Birthday dinner - best options?

[lovethesun12]

Which restaurant in the Disneyland area would you choose for a birthday dinner for a 7 year old?

Originally planned to get the Blue Bayou fantasmic package. I could still do just Blue Bayou but not sure it's worth it. I'm also considering Lamplight Lounge (or any other suggestion!).

We would love a restaurant with a great theme...that said I'm certain I'll be seated in the worst viewing area if one is needed (lol...I don't really care that it usually happens, it just does. Looking at 5 years of coral reef attempts to get seated by the tank and in the back row every time).

Any suggestions? What would you book for that age?

 

[mdmost]

If your 7 year old likes Pixar, Lamplight Lounge for sure. You can ask for a table near the water so your child can watch the Pixar Pier magic.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I love Blue Bayou, but part of the reason I don't find myself booking there is the possibility of a bad table. The food is very mediocre for the price, and if you aren't waterside or close to it, it's not the same experience at all. That being said, you can request a waterside table. I've found the wait times to be all over the place for that though, so just a consideration if your child gets hangry quick

I agree with the PP that Lamplight Lounge would be a great choice for a Pixar loving kiddo. Another option would be Goofy's Kitchen at DLH. It's the only dinner character meal that DLR offers...if characters are a highlight this would be a solid choice as well.

 

[bcla]

Is it more about the food or the experiences? There are great restaurants in Anaheim outside of Disneyland within reasonable distance.

And even if it's not for the birthday dinner, the Anaheim Packing House is a really fun experience for kids.

 

[skellinton]

Would they be interested in a character meal? Does it have to be dinner?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Agree with the suggestion for a character meal. GK does dinner. If dinner and bowling would work, look at Splitsville in DTD.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

I was thinking Goofy’s Kitchen for that age if you want to do a dinner.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

The theming inside Blue Bayou really is unique and makes up for the average food (decent but expensive for what it is). That said, you absolutely must sit waterside to truly get the best ambiance in this restaurant!

I happened to eat in Blue Bayou today for lunch. (Picked up a reservation on my way into the park that morning.) I personally prefer eating lunch here as the effect of “being outside at night” is far more impressive when it’s hot and bright outside.

When I checked in for my 11:40 reservation I politely asked if we could wait for a waterside table. The hostess went to inquire and told me it would be a one-hour wait, which I was totally fine with and willing to wait one hour. I got the text that our table was ready 8 minutes later.

I do think you need to be prepared to wait and not have “hangry” people on your hands because it could potentially be one hour, but it might not be that long and it’s totally worth the wait to sit waterside.

If not Blue Bayou, maybe character dining?

Our table today! (Erased my mom as she doesn’t like being “on the internet” ).

 

[lovethesun12]

If your 7 year old likes Pixar, Lamplight Lounge for sure. You can ask for a table near the water so your child can watch the Pixar Pier magic.

Thanks! Is it almost as good if you don't get seated by the water?

 

[lovethesun12]

I love Blue Bayou, but part of the reason I don't find myself booking there is the possibility of a bad table. The food is very mediocre for the price, and if you aren't waterside or close to it, it's not the same experience at all. That being said, you can request a waterside table. I've found the wait times to be all over the place for that though, so just a consideration if your child gets hangry quick

I agree with the PP that Lamplight Lounge would be a great choice for a Pixar loving kiddo. Another option would be Goofy's Kitchen at DLH. It's the only dinner character meal that DLR offers...if characters are a highlight this would be a solid choice as well.

Thanks! My experience with Disney (WDW experience though) is that you can request the table, but we have never once gotten the request even though I said we would be willing to wait as long as necessary.

Not sure if anyone has experience with them doing that at Blue Bayou, I would definitely be willing to wait.

We are definitely doing Goofy's kitchen. I wanted to start the trip with that one...but now I'm thinking maybe it would be the best one to have on her birthday.

 

[lovethesun12]

Is it more about the food or the experiences? There are great restaurants in Anaheim outside of Disneyland within reasonable distance.

And even if it's not for the birthday dinner, the Anaheim Packing House is a really fun experience for kids.

It's definitely more about the experience for us.

I'll look into the Anaheim Packing House. I haven't heard of it before.

