bday suggestions - two boys, different days

[southernlove]

Our family with 4 kids (age 10 and under) is going to Disney with another family that has kids the same age. We are going 2/14 - 2/21. Both 7 yr old boys are turning 8 - one on the 14th and the other on the 20th.

We would like to make sure that these days are acknowledged and were thinking of dinner each of those nights, but I'm very confused after reading through the archives. I need two places that we know we can pay extra if needed and get a cupcake/cake or something along those lines designating a birthday. I've heard that at many places, sometimes something is done free of charge, but it would be not good at all if this works out for the first child's birthday, and then when the second child's birthday dinner comes along, nothing happens.

We're looking for something casual and easy since we will have 8 children with us.

It doesn't have to be dinner, just something that we can do to mark the birthdays in some way.

We've not had good luck planning this trip. We tried to get the illuminations cruise (with birthday decorations) 90 days out, but no luck there. Hoop-de-doo is booked all week except for the late show on a few days, but that won't work because of the younger kids. Tried to apply the rate codes (room code or AP code for Fort Wilderness cabins) - nothing available with the codes. Tried to book any of the Magical Gatherings events (the one at epcot and the peter pan cruise) - all booked.

The only thing I was able to get was a character breakfast at Animal Kingdom which I'm sure we'll love. We will enjoy the flexibility of not being booked for a lot of things and having to be somewhere at a specific time, but we do want to make sure that we have something ready for the boys' birthdays.

I'm so overwhelmed with information right now. I'd love some help from all of you veterans!!

Thanks,
Kristi

 

[BCV23]

I think most sitdown restaurants will acknowledge a birthday but if you make a PS, perhaps the CM can advise you. Once you're at WDW I would call the restaurant directly and double check. When you actually checkin at the podium, I'd triple check. Because as you said it would be hard if one birthday was celebrated and the other wasn't!

Kona Cafe at the Polynesian has great food, fast service, and a casual atmosphere. Beautiful desserts for kids and adults alike. Although we've not had dinner at 'Ohanas, many families seem to enjoy it. It is served family style.

Also I wouldn't give up on HdDoo. People do cancel close to the date. Have you considered trying to make two reservations...one for each family? Sometimes it seems larger parties are harder to accomodate.

If you're staying at the campgrounds, Trails End has a good, relaxed dinner buffet.

I don't know if there are any AP rates out for the cabins at all but I would also not give up on that. We've had good luck snagging an AP rate close to arrival although we've never done so for the cabins.

Good luck with everything and here's some pixie dust for more success with your reservations!

 

[silverspark]

last time we went to disney, it was around my birthday...and we celebrated my birthday at every dinner!! some of my favorites were

Chef Mickey in the Contemporary Resort (the one with the monorail through the middle) it is a character meal (mickey, minnie, donald, daisy, pluto, goofy) the dinner is buffet style but the food is really good, and every half hour or so the characters come out and they play music and everyone gets us and twirls their napkins in the air. all the characters came over and sang happy birthday to me and i got a cupcake....it was fun! i think your boys will enjoy it...

Garden Grill in The Land at Epcot. this is the rotating restaurant in the building with the lion kings circle of life show and the Food Rocks! concert. the food was very country style - meat and potatoes....but it was delicious!!! one of the best meals ive eaten at disney!! it is also a character meal with the main characters and they are dressed up in overalls and cowboy hats...all the characters signed the place mat that they gave me and we got a mini birthday cake.....it was a quieter meal than cafe mickey, but still great!

below taken from this website:

http://www.themeparks.com/wdw/menus/dnginfo.htm#character

Chef Mickey's Restaurant Character Breakfast and Dinner Buffet - Disney's Contemporary Resort. Join Mickey Mouse and the Gang daily for breakfast from 7am to 11:30am, $16.99 ages 12+ and $8.99 ages 3-11 and nightly for dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm, $23.99 (12+) and $10.99 ages 3-11. Priority Seating available.

Garden Grill Character Experience - The Land. Hosted by Mickey and friends serving a family-style lunch 12 noon - 3:30 p.m., $19.95 and $9.99 ages 3-11; and serving dinner from 5pm to 8pm, $21.99 and $9.99 ages 3-11. Epcot admission required. Priority seating available up to 60 days in advance.

http://www.wdwvacation.com/dining.htm

You can make Priority Reservations by calling 407-WDW-DINE, by phone in your Disney World Resort, or at any Disney World Guest Service Counter.


hope i helped!!

 

[bigsis1970]

maybe you could book the Ice Cream Social for both days .. for 6.75 per person you get huge Ice creams and call it a birthday celebration.. if no cake at least there is ice cream and characters

 

[CEDmom]

Just as a fall back why don't you bring a package of birthday candles and matches (packed in checked luggage) with you just in case the restaurant you choose forgets or something. A candle in any dessert and a loud Happy Birthday song is guaranteed to turn any dinner into a celebration.

 

[Deweysgirl]

We just booked the Character Dinner at LTT in MK for DD's 6th birthday. I ordered a birthday cake to be served ($12.00 I think) for dessert when making the PS and CM said DD will also get a signed birthday card by all of the characters. Sounds just right for us.

 

[silverspark]

i also wanted to tell you that when you first go to magic kingdom...go to the city hall and tell them about the boys' birthdays. they will give you birthday buttons for them to put on their shirts. it was great having the staff members tell me happy birthday. one lady even put me through on the phone with an automated birthday message from goofy!!! it was too cool!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

My father and my husband have birthdays of 12/23 and 12/27 so we celebrated them on different days during out 12/29 to 1/3 trip. At the Crystal Palace character breakfast, Tigger and Pooh brought them each a cupcake with a candle and a birthday card signed by each of the Pooh and friends characters. Also, we had lunch at Wispering Canyon cafe (GREAT place to take a group of boys! ) and they gave my husband a big huge chocolate cake type desert with a candle in it and sang happy birthday. Both were free. I know I told them we were celebrating a birthday when I booked the Crystal Palace PS and they had the table decorated with mickey confetti and streamers when we sat down. At WC I just told them when we signed in for our PS.

Have a great trip!