"date night" with my kiddo... where would you go?

[Lisa F]

Ok not really 'date night' in a creepy sense but I am taking my 8 year old son, just the two of us, to Disney in December. We don't go very often - our last trip will have been over 2 years before - but last time we went we had a dinner at the california grill. It was awesome, we went right at 5pm when they opened and service was just the right speed - not quick enough to feel rushed but not drawn out for a 6 year old either.

Being a single mom, as you might imagine, I don't get out a whole lot... so I am looking to do one signature dinner on our next trip. Kiddo has requested CA Grill but honestly if I left it up to him we'd spend a month and hit every restaurant we did last time plus every other one on property. He is pretty easy. The CA grill meal was a highlight of the trip - he was enthralled with the view and an early reservation meant it was still light out. We are DVC members and were staying at BLT last time and have seen fireworks from the top of the world lounge so a fireworks view and a dinner that is likely too late for my kiddo is not a draw at all since we can have that view any time we want.

I just wanted to throw it out there and get some suggestions and mostly WHY. Part of me would go to CA Grill and get exactly what I got last time and be thrilled, and of course that is what was requested by the kiddo (he is on the spectrum too so sometimes he gets it in his head that he wants things "the same" although he'd be fine with wherever I take him).

We are doing a split stay with 4 nights at BWV/3 nights at Poly but our special dinner is to be planned after a day at Hollywood Studios and booked on the early side so that we can walk to Epcot for Illuminations after dinner on one of our BWV nights.

So part of me is thinking about things like Yachtsman and Shula's since we are in the Epcot resort area. Jiko is not a signature I have ever done before (I have done CA Grill, Yachtsman, Citricos, Narcoossees - though none of those but CA Grill in YEARS. Lobster at Narcoossees is not much of a draw, for what that costs I can go down and get myself a fresh seafood bake for at least 2 since I live in new england). We will have a car so can drive anywhere really. Money is not an object, I will be treating myself to a lovely grownup dinner with cocktails, appetizer, dinner, dessert (only thing out is V&A for obvious reasons ). The whole 9 yards. If they are leftovers they will be breakfast the next morning and we plan a relaxing evening of staking out a prime Illuminations spot and watching the show. Kiddo is a picky eater so it needs to have something he will like too - most signatures have at least fancy mac and cheese for short money and some kind of fabulous kid dessert so in this sense he is pretty easy. And it's both of our vacation, CA Grill was so memorable for him last time (he claimed it was his favorite meal of the trip! no joke!) I want it to be amazing for both of us.

Also we will be on regular DDP first half of the stay but will be paying for this meal OOP. Other meals over the course of the trip are as follows (so you get an idea what else we are doing:

breakfasts:
Garden Grill (DDP)
Crystal Palace
Ohana
Room service OR Kona Cafe on last morning before airport

lunch:
Sci Fi Dine in (apps and shakes)
Coral Reef Candlelight Processional

dinner:
Tusker House RoL package (DDP if 1cr)
H&V Seasonal Dine Fantasmic Package (DDP)
Ohana (DDP)
Be our Guest
Hoop Dee Doo

cs planned on DDP portion:
Flame Tree BBQ lunch
Wolfgang Puck Express lunch
Tangierine Cafe dinner
France Bakery Breakfast

So that's what I like... where would you go and WHY? Kiddo is majorly into football later and I thought he'd be tickled by Shulas but once the menu is gone will it just be a boring, stuffy restaurant?

 

[HM2012Butler]

Seems like you have an adventurous little travel buddy. If you're fans of steak, Yachtsman is wonderful. Citrico's is also one of my favorites. Narcoossee's is very good. You already mentioned California Grill

 

[Hopefully]

You question if Shula's will be a boring, stuffy restaurant after the football menu is gone. There are many pictures etc to look at, but basically yes, it is an adult themed, boring stuffy dinner.
I think most Signatures are. Narcoosee's may be the exception because it too has fireworks views and views of the Electrical Water Pageant.
Good Luck

 

[GillianP1301]

My son is also 8 and we travel to WDW alone (my husband is not a Disney fan) and is a great travel buddy, much like yours sounds to be. We do the deluxe dining plan on our trips and we both love our TS restaurants (2 - 3 a day) and try to do a signature or two each time, we refer to it as our "fancy pants meal". Last year was Cali Grill and no complaints there at all. Year before the highlight meal was Yachtsman and it was amazing. It's a signature restaurant, and the experience is as you expect, more upscale and not as many young kids and far less chaotic than the usual family restaurant or a character meal. I find it a nice quiet change on a Disney vacation and gives us some quiet/low key time to talk about what we've done that day and plan what we want to do the next. We have Yachtsman planned again for this years trip and we are also adding Narcoossee's to our plans.

