4 yr old birthday dinner

[CSLucas]

My daughter is turning 4 while we are at Disney and I'm trying to figure the best place for dinner that day. We aren't doing park hopper, so it either has to be in MK or at a resort. We definitely don't want to do CRT because we had a very lackluster experience last month. I'm open to BoG, but we have done it a fair amount so wanted to see if someone had another suggestion. I would have loved to do 1900 Park Fare, but it's not looking like it will be open in time (end of August), so is there something similar (we don't need characters, but I would like somewhere with theming that would appeal to a 4 yr old girl)? We will be staying at GF so walking distance would be a plus, but we are not opposed to driving if need be.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Hopefully by August you'll have more options. 1900 PF and Storybook Dining at Artist Point (WL) would both be convenient to MK if they reopen.

 

[lorileahb]

If she loves to dress up and if fireworks are back, California Grill would be awesome - watch the show from straight out the window. Fireworks theming. . Otherwise, going from what is currently open, Tony's is decent Italian food (we've enjoyed it twice in the past year) with lady and the tramp throughout - and if you ask to sit out front, you can see cavalcades go by (we saw 2 during 1 lunch). Beaches & Cream at Beach Club is cute and could surprise her with a minnie or mickey pants sundae (keep the bowl) or a kitchen sink for the whole family. I've heard Chef Mickey's at Contemporary is re-opening for dinner - I haven't had the family-style food (went pre-covid), but you do get to see characters. Ohana at Polynesian is another one (if it re-opens for dinner) that can have a fireworks view by the window - and (pre-covid) we LOVED their food.

 

[CSLucas]

If she loves to dress up and if fireworks are back, California Grill would be awesome - watch the show from straight out the window. Fireworks theming. . Otherwise, going from what is currently open, Tony's is decent Italian food (we've enjoyed it twice in the past year) with lady and the tramp throughout - and if you ask to sit out front, you can see cavalcades go by (we saw 2 during 1 lunch). Beaches & Cream at Beach Club is cute and could surprise her with a minnie or mickey pants sundae (keep the bowl) or a kitchen sink for the whole family. I've heard Chef Mickey's at Contemporary is re-opening for dinner - I haven't had the family-style food (went pre-covid), but you do get to see characters. Ohana at Polynesian is another one (if it re-opens for dinner) that can have a fireworks view by the window - and (pre-covid) we LOVED their food.

I'm leaning towards Beaches and Cream - I know she will be tired since it will be day 2, so that sounds like maybe a quicker and easier option if I can get a reservation!

 

[lorileahb]

I'm leaning towards Beaches and Cream - I know she will be tired since it will be day 2, so that sounds like maybe a quicker and easier option if I can get a reservation!

If you don't get one at first, keep trying. As our date approached, more and more would pop up as people canceled when they finalized their plans. A day before, I ended up dropping a-not-so-great time at B&C for the perfect 6:30 p.m. dinnertime I had hoped for. Plus - bucket list - I came home with my mickey pants sundae bowl. She'll love it - it's super casual with lots of fun mickey & gang soda shop pictures all around. Make sure they know it is her special day celebration. Have fun!!!

 

[2minny]

Birthday breakfast at Chef Mickey's? That's the most interaction with characters we had our entire trip last week! So fun, great food!!

 

[Marthasor]

Cali Grill is gorgeous - the view is stunning and very special. If O'hana is open, that could be fun. Or even consider Kona Cafe and make it a Polynesian themed birthday - you can walk there from GF. WCC at WL could be fun. Very different from a princess-themed restaurant, but WL is gorgeous.

 

[MomOTwins]

Would recommend doing Topolino's for breakfast/brunch and something simple for dinner. It is such a fantastic character meal and worth the time out of your day as it is really a great experience.
If you want to keep to original plans of a birthday in or near MK, I second Cali Grill. The outdoor walkway with the view of the castle is really special.
For something casual but still a bit fun, consider Whispering Canyon (boat ride from MK). They have toned down some of the antics but it is still fun.

 

[Best Aunt]

I'm sure someone celebrating their 40th birthday would enjoy Cali Grill. But would someone celebrating their 4th birthday (which was OP's question) enjoy it?

 

[lorileahb]

I'm sure someone celebrating their 40th birthday would enjoy Cali Grill. But would someone celebrating their 4th birthday (which was OP's question) enjoy it?

My only thought on Calli, was if she loves to dress up and the fireworks view. . I think their final choice of Beaches & Cream sounds perfect for them!

 

[bffer]

My daughter celebrated her 4th birthday at WDW. Hollywood and Vine in HS is terrific for the littles. In fact, I thought it was the best character meal we had. Not for the food, though. The food is adequate for the adults, but the kid options are great. Right now I think they are doing Mickey and crew, but normally it is Disney Junior characters and they sing and dance and it's a lot of fun. The other restaurant she liked at that age was Tony's in MK. The theming is Lady and the Tramp, and Italian food is usually a kid-pleaser. She kept asking my husband to do "Lady and the Tramp" with the spaghetti with her. They also made a big deal out of her birthday, giving her a huge sundae at the end with a candle and singing to her.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm sure someone celebrating their 40th birthday would enjoy Cali Grill. But would someone celebrating their 4th birthday (which was OP's question) enjoy it?

I actually recommended it because we took our 4 year old there last summer and he loved it. He loved taking the monorail into the resort and the "special elevator" up to the restaurant. After ordering food, we went out the walkway and spent ages looking at the views of MK. And they had two kids desserts that were a HUGE hit with all three of my kiddos: warm cookies and ice cream, or dessert "sushi" with a rice krispie treat base and gummie candies as the "fish".

I'm all for taking kids somewhere they'll enjoy that the parents get to enjoy too. That pretty much only happens at Disney World for us!

 

[CSLucas]

Thanks, everyone- all great suggestions! We are doing WCC the night before so we have that covered, and I am going to be trying for a Beaches and Cream reservation for the night of her birthday
Will definitely keep the others on the list as backups because you never know what might happen with ADRs

 

[Marthasor]

I'm sure someone celebrating their 40th birthday would enjoy Cali Grill. But would someone celebrating their 4th birthday (which was OP's question) enjoy it?

It depends on the 4-year old. My DS (now 13) has always enjoyed going there even as a younger child. He loved the special elevator, walking out to the viewing platforms and having a special meal. He was never really a character-meal kind of kid.

 

[kwdw]

My niece at 4 just celebrated any restaurant that would serve her a mini cheese pizza or a grilled cheese sandwich, didn’t make her wait long, and loved when she didn’t have to sit at the table long after she was done eating. Oh, and it was perfect if she also got ice cream. I suspect someplace she has a good memory of is probably the best choice. But, you know your kid!