Best Character BIRTHDAY meal?

[DisneyVirginBeNice]

I have booked MANY character meals for our first Disney trip since we are on the dining plan it made it easy...

Both my kids celebrate bdays a week after we leave Disney so I plan on stating in our reservations for 2 of our Character meals that is is thier bday and order the extra bday cake....

My middle Daughter turns 5 March 29th and my oldest son turns 8 March 30th can you recommend the best Character bday meal? I have heard they make them get up and march in a bday parade, sing, bring the cake out, ect *the reservation lady told me this...* My son is really shy but my daughter is a preformer lol

Thanks a ton

Ps I hope this is the right forum to ask
Marissa

 

[milmore104]

Our DD turned 5 during our trip. We did several b-day meals for her...

GG- waiter only dropped off the cake. No sing no characters no nothing. I was disappointed several years earlier during my DH b-day we were given the Mickey b-day cake at no charge and had all the characters around singing and dancing w/ DH. I was very disappointed w/ GG.
HDD- During the show they just ask if anyone is having a birthday and ask you how old you are and when it is. Still fun though
CRT- the waiter here really brought it to life for us David was his name he did a great job singing and getting the princess to come over and sign. This was our DD favorite of all of course. They also signed a certificate for her and the cupcake they give w/ it was the best!! I wouldn't recommened buying a cake here!
CM- This is the one you'll want to go to. Great character interaction. You get up and sign and march around the rest. swinging your napkins around. Lots of fun for boys and girls DD loved this one too. But seeing as she is a girl and loves the princess CRT was her #1 pick. Also I wouldn't spend the money on a cake here either. They bring you out a wonderful cup cake.
I was actually going to buy the cake for most of the meals and was advised not to here on the DIS. I'm glad I saved the money. I gave it to DD to get herself some extra presents!!! Enjoy

 

[hezreck]

We were at Crystal Palace for my DD7 birthday and she didn't like it. She is shy also and didn't want to be in the birthday parade. The waitress told her about it right when we sat down, and I think my DD thought the characters were going to grab her and make her go. So she didn't interact much with the characters. She stayed sitting nad acted a little scared of them and she's NOT scared of characters at all.
If your kids are shy, why don't you try Garden Grill in Epcot. There is no birthday parade, so you don't have to worry about that, and there is TONS of interaction, especially if you don't go during lunch or dinner rush. We like to eat early 11-11:30 or late 2-3. You get lots of interaction then. Have a great time!

 

[nliedel]

We took my son, when he was three, to CP and mentioned his birthday. The Characters made a big deal of him and the wait staff was great. He was enchanted.

 

[phyllis1966]

We were at WDW for DD's 5th birthday and planned 2 special meals for the actual birthday - 1900 Park Fare for breakfast (her favorite breakfast spot) and Chef Mickey's for dinner. Both gave her a special "signed" birthday placemat, both sang "Happy Birthday" (not to individuals but all at the same time), both gave big cupcakes with a lit candle. At 1900 PF, she was also give a birthday tiara, which she still has, almost 2 years later. At CM, they do a birthday parade, but DD was/is a bit shy about those things, so she enjoyed from her seat. She felt very special at both of these meals!

 

[Keara'sMom]

You know, as I read these threads, I can't help but feel a little cheated--for my daugher, that is. We were at Chef Mickey's in January ON my dd's 9th b-day (1/2/06). No parading, no special treatment, really nothing special, except our waiter hurriedly brought out a cupcake, and when some of the characters noticed it (namely, Goofy and Dale), they made a wonderful fuss over her. But, that was it. Now, my dd had a great time and felt special (primarily because we made her feel so), and I would never let her know what happens AT TIMES for birthdays, but...I have to say, it seems to be hit or miss. I guess the advice, then, would be to go in expecting nothing and then you won't be disappointed!

Also, it seems that people can choose to participate or not in the special activities, so your ds should be okay!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I very much agree with phyllis1966. Those are two wonderful meals for a birthday. 1900 Park Fair breakfast has Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins, all who are "talking" characters. I think being able to "say" fun things the kids makes a difference and they will make a big deal. The Mad Hatter is very funny, Alice is really sweet and Mary Poppins I'm sure will have some wonderful "words of wisdom". They also had Pooh and Tigger.

Chef Mickey is just a fun party atmosphere and just plain can't be beat for a birthday meal.