as we were wondering what restaurant you would recommend for dinner so that we could celebrate? Does Disney offer anything special for anniversary couples? Thanks for your help.

i enjoyed dinner at the Polynesian Hotel-very delicious!

We enjoyed dinner at the top of the Contemporary Hotel. . they dim the lights so you can watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom.

Rich

Hi-- Happy Anniversary. Here is a copy of a reply I posted this week to someone else who is going to be in Orlando for their anniversary:

Author: socialworker
Date: 02/08/2006, 10:30 am
California Grille on top of the Contemporary Hotel in Disney World is a wonderful gourmet restaurant that we look forward to going to whenever we are in FL...just make your reservation sort of 9 o'clock-ish to avoid most families who take kids there. (It is definitely an adult environment and the only reason anyone takes kids is b/c they are on vacation at Disney, IMO) Believe me, it is both super sopisticated and casually relaxed simultaneously!! You cannot go wrong there if you want a memorable meal and ambiance!!

You can check out Disney restaurants, menues, & prices at allearsnet.com
in the Dining section. Can you tell us your budget and general preferences? Will you have the kids with you?

Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian resort is the very top of the line. Do you prefer to dine in one of the parks or at one of the resorts? Are you looking for quiet and romantic or a fun shared experience?

I don't believe they do anything officially special for anniversaries but I would certainly mention that it is your anniversary to the host and your server. You may get a better table or extra service.

The restaurant at the top of the Contemporary is called the California Grill.

Jiko - at the Animal Kingdom Lodge - always gets rave reviews but I love the buffet at Boma's there too.

At MGM Studios - there is the Brown Derby, which is upscale. If you like the Italian ambiance, I'd recommend Mama Melrose's.

Epcot - lots of folks love the Chefs de France in the France pavillion. Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada) also gets warm reviews. But the setting at San Angel Inn in the Mexico pavillion is really neat too. The most romantic meal I've ever eaten at Epcot was counter service Yakitori eaten in their lovely garden after dark.

Magic Kingdom - you've got me there. Alot of folks like the Crystal Palace but I did not. Do you want to spend your anniversary with Pooh & Eyore? A reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table during the Wishes fireworks is fantastic but, as of Feb. 1, I think they now do a Princess Dinner.

Animal Kingom probably closes before dinner - there is a Rainforest Cafe. Not my favorite but a lot of people like it.

Downtown Disney is going to have a lot of choices. Just check out the web site mentioned above.

You can check out Disney restaurants, menues, & prices at allearsnet.com
in the Dining section. Can you tell us your budget and general preferences? Will you have the kids with you? Do you prefer to dine in one of the parks or at one of the resorts? Are you looking for quiet and romantic or a fun shared experience?

You'll definately want a reservation - 407-WDW-DINE. Ask them to make a note that it is an anniversary dinner in the reservation.

I don't believe they do anything officially special for anniversaries but I would certainly mention that it is your anniversary to the host and your server. You may get a better table or extra service.



Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian resort is the very top of the line.

The restaurant at the top of the Contemporary is called the California Grill.

Jiko - at the Animal Kingdom Lodge - always gets rave reviews but I love the buffet at Boma's there too.

At MGM Studios - there is the Brown Derby, which is upscale. If you like the Italian ambiance, I'd recommend Mama Melrose's.

Epcot - lots of folks love the Chefs de France in the France pavillion. Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada) also gets warm reviews. But the setting at San Angel Inn in the Mexico pavillion is really neat too. The most romantic meal I've ever eaten at Epcot was counter service Yakitori eaten in their lovely garden after dark.

Magic Kingdom - you've got me there. Alot of folks like the Crystal Palace but I did not. Do you want to spend your anniversary with Pooh & Eyore? A reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table during the Wishes fireworks is fantastic but, as of Feb. 1, I think they now do a Princess Dinner.

Animal Kingom probably closes before dinner - there is a Rainforest Cafe. Not my favorite but a lot of people like it.

Downtown Disney is going to have a lot of choices. Just check out the web site mentioned above.

