quiet dinner for 20 adults + 7 babies?

[davispigeon]

Hi there, I'm trying to organize an early dinner for 20 adults with their children (ages 6 months-2 years). We want to be able to talk so would like somewhere quiet but obviously can't go to one of the upscale adult restaurants with all those babies.
Quiet + babies...is that even possible at WDW?
I was thinking a lounge since we'd be dining at around 5pm and we could do appetizers for dinner. Is there one you all would recommend that would be good for a large group and relatively quiet that time of day? Or even good counter service with lots of seating?
For instance, would anywhere at Port Orleans meet those requirement?
We're trying to do it at either a resort restaurant or Downtown Disney since some of us will be staying at WDW hotels and don't have transportation "off-World". I don't think a park restaurant would work since we won't all have park tickets.
I've looked at the restaurant listings over and over but nothing beats real-life experience. Plus there is no indication of how big any of those places are.
I appreciate anyone's advice!
Thanks,
Pigeon

 

[Amy&Dan]

I really enjoyed Maya Grill at Coronado Springs. It was very quiet the night we ate there and not all that crowded. The Turf Club at Saratoga Springs is another good one, and since you can then walk to DTD and therfore get on a bus to any WDW resort, dining at SSR is easy even if you aren't staying there. Boatrights at Port Orleans might be good, I haven't eaten there however so can't comment on how quiet the atmosphere is. Food courts tend to get a bit noisy although for an early dinner, when most people are at the park it might be fine. For a quiet meal, I have to say Turf Club and Maya Grill are what popped into my mind first. Good luck, that will be fun to have a big group and probably no matter where you eat you'll enjoy yourselves!

 

[davispigeon]

Amy&Dan,
Thanks for responding so quickly! Do you think the Maya Grill or Surf Club would be appropriate for all those little ones?
I worry that the waiters will be horrified by 7 babies wailing and/or smearing food in their hair.

 

[twinspluscade]

Hi there, I'm trying to organize an early dinner for 20 adults with their children (ages 6 months-2 years). We want to be able to talk so would like somewhere quiet but obviously can't go to one of the upscale adult restaurants with all those babies.
Quiet + babies...is that even possible at WDW?
I was thinking a lounge since we'd be dining at around 5pm and we could do appetizers for dinner. Is there one you all would recommend that would be good for a large group and relatively quiet that time of day? Or even good counter service with lots of seating?
For instance, would anywhere at Port Orleans meet those requirement?
We're trying to do it at either a resort restaurant or Downtown Disney since some of us will be staying at WDW hotels and don't have transportation "off-World". I don't think a park restaurant would work since we won't all have park tickets.
I've looked at the restaurant listings over and over but nothing beats real-life experience. Plus there is no indication of how big any of those places are.
I appreciate anyone's advice!
Thanks,
Pigeon

Honestly....with seven kids in your group ages 2 and younger I wouldn't even worry about trying to find a quiet restaurant. Because with that many kids in your own group it won't be quiet at your table, and it will be hard to visit with the other adults anyway--parents will be busy feeding their kids, getting them settled down, etc. Something tells me you maybe don't have kids? .

Anyway, I'd maybe try for a counter service, just because with that many little ones you might want something fast---and somewhere it won't be a big deal if one (or two or three!) babies are crying at the same time. Or what about a family style meal somewhere? That way, you don't have to worry about keeping the kids entertained through a three course meal, and the parents won't have to keep going up to the buffet. Or what about Ohana?

 

[bradk]

i'm guessing by your wording that you don't qualify for a GG with 80%+ staying on site?

 

[RangerPooh]

If you are staying at POR and want counter service you should be ok as the eating area is of good size. Another option is WCC over at the WL. They have a section behind the fireplace that is more private. You are away from the main resturnat but it would accommodate your party size and you would be able to talk freely. The only downside that I can think of (besides it being a table service if you want counter service) is that i is near the hallway between the lobby and pool. You might have to call the resturnat directly to book this area if interested.

 

[Quinn222]

That's an oxymoron. Your group alone is going to turn any restaurant into a loud one. If you can manage off hours the food court at POR might work, you could gather all in one corner, maybe by the wheel. The lounge there isn't big enough for you and Boatwrights can be loud.

I agree that Maya Grill might work for you as well. In any case for that many people are you doing a GG? The coordinator might be able to assist with that, otherwise when making an ADR you're going to be told it's separate tables.