 

[Lisa F]

My son is also 8 and we travel to WDW alone (my husband is not a Disney fan) and is a great travel buddy, much like yours sounds to be. We do the deluxe dining plan on our trips and we both love our TS restaurants (2 - 3 a day) and try to do a signature or two each time, we refer to it as our "fancy pants meal". Last year was Cali Grill and no complaints there at all. Year before the highlight meal was Yachtsman and it was amazing. It's a signature restaurant, and the experience is as you expect, more upscale and not as many young kids and far less chaotic than the usual family restaurant or a character meal. I find it a nice quiet change on a Disney vacation and gives us some quiet/low key time to talk about what we've done that day and plan what we want to do the next. We have Yachtsman planned again for this years trip and we are also adding Narcoossee's to our plans.

haha fancy pants meal is a better way of putting it, lol. I definitely considered Narcoossees - we would not go late enough for fireworks but being right on the water the way it is, it does remind me of some local restaurants we enjoy that are similar where you can look out the window and watch the boats go by. Nice view out the window helps

I have been very tempted by yachtsman simply due to location. Oh also I'm thinking flying fish should be reopened by next december and a window table there could be quite fun! Who knows what it will look like when it is reopened, it is still like 6 months away I'd guess for fall 2016 but that could be a great more open, less secluded location without driving to CA Grill.

 

[Lisa F]

You question if Shula's will be a boring, stuffy restaurant after the football menu is gone. There are many pictures etc to look at, but basically yes, it is an adult themed, boring stuffy dinner.
I think most Signatures are. Narcoosee's may be the exception because it too has fireworks views and views of the Electrical Water Pageant.
Good Luck

well like I said, we have been to CA Grill and it was his favorite meal of the last trip. Kind of hard to beat the airy open atmosphere and panoramic view of the MK though. Something more dark and quiet is probably not a great fit as he sometimes has trouble modulating his voice, especially when excited. I mean, I don't sit there and let him yell or talk loudly but a restaurant that has a fair amount of background noise it will be a lot less of a problem than a restaurant where it is quiet. CA Grill was bustling and a bit loud so a better fit. I remember Flying Fish also being quite bustling. I would say yachtsman and citricos are more insular adult experiences. I guess there is also Artist Point that I forgot to mention, I have been there but it has been years. Also Jiko.

 

[Lisa F]

Seems like you have an adventurous little travel buddy. If you're fans of steak, Yachtsman is wonderful. Citrico's is also one of my favorites. Narcoossee's is very good. You already mentioned California Grill

I like steak but would not necessarily be drawn to a steakhouse. Honestly the bread is the big draw there I don't know, my gut is more that this is a quiet adult dinner.

 

[Hopefully]

I like steak but would not necessarily be drawn to a steakhouse. Honestly the bread is the big draw there I don't know, my gut is more that this is a quiet adult dinner.

We (3 adults) ate at Yachtsman in October to celebrate our Anniversary. I agree, I thought it was quiet and adult oriented. Although I am sure there were some there, I didn't notice any children. Our ADR was about 7:30, so not late to us, but maybe there are more children earlier in the evening.
I have not been to Narcoossees in years, but I have the sense that it is a bit "livelier" and less quiet, again due to a fireworks view.
Maybe someone who has been more recently can commenbt

 

[smiths02]

My experience is limited, but if I were choosing between Narcoossee's and Yachtsman, I'd choose Yachtsman.
I was just so unimpressed with Narcoossee's in Feb. The steak was just okay, the waiter was just okay, and we had already seen wishes from a similar viewpoint (Poly beach that trip and Pirates and Pals cruise the trip before). Dessert was really good, though. Our son wasn't with us for that meal, though.

Yachtsman in June was just wonderful. Our waiter was David. My DH got ill (our first full night, his actual birthday). My DH wanted me to take our 3 kids anyhow so 1) he could be alone for a little bit 2) we would not get charged a no show fee and 3) so I could pick up his surprise custom cake I ordered. This was my first signature experience at Disney...and I was bringing a 9 year old and 2 two year olds...now by myself. I was so scared.
The waiter and assistants just went above and beyond to make my children feel comfortable. The waiter did not talk down to me or my 9 year old, and my 9 year old just thought it was so fancy and cool. After the meal, the manager offered to get us a cab (we had valeted with TiW) AND they had the cake delivered by a runner so I didn't have to hold it and wrangle the children.
The onion bread, steaks and truffle mac and cheese were all good. DS-9 liked the kid steak and the puzzle dessert thing.

I know service can be hit or miss, but I just felt like Yachtsman offered a great experience.

 

[Hopefully]

I'm glad you had a great experience, in spite of your DH being ill. That is exactly the kind of service I expect at a Signature.
What time was your ADR with you r little ones?

 

[Lisa F]

My experience is limited, but if I were choosing between Narcoossee's and Yachtsman, I'd choose Yachtsman.
I was just so unimpressed with Narcoossee's in Feb. The steak was just okay, the waiter was just okay, and we had already seen wishes from a similar viewpoint (Poly beach that trip and Pirates and Pals cruise the trip before). Dessert was really good, though. Our son wasn't with us for that meal, though.

