DD's 5th Birthday

[kimberwee]

We are surprising DD for her 5th Bday with a trip to Disney and contemplating how to make the first night there EXTRA special. We are going Thurs-Wednesday and her actual bday is Saturday. We already have plans for BBB followed by Breakfast at CRT on Saturday, so I need help on where to eat at MK on our first night there (Thursday)...dont want to eat at CRT twice.

Suggestions and reasoning behind suggestion?

 

[minniebride]

I would head to 1900 Park Fare in the GF, but not sure if you want to see Cinderella two times. That place is so much fun-the wicked stepsisters really make the experience!

Otherwise, how about Crystal Palace in MK? Does she like Winnie the Pooh?

 

[MJKMom]

We always love to eat at Chef Mickey's our first meal there. It's just so much fun to take the monorail into the Contemporary and then see all the "Classic" characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy.. even Chip & Dale!) I know some people have given bad reviews about the dinner meal at CM, but we don't have any complaints.. and the kids LOVE the dessert buffet

 

[djp0630]

I'd do 1900 Park Fare dinner. I haven't done it yet, but told DD5 all about it and she seems excited by it!

 

[jlk806]

Chef Mickeys is a lot of fun!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I agree 1500 Park Fare is a great option. Also, while you are waiting to be seated (or afterwards) they have music in the lobby of the GF. A piano player for 30 minutes a swing band for 30 to 45 minutes and so on, rotatin from 3:00 to 9:00. The piano players will take requests and little girls (and boys!) twirl and dance to the music. It is fun to watch and keeps the little ones busy while they wait.

 

[goofyintoronto]

We always love to eat at Chef Mickey's our first meal there. It's just so much fun to take the monorail into the Contemporary and then see all the "Classic" characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy.. even Chip & Dale!) I know some people have given bad reviews about the dinner meal at CM, but we don't have any complaints.. and the kids LOVE the dessert buffet

Correction, Chip & Dale are NOT at chef mickeys. Its just the fab 5.

I would recommend Crystal Palace lunch/dinner. Its quite yummy, plus it gorgeous inside, and the characters are great!!

 

[MJKMom]

Correction, Chip & Dale are NOT at chef mickeys. Its just the fab 5.

I would recommend Crystal Palace lunch/dinner. Its quite yummy, plus it gorgeous inside, and the characters are great!!

When did they take away Chip & Dale???
We ate there on our last trip & saw them.. my kids love those two!

 

[goofyintoronto]

When did they take away Chip & Dale???
We ate there on our last trip & saw them.. my kids love those two!

Its been just the fab 5 for a while now. When was your last trip to CM? If there were there in 2010 (I see from your ticker thats the last trip you had), then maybe it was just a one time thing?

 

[coltsfanatic]

My parents' did the EXACT same thing for my 5th birthday-and it is one of my fondest memories!! I don't remember having anything special, though, I was happy enough just to be there-you could say we were "livin' on love." and emptying our wallets.

 

[minnie mum]

Don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but wanted to give a word of caution about ADRs on your arrival day. I couldn't see from your original post if you are a veteran WDW visitor or not.

Unless we are planning a morning arrival, we rarely make an ADR for that day.
Especially if you are flying, you just never know when or if you'll be delayed. Or maybe (given my recent experiences with flying) just how long you WILL be delayed. So our rule now is to never make an ADR requiring a credit card to secure the reservation for the first day (like CRT, Fantasmic dinner, or HDDR. If you're a no show, they will charge you. And we don't make ADRs that are really important to us for that night either.

Not saying don't make one at all, if you really want a TS dinner that night. Just saying there are a few things to consider on your arrival day. If you're arriving in the afternoon, leave yourself plenty of wiggle room.

ETA: On the other hand, if you're a WDW veteran, then disregard all of this; you'll already know it.

 

[Jabba20000]

If you absolutely want to stay in Magic Kingdom for dinner I would do Crystal Palace. The food is good and Pooh and the gang are a lot of fun. If you don't mind leaving the park I would choose Chef Mickey's. It is a family favorite because of the great character and general fun atmosphere. When my girls were younger they loved the napkin twirling and character parade at Chef Mickey's.

 

[Gardner258]

Did not do, and I look forward to good advice

 

[kimberwee]

My parents' did the EXACT same thing for my 5th birthday-and it is one of my fondest memories!! I don't remember having anything special, though, I was happy enough just to be there-you could say we were "livin' on love." and emptying our wallets.

I am so glad to hear that you even remember and can appreciate that your parents did that for you! I am a HUGE Disney Fan and DH is not so much. His last trip to DW was when he was 16 and it was a huge family trip. Needless to say, he thought it was lame. SO, I am trying to make this an AWESOME trip.

I am actually thinking now, after reading all of this, that taking it easy and grabbing something light (QS) might be the best bet...because we will probably be worn out by that point.

Thanks for all of your advice!