 

[gigi1313]

here's my suggestion... gather a bunch of tables and chairs out by the kiddie pool at the resort most of the guests are stayin at... get a few pizzas, a cooler of beer (from off-site to save money)... anyone that's not happy w/those choices can get CS meals from the food court and spend the evening outside relaxing and chatting and rocking strollers and kids' splashing, etc... when we were at POFQ and at ASMu we saw a LOT of large groups doing just that... of course, they were unable to make "speeches" or address the entire group all at once, but everyone seemed to have lots of face time w/one another... also it would be great for late arrivals or those that had to leave early and if you want to linger, you're not holding the restaurant table from turning over...

 

[winterman]

As soon as I read your title I started laughing. A 'quiet' dinner is impossible with 20 adults, never mind adding 7 babies. That said Olivia's might work. Especially early, say 5ish. I have a vague recollection that they might have a small private room. Have fun.

 

[lovehoney]

You could try Raglan Road at Pleasure Island. At 5:00 pm it will still be pretty quiet and it is a huge restaurant. We saw a couple of large groups there and our kids were more than welcome.

 

[my3disneygirls]

I find Boatrights to be pretty calm and the food is good too. Although with kids I try to find the noisiest restaurant that way when DD #3 has the inevitable 'Disney meltdown', no one can hear her.

 

[jcc0621]

How about Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian? We ate there with a group of 6 adults and behind us a group of about 25 people (about 5 kids) (wedding party). They were lively, but overly loud. Just celebrating, that makes sense. It's a very nice restaurant that overlooks the water.

 

[luv2plan]

Whenever I have been to Ohana is wasn't crowded. It is very large, they could probably seat you out of the way. The food is terrific and served family style, just right! And it just keeps coming!

Happy planning!

 

[dburg30]

LOL take out the 7 babies and just the 20 adults visiting will be pretty loud

You've gotten some good tips here, I personally liked the pizza party one, but I guess at WDW you were looking for something a little different

 

[mrzrich]

How about Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian? We ate there with a group of 6 adults and behind us a group of about 25 people (about 5 kids) (wedding party). They were lively, but overly loud. Just celebrating, that makes sense. It's a very nice restaurant that overlooks the water.

This sound selfish of me, but I would be ticked if I went to a 2TS signature restaurant to be seated next to a party with 7 babies. Even more ticked if I was paying OOP. And even more ticked if I'd arranged to have my own rugrats stay with a sitter or in a kids club for my signature date night.

 

[erinch]

Gullivers at the Swan might be a choice, particularly just when they open. Some of the DTD restaurants, in particular House of Blues or Bongos also don't start hopping until later. If would be a long shot, but you might be able to get deck seating at Wolfang Pucks in DTD.

 

[Quinn222]

This sound selfish of me, but I would be ticked if I went to a 2TS signature restaurant to be seated next to a party with 7 babies. Even more ticked if I was paying OOP. And even more ticked if I'd arranged to have my own rugrats stay with a sitter or in a kids club for my signature date night.

Amen to that.

 

[Hannathy]

This sound selfish of me, but I would be ticked if I went to a 2TS signature restaurant to be seated next to a party with 7 babies. Even more ticked if I was paying OOP. And even more ticked if I'd arranged to have my own rugrats stay with a sitter or in a kids club for my signature date night.

I agree BUT I don't think it is selfish I think it is common courtesy!

I think the around the pool is a good idea, if you don't want pizza just get food from the food court. Because as everyone has said there is no way 7 babies add up to a quiet dinner anywhere unless it is about 11pm and they are all asleep in their strollers.

 

[davispigeon]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I was definitely NOT thinking about taking all those babies to a fancy restaurant!

Brad, no, we don't qualify for a GG. That would have been cool.

I think our group was thinking loud music, etc., when they asked for somewhere quiet to eat. Obviously WE won't be that quiet! I doubt that's possible...

Gigi, I think I like your suggestion the best. Very informal, people can come and go easily (important if their baby has a meltdown) and we can all move around and chat with each other. No-one is wanting to make speeches so that is not an issue. I'll have to check that pizza and/or counter service food is acceptable to everyone.
So I'm guessing the pizza delivery at POR/POFQ (we're actually staying at POFQ) will deliver to the pool area? Can we really have alcohol out there or is it a sneaky thing? Most of the group don't really drink but a couple of the guys would probably enjoy a beer with their pizza.

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yes you can drink alcohol, they even sell beer and wine in the coolers at the POR food court, or there is the pool bar there as well. I am not sure about if they will deliver pizza, I don't see why not. I think thats a great idea to just be by the pool. Oh, and you can bring your own liquor too, dh and I generally bring some beer or Malibu rum on our WDW vacations. As long as its not a key with 20 screaming college kids, they don't care! Have a fun evening!