Yachtsman in June was just wonderful. Our waiter was David. My DH got ill (our first full night, his actual birthday). My DH wanted me to take our 3 kids anyhow so 1) he could be alone for a little bit 2) we would not get charged a no show fee and 3) so I could pick up his surprise custom cake I ordered. This was my first signature experience at Disney...and I was bringing a 9 year old and 2 two year olds...now by myself. I was so scared.
The waiter and assistants just went above and beyond to make my children feel comfortable. The waiter did not talk down to me or my 9 year old, and my 9 year old just thought it was so fancy and cool. After the meal, the manager offered to get us a cab (we had valeted with TiW) AND they had the cake delivered by a runner so I didn't have to hold it and wrangle the children.
The onion bread, steaks and truffle mac and cheese were all good. DS-9 liked the kid steak and the puzzle dessert thing.

I know service can be hit or miss, but I just felt like Yachtsman offered a great experience.

Glad you had a great experience! It's so nice when the Disney magic happens at just the right time!

My kiddo is good at restaurants (like I said just sometimes has trouble with voice modulation, which is just more me keeping on it than anything, but I am disinclined to take him to a super quiet hushed restaurant, though that may be the case of all kids) and I am accustomed to it just being the two of us (and it is a 1:1 ratio, I am not outnumbered! Plus he is older, not a toddler). More worried about what he'd enjoy than anyone giving me the stinkeye for being there in the first place.

 

[Lisa F]

We (3 adults) ate at Yachtsman in October to celebrate our Anniversary. I agree, I thought it was quiet and adult oriented. Although I am sure there were some there, I didn't notice any children. Our ADR was about 7:30, so not late to us, but maybe there are more children earlier in the evening.
I have not been to Narcoossees in years, but I have the sense that it is a bit "livelier" and less quiet, again due to a fireworks view.
Maybe someone who has been more recently can commenbt

I have not been there in over a decade but my hazy memory of it is that it was more a white table dark furniture quiet kind of a place. All of which is lovely for adults who want a nice steakhouse but maybe not the best choice for my one signature every 2 years with my kiddo

 

[crabbygal902]

How about Brown Derby? It would fit well with your current plans and is a lively place. My kids enjoyed looking at the caricatures.

 

[smiths02]

I have not been there in over a decade but my hazy memory of it is that it was more a white table dark furniture quiet kind of a place. All of which is lovely for adults who want a nice steakhouse but maybe not the best choice for my one signature every 2 years with my kiddo

Our ADR was at 5 or 5:30, so I didn't get the stinkeye for interrupting a romantic meal. I also had my kids all dressed up, so I think people realized that we were treating it as special.

 

[Lisa F]

Our ADR was at 5 or 5:30, so I didn't get the stinkeye for interrupting a romantic meal. I also had my kids all dressed up, so I think people realized that we were treating it as special.

I don't think anyone should be giving kids the stinkeye anywhere at Disney... it's Disney! I mean unless your kids are misbehaving or whatever. or unless they are explicitly not allowed, like bars late at night or V&A. I do prefer an earlier dinner time because that is what works best with my kiddo. Service is faster, it is less crowded as they stagger arrival times going forward throughout the evening.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I also travel alone with DS8 often and he and I have had a lot of "fancy pants" dinners together!

As another PP suggested, we really enjoy Hollywood Brown Derby. You really feel like you are transported to old Hollywood and the food is very good. Flying Fish and Il Mulino are also good, but bluezoo is the best of the EP signatures IMHO.

I'll also suggest Monsieur Paul in France. The menu and service are very upscale and the food is great! I've eaten there with DS twice and it was wonderful. The entrance is behind Chefs de France and there is a small lobby area for check in. They then escort you upstairs to the restaurant on the second floor of the pavilion. It has a very special feeling. Definitely "fancy pants"!

 

[Lisa F]

I also travel alone with DS8 often and he and I have had a lot of "fancy pants" dinners together!

As another PP suggested, we really enjoy Hollywood Brown Derby. You really feel like you are transported to old Hollywood and the food is very good. Flying Fish and Il Mulino are also good, but bluezoo is the best of the EP signatures IMHO.

I'll also suggest Monsieur Paul in France. The menu and service are very upscale and the food is great! I've eaten there with DS twice and it was wonderful. The entrance is behind Chefs de France and there is a small lobby area for check in. They then escort you upstairs to the restaurant on the second floor of the pavilion. It has a very special feeling. Definitely "fancy pants"!

How is bluezoo for kids? I had forgotten to add that one to my list.

 

[blackpearl77]

what about boathouse?

 

[pokanos]

I was thinking Hollywood brown derby would be fun, but I bet boathouse at Disney Springs would be very memorable. Have an awesome trip!