Suggestions Wanted for our 20th Anniversary Dinner

[Airship Ariadne]

DW and I are in the process of planning our 20th anniversary trip to WDW and are discussing restaurant options for the dinner on our actual anniversary. I would like to get some suggestions along with WHY they would be ideal. the trip will be in the fall of 2017 so there is still plenty of time before the ADR's are available, but we wanted to get a list to research as we wait.

Here are the basics to help:
1. I don't like seafood...and would prefer someplace where seafood isn't the main focus.
2. 20th anniversary, so someplace special
3. not made of money (but not broke either) so the chef's table at Victoria and Alberts is not us.
4. We live in Texas so mexican food is too common an everyday choice for us to be "special"
5. Our anniversary is Halloween...I've heard Magic Kingdom is best avoided on Halloween, so Be Our Guest and CRT are out.

* this will be our 4th trip, we are not newbies to the parks or dinning but we haven't eaten everywhere and trying something new would be a bonus. Previous trips have included dinner at: Le Cellier, Coral Reef, Chefs d France, Tokyo Dining, Akershus, (we do seem to get a lot of dinners at EPCOT), Boma, 50's Prime Time, Hollywood and Vine, and Chef Mickey's (this was DW's first suggestion after Be Our Guest...she loves Chef Mickey's).

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We only visit five TS eateries at WDW when we go there for an actual meal.
.
1) We prefer
. . . fine food
. . . excellent, top notch service
. . . innovative dishes with flair and quality
. . . overall great value
. . . relaxed and soothing dining atmosphere
. . . behaved and somewhat quiet patrons
.
2) The only sit-down restaurants we routinely visit,
. . . Sanaa - Animal Kingdom Villas Resort (one of my personal favs)
. . . Artist Point - Wilderness Lodge Resort
. . . Citricos - Grand Floridian Resort
. . . Shula's Steakhouse - Dolphin Resort (no DDP)
. . . Il Mulino - Swan Resort (no DDP)
.
3) Our (nearby) off-site Recommendations:
. . . Bull & Bear - Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek - Fine Dining
. . . Café D'Antonio - Celebration - Casual Italian
. . . Columbia - Celebration - Casual Spanish/Cuban
. . . Fish Bones - Hwy192 - Seafood
. . . Venetian Room - Caribe Royale Hotel - Fine Dining
. . . The Hotel Tea Room - Davenport, FL - Casual - Friday Steak-Fry, Afternoon Tea

 

[iloveeeyore]

If you are looking for something loud and playful (read, your wife thought of Chef Mickey's), I suggest the Hoop Dee Doo Revue dinner show at Fort Wilderness. It is a fun show with all you can eat and drink basic food and beer, wine and sangria. And they make a big deal about anniversaries.

On the quieter, more romantic side, I suggest Artist Point (WL) or Citricos (GF). The atmosphere food and service can't be beat. California Grill (CR) has a perfect view of Wishes but the food/service/atmosphere for us was hit/miss, but when it works the way it's supposed to, it's really magical.

Sanaa at AKV is less pricey but a great bang for your buck and a fabulous view of the animals.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Adding Artist Point, Sanna, and Citricos to the list of places to consider as well.

If you are looking for something loud and playful (read, your wife thought of Chef Mickey's), I suggest the Hoop Dee Doo Revue dinner show at Fort Wilderness. It is a fun show with all you can eat and drink basic food and beer, wine and sangria. And they make a big deal about anniversaries.

On the quieter, more romantic side, I suggest Artist Point (WL) or Citricos (GF). The atmosphere food and service can't be beat. California Grill (CR) has a perfect view of Wishes but the food/service/atmosphere for us was hit/miss, but when it works the way it's supposed to, it's really magical.

I think her Chef Mickey's love comes from being a big kid and wanting character dining....I am sure we will have some of those on other days, not for the anniversary dinner.

I wondered about California Grill, I had heard hit and miss on the food, but the fireworks might be a good point...do most of the table have a good view or will it be a toss-up on if we get to see them or not?


About the dining plan, we have done that in each previous trip (took the free dining offer) but we don't plan on that this trip, I think the possible room discounts will be a better deal, the plan has gotten to be less of a value over the years, and she is also on a diet that doesn't fit well with the plan (but she is planning on ignoring the diet completely on this one night).

 

[Airship Ariadne]

We only visit five TS eateries at WDW when we go there for an actual meal.
2) The only sit-down restaurants we routinely visit,
. . . Sanaa - Animal Kingdom Villas Resort (one of my personal favs)
. . . Artist Point - Wilderness Lodge Resort
. . . Citricos - Grand Floridian Resort
. . . Shula's Steakhouse - Dolphin Resort (no DDP)
. . . Il Mulino - Swan Resort (no DDP)
.

Thank you...we've eaten at Shula's in other cities, but the others would be new.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Adding Artist Point, Sanna, and Citricos to the list of places to consider as well.


I wondered about California Grill, I had heard hit and miss on the food, but the fireworks might be a good point...do most of the table have a good view or will it be a toss-up on if we get to see them or not?

We had 2 completely different experiences here. One table had a fabulous view and the other was kind of in the middle of the restaurant with pretty much no view at all. They have remodeled a bit since our last visit, but I can't tell from photos if that took away those bad tables...I think there are still a few there, but most tables are good. The nice thing is that whether there is a view from your table or not, all guests are invited out on the observation deck to watch from outside, which is great as long as the weather cooperates. Our last server was such a snot! I don't say that about many people. From beginning to end he had this attitude like he was better and smarter than us and literally would not "let" us leave the table to go outside a little early to stake out a good deck spot. We got a pretty lousy angle because we got out there so late, listening to him against my inner voice. Go outside several minutes before the show starts for the best view.

