16th Birthday Ideas

[ericasatx]

We will be arriving on Tuesday, November 16th which is my niece's 16th birthday. Our flights land at 4:35PM and we are staying at POR. I am trying to figure out what restaurant to make reservations for us that night. I want to make sure it is special for her. We are a party of 8 with 5 kids ranging from 11 months up to her age with 3 adults.

Any ideas? I have all of our other reservations done but am having to tweak our arrival and departure reservations since we were able to book our Southwest flights today.

Thanks

 

[luvmarypoppins]

How about Ohanas. If you time your adr right you could see the fireworks on the beach after dinner. I guess it would also depend on your budget and if you want to use a day of a park ticket to go into the parks etc.

Other out of park options would be
1900 Park Fare at GF
Chef Mickeys
WhisperingCanyon

Best of luck whatever you decide

 

[gillep]

I think this will really depend on what your niece will be most into. At her age I would have loved watching the animals from my table therefore I would suggest Sanaa as it is a one of a kind experience and really good food. If you are looking for something more upscale either Jiko which is wonderful and AKL is beautiful, or maybe california grill or Narcoosee's so you can see the fireworks with dinner. If she is really into characters then maybe one of the character dinners for instance CP if she really likes pooh and friends!!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Just remember, it is up to you to make it special.
2) Many eateries do not have the time or manpower for extras.
3) There are hundreds of special days at WDW.
4) You could
. . . order a special birthday cake
. . . make ressies at her favorite eatery

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I would say with no question the Castle

 

[SmallWorld71]

My niece requested a meal with the princesses for her sweet 16 back in April which kind of surprised us but really was quite fitting. I suggest dinner in the Castle or at 1900 Park Fare. Both the Grand Floridian and MK have bakeries that will make special cakes or you could get the glass slipper dessert. My niece wore a tiara and her birthday button and was thrilled with all the attention.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Arriving late in the afternoon to Riverside, I think I would most like to take a boat to Downtown Disney and enjoy a dinner there. Raglan Road, Paradiso 37 and Bongos all seem to have a festive atmosphere. The Wolfgang Puck Café, Portobello Yacht Club and Fulton's are all celebrated staples of that area as well. Plus, there is so much to do in the area before or after dinner. You guys could take her shopping or to a movie or DisneyQuest to end her day.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I would be careful on making ressies for that night... You never know what will happen....what if your flight runs late?

Can you guys celebrate her bday another night so you won't have to worry about getting there on time...

Travel to resort....

Check-in....

getting freshened up...

Getting to dinner destination...

My BDAY suggestion would be Hoop De Doo Revue.... You have a LOT of kids and this would help entertain them... it's a festive atmosphere if the kids want to be loud and boisterous....AND they make sure and celebrate BDAYS in there... everyone with a Birthday gets to stand up and everyone sings Happy Birthday to them... IF neice likes singing and dancing...this idea is a PLUS...

Have a magical visit !
Mary

 

[minniebeth]

I agree with TinkerbellinLouisan...with that late of an arrival, your ADRs would have to be pretty late, particularly if you are relying on Disney transportation. Why not enjoy the resort that evening while everyone will be tired from travelling and celebrate fresh another evening? HDDR is a great way to celebrate a very special occasion and fun for all ages. The other suggestions are great as well. Enjoy whatever you decide~

 

[Tiggerfan40]

I know my teenage daughter and her friends love Planet Hollywood! You could take the boat to Pleasure Island and walk right over to Planet Hollywood! It is loud, but the teens seem to enjoy it and the food is good also

 

[iloveeeyore]

My DD will be turning 16 during our trip, too! I asked her what are some special things she would like to do, and her one request was to have a meal in the castle (which really surprised me)! So I made a lunch ressie at CRT for one of the days of our trip.

I agree with many of the other posters about making special plans on a travel day; DON'T! With your flight not arriving until 4:30ish, even if it is on time, you will not get to your resort until AT LEAST 6pm, if not, later. You will be tired from the flight, especially the little ones. It will take a while to get settled in and then get everyone rallied to get back out, and with WDW transportation, you have to allow at least an hour to get to any park destination, longer if it is at another resort. I love the suggestion of doing something at DTD. It is just a short and very pleasant boat ride from your resort. Planet Hollywood is generally a big hit with teens.

Make sure that you note on your all of your reservations that your trip is a celebration of a 16th birthday. I mean on the resort ressie and also on each ADR. Some of the restaurants may make a big deal, and others may not, it is impossible to predict. My DD plans to wear her birthday button the whole trip and see what kind of magic happens! But we are planning some little surprises for her along the way, just in case nothing happens by chance!

 

[ericasatx]

I think I'm going to take the suggestions of not planning a big meal. I knew that I didn't want to plan anything that required a credit card reservation in case of delayed flights but will probably just skip making an ADR at all.
I sent a few of the restaurants menus to her mom and she thinks that she would prefer the Planet Hollywood menu above all others. So those of you that suggested it- you were spot on. I have heard differing opinions on whether or not PH takes reservations after a certain time in the evening. We're probably just going to play it by ear and if we think the crew is up to going to DTD then we will go. If not then we will just hang out at the resort and wait for our luggage.

She loves Teppanyaki so I have Teppan Edo scheduled for later in the week and all the dinner shows and lunch at the castle so hopefully it will be great week for her- this is her first time going to Disney.

Thanks again for the advice

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Our last 2 trips...we have had a discount coupon for Planet Hollywood in our reservation papers... (plus a "free gift" which turned out to be a key chain...nonetheless... it was 'free' !)...

Not sure how you're making trip reservations...but if through WDW...look for the coupon...

PH is pretty cool as far as atmosphere...if DN likes the movies...she will enjoy seeing stuff from movies she has seen. We went once (kids were 16,15,14) but won't go back...we just like the food better at other places...

LIKE

Teppan EDO! GREAT choice there... when I asked my DS18 what "ONE" thing we HAD to do for his graduation celebration ...it was Teppan Edo... we've probably been there 10 times over the years and it is a family tradition. When we went last... (May 14, 2010)... I really thought it was some of the best food of the trip.

Have a magical Sweet 16 Party and Visit !

Mary