Spacious Restaurants - suggestions please

[marcgiu]

Sorry is this sounds like a silly question but what recommendations do people have for a “spacious” restaurant,

My youngest son is on the Autistic spectrum and is not a big fan of crowded environments – We are going to OKW late May and I have booked a few places. I was considering cancelling Le Cellier and using the 2 TS somewhere else – any suggestions??

They can be anywhere is DW – we can plan around them.

Thanks in advance

 

[clanmcculloch]

Spacious is relative. I've been in many restaurants that have high ceilings and open concepts but the tables are all crowded very closely together. I suspect you're asking for places where the individual tables don't feel surrounded too closely both others.

We felt that our table at Coral Reef didn't feel as "crowded in" among the other tables as we did at many other restaurants. If your party is big enough and can get a booth that would be even better. Just make sure to clearly state that you do NOT want to be up against the tank because for some reason people seem to think that it's ok to crowd around other people's tables if the table is against the tank. It's a request they can easily grant since most people ask to be at the tank. Even if you can't get a booth, being in a table in the second or third tier just feels more open. The place is dimly lit though (it's necessary in order to see into the tank easily) so keep that in mind.

At 1900 Park Fare, if he can handle characters, there's an annex area that most people DON'T want because it feels out of the way and almost hidden from the rest of the room. This might be perfect for you. The characters do come in the area and you get just as much interaction as everybody else but the area's just more secluded and out of the way. The tables in there are still kind of crammed together but at least there aren't a lot of tables in there so it's manageable. You do still have to go up to the buffet to get your food in the main room.

Garden Grill is wonderful. We sat on the lower floor so I don't know what the upper is like. On the lower level, every table is a secluded booth with high backs so you don't see the other diners. You also get great interaction from the characters but it's low key interaction. It's all you can eat but it's brought out by your waiter so you don't have to get up. IMO this is the perfect environment as long as he's ok with the changing scenery (the restaurant rotates very slowly). Depending on how high functioning he is, he may even be fascinated to ride Living With the Land to see where the veggies and fish that he will be served (or was served if you go after dinner) are grown. That ride is a great sensory break from the activity of the park and may help calm him down before eating if he's getting over stimulated.

 

[DisGirl819]

I agree with PP about Garden Grill, you don't really see others in the restaurant unless you get up from your table. Kona Cafe in the Polynesian wasn't too crowded together (table wise) but it is in the lobby area of the hotel and open to the hotel traffic. The Grand Floridian Cafe is not crowded and is relatively quiet with yummy food.

I think most buffets try to cram people in and are more crowded together than other restaurants.

 

[marcgiu]

Spacious is relative. I've been in many restaurants that have high ceilings and open concepts but the tables are all crowded very closely together. I suspect you're asking for places where the individual tables don't feel surrounded too closely both others.

We felt that our table at Coral Reef didn't feel as "crowded in" among the other tables as we did at many other restaurants. If your party is big enough and can get a booth that would be even better. Just make sure to clearly state that you do NOT want to be up against the tank because for some reason people seem to think that it's ok to crowd around other people's tables if the table is against the tank. It's a request they can easily grant since most people ask to be at the tank. Even if you can't get a booth, being in a table in the second or third tier just feels more open. The place is dimly lit though (it's necessary in order to see into the tank easily) so keep that in mind.

At 1900 Park Fare, if he can handle characters, there's an annex area that most people DON'T want because it feels out of the way and almost hidden from the rest of the room. This might be perfect for you. The characters do come in the area and you get just as much interaction as everybody else but the area's just more secluded and out of the way. The tables in there are still kind of crammed together but at least there aren't a lot of tables in there so it's manageable. You do still have to go up to the buffet to get your food in the main room.

Garden Grill is wonderful. We sat on the lower floor so I don't know what the upper is like. On the lower level, every table is a secluded booth with high backs so you don't see the other diners. You also get great interaction from the characters but it's low key interaction. It's all you can eat but it's brought out by your waiter so you don't have to get up. IMO this is the perfect environment as long as he's ok with the changing scenery (the restaurant rotates very slowly). Depending on how high functioning he is, he may even be fascinated to ride Living With the Land to see where the veggies and fish that he will be served (or was served if you go after dinner) are grown. That ride is a great sensory break from the activity of the park and may help calm him down before eating if he's getting over stimulated.

Thanks for the reply He loves characters so your suggestions sound perfect.

He actually enjoys the buffets as well , I know they are quite crowded but they are pretty relaxed so he can run around and its pretty casual.

Has anyone been the Le Cellier ? - whats its like?

 

[Pakey]

Thanks for the reply He loves characters so your suggestions sound perfect.

He actually enjoys the buffets as well , I know they are quite crowded but they are pretty relaxed so he can run around and its pretty casual.

Has anyone been the Le Cellier ? - whats its like?

Le Cellier tables are so close together that you will know your neighbors by the time bread is served. It's also dark and "cave" like.

 

[Anthony1971]

Le Cellier
the best way to describe it is you could easily reach over and share a meal with the party next to you ( a little overstated but not by much)

 

[lilandvisma]

At GG IF you are seated in a booth then yes. If you are seated where we were on the upper level the tables are very close to one another and then there is the constant hustle and bustle of the workers going in and out of the kitchen and doors. The food is horrible there as well.

