Bringing the magic to a too-grownup grownup?

[MissVesper]

This threatens to be lengthy, so please bear with me.

Planning to be in Disney for January/February of next year with my husband and our daughter (who will be just over a year old). I'm hoping to make this an especially magical trip for the husband, as he is turning thirty and is inclined to be down about it (silly? Yes! But it didn't stop the meloncholy from hitting him at 25 -- "I'm halfway to 50! I have not done Things of Extreme Importance yet!").

Anyways, as much as I love the man, he's a bit too much of a grownup for his own good. I'd like to help him find that happy, kid-again space. I need your help.

I know that pre-Presidents day, and after that first week, it's the off-season for Disney (and there tend to be less characters, more closures, etc. because of that). What are our chances of finding Robin Hood, and where should we be looking? Most of the Disney characters, he could take or leave. But he surprised me when I was pregnant by going out and buying Robin Hood on DVD "for the baby" and promptly watching it with a huge smile on his face.

What would be the best birthday dinner place to celebrate, both as a family and just as grownups? He loves trying new cuisines, travel, etc. which leads me to suspect World Showcase, but he also does a lot of stuntwork with local Indy-films, so I know that Indiana Jones and the Paris car stunt show should be big hits. Is there anywhere in the Studios you'd recomend? (I've had bad luck there with meals in the past). Am I better off with World Showcase? If you had one big meal to hit, but were still on a pretty low budget, where would you go?

Any other good birthday-specific tips for visiting the World?

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[amandadaddy]

Definitely do 50's Primetime Cafe at Disney Studios for the birthday. The CMs who work that restraunt make the most memorable moments and the food is very good. Robin Hood is usually in the UK pavillion at Epcot. If your hubby loves good food, then Epcot is definitely for you. We always do one night at the Rose & Crown and ask for outside seating to catch Illuminations ( try to get a PS reservation for around 8:00 ), Chefs de France is awesome, Le Cellier has the best prime rib, and if price is no issue and you love steaks, walk on over to the Beach and Yacht Club for dinner at the Yachtsman............I'm drooling........

Look for Princesses........they'll turn him into a kid again........Disney Studios and Epcot (WS) are usually the best parks for meeting characters. Have fun!

 

[MissBubbles]

I found Robin in Tony's restaurant in MK.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Robin Hood is usually on the Epcot bus at opening - also in Toontown at around noonish with other characters from his film.

I second 50s PrimeTime for a low budget, great food, and great fun!! And I also would like to add Boma in the AKL... the cuisine and ambiance is GREAT there!!! It's a buffet too, so all you can eat... (plus if you're not diggin' the African motif, they have a lot of traditional food as well)

 

[granmanh603]

sorry brain dead removed post

 

[chrome64]

We saw Robinhood at the entrance to Epcot back in July. We were there right when the park opened and it seemed like they had a lot of the lesser know characters right after you go through the gate. As for birthdays... I'm going in a couple of weeks for my birthday and we were there in July for my husbands birthday. Any restuarant that you make advance reservations for can also make arrangements to have a cake there for you. Each park has a bakery that can special order cakes if you want something really special. The number for guest relations at MK is: 407-824-7091 give them a call and they can direct you to the right people to set anything up at any of the parks.

We did my husband's birthday at the Hoop Dee Doo Review. They really did make as big of a deal as I had hoped for but still it was a lot of fun. I found another thread somewhere on here that suggested making your own t-shirts for birthdays. So, I have now made shirts for every day of our upcoming trip! I hear tale that they make a bigger fuss if you anounce that it is your birthday. Also, at the guest relations in each park, go by and tell them that it is his birthday (should be near the entrance) and they will give him a birthday button to wear. CMs really go out of their way to do special things for those that are celebrating something!

Also, if you want to surprise him with a gift you can get in touch with the restuarants and make arrangements to send the gift to them in advance and they will present it to him during your meal.

Really depends on how much attention he likes to get. You can go all out or you can do just the little things.

Have fun!!

 

[raven69david]

We saw Robin Hood when we were dining at Cinderellas Castle at MK. He was outside of the window being chased by Captain Hook. It was like a dramatic scene with chases, swinging on ropes and sliding down poles....it was exciting. I'd highly recommend eating at the castle. For me and my wife, it was like a dream come true.

 

[mattsdragon]

I've seen Robin Hood the past two times at MK, right in the town square on Main St USA, just as you come in. And both times he was there all day, or PJ and Friar Tuck were there rotating in and out. I haven't gotten a picture with him either because whenever I'm in the line for him, he leaves just as I'm getting to the front of the line.

Prime Time Cafe at MGM is great, just don't put your elbows on the table (they made my wife do a song and dance as "punishment"), or just about anywhere in World Showcase (Marakesh in Morocco, I can't say enough about that place).

It's impossible to be "too grownup" at WDW. Just give his a set of ears and watch the years slip away. Some people make too big a deal about 20, my wife turns 30 in a month, I really didn't feel any different when I hit it.

 

[bedgraynexl]

As someone who just celebrated a 30th birthday I wish I could be going to to Disney now! I think I drove DW nuts by counting down the time until I was actually 30, saying I was 29 for 0:45 minutes!

Don't have much more to add than the above posters. Have a great trip!

 

[rcraw45425]

Since he's turning thirty, is he a fan of the old cheesy, B type Sci Fi movies? If he is, or if he's old enough to have memories of the drive in's, make an ADR for the Sci Fi Dine In for lunch. They seat you in "cars" at the drive in, play old B sci fi mvies on the big screen and generally it's a blast. Nothing scary for your little one, but it is dim, not totally dark in there. Another fun place is O'hana at the Polynesian. If he enjoys the water, book a room at the YC or BC to take advantage of Stormalong Bay. THe best thing though will be for him to see WDW with his family, through the eyes of his daughter. That turns all of us into kids. We leave next week (Tuesday!) for our 4th trip since February to celebrate DH's 46th birthday at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on THursday the 6th.

 

[mhf]

Long answer: I am taking DH in Dec for his 40th b-day and he, too, is, ummmmmm, somewhat stodgy? I"m making sure we are doing what he considers fun, not necessarily what I consider fun. That means record store, guitar store, and various hotels with good drinks and good food. DH is starting to buy into this, got out the UG from the library and has read it. He's also looking forward to finding Eeyore as he believes they are kindred spirits.

SHort answer: plan the trip with/for him, not you?

MHF
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