re: Need help w/dinner near BLT w/relatives now coming and toddlers

[NOLAmom]

Hi,
I need advice on a dinner reservation near Bay lake tower. We were going to eat in the condo that night but now some family members from Orlando are coming to say hello. So, I need to find a table for 7 people. We've got a 4 and 2.5 yr old. I would like to stay close to Bay lake tower as my kids are traveling that day and we want an early night.

So far, it looks like Chef Mickeys has a 540, Grand floridian cafe has a 530 and the Wave has a 530. Kona and ohana are booked right now. The other factor is MIL is not a meat eater and health nut so the Wave may be right up her alley? But is it kid friendly and fast enough for 2 toddlers?

Also, is Kona that much better than the restaurants listed above that I should try and see about getting 2 seperate tables?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[rlovew]

The Wave is a nice restaurant. I am not sure what you are looking for in kid friendly but it has cool lights for them to look at- the ceiling is lit up as though you are under the sea. As far as fast it depends on what you order but DH and I had dinner there in about 40 minutes last Monday- that is the time from when we sat down to when we left the restaurant- we waited about 2 minutes for our table. The Wave would be right up MIL's alley as even the bread basket is multigrain bread. The bread baskets come out as soon as your drinks so there will at least be that for the kids while you wait on your meals.

We also like the GFC but if you are staying at BLT it might be easier to do the Wave.

You could just use the Contempo Cafe if you don't want to find an ADR.

We like Kona but if your relatives are coming to have dinner with you why get 2 tables. Of the restaurants you have looked at The Wave is our favorite as far as quality of food and quickness is concerned.

If I was to rate the restaurants based on speed of service and quality of food that you have listed I would order them:

The Wave
Kona Cafe
Grand Floridian Cafe
Chef Mickey's

Another close/easy to get to place would be Whispering Canyon Cafe (I haven't eaten there so I can't rate it) and although I love AArtist Point I wouldn't reccomend it for a group with 2 toddlers.

 

[NOLAmom]

Thanks so much for the info. It was extremely helpful. I am so glad that you rated the food at the Wave so high. I would prefer to stay nearby so being in the CR would be perfect for us. Not sure what I meant by kid friendly as I'm sure all restaurants at WDW take kids. I was just concerned that the Wave was more fine dining, longer type meal like California Grill or other signatures and my kids can't sit for a super long dinner. Under an hour is fine but 130 is probably too long for them both. MIL will love the Wave, she would hate Ohana even if I could get an ADR. I don't think she could handle Chef Mickey's either.

I"m going to go ahead and book the Wave ADR tonight just to have something on the books since it's such a large party. If anyone else has any thoughts or opinions on the Wave or other restaurants above, would love to hear from you!

 

[HelenParr]

I think Wave is a great idea. We've enjoyed it several times and it's as close as you can get to BLT! Party of 7 will be no problem for them. And it won't seem too upscale for kids --- it's a super easy going atmosphere.

I hope it goes really well.

 

[kathyell]

We ate at the Wave when my daughter was 3 and she did just fine, and found something she wanted to eat on the menu there. My husband and I both liked the food there, too, but the portions there are more "real world" portions and not "Disney" portions, if that makes any sense. I actually liked that, because I find the humongous portions you get at some restaurants to be a little daunting. The Wave is also a little quieter than a lot of other Disney restaurants (or at least, has been when we were there) so you may have to prepare your kiddos that it's a quieter place than some of the other places you might eat. The quiet would be welcome for your party, however, if you want to be able to easily converse and visit with each other during the meal.

I haven't been to Kona so I can't weigh in there. We don't like the service or the food at Chef Mickey's, so I can't personally recommend it, but many people might disagree with me on that one.

If you aren't married to the idea of table service, you could always just go to the Contempo Cafe, too. There's also the option of just cooking in your room if you're comfortable having them there.

If you are DVC members, you could also arrange to just go to the Top of the World lounge and graze on appetizers up there, especially if you might stay to watch the fireworks on the balcony up there.

All things being equal, though, if it were me, I'd stick with the Wave reservation it looks like you've already made.

 

[goodferry]

Did you consider Whispering Canyon Cafe? You can take the boat to the WL from the Contemporary. My kids always loved it there

 

[NOLAmom]

We are renting points from a DVC member whose home resort is BLT. Can my husband and I use the top of the world lounge if renting points? Would we be allowed to bring our 3 orlando guests up there?? We are going in off season...last week of January so it shouldn't be crowded at all if that makes a difference. That would be ideal to let the adults grab light bite up there and I can feed the kids in our condo. This was probably be my 1st choice. Will check out the menu but let me know if anybody knows the rules about using it if renting points.

I know absolutely nothing about the Whispering Canyon Cafe so I will check out the menu right now. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm feeling good about the Wave though. Just relooked at their menu. I know MIL will love it. I"m ok with small portions as long as the food is decent and good quality. It will be nice for the relatives to catch up so quiet is ok....does look a little adult for my 2 crazy kids but I could always walk them around the CR if dinner gets too long and let the adults eat, drink some wine and relax.

I thought about cooking in but then that's just too much to think about after traveling with toddlers that morning and too much cleaning up after 7 people.

 

[rlovew]

We are renting points from a DVC member whose home resort is BLT. Can my husband and I use the top of the world lounge if renting points? Would we be allowed to bring our 3 orlando guests up there?? We are going in off season...last week of January so it shouldn't be crowded at all if that makes a difference. That would be ideal to let the adults grab light bite up there and I can feed the kids in our condo. This was probably be my 1st choice. Will check out the menu but let me know if anybody knows the rules about using it if renting points.

It will be nice for the relatives to catch up so quiet is ok....does look a little adult for my 2 crazy kids but I could always walk them around the CR if dinner gets too long and let the adults eat, drink some wine and relax.

I answered you question about the lounge at BLT- the rule is members only and many times you need a membership card- sometimes they will just take a KTTW card that says DVC on it and renters might be able to get there.

If your kids need a break from The Wave - there are 2 small lounges out near the bar at the front of the restaurant with TVs that were playing cartoons when we were there last week.

 

[lilpooh108]

Here's a really good review of a the Wave by a vegan & a vegetarian: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2496738&page=5

Looks good, and I like this girl's reviews alot if you need vegetarian tips, etc.

 

[NOLAmom]

Thanks everyone for your help. Looked at Whispering Canyon and while it looks great think that the Wave is more our thing. Don't want to risk not being able to enter TOWL so made an early 530 ADR at the Wave for 7 people. If the kids are restless, we will just have to take them to that lounge area or have someone walk around with them a bit during dinner which is fine.

I do still want to try Kona so keeping an eye on that if an ADR would open up but we've got it booked for the 4 of us on another night later in the trip.