Romantic Fireworks Dinner?

[drj898]

I'll be in WDW July 8th to the 13th, and it's my girlfriend's birthday on the 9th. I'm trying to find a really romantic restaurant for me to take her to, the night of her birthday. But here's the catch: I'm looking for one with fireworks views. So which *romantic* restaurants have views of MK's "Wishes" fireworks? And which have views of Epcot's IllumiNATIONS??

PS: I'll be staying at WL, so I was looking at a place at a nearby deluxe resort.


Any Ideas?
Thanks!!

 

[figment_jii]

Bad news first...none of the restaurants will gaurentee you a table with a view. Some will let you request a table, but they will warn you that it might mean a long wait and you may not be seated until after the show.

For Wishes, I've seen them from Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian) and California Grill (Contemporary). At Narcoossee's, there is an outside veranda that guests can watch the show from. Unfortunately, it means that even if you have a window table, people might end up blocking your view. Over at California Grill, there is an outside observation deck to watch the show from.

This is from Narcoossee's veranda:

This is from California Grill's observation deck:

You can also see some of Wishes from inside CRT, but it's a limited view and not terribly romantic. It was a lot of fun, but it's the type of place you go more for the atmosphere (eating inside the castle!), than the food.

In terms of IllumiNations, the best chance of seeing the show is from Rose & Crown. You may or may not be allowed to wait for outside table. If your table does not have a good view, there is a reserved viewing area for R&C patrons. I like R&C, but it never struck me as terribly "romantic."

I've not eaten at La Hacienda, but I've read that some of the tables have a really good view. Unfortunately there is no viewing area for those at tables without a view.

You might be able to see some of the high fireworks from the Boardwalk, but there aren't any places to see the whole show.

If I were looking for something "romantic", I'd probably go with Narcoossee's or California Grill. I really liked the food at both places, so it's really a matter of your tastes.

One other added "bonus" is that from Narcoossee's (and California Grill) you can also see the Electric Water Pageant.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I ditto Figment's "Cali Grill"
and the menu (and the sushi) is fantastic

Have a magical visit!

Mary

 

[rlovew]

If you want a romantic dinner then a place with fireworks is not the place to have it- you will have many children around and it will be a lot less romantic than many places on property. People have mentioned the places that you can see fireworks from- none of which I would consider romantic because of the number of children in them nightly (because of the fireworks). For a romantic dinner I would recommend Bistro de Paris (sometime you might have a slight fireworks view (3 seats-not both seats at any table- in the place that I know of for sure), one of the places at Swan/Dolphin, or Artist Point.

 

[icc2515]

I recommend having dinner at the Poly then go out the beach and watching the fireworks. The beach is not crowded and has a great view.

 

[Uncleromulus]

rlovew is right--restaurants with a view of the fireworks aren't really romantic in the traditional sense.

But if I had a choice, I would go to the California Grill.

 

[TDC Nala]

Wanting a fireworks view narrows down the choices drastically and it should be noted that no restaurant will guarantee you a table with a view of the fireworks. Some persons we see posting are adamant that they must have the view from their table so they can watch while they are eating. Others are OK with getting up from the table and going to an available public area to watch. You alone know which of those you are.

In the area of the Wilderness lodge, your choices are:

'Ohana: there are few fireworks view tables, and the romance factor is close to nonexistent. It is a raucous family restaurant. You can eat there, then go down to the beach to watch, but you'd still be eating in a raucous family restaurant. Kona Cafe is open and bright and not particularly romantic either.

California Grill: Maybe your best shot at a window table but not guaranteed. They have a large observation deck so fireworks VIEWING is pretty much guaranteed - but if you want to watch from your table you may be out of luck. As far as a romance factor, this is not a quiet, genteel, dark restaurant. It is upscale, but is brightly lit and bustling, and full of families who want to see the fireworks. There is a back room called the "wine room" that may be quieter depending on who they seat in there with you, but the "wine room" has no view of the Magic Kingdom.

Narcoosees: I haven't been there in years so I don't know your odds on a window table. But there's an outdoor area where you can view the fireworks if you don't get one. Might have a higher romance factor than either 'Ohana or California Grill, although it will also be full of families pre-fireworks.

As for Epcot, Rose & Crown has the best views but is not in the least romantic. La Hacienda may be better for romance but there are very few view tables and no outdoor viewing area, and they will definitely not guarantee you a view table - I remember a guy having a meltdown at the podium because they wouldn't guarantee him an Illuminations view table for his wife's birthday, the restaurant stood firm even in the face of his meltdown.

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

My wife and I ate at California Grill and Narcoossee's on our last trip and we were staying at the Polynesian. Needless to say, we got a good comparison of all three locations during Wishes. California Grill had great food and view, but there were a lot of families there also wanting to see Wishes (in July) so it was a bit noisy and not as intimate as I would have liked. Narcoossee's was by far more romantic. The downfall, as previously mentioned, was the folks standing outside on the platform in front of you...but we could see the fireworks just fine above their heads. Worst case is that you walk outside for the fireworks- just let the server know what your doing. Order some Champagne or Sparkling Juice to drink while watching them. I really enjoyed the Polynesian beach for the fireworks. So another idea would be to eat at Narcoossee's and then head over to the Polynesian beach's sunset point to watch. The boat between GF and Poly is right there by Narcoossee's so just allow enough time to catch the boat and get to the beach before Wishes starts.

