Question about Epcot... About This Page:

[wdwmom23boys]

My dh and I are planning to celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary in Disney in May 2009 (I know, I know, I'm planning a little early...our 14 year anniversary was just last week! But, I figure, I'm under 365 days out, so better get started!). Anyway, we have always been more enchanted with the Magic Kingdom than Epcot. But, I've heard so many good things from all of you guys about Epcot (heck, just reading the TRs from mestitch is enough to make ANYBODY want to spend some time at Epcot!) and I want to plan an evening there. We will probably only get 2 nights in WDW total (we have 3 young children who we will be leaving with their grandparents, so our time is limited!), so each one needs to be extra-special. If you had to plan a fun and romantic night in Epcot, what would you do? Where would you eat? Where would you watch Illuminations? (BTW, as many times as I've been to WDW, I've never seen Illuminations!) Anything else you can think of?

Thanks for your help!

[emtpej]

many seem to like to watch from the Rose and Crown.
Many also like to watch Illuminations via a cruise, possibly on Breathless II.

[janicelovesmickey]

While I wouldnt say the rose and crown is an exaclty romantic dinner place, the outside tables cant be beat for the illuminations show.
Lecellier is an excellent choice for a nice dinner and so is Italy.

[Joy J]

For a romantic dinner, I recommend the San Angel Inn. If you ask for a table by the water, the ambience is especially incredible. After all, what could be more romantic than dining in a starlit Mexican plaza with a Mayan pyramid and smoking volcano in the background. For a very special Illuminations experience, I suggest booking an Illuminations cruise. Your boat captain will take you on a short cruise around the lake first before settling into a lovely viewing spot for Illuminations.

Joy

[LeapDayBaby]

Congrats on your upcoming anniversary! My DH and I will be celebrating our 20th next year at WDW, so I can definitely empathize with the whole "planning ahead" thing - I already have a list of ADRs ready to go and I can't even book the trip for another few months

From personal experience, I would definitely recommend Le Cellier for a romantic dinner at Epcot - my only caution on that is to try to get an ADR for at least 2 1/2 hours before Illuminations starts so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your meal and find a good place to watch Illuminations. On our last trip, we weren't seated at Le Cellier until 45 minutes after our ADR time, and we felt like we had to rush so we wouldn't miss Illuminations!

On the other hand, if you're looking for something fun and different, have you considered Restaurant Marrakesh? The entertainment sounds great, and I've heard nothing but good things about the food. We're going to give it a try for the first time during our trip next June!

Slightly OT, our anniversary dinner will be at California Grill - I figure we can splurge since it's our 20th

Good luck deciding, and have a magical anniversary trip!

- Laurie

[Colexis Mom]

I'd probably eat at the Bistro in France! More upscale and "adult". Then grab a glass of wine and watch IllumiNations

[mcc0313]

The ambiance at San Angel Inn is definitly romantic but I find the food can be on or off...

Maybe Chef de France or Bistro de Paris...(we love the food at Chef de France, and have heard wonderful things about the Bistro).

Maybe a Fireworks Cruise could cap off the evening...

[chezp]

I would definitely watch Illuminations - it really is a stunning show. As for dining, we enjoyed our meals at Chefs de France and Tutto Italia - I wouldn't say either are overly romantic, but then, I'm struggling to think of any restaurant that is at Epcot. We just love wandering around World Showcase in the evening, taking everything in and visiting each country in turn. That's one of the special things to us about Epcot.

[mestitch]

Thanks for the comment in your post I do LOVE Epcot and see it as the most romantic place that we spend our time. While I will say that I think Le Cellier is a GREAT choice for a nice romantic meal I will add that we are planning on the Bistro de Paris for our 5th wedding anniversary this year. It'll actually BE our anniversary night and we want it to be special. We've never eaten here but I've heard good things about it.

And YES DEFINITELY see Illuminations. We enjoy grabbing a spot somewhere between the UK and France. Those places get grabbed up but you could grab a spot, grab some champagne, and sit with your sweetie until the show begins.

And that'll be during the Flower and Garden Festival next year so take a little time to stop and "smell the roses" so to speak

[MorenaSangre]

My DH and I think Epcot is an incredibly romantic place, particularly world showcase. Take the time to stroll together and really look at the amazing theming. Stop to watch the performances in each country as you go. Indulge and buy yourself a drink or a snack and sit together somewhere and eat it. Go out on the Isola in Italy, watch the sun dance across the water and remember why you fell in love. Wherever you choose to eat, if you're seated at a 4 person table, sit together on the same side of the table and create your own little space.

I have to agree with others here that the atmosphere in Mexico (San Angel Inn) can't be beaten for romance. That dim, cool lighting with the river in front of you is pretty darn amazing. However, it all depends on your budget and the kind of food that you like.

Originally Posted by LeapDayBaby

On the other hand, if you're looking for something fun and different, have you considered Restaurant Marrakesh? The entertainment sounds great, and I've heard nothing but good things about the food. We're going to give it a try for the first time during our trip next June!

Just a personal experience here...my DH and I ate at Marrakesh for dinner at Christmas, planning on a romantic dinner together. We were placed at a tiny table sandwiched in between other parties. The noise level prohibited conversation, and we found ourselves enduring our neighbors' conversations as we hurried to finish dinner. It may have been an anomaly - I've had great meals there before - but it definitely was NOT romantic.

[Brit_Invader]

But when grabbing a spot for Illuminations be mindful of the wind direction. Once we had a wonderful crepe in France that got covered with firework soot b/c of the wind, not too romantic...or tasty.

[RobDVC]

I'd book a table at the Rose&Crown Pub for a late dinner and then stick around and watch IllumiNations from there.

My second choice is Le Cellier in Canada and then watching IllumiNations from the area between UK and France.

[wdwmom23boys]

Thanks, everyone! I'm not sure yet what we'll do, but I really appreciate your input! At this point in life, just being in the same room together and getting to spend time focusing on each other will be absolutely wonderful! I'm really, really looking forward to this trip AND to our Epcot evening! Thanks again!

[simbarel]

Then grab a glass of wine and watch IllumiNations

That's the best suggestion I could make.

[Figment Fan]

One of our first trips to WDW as a couple had my husband and I eating at San Angel Inn. I researched the menu before we went so I knew that it was not going to be sterotypical Mexican food, which helped out a lot. I absolutely loved what I, and my boyfriend at the time ordered! I thought the atmosphere was incredibly relaxing and romantic as well. That night we watched Illuminations and were lucky enough to grab a bench to ourselves. That is the only night that sticks out from that trip because it was so very perfect. Do not worry about planning "too early" I love the planning part because it gets me pumped up for the trip!