Restaurant Ideas for Formal Dinner Wedding Reception

I haven't eaten at any of these either. I suspect you will get a lot of votes for California Grill.

Haven't eaten at Citricos yet. We will be eating at Cali Grill exactly 13 days from now (yay!) so I'll be able to give a recommendation soon. But, I was actually going to comment on your trip report about Artist Point. It was the first restaurant that popped into my mind for your dinner.

While my personal reviews are not all that glowing for AP, that is mostly due to my own faults. It really is a gorgeous venue with really good food (they have made some great changes to the menu recently). Mostly, your description of where your fiance proposed to you made me think of AP. It would be a really nice 'nod' to your engagement story. We're from Central NY, more specifically, the foothills of the Adirondacks and we absolutely LOVE the theme of the Wilderness Lodge and AP in particular because it reminds us so much of home.

Also, since it's not on the radar as much as Cali Grill, it might be easier for you to get ADRs for a larger group.

Of course, it's Disney, so I really don't think you can go wrong with any place on property!

Happy planning!

I'm a big fan of the California Grill. The atmosphere is gorgeous, the location is devine, and the food is some of the best I've ever had! I don't think any of your guests would be disappointed by the California Grill!

I just checked the California Grill - it will be closed for refurb starting Feb 2013 and won't reopen until later in the year. When you make your ressies just ask when it will be reopened. Hate to rain on your parade but it is better to know that ahead of time.

That is good to hear!

Hrmm... All of those choices seem really far away to me, with no direct mode of transportation, unless you're getting a big bus for everyone. I'm going to toss one of my favorites into the mix, Yachtsman Steakhouse. It's a Disney Signature restaurant at the Yacht Club, nearby to both your ceremony location and the dessert party, will give everyone a lovely, romantic walk around the lake, there's a lounge connected for pre-dinner cocktails, Fantastic attentive service, the food is very good, straight forward and some of the best I've ever had. Plus, as I understand it the manager there is used to making accommodations for larger wedding parties.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/yachtsman-steakhouse/

Check into the seating availability of the private rooms available. I think that Citricos only seats 8-12. This site has photos of some of the private dining rooms.

http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/

I believe that Flying Fish is also a nearby Signature restaurant, however I've never been there.

I was going to suggest Flying Fish or Yachtman's as well. I've personally never eaten there but they always get glowing reviews and are much closer to Epcot then your other choices. Though I personally wouldn't mind a bit of a drive for CG

With the limos I think that the definition of "close" is expanded depending on the time slot that you're able to get for your ceremony.

There's a lottery process that you'll have to go through if there is more than one bride who wants that venue on that day. Wishes Brides always get first pick, and Sea Breeze Point is available for both packages. If you get an early time slot with the limos I think the MK resort restaurants (Citricos, California Grill, Artist Point) are all possible. California Grill is my favorite of those and should be open again. Though that means that you may or may not get to see the new venue before you eat there. The food & views will be just as phenomenal. I was disappointed with my experience at Citricos, the food was very good, but I wasn't blown away. To me the atmosphere there is very average, and like I mentioned above their private room is very small. I haven't eaten at Artist Point.

However, if you have a later slot you'll have to be more careful with transportation as well as meal time as compared to the Illuminations Party. Don't forget to factor in time walking from point a to b even if it's to/from the limo. Flying Fish and Yachtsman (in that order) are the closest Signature Restaurants to Sea Breeze Point if time does become one of your considerations.

IMHO, the Swan and Dolphin have the best restaurants on property, and the atmosphere is more "adult" as well. 5-10 minutes from Sea Breeze Point and 10-15 minutes back to Epcot. Restaurants open at 5-5:30 PM. Never been to Shula's, but Il Mulino and Bluezoo are our two favorite restaurants. Private dining: http://swandolphin.com/privatedining/

Congratulations!!

You are welcome. We've gone to Il Mulino for our anniversary dinner, the past two years. Good food and great service. Free glass of limoncello after dinner as well.