40th birthday dinner input needed

[mamacate]

Hi all,

Disney just gave me a 40th birthday present in the form of a free dining PIN covering my birthday, so we're heading out for a week starting on my birthday. Right now, the plan is to get on a plane at the crack of dawn on the morning of my birthday (hey, they're frequent flier tickets right before thanksgiving...can't complain), get to the hotel and nap, then go have dinner. Here are the ideas I've had so far:

*Ohana's. This may be my favorite dinner experience at Disney. We couldn't get in here on our last trip.

*Crystal Palace and Mickey's Christmas Party. This would be great. UNLESS the kids don't nap (which is often challenging for them). It would be a huge drag to have them not nap and then have no reservations anywhere else, because there is no way I'm paying the party admission fee for kids who are going to melt down after an hour. Dude. Also, we've been here so much in the past (we love it, but more for lunch), I just don't know if it feels special enough for my 40th.

*Dinner at the castle would be another possibility, though with the same caveat about no nap and MVMCP. Need to check if that's 1 or 2 TS credits, and would love input on the food quality. Don't need to see princesses, in fact at my age I could use a fairy godmother.

*Narcosee's. My kids are 7 and my son has asperger's. He's not great at being quiet. If it was just the grownups, I'd be THERE (I also want a nice cake from the GF bakery...). But it's two TS credits and I don't want to spend my birthday getting dirty looks from people who want to know why I brought my "poorly behaved" kid to a signature restaurant (for anyone who might suggest it, child care is out of the question because of his disability).

Or something else...what do you think? Advice welcome...

Cate
PS: Staying at POFQ, regular dining plan, no car but willing to taxi as needed.

 

[penguinkimberly]

I love the Wave,the food is great and you will be close to MK. I can't comment on any of the signature locations because I have never eaten at them. CRT in the castle is 2 TS credits on the dining plan and I have enjoyed both dinners that we have had there. Dinner is not a "character" meal but you get you picture with Cinderella when you check in and the photo package comes with the meal. Then in the dining room you may see the Fairy Godmother and the mice, they do a little song. Happy Birthday and enjoy your trip.

 

[irongirlof12]

I would go to CRT, you can get a cake or go for the slipper dessert. You are more likely to have a good time if your young un's are being entertained.

BTW i'll be joining you on the '40' thing this year! .

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Definitely skip Narcoosee's and not because of your son. The food and service there are not worth the cost. Add your child to that mix, and yes there will most likely be problems if only your being made uncomfortable.

 

[mamacate]

This is great advice, thank you!

DVC~OKW, Glad to know I won't be missing much at Narcosee's. I appreciate getting told like it is with that. The menu looks nice, but a disappointing experience would be such a drag.

PenguinKimberly, I didn't realize CRT is 2 TS for dinner. Hmm. We'll use the TS later (7 night stay), so we can just pay OOP, but don't know if it's worth the money. We had a breakfast there once and it was cool to be there--I'd think dinner, especially on a MVMCP would be even cooler if you're not there for the princesses as much as the experience. (location, location, location!)

I should ask on the cake thread, but can you get a nice custom-made cake (not the sara lee ones) at CRT?

I'd welcome any other suggestions or opinions as well.

Thanks! And happy birthday to you too, irongirl!

Cate

 

[dbaker375]

This is great advice, thank you!

DVC~OKW, Glad to know I won't be missing much at Narcosee's. I appreciate getting told like it is with that. The menu looks nice, but a disappointing experience would be such a drag.

PenguinKimberly, I didn't realize CRT is 2 TS for dinner. Hmm. We'll use the TS later (7 night stay), so we can just pay OOP, but don't know if it's worth the money. We had a breakfast there once and it was cool to be there--I'd think dinner, especially on a MVMCP would be even cooler if you're not there for the princesses as much as the experience. (location, location, location!)

I should ask on the cake thread, but can you get a nice custom-made cake (not the sara lee ones) at CRT?

I'd welcome any other suggestions or opinions as well.

Thanks! And happy birthday to you too, irongirl!

Cate

Glad to know that I'm not the only person that wanted to turn 40 at the World!! I'll be celebrating 8/1. I chose (DH said it was my choice for that day!) CRT for a late lunch. DsDis 14 and has outgrown the character aspect of meals, but, I thought lunch was a little cheaper and at least gave us the experience of the castle.

Irongirl, enjoy your day as well!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Don't do CRT on a travel day - it requires either prepayment or a no-show fee. If there should be major delays while you are traveling and you miss it, you're out cash.

 

[dbaker375]

Don't do CRT on a travel day - it requires either prepayment or a no-show fee. If there should be major delays while you are traveling and you miss it, you're out cash.

Good point, didn't realize that the actual bday was the travel day!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

How about 1900PF for dinner? You'd be able to get your GF Bakery cake, the kids would be entertained, & noise isn't a problem. Later in the week, I'd go to CRT & MVMCP. That would be a perfect night! I personally don't think planning a big night on arrival night is a good idea. If anyone's tired & grumpy, you've wasted your money. Enjoy your 40th!

 

[mamacate]

Thanks all! We are thinking about moving the departure day up one day, but it has some downsides (getting there really late for the kids, time off from work, etc.). We get in at 10 am, so I'm actually hoping we can get a nap out of the kids, which on the first full day at Disney after a good night's sleep would be almost impossible!

But the reservation guarantee at CRT is a real consideration. I need to be prepared to abandon the plan, and that's going to be hard under the best of circumstances. With a reservation guarantee, well, that's going to make for a very cranky birthday girl!

I like the idea of 1900 PF. We've never been there, because of course while my son *makes* lots of noise, he can't deal with overly noisy environments! But maybe we should have the CAKE on another day and give 1900PF a try.

I'm kind of leaning toward CP. Or maybe even CM at this point. And if the plan falls apart, we'll beg a table at Boatwrights and stay in.

The only MVMCP during our stay is my birthday. Natch.

Cate