Have a great romantic evening!


Since it will be your girl's birthday, be sure to note that on the ADR. It will probably raise your chances of a good table and special bday treat for your girl. Also, arrive a bit early for the ADR so that you can speak to the host to make sure they know it is her birthday. On our trip, we had noted it was our anniversary, and I already knew that they knew when we walked in because they'd say, Happy Anniversary! (even though we didn't have our buttons on because we were wearing nicer attire for the fancy dinners)

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with PP, the restaurants with fireworks views attract families, often with tired, young children. None of them are particularly "romantic", although several are very good. I personally would choose Narcossee's for a fireworks view.
Have a Great Trip

 

[disneydreamin'fromGA]

My husband and I just returned from our honeymoon and we ate at Narcoossee's. Wishes was at 8pm, our reservation was for 7:30pm. First all of, they gave us the BEST seat in the place. I watched the castle change colors all night! Then we stepped out onto the veranda to watch Wishes. The restaurant plays the Wishes music and the view was perfect. Super romantic and wonderful! Definitely suggest going there! When you book it mention her birthday and you might get a good view.

 

[olecow]

It depends on what your definition of "romantic" is. As others have already said if you're looking for that dimly lit, quiet place where you can also see fireworks then I think you're out of luck. Then again, if you consider any nice restaurant where you can be with that special someone romantic then there are choices.

My wife and I ate at the California Grill about two weeks ago and watched Wishes from their observation deck, which I thought was very romantic. As others have said in the dining room there will be families with kids and it is somewhat bustling. However, I can usually put that aside and have a "romantic" evening with my wife.

We also ate at La Hacienda De San Angel and watched Illuminations. We had to get up from our table and move to an area where nobody was seated to get a good view, but there were tables that would have good views of Illuminations. I saw couples seated in booths that were shaped like a half circle and I would think that would be romantic.

Just be prepared, unless you're eating at Victoria and Alberts you WILL be sharing your dining experience with kids (it's Disney World after all), which doesn't bother us because we have three of our own, but it's something to keep in mind.

 

[JZCubed]

I will agrre with others that CA Grill can feel romantic for some, not so much for others......those darn kids......

Have you given thought to actually going into MK and seeing the fireworks. Maybe going during Extra Magic Hours....for my wife and I, few things at Disney are as romantic as a slow boat ride in Pirate of Caribe or enjoying the fear factor in Haunted Mansion (she gets to hold me real close)......

Finally, after the fireworks and while the MK is emptying out, we stand in front of Cinderella's Castle and creat a 'hollywood moment' that can be photographed by one of those PhotoPass folks.....this may be the most romatic thing I can do repeatedly without it getting tired.....

 

[drj898]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm gonna do Hacienda for illumiNations, and see the menu for Narcoossee's (how do you pronounce that btw??) . It might be the sorta food my gf will be a little picky for lol. Either there, and/or the beach at poly, or (most likely) just standing by the castle like everyone else. Thanks again for the advice again...I love you guys.

 

[figment_jii]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm gonna do Hacienda for illumiNations, and see the menu for Narcoossee's (how do you pronounce that btw??) . It might be the sorta food my gf will be a little picky for lol. Either there, and/or the beach at poly, or (most likely) just standing by the castle like everyone else. Thanks again for the advice again...I love you guys.

With regards to La Hacienda, make sure you're going there because it is somewhere you want to eat, not because you plan to watch IllumiNations. As others have said, there are a limited number of tables with a view (not all window tables face the right direction) and there is no viewing area. If you really want to see IllumiNations, I'd do that separately from dinner.

Our server pronounced it 'Nar-coo-seas.'. 'Nar' rhymes with 'far'. 'Coo' like the sound a dove makes. 'Seas' like the Pavillion, the Seas with Nemo and Friends.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Illuminations restaurant viewing (rev 5/6/2011)
. . . Rose & Crown - Excellent Patio View
. . . La Hacienda - Excellent Window View
. . . Tokyo Dining - Good Window view, Good Patio View
. . . Chef de France - Obstructed Window View
. . . Bistro de Paris - Partially Obstructed Window View
. . . Liberty Inn - Obstructed Patio View
2) Wishes restaurant viewing
. . . California Grille - Excellent table view, excellent balcony views
. . . Narcoossee's - Good view from only a few tables, good balcony view
. . . Ohana - Good view from very few tables


NOTE: Tables at restaurants with views are highly prized.
. . . you may ask for a able with a view at the podium
. . . but, must take ANY seat when your ADR is ready
. . . whether there is a fireworks view or not

 

[mrsksomeday]

Another suggestion would be an intimate dinner.

My wonderful boyfriend booked an intimate dinner at the Grand Floridian for my birthday in December. It was booked through their private dining number.

We were outside on the 3rd floor balcony. We had a butler that took care of everything. We had a view of Wishes from our table. We also could see the Electric Water Pagent when it came by. It was a fantastic experience, so much so we are doing it again in May.

The price was a little over $300.