I have anxiety issues and do not like to be in crowded areas myself so this is something I paid close attention to during our last visit. The best place that I can think of was Brown Derby. We requested to be seated at a booth and we were right in a corner booth away from EVERYONE else it seemed. It was nice and no traffic! Next would be Citricos. We were also seated towards the corner by the dessert station where the pastry chef puts together his lovely desserts! (that in itself might keep your son interested!).

LeCellier is cramped but not any more so than most of the other places we went to. THE WORST I can think of is Tusker House. That place is a hot mess!

We didn't make it to Flying Fish, but I hear that is supposed to be a more roomy one as well.

One thing I noticed is that they really accommodate your requests! Just ask before you check in for a corner booth/table, one more away from the rest of the diners and you should be fine

 

[Havana]

The tables at Le Cellier at very close. Almost Awkwardly close. You could reach off of your neighbors table and take a bite of food.

 

[lilandvisma]

Now see..I thought LeCellier really wasn't that bad. Sure they were close together but not any more so than most of the other places we dined at. We were sat in the middle of the restaurant at a larger table though, maybe that had something to do with it?

 

[crisi]

Now see..I thought LeCellier really wasn't that bad. Sure they were close together but not any more so than most of the other places we dined at. We were sat in the middle of the restaurant at a larger table though, maybe that had something to do with it?

That's always been my take - Le Cellier is no better and no worse than most places at Disney.

Signature places tend to be roomier - but I'm not sure I'd choose to take a child with challenges to them - meals can be lengthy and while nothing at Disney (except V&As) is formal, the atmosphere might make you less comfortable.

Both Boma and Biergarten have always seemed really busy and crowded to me. But Kouzzina, Ohana and Kona all seem more spacious to me.

I do agree that you should talk to the hostess. In fact, make a note on your reservation and then call ahead about half an hour. There are always better and worse tables even in the really crowded places.

 

[marcgiu]

Thanks for all the tips - defo going to cancel Le Cellier. Prob going to book the Morrocan Restaurant (very spacious) and one other. Brown Derby sounds good and will run the GG by the missus

 

[vicki_c]

Le Cellier
the best way to describe it is you could easily reach over and share a meal with the party next to you ( a little overstated but not by much)

Not overstated. We were just there on Friday and at one of the booth tables (1/2 booth, 1/2 chairs), there was approximately 1 foot or less between my daughter and the woman at the table next to us. Just enough room for the waitress to squeeze in. In fact, they didn't even serve our side of the table from the side but reached over the table at an angle because there's really no room. My 9 year old daughter could have easily reached over and touched the woman at the other table.

 

[marcgiu]

Not overstated. We were just there on Friday and at one of the booth tables (1/2 booth, 1/2 chairs), there was approximately 1 foot or less between my daughter and the woman at the table next to us. Just enough room for the waitress to squeeze in. In fact, they didn't even serve our side of the table from the side but reached over the table at an angle because there's really no room. My 9 year old daughter could have easily reached over and touched the woman at the other table.

that sounds too small - will defo cancel tonight. Will have to have a steak elsewhere

 

[scm200]

try the wave, its pretty open and not as crowed as some at the park and only 1 TS for a meal - and the food there is very good

sharon

 

[marcgiu]

try the wave, its pretty open and not as crowed as some at the park and only 1 TS for a meal - and the food there is very good

sharon

Thanks - where is the Wave?

 

[vicki_c]

Thanks - where is the Wave?

At the Contemporary. We were just there for breakfast last week (and a dinner on a previous trip). I agree -- lots of space and very peaceful seeming in the Wave. Doesn't have that same chaotic vibe as many of the restaurants. You can walk or monorail from the Magic Kingdom.

 

[lilandvisma]

If your looking for a great steak I ranked Brown Derbys Filet second best out of my trip at the beginning of the month! Check out my dining review at the bottom of my picture for pics and reviews

 

[RMulieri]

Le cellier is jammed tight like sardines in a can.I could have eaten off my neighbors plate on one side and could have helped serve dishes out of the kitchen on the other.
In a booth Garden Grill is not bad at all , but that upper level is tight.

 

[TDC Nala]

The tables at Le Cellier are so close to each other that when the kid sitting at the next table threw a fit, he kicked me in the leg.

Other restaurants the OP should avoid: Chefs de France, San Angel Inn (although Hacienda might be OK), Nine Dragons and Big River Grill.

 

[catne]

Will you have a car...if so you may find that the hotel restaurants are much less crowded than the park restaurants. Though they all have tables close together, the difference is the resort restaurants tend to be less popular so you may be able to request a table away from the crowd. (talking about non-character, non-buffet)

Captain's Grill at the Yacht Club is a 1 TS steakhouse...when we were there (during Free Dining, no less) at a fairly early dinner seating (around 5:30 or 6) the place was not even 1/2 full. Good steaks on the menu.

Same is true of Olivia's at OKW...again, we were there during Free Dining...and only about 1/2 the tables full.

We have been in The Wave when it was full...and it was very noisy with screaming babies & screaming children...we've also been there when it was peacefull so it's hit & miss.

The Grand Floridian Cafe is another 1 TS place that rarely fills up...we've been there twice for dinner...the first time it wasn't 1/3 full, the other it was about 1/2 full. Good food, relaxing/pretty decor.