DD3 Birthday- Dinner Show or Just Character Meal?

[klinkprincesses]

My DD will be celebrating her 3rd birthday while at WDW. I have already made reservations at CRT for breakfast that morning. I want to make the day really special, but can't decide if it is worth using 4 TS (2 for CRT and 2 for a dinner show) for each of us all within one day. This is our first trip to WDW, so we have no experience with the shows or character meals. If anyone out there has taken children this age (we also have a 4 yr old dtr) to both character meals and the dinner shows, I would love to hear which they liked better. Also, which dinner show or which character meals would you suggest for 3 and 4 year olds? I have heard the Luau calls people onto the stage that are celebrating special occasions. Thought that might be special for DD3, but didn't really know if the rest of the show would entertain a 3 yo as much as maybe the other shows would.

 

[mcco5543]

I do not have children of my own, but I am an elementary school teacher.

My only concern about a character meal would be if your children have a secure sense of real and pretend. Big costumed characters can terrify little ones. So if your little ones can handle it I say character meal. They'll make a much more individualized "fuss" over her being the birthday girl.

If you think your children may be afraid of big costumed creatures coming at them, then definitely the shows. Truly you can't go wrong either way.

If you're not sure how your kids will do with big costumed characters I would try it at a local theme park or halloween or christmas first and then decide

Happy Birthday to your daughter! have fun!

 

[tluvstink]

Honestly I'm not sure if I would do both. I would probably stick with CRT and maybe something like Chef Mickeys for dinner. Whatever you decide I'm sure it will be a great day

Terri

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I took my DD and DGD (3 1/2) last summer and we went to Chef Mickeys, 1900 Park Fare, and Crystal Palace. She loved the characters. We didn't do any dinner shows because we didn't think she would have the attention span to sit through the whole show. You know your children best, and if you think they would sit and listen to a show, then they would probably be ok. The characters meals were really fun.

 

[Freyja]

Personally I´d skip the dinner show and just go with a character meal. I´m not sure a 3 year old would really get that much out of a dinner show. Maybe even the opposite, if it turns out to be a "pain" to sit through.

Have a magical time what ever you decide and "Happy Birthday" to your DD. She´s adorable

 

[DVC Mary]

Character Meals that were favorite for my sons at 3 yrs old:

Liberty Tree Tavern
Crystal Palace
Chef Mickey's

Dinner shows at 3 I would avoid. Have a fun trip!

 

[Jaime]

Wow what a great way to celebrate her birthday!

When we went to MK in 2005 our dd's were 17months and 3 we did many different character meals but on our MK day we went to CRT for breakfast at 8:05 which we loved!!!(funny thing is we were there before and didn't like it...only went cause that was dd's wish) that same day we did an early supper at CP with Winnie and friends at 4:00...It was fablous! The parade wasn't long over and then we got to go have supper...all the children paraded around the restaurant it was so much fun...the food was alot better than what we had at Chef Mickeys the night before. It worked out to be a great day! I would make a point of letting everyone know it was her Birthday...maybe make her a special t-shirt she could wear. Our dd's also brought white baseball caps that they had signed by all the characters with colored sharpie markers. It was alot easier to carry then the books!

Have great trip!

 

[klinkprincesses]

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice! I spoke to DH and we agree that probably a character meal would be quite enough. She really isn't afraid of people in costume, so I think she will like it. I think we will also go with CP. She loves Winnie and we thought both of our dd's would get a big kick out of the low buffet so that they can serve themselves. Jaime- did your kids like the low buffet? Thanks, too, for the advice on wearing a birthday t-shirt. What a great idea! I hadn't thought of it and I will definately do that! I love the hat idea, too. Thanks again!

 

[maraki527]

Better off with the character meal. I know my nephew would not sit still for the whole show.

 

[DISNEYNY]

We went to 1900 Park Fare character meal at the GF last year for my son's Bday. It was very nice. Each child with a Bday gets their own cupcake and everyone signs to them. I definetly think the character meal is the better choice.