 

[MHDTS]

California Grill is wonderful -- beautiful views, great menu, good cocktails, and of course the fireworks. And as someone else has said, it doesn't matter where your table is -- you may use one of two outdoor viewing areas where the music and narration are piped in, and the view is really something. We have been dining at California Grill since it opened and in fact have had two anniversary dinners there!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

California Grill is wonderful -- beautiful views, great menu, good cocktails, and of course the fireworks.

1) You forgot to mention the LOUD, LOUD, LOUD atmosphere.
2) Hardly romantic.
3) Plus, frequently, there are parents that let their kids run around.
4) I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH CALI GRILL for special ooccasions (my personal opinion)

 

[Airship Ariadne]

1) You forgot to mention the LOUD, LOUD, LOUD atmosphere.
2) Hardly romantic.
3) Plus, frequently, there are parents that let their kids run around.
4) I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH CALI GRILL for special ooccasions (my personal opinion)

#3 is a pet peeve. Will certainly be a consideration.

 

[shortnsassy730]

If I were going signature restaurant, I would choose Artist Point hands down. It's my favorite signature and its quiet and romantic.

 

[ggc]

I agree on Artist Point as a possible choice. We did Victoria & Albert's a few years back, $$$$ but good.
Off site we enjoy Old Hickory at the Gaylord Palms.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

California Grill is really good & I love their food. However, like most restaurants at Disney the tables are very close together & its noisy.
Artist Point is less crowded, quieter & the location is gorgeous. The boat ride there is enjoyable & the lobby area of wilderness lodge is so pretty. Their food is great too... Especially the cobbler!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Artist Point is fantastic. Really wonderful food, atmosphere and service. We've never had a bad experience here.

We like Cali Grill, but, it can be a bit loud and kind of rambunctious quite honestly. The view is amazing, however.

We really like Monsieur Paul in EP. The food is wonderful and the service is outstanding. It is a more quiet, romantic place.

We loved Tiffins in Animal Kingdom! If you like cocktails, Nomad, which is right next door, has some of the best on property. I would suggest going to Nomad and then having dinner at Tiffins.

Jiko is also great and AKL is such a lovely resort to visit.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I would pick either California Grill or Yachtsman Steakhouse.

California Grill: great view, excellent food and service, it can be lively but you can focus on just your table partner too. The viewing for Wishes is excellent too.

Yachtsman: OUTSTANDING food and service, it has got to be one of the best meals I have had anywhere. The ambiance is cozy and elegant, and I had a view of the pool and since I like to people watch I enjoyed that. If you get the side of the truffle mac and cheese, you will love it.

 

[hill6]

We are doing Shulas for our 30th later this year. Considered California Grill as our second choice.

 

[Shanti]

DW and I are in the process of planning our 20th anniversary trip to WDW and are discussing restaurant options for the dinner on our actual anniversary. I would like to get some suggestions along with WHY they would be ideal. the trip will be in the fall of 2017 so there is still plenty of time before the ADR's are available, but we wanted to get a list to research as we wait.

Here are the basics to help:
1. I don't like seafood...and would prefer someplace where seafood isn't the main focus.
2. 20th anniversary, so someplace special
3. not made of money (but not broke either) so the chef's table at Victoria and Alberts is not us.
4. We live in Texas so mexican food is too common an everyday choice for us to be "special"
5. Our anniversary is Halloween...I've heard Magic Kingdom is best avoided on Halloween, so Be Our Guest and CRT are out.

* this will be our 4th trip, we are not newbies to the parks or dinning but we haven't eaten everywhere and trying something new would be a bonus. Previous trips have included dinner at: Le Cellier, Coral Reef, Chefs d France, Tokyo Dining, Akershus, (we do seem to get a lot of dinners at EPCOT), Boma, 50's Prime Time, Hollywood and Vine, and Chef Mickey's (this was DW's first suggestion after Be Our Guest...she loves Chef Mickey's).

For fun: Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness - great show, tasty food, and they make a fuss over birthdays & anniversaries (bonus: you'll get to see the Halloween decorated campsites at Fort Wilderness, & maybe add a carriage ride onto the evening).

Fine dining: The Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort is great.

 

[Stan's MaggieMouse]

Wolfgang Puck's Dining Room. A-maz-ing!

 

[BMoreWishes]

California Grill. Make your reservations to be seated about a half hour before Wishes starts. Rowdy kids - probably. Loud - yes. Hit or miss food - yup. But when you are watching the fireworks from the terrace with the music playing in the background as you are sipping a cocktail all the rest of it melts away and you realize this is what makes Disney such a magical place.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

California Grill. Make your reservations to be seated about a half hour before Wishes starts. Rowdy kids - probably. Loud - yes. Hit or miss food - yup. But when you are watching the fireworks from the terrace with the music playing in the background as you are sipping a cocktail all the rest of it melts away and you realize this is what makes Disney such a magical place.

I might suggest we do this for another night...we are leaving our kid at home for the trip and would be nice not to have a bunch of screaming kids around that night (Victoria and Alberts had THAT going for it). Don't feel bad for her, she is going without us in Feb with her marching band.

 

[geek+nerd]

Artist Point is my favorite signature. I was very disappointed in our California Grill experience.