Advice wanted for an adult birthday dinner

[Candleshoe]

Hi!

Oct 20th is my husband's 33 birthday. We'll be Oct 16-24, and are going to MNSSHP with our 4yo daughter. Last year we pooped out too early at the party so this year I figure we will get up late that day and go later; we're staying at pop century. We do have costumes but they aren't bulky, and we're taking the stroller for this night at least. So my thought was...

Early afternoon get dressed casual and take costumes in a backpack. Leave hotel ~3pm, bus to MK and go in (APs so no worry there). Eat at the LTT ~5-5:30. Surprise husband with a song or cake or something there.

Then put on costumes and enjoy the party til late.


HOWEVER!! After trying to get LTT PSes I failed. (*sigh* and I thought it was a good plan.). The CM suggested Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. I like the idea that it's a quick monorail ride over, but it's not IN there. He(CM) seemed to think I was really wanting a character experience. Not the case. I don't *mind* that it's a character dinner! My daughter will enjoy it. But we have CRT on the 17th for her. This is my husband's night, ykwim? If the characters will make it special for him, then great. If there's something else more special that would be great too! LOL.

So any advice? I should tell you the budget for the 3 of us including tip is $100. Things are tight right now.

So any ideas?

Any thoughts on CMickeys vs LTT? If you were me, wanting to do the bday dinner & MNSSHP would you keep trying to get into LTT or is CMs as good or better?

Help!! This is my last (ha!) agonizing decision to make and I can't get DH to help because it's a surprise!

 

[KMH1]

Are you adament you want to have his birthday dinner the night of MNSSHP? I understand this may be his actual birth day, but you have so many other options and more time on other days.

We celebrated my husband's birthday for a whole week a couple years ago. WDW is his favorite place in the world, so the CM marked on all of our PS's that it was his birthday.

Teppanyaki in Epcot was excellent for dinner...and they brought out a birthday cake (no extra charge) for our whole table to share (it was just the two of us, but the table seats eight, so another family joined us for dinner).

Le Cellier was also wonderful. And our waiter gave Kevin a choice of dessert and had the dessert chef write out "Happy Birthday" in chocolate on the plate.

This wasn't dinner, but Kevin loved it...the Ohana character breakfast. Here, Mickey joined us to sing "Happy Birthday" and they gave Kevin a birthday cupcake too.

Just some ideas...if you prefer LTT or CM's the night of the party, I recommend to keep trying for LTT. We think the atmosphere is better than CM's. Chef Mickey's is fun, but it is definitely more kid-oriented. We also prefer the meal being family-style, rather than a buffet.

Have fun!!

 

[jx3smom]

Ohana might be a nice choice. It is a fun place to dine without characters. Let them know it's a bday and they will make a big deal out of it. Kona Kafe is also really nice.

 

[Candleshoe]

Not adamant so much as desirous, kwim? We could do it another day I guess.

Thanks for the thoughts on LTT vs CM.

I think I'll cancel CM, and keep trying for LTT. If we get it, great! If we don't then we can wing it the rest of the week whereever DH wants to go. I'm still hoping for the surprise though!

What a week for internet at home to go out!! The week before we leave. Yikes.

If there are any other thoughts I'd sure appreciate it!



cya at WDW Dis

 

[Lisa96]

If you want to be in MK, why not try Crystal Palace? It's very pretty inside and the food is wonderful. It is a character meal, but I thought it was a bit more low key than Chef Mickey's. And it's a bit more fancy than CM, IMO.
Like jx3smom, I love the Kona Kafe too- you might want to consider that. But it's more reasonable for lunch than dinner (I know a solo dinner -with app, entree & dessert, no alchohol - cost me over $50 with tip) so you may want to do that before the dinner menu goes in place.

 

[Candleshoe]

Originally posted by Lisa96
If you want to be in MK, why not try Crystal Palace? It's very pretty inside and the food is wonderful. It is a character meal, but I thought it was a bit more low key than Chef Mickey's. And it's a bit more fancy than CM, IMO.
Like jx3smom, I love the Kona Kafe too- you might want to consider that. But it's more reasonable for lunch than dinner (I know a solo dinner -with app, entree & dessert, no alchohol - cost me over $50 with tip) so you may want to do that before the dinner menu goes in place.

I think Kona is out of our price range, unfortunately, although, I'd love to take him to some of the pricier seafood places. I'm hoping for a side trip to DT disney and the house of blues. DTD is onel place we haven't been yet. I'm not into shopping so there wasn't too much reason to go before. I heard about the AP lunch discount at HoBlues so that works! Also DH is a guitar player and we're blue's fans.

As far as Crystal Palace goes, that would be an option! Where in the park is it located? I can't remember, and haven't eaten there yet. (I have the allears menu's printed out, so will look at that when I get home! (*s*))