uses of a single credit. And while it's off the beaten track, the Turf Club has a cooly elegant look ... we haven't tried it yet, but it has a special occasion look, and the hostess I visited with was very British and very gracious.

Have fun planning! I'd be interested in knowing what y'all choose, and how it goes. It'd help me in days to come dealing with the women in my life.


Oh, yeah ... I can assure you that if the ladies can eat steak and potatoes, or rotissiere chicken, they'll do just fine at Chefs de France. We've actually found that to be a great choice for picky eaters. And the waiters tend to make a fuss over pretty girls!

 

[Claire L]

How about the Yachtsman Steakhouse if they like steak?

Claire

 

[faindrops27]

Just wanted to chime in to tell you, that the dress at Kona' and Concourse is casual, or resort casual. Most had on thier park clothing, very few with khaki shorts, and polo shirts. I saw no one dressy. But, if they want to get dressed up go to a 2 table service resteraunt. Like Cali grill. Or, just let them dress up. Some will stare, but hey whatever. It is thier vacation too.

I have a princess all of 3 years old myself. Who is very aware of her clothing.She loves to dress up. I can imagine, when she gets to your daughters ages. I will be facing the same thing.

 

[BethR]

Or, just let them dress up. Some will stare, but hey whatever. It is thier vacation too.

Well, that's the problem. They want to dress up, but they also want to BE somewhere where they feel like they SHOULD be dressed up. That is why the GF always filled this "need" for them.

Yachtsman Steakhouse looks good. Would they feel like they have "been" somewhere if we would go there?

BTW, a 2 credit place would be fine. We currently have ADRs for the HDD, but we were there last year and we could easily just go to Trails End instead.

California Grill may be a good choice too. Maybe order off of the kids menu?

 

[BethR]

Here is the menu for the Grand Floridian Cafe Dinner in lieu of the 1900 Park Fare Buffet. Dallas_Lady posted this yesterday:

I just called Disney Dining to confirm what this meal would be. It is "preplated" which just basically means the menu choice is limited. It's not a buffet, not all you can eat. The characters are Cinderella, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother and the mice.

Here is what she told me...

Each adult gets 1 appetizer, 1 entree and a shared family dessert.

Appetizers include: Strawberry soup, Soup of the day, House salad, Spicy shrimp

Entress include: Prime rib with potatoes, Shrimp pasta, Smoked pork with cabbage, Chicken breast with vegetables, Grilled salmon with spinach

The desserts are just listed as "an assortment of desserts."

Child's menu: Pasta with meatballs, Chicken strips

Nothing too fancy, but the appetizer and dessert choices are not inspiring. I will run this by the girls though.

We really don't need a character meal (and may prefer that it not be). We are already scheduled for the Crystal Palace and LTT for dinner.

 

[pumba]

our granddaughter loved Le Cellier and the atmosphere there.....the menu was very good for her and her brother.......KT was 16 at the time and 14....she wants to be able to go there with us when she gets out of her first year of college next May.....so that is what we will plan for her......you can dress or not ...alot of people were dressed when we went last time..I mean dressed in nice skirts and dresses....

 

[OKWMom]

How about Narcoossee's? It feels dressy and formal and is beautiful in the evenings. We have eaten there several times and the food has been wonderful, but plainer than most upscale restaurants. An added bonus is that you can see the fireworks from the restaurant.

 

[BethR]

Thanks for the input everyone! I have decided on the Yachtsman Steakhouse. I know that it is 2 TS credits, but I have canceled our HDDR ressies in place of this. So no problem there (and we will do Trail's Inn to get our fill of that wonderful chicken, ribs, etc.)

There is actually a dress code - business casual - for the Yachtsman Steakhouse so the kids should not feel out of place being dressed up. And the menu is basic enough that they should find something or use the children's menu. If I know them, they will have a basic salad, and the chicken. But *I'm* getting a STEAK! Either the rib-eye or Porterhouse. I can't wait! I would love to try the garlic bread pudding that they serve with the prime rib. Wonder if I can swap that for the accompaniment that comes with the steak?

So with this, all of my ADRs have been taken care of. And my days are planned. Yeh!!!

 

[BethR]

How about Narcoossee's? It feels dressy and formal and is beautiful in the evenings. We have eaten there several times and the food has been wonderful, but plainer than most upscale restaurants. An added bonus is that you can see the fireworks from the restaurant.

Oh SHOOT OKWMom! Now I have to go look at that menu!

(Did I say that I was done?)

 

[septbaby]

I'm chiming in late, but also suggest Narcoossee's and it is at GF which you already. We are having a family dinner there on our first night. My 5yo nephew has already picked out his outfit and we're going ath the end of August. An Osh Kosh B'osh button down shirt, too cute.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

I will also agree with the YSteakhouse. The atmosphere is very nice and it does feel good to break away from your park clothes and have a GREAT meal and dress up. Hope all works out.

 

[travelgirl06]

Either Citricos or Narcoosees is open for lunch while 1900 Park Fair is closed. I've heard the lunch is only 1 TS credit, so this seems like a great way to get a really nice meal for only 1 credit at a fancier restaurant. I haven't seen a menu yet though...

Otherwise, I'm going with a group that likes to get dressed up and have "dining experiences" and we're trying Kona, California Grill, Spoodles, Wolfgang Puck, and Chefs de France. These all look like fun restaurants that are a little more mature feeling where dressing up would be more commonplace. I've looked at these menus extensively and they all seem to have a few less-exotic options for those in my group who want "normal" (non-fancy) food.

Good luck!

 

[BethR]

Have fun planning! I'd be interested in knowing what y'all choose, and how it goes. It'd help me in days to come dealing with the women in my life.

Just an update on this IMPORTANT decision.

A couple of weeks ago DH and I were able to get to Disney for a User's Group meeting that DH was attending and we were able to eat at a lot of wonderful restaurants that we never considered going to when we are there with the kids.

One of those places was Narcoosees. We had everything we could have asked for - the Grand Floridian. The Electrical Light Boat Parade. Wishes. Wonderful service. Wonderful food.

So guess where we are going for our "dress up dinner?"

The menu is a bit refined for DDs, but they will be wowed by everything else. They can have the caesar salad, the chicken - plain, some kind of potato, and then one of the desserts. (And *I* will be having crab cakes, the whole lobster or surf and turf, and the Year of a Million Dreams cheesecake - I can't WAIT!)

It will be a wonderful evening.

 

[septbaby]

Now I really can't wait for our first night dinner there, thanks for sharing!
what other places did you try? any good?

 

[Pumbaa_]

Great choice Beth! I recently saw pics of Narcoosees and wow! Your girls should feel right at home all dresses up there.
Let us know how the food was when you return

edited:
Beth, have you seen this review (complete with pictures!)? Everything looks so yummy!

 

[BethR]

Now I really can't wait for our first night dinner there, thanks for sharing!
what other places did you try? any good?

I really hope that you will be as happy at Narcoosees as we were! It's a wonderful place.

Here is where we ate: Fultons for lunch. DH and I had crab cakes. Very good. Not the best that I have ever had, but good. Service was very good. Our companion had red snapper (?). He said that it was very good.

We did Wolfgang Puck's Downstairs. It was good. I had crab cakes (again) for an appetizer and a shrimp and sea scallop pasta. The sea food tasted fresh and yummy, but I did not LOVE the sauce. Their key lime pie was the best dessert that we had all week. UMMMMMMM.

We did Flying Fish. It was wonderful! I can't say enough about this restaurant too. Here is a link to a review and comments on Flying Fish. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1507977

We ate at the Portabella Yacht Club. Good, but not great. Not at all on par with the FF or Narcoossees.

It was so nice to have the opportunity experience these other restaurants.

Great choice Beth! I recently saw pics of Narcoosees and wow! Your girls should feel right at home all dresses up there.
Let us know how the food was when you return

edited:
Beth, have you seen this review (complete with pictures!)? Everything looks so yummy!

I had read (and seen) that thread, Jodie. I loved reading it and reliving our recent experience through it. There is a great podcast on the restaurant review page that really praises Narcoossees as well. http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/segments/seg-review-narcosees.mp3

I just can't wait to go back and to take the girls.