Hope this helps. Answer the questions above and we'll do what we can to narrow the choices a bit.

The Flying Fish on the Boardwalk at WDW is great. There is a wonderful, intimate Italian restaurant in the Swan Hotel. It is called Palio.

I just posted this reply for another poster:

I "second" either Hemmingway's at Grand Cypress Hyatt (their coconut fried shrimp is absolutely incredible) or California Grille at the Contemporary. Both are excellent and "fun." Cool atmosphere at Hemmingway's and evening fireworks visible at Calif Grille. Afterwards, there's always lobby lounge entertainment at the Grand Cypress Hyatt, or take the monorail from Contemporary over Grand Floridian for shopping or entertainment.

There are also some good restaurants around the Boardwalk. Schula's Steakhouse (grilled specialties), Flying Fish (seafood), or Spoodles (casual tapas) come to mind. Take a bicycle built for two around the boardwalk area!

If you tell them it is your anniversary when you make the reservation, you will probably get a fancy "Congratulations!" dessert! Enjoy!

I just got back from Epcot. While at Disney we ate at Wolfgang Puck's upstairs dining room and at the Cellier at the Canadian Pavillion. I thought they were both good, but not really romantic. We came through the Mexican Pavillion in the evening when the mariachi band was performing, near the restaurant, and I thought that looked romantic. The lights were low and there is an attractive backdrop of a volcano and Mayan ruins. I can't speak to the quality of the food, but it looked goo.

I agree with socialworker. The California Grill will definitely meet your every expectation for a special evening. It is a classy, sophisticated place and I am constantly astonished by some people who come in directly from the parks in shorts, flip flops, belly bags (fanny packs), etc. A good point was made about going later to avoid small children. The nightly fireworks show in the Magic Kingdom used to be (and probably still is )scheduled for 9 P.M. Try to get a reservation for about 8:45 and specifically ask for a window table.

A very good second choice would be Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge. It is a perfect recreation of a luxury Pacific Northwest Lodge. We have lived in the Orlando 19 years and Artist point is our favorite "Disney" restaurant.

Both restaurants are very popular and calling for reservations one week early would not be unreasonable. Have fun!

Husband and I enjoyed Artist's point at Wilderness Lodge. It was worth the ride over to the Lodge just to see it - the inside is fantastic!
The food was great - had the cedar plank salmon. The views were lovely and the place was much quieter with less kids, and more romantic than most restaurants in the park. (we were really dissapointed with the brown derby - as there were a million kids and everyone came in from the park in their sweatpants).

There are many and most have been listed already. Here are my recommendations:

California Grill - Contemporary
Victoria & Alberts - Grand Floridian
Artists Point - Wilderness Lodge
Jiko - Animal Kingdom Lodge
Bistro du Paris (upstairs)- Epcot France
Fulton's Crab House - Downtown Disney

Here's my advice: Go to allearsnet.com and look at the menus. Jot down a few that interest you, then go to disboards.com and read a few recent reviews of the places.

I've heard that Victoria and Alberts' books up very fast.

Do you want fancy or non-fancy? A few of the hotel restaurants have dress codes. Those in the parks may be good but they don't have dress codes, of course.

On a personal note, we ate at the Brown Derby. I loved the atmopshere, but was not impressed with the food.

I second the suggestion for the restaurants in Japan, Epcot, the food was excellent.

Your thread is a great resource for all of us!=D>

Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary, and please keep us posted on which restaurant you choose. Please don't forget to come back and post a trip report!

Have fun!

I just realized I never updated my info from three years ago. So sorry about that. We decided on the california Grill on top of the Contempory Hotel. Food was amazing, service was great and when I made the reservation I told them it was our anniversary we got seats by the window. When it came time for the fireworks to happen over the castle, the music started to play inside and we had a great view of the castle and the fireworks. What a great way to celebrate. Belated thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

BTW - we have been back to WDW many times since then and have tried many of the other restaurants. Disney's locations do not disappoint. TY

Thanks for the feedback, mrdwithkds! I'm glad it worked out so well.