Which TS for Anniversary Dinner?

[Disney8704]

OK, trying to decide weither or not where to have DH and I 4th Anniversary dinner. Let me start off by telling you all a small story. For starters, we went to Disney in Sept 2003. It was DH 1st time. We celebrated his birthday while we were down there and for his bday dinner we at at CRT. At the time we were just going out, and then while we were down there, we got engaged right before IllumiNations. We then got married Aug 7, 2004. When we got married, of course since I couldnt have it in Disney (to expensive) we still had a Disney wedding - Cinderella! But it was also on a beach. We didnt have much of a honeymoon because we couldnt afford much, same for our 1st anniversary. 2nd anniversary didnt even exisit - he was deployed for the 1st time. 3rd anniversary (this yr) he had to work to get ready for the deployment we are on right now. So as you can see I wanna try to pick the BEST place to have our anniversary dinner. Although when I go to make our ADRs I will be asking them if they would please make note on all ADRs we are celebrating our anniversary. One thing I should also point out is our wedding songs. The song I walked down the aisle to was We Go On from IllumiNations (at the end when the globe opens). And the song we danced to was Promise (the song they play after IllumiNations). We have ate at CRT but the others, we havent. Regardless where we eat for our anniversary, we will be eating at the following places. So here are the choices.

CRT (to go with our themed wedding, spend the day at MK)

Jiko (I plan on ordering a cake and we will be dressing nice of course. We will be staying at AKL and would be spending the day at AK. The cake will be a surprise for DH)

Coral Reef (to go with the beach type theme because of the tank/water we had during our wedding. Spend the day at Epcot, and get to hear the 2 songs I walked down the aisle to plus the song we danced to. We also LOVE IllumiNations and would also remind us of our engagement. We would spend the day at Epcot plus at Coral Reef, regardless when we go, I plan on doing the Diver and the Sign. The Diver and sign will be a surprise for DH)

Hoop-Dee-Doo (Although this has NOTHING to do with our wedding, it would be a fun meal for an anniversary dinner. We never saw it before but we do plan on seeing it. We would spend the day at MK and go back after dinner to watch Wishes, but before returning back to the park try to do a carriage ride provided they have an opening. Hoop Dee Doo will be a surprise dinner altogether)

I orginally was just gonna have it at CRT. But the more I thought about it, the more I started thinking, where should we really have our anniversary dinner. I hope you all can help!

 

[Scornelius]

I think the day at Epcot and then dinner at the Coral Reef would be great! It ties in elements from your engagement and wedding, so I think it would be much more sentimental.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Don't forget to call and arrange the diver/menu at Coral Reef.

 

[AKLRULZ]

Jiko is one of the top places to dine at Disney - it will always get my vote and would be a great place, maybe even a bit more intimate, to celebrate an anniversary.

Enjoy!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I think the Hoop would be really fun. They do ask if anybody is celebrating an Anniversary. The couples stand up and the crowd claps for you. If you don't want to be recognized, then don't say anything.

 

[sunny04]

I voted for Coral Reef based on your description of your reasons. I think it will make the most romantic and memorable connection to your lives and wedding to be at Epcot and see Illuminations. A lot of people will vote for the others based on their favorite food or whatever, but based on YOUR story, I would definitely go with Coral Reef.

 

[OKW Lover]

I voted for Jiko because its one of the top restaurants at WDW. But if it had been on your list, I would have voted Artist Point, which I rate higher.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Not on the list but...

California Grill!!! View is outstanding and the food isn't bad either!

 

[haley123]

I picked CRT. Just because I think it would be nice to eat in the castle. My second choice is Jiko.

 

[DisneyRN51207]

CRT is wonderful, for our honeymoon, they put us in the center of the room where the show started and we got free champagne glasses with the restaurant emblem on them. It was very nice. We love it there. BUT I voted for the Coral Reef. I saw another couple there for their anniversary and they did the sign underwater thing and I absolutely love the idea. The food is good, they make you a customized menu to take home with you with your names on it and it's just a really nice atmosphere. It sounds like Epcot has more memories for you and your husband anyway.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Sounds like from your story that Epcot is a special place, so I'd agree with the other posters and say Coral Reef. Then you could leave & watch Illuminations... how fun!

We've never eaten there, but it is on our list for next fall. Can't wait!

 

[HeidiGW]

Boy, you can't miss. They all sound great. But after hearing your story, I say Coral Reef. Makes new history, too.
Congrats!!!

 

[Disney8704]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've been watching the poll results and replies and more then likely we will go with Coral Reef. It would be really nice to go and eat dinner and then watch IllumiNations, at our favorite spot. Which happens to be where DH propsed to me. DH doesnt know anything about any of our meals. I did tell him we were eating at CRT but thats it. So eating at Coral Reef and then all of a sudden a diver pops up holding a sign will be a HUGE surprise for him. He bascially knows nothing about any of the restraunts except a couple. And since we never ate at coral reef before, he doesnt even know about the special menu and divers. But of course thanks to the DISboards, I know and thats what counts! I cant believe how close of a tie it is between Jiko and Coral Reef. I was almost considering Jiko instead of Coral Reef because of the cake, but we will just eat there the night before. That way it would also give us an additional day to eat the cake before we leave to go home. I mean it would prob be gone in a couple days anyway but it would give us some extra time to finish it off. But guys keep voting, keep sending your replies in and between now and Feb when I go to make our ADRs it may change. But for now, coral reef is the winner!