Dilema - need expert suggestions

[cobbler]

Ok, here we go.

Planned on doing the Garden Grill for upcoming Oct trip. DS will be turning 9 the day before and this was going to be his celebratory lunch. We decided to do this because it was our Epcot day and because it was a character meal. We were going to get one of those cakes for him ourselves to make it special.

Now I have read bad review after review and honestly thought that it can't be that bad. The most recent review (with oops in the title) really hit home for me and I have decided NOT to take the chances and pay for this horrible meal I have been reading about.

I guess I need an idea of where to eat in Epcot (Coral Reef is out as it takes 2 credits) or somewhere out of the parks for dinner. I honestly thought of Chef Mickeys for dinner but then realized the very next day we will be there for breakfast and breakfast there is a must do on our list and thought this might be a little much.

So if ANYONE can offer any sort of ideas or suggestions I would be super super appreciative. I am just at a loss for what to do now

 

[bigbabyblues]

Your post made me sad for him! Would he enjoy a character breakfast instead? You could eat at the Beach Club breakfast, then walk over to Epcot (I'm pretty sure you can use the back entrance in the morning).

 

[Cameo]

It really is too bad that the Garden Grill changed the menu. My daughter had her sixth birthday dinner here and it was wonderful. We got a great cake and they sang to her. Unfortunately, based on the menu, we will not be going back again.

She also had a great birthday lunch at the Crystal Palace at MK with the Pooh characters. We made an early lunch reservation (11:00) - as soon as they opened. Unexpectedly, she got to be "Chef of the Day." She was able to decorate a special cupcake and meet Pooh and the gang all by herself. She also got a signed Chef certificate and a chef's hat.

The next year when we went we asked about the possibility of getting the same experience for our DS4 and were told that they do not do that at lunch anymore - only at dinner time.

So we just accepted it as a bit of Disney magic that was a one-time ocassion for our family. It might be worth asking about at the podium, though, if you are there at opening time.

 

[Amyrlin]

I would defintalty change from GC, Howabout somewhere in the WS, Myson loved the Japanese food. Alteratlvlty how about using the transportaion and going to one of the resorts, Ohana is good fun.

 

[unixadm]

Does it have to be a character dinner? If so, that really limits your choices....nothing in Epcot or surrounding area, MK has Liberty Tree Tavern and Crystal Palace, GF has 1900 Park Fare (but it is Princesess's....probably not a big draw for a 9 YO), Contemporary has CM and that is pretty much it.

If it doesn't have to be a character meal, then what is his favorite type of food? Look at the menus HERE for the Epcot area and see what you think he would like.

Remember to look at Boardwalk and Beach Club as well since they are walking distance.

There is also a boat that will take you to MGM, so if you have hopper passes, you could go to MGM for dinner if you found something you would like

Some ideas:

Epcot:
Le Cellier - Canada - Great reviews with GREAT steaks-We will be going in September.
Teppanaki - Japan - If your son hasn't been to a Japanese rest., this would be a fun experience with the Chef cooking at your table.
San Angel Inn - Mexico - Very unique setting...feels like you are outside. Boat ride there as well.
Biergarten - Germany Fun German show to go along with the food.
Look at other countries to see what your son would like.

Boardwalk:
Spoodles- Good reviews...we will be going in September
Big River Grille and BrewWorks Get a table on the boardwalk. A piano player on a bike rides up and plays requests along with other entertainers on the boardwalk.

Beach Club
Cape May Cafe Good buffett
Beaches and Cream - Ice Cream place with dinner....Fun place for a kid to celebrate a birthday.

MGM:
Sci-Fi Drive in - Sit in a car and eat dinner - Fun for kids
Prime Time 50's Cafe - Fun servers act like "Mothers" telling kids to take their elbows off of tables, eat their veggies, etc.
Mama Melrose's - Good Italian Restaurant

Lots of choices if you don't require the characters. Good Luck!

 

[Leota]

I would change that to the Character Breakfast at Cape May in the Beach Club, then walk into Epcot thru the International Gateway. The Characters are all dressed in Beach Garb, which is fun. It is a good breakfast, we had very good character interaction there. I don't see any reason you can't have Birthday Cake with breakfast - I mean if you can eat a doughnut for breakfast, cake would be a step up on the Healthy Scale! Besides, what a great way to start the day for the Birthday Boy!

The reviews for the new GG are pretty bleak. I haven't read one positive thing about it.

 

[LAWalz23]

Le Cellier is great food and they gave my niece and nephew (twins) a dessert with Happy Birthday written on it for their birthday! You could also have a late breakfast at Cape May, if you want to stay in the EPCOT area. I have seen the characters make a fuss over a birthday there. Just about any restaurant can have a cake for your son if you call ahead and make arrangements. Maybe you could show him the menus from allears.net and ask him what he would like to eat.

 

[cobbler]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Anyone else feel free to chime in.

We are going down with my dad and his fiance - they have free dining, we have DDE - so we are trying to accomodate everyone. They opted against hoppers which didn't bother us as we realized we don't hop much anyway.

I was thinking Cape May Buffet for dinner or O'hana but completely forgot about the character bfast at Cape May.

It doesn't HAVE to be a character meal, just thought it would add that nice little touch. We are doing Chef Mickeys and LTT during our visit so that is good too.

Ugh decisions, decisions. I had better make up my mind soon as I am planning this for October 3rd.

 

[cherylp3]

What about a dinner at Gullivers at the Swan? ( I haven't eaten there yet but according to All Ears they have characters at dinner.)

 

[DeanDoug]

hmmmmmmmmmm... to bad about Coral Reef... if you can get a table down by the aquarium it is special... lunch is cheaper (which is when we go).

I agree that the San Angel is also fun... we find both the service and food sub-mediocre... but it gets an A for atmosphere...

The Cape May cafe's character breakfast is very nice...

Just remember, you'll be at WDW, so wherever you go, your son will have a great birthday !

 

[patsal]

If that is your Epcot day I think I would go with the Character Breakfast at Cape May and walk to Epcot--let them know it is his birthday and they may do a cupcake/birthday song for him. They did when my son was 5 and it was a nice treat! Another thought might be to take the monorail out the TTC, change to the resort monorail and go to GFto 1900 Park Fair for an early dinner and back to Epcot on the monorail for the rest of the evening. Though Cinderella is there so are the mice and Prince Charming which does make it fun for the boys as well.