Help me decide on a special meal for mommy/daughter trip

[meagarunt22]

I want to find something special that my daughter, 4 years old, will remember on her special trip with me. I have multiple kids so getting to spend one on one time at Disney is such a blessing. She requested Kona for breakfast (duh mom, Tonga toast) but I want ONE standout for dinner. I don't want character meals though. Weird I know, but she's so shy she just doesn't appreciate them much. I can do it at the parks or resorts, or even disney springs. And no rainforest cafe or T-rex. I'm pretty inexperienced with most other restaurants aside from characters and quick service. We did Coral Reef once but she was over the aquarium in about 5 minutes. Thanks for your input!

 

[yesdnil]

Not exactly dinner, but I absolutely love the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. It's so special and charming, especially for a mommy/daughter date.

 

[Arielfan98]

Rose & Crown in EPCOT is cool because you can request an outdoor table and watch Illuminations. You might also like California Grill which has firework views as well.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

You can eat at California Grill and stay to watch the fireworks - if that is not too late.
Another fun thing for our kids is to eat at San Angel in Mexico and try to get a seat near the water and wave to the boats passing by. It has a great atmosphere.
We also LOVE HDDR - not sure if 4 years old is too young - as all kids are different. We went when our kids were a few years older and they loved it. Our son couldn't stop laughing.
Enjoy!

 

[kastoney]

My daughter (now 7) generally doesn't care where we eat, as long as its over quickly and she can get back to the parks That said her two favorite restaurants are definitely Hoop Dee Do And Whispering Canyon. At the latter she found the antics hilarious, but if your daughter is shy that may not be the best idea. She's also enjoyed Raglan Road and the Irish Dancers and likes the dinner/show at Teppan Edo. Otherwise we just eat where we want and she placates us while counting down the minutes till we are done

 

[vicb]

Not dinner but pick a pearl in Japan gift shop is a nice experience... I did that with my DD many years ago.

If she is into animals perhaps dinner at Boma at AKL and a tour of the resort to see the animals? I have only had breakfast there and it was very good.

Sci-Fi to eat in a car in the drive in?

 

[glocon]

Or maybe do a dessert party for a fireworks show?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Beaches and Cream with the Kitchen Sink.

 

[Aliceacc]

I second the idea of the dessert party, if she can stay awake that late.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would take her to tea at the Grand. If you time it right you can her her participate in the Princess Parade, however even if not, at 3PM the Grand Pianist plays in the lobby. It is so sweet to watch the little Princesses dancing in teh Ballroom.

If the Tea is not something she woudl like, how about the Grand Floridian Cafe? It is so pretty and airy, and just what a young Princess might like. It also is not too pricy, so for me that is a bonus. Also, if you really want to gild the lily, maybe take her to the Ivy Trellis in the Grand for a little Princess do. The stylists are licensed and can do her hair to suit her, rather than the styles the the godmothers in training can do at BBB. I find the price to be very reasonable, and the experience to be memorable.

 

[NYCgrrl]

OK...she might like Tokyo Dining for a special dinner with mom. The setting is certainly not an everyday experience and it's not so formal that it makes a difference how you dress besides neatly.
Whether you can time it as late as the firework display is in your knowledge bank but children loveeeeeeeee wandering around the Japanese department store at the Pavilion thereafter.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Here is another vote for tea at the Grand Floridian. They also have on at Beach Club if the Grand Floridan is all booked up. I also like dinner at Be Our Guest or maybe even Coral Reef in Epcot (dining inside an aquarium although I have read mixed reviews on the food). Also the Beaches and Creme suggestion is good. They have a mini kitchen sink ice cream option and you get to keep the little container [a mickey mouse style kitchen sink container]

 

[Aliceacc]

There's always Be Our Guest. You can skip meeting the Beast.

 

[Hopefully]

Here is another vote for tea at the Grand Floridian. They also have on at Beach Club if the Grand Floridan is all booked up. I also like dinner at Be Our Guest or maybe even Coral Reef in Epcot (dining inside an aquarium although I have read mixed reviews on the food). Also the Beaches and Creme suggestion is good. They have a mini kitchen sink ice cream option and you get to keep the little container [a mickey mouse style kitchen sink container]

Beach Club hasn’t had tea in a couple of years.
OP stated they did Coral Reef and her daughter was over aquarium in five minutes.

OP I like the idea of the Grand Floridian Cafe.

 

[Shanti]

I want to find something special that my daughter, 4 years old, will remember on her special trip with me. I have multiple kids so getting to spend one on one time at Disney is such a blessing. She requested Kona for breakfast (duh mom, Tonga toast) but I want ONE standout for dinner. I don't want character meals though. Weird I know, but she's so shy she just doesn't appreciate them much. I can do it at the parks or resorts, or even disney springs. And no rainforest cafe or T-rex. I'm pretty inexperienced with most other restaurants aside from characters and quick service. We did Coral Reef once but she was over the aquarium in about 5 minutes. Thanks for your input!

I recommend Be Our Guest and just not meeting the Beast. I'm sure plenty of shy kids skip him, and she'll probably be dazzled by the theming of the castle. That's my top recommendation by far.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse is a very nice meal and elegant (yet still child-friendly) if she's the kind of little girl to appreciate those things.

Or on the other end of the style spectrum, if she enjoys shows, you could go to Hoop Dee Doo Revue. She's a bit young to understand most of the humor, though.

 

[meagarunt22]

I tried BOG. Of course no reservations open. But I will look up yachtsman for sure!

 

[meagarunt22]

So many good ideas! Rose and Crown is definitely intriguing and I have never been to Cali Grill but have always wanted to go. Thanks everyone! I will be looking up all your suggestions.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

I just asked my DD (age 6) where she enjoys that isn