 

[lovethesun12]

Would they be interested in a character meal? Does it have to be dinner?

Yes, we are doing a few character meals. I might have to switch one and do it for her birthday instead (was planning to open the trip with Goofy's kitchen).

We don't really have to do dinner, but I know she would want a birthday cake and I was thinking dinner would be a nice way to make that work.

 

[lovethesun12]

The theming inside Blue Bayou really is unique and makes up for the average food (decent but expensive for what it is). That said, you absolutely must sit waterside to truly get the best ambiance in this restaurant!

I happened to eat in Blue Bayou today for lunch. (Picked up a reservation on my way into the park that morning.) I personally prefer eating lunch here as the effect of “being outside at night” is far more impressive when it’s hot and bright outside.

When I checked in for my 11:40 reservation I politely asked if we could wait for a waterside table. The hostess went to inquire and told me it would be a one-hour wait, which I was totally fine with and willing to wait one hour. I got the text that our table was ready 8 minutes later.

I do think you need to be prepared to wait and not have “hangry” people on your hands because it could potentially be one hour, but it might not be that long and it’s totally worth the wait to sit waterside.

If not Blue Bayou, maybe character dining?

Our table today! (Erased my mom as she doesn’t like being “on the internet” ).

View attachment 761860

Wow I love that! Thanks! We would definitely be willing to wait. My experience is at WDW they wouldn't (again, understandable since I'm sure everyone wants the same thing) but good to know this is something that could happen here.

 

[mdmost]

Thanks! Is it almost as good if you don't get seated by the water?

The inside is really cool. There's artwork and storyboards from Pixar films inside. I think outside is cooler but it's still a unique experience inside.

 

[chezcurrie]

While I love the packing house, it is not a bday dinner spot, imo. It’s a very cool food hall with some neat restaurants as well, but not bday dinner. Goofy’s she would likely get more “attention” with a bday button, bit my 7-year old would be thrilled with either. He loves blue bayou!

 

[bcla]

While I love the packing house, it is not a bday dinner spot, imo. It’s a very cool food hall with some neat restaurants as well, but not bday dinner. Goofy’s she would likely get more “attention” with a bday button, bit my 7-year old would be thrilled with either. He loves blue bayou!

Sure. I wasn't specifically suggesting it as the place for the birthday visit, but I'd think anyone in town for several days should at least consider a short visit. I was there on NYE before heading back to DL where I was hoping for midnight fireworks, but the weather didn't cooperate.

 

[clallen72]

Places where you can pre-order Mickey birthday cakes:

• Blue Bayou Restaurant
• Café Orléans
• Lamplight Lounge
• River Belle Terrace
• Wine Country Trattoria

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/cake-orders/

I've also read Goofy's kitchen will do something special for a birthday (sing and a cupcake). I would call them to check on that though. So many things keep changing on what is or isn't available.

When my little was 7 years old, the character interaction at Goofy's would be a bigger hit . She didn't like Blue Bayou at the time because it was so dark. But other kids may find it cool.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

When my little was 7 years old, the character interaction at Goofy's would be a bigger hit . She didn't like Blue Bayou at the time because it was so dark. But other kids may find it cool.

My kids (8 and 4) like Blue Bayou *because* it’s dark (especially during the day when it’s light outside). They love waving to the boats and watching for the fireflies flowing and the shooting stars on the ceiling.

But that’s a really great point because it IS very dark inside the restaurant and some kids might not like that if they are generally afraid of the dark.

 

[bcla]

Maybe you have an extra day and/or would consider a couple of hours to visit Medieval Times. I don't know what they might be able to offer for a small group, but I'm thinking they could at least do something fun if you let them know it's a birthday.

https://www.medievaltimes.com/groups/birthdays
https://www.medievaltimes.com/buena-park

 

[DizMe]

My kids (8 and 4) like Blue Bayou *because* it’s dark (especially during the day when it’s light outside). They love waving to the boats and watching for the fireflies flowing and the shooting stars on the ceiling.

But that’s a really great point because it IS very dark inside the restaurant and some kids might not like that if they are generally afraid of the dark.

When my kids were little they loved it, and BB used to have pirate hats (I think they may have been kid menus?). My girls would wear those all through the meal and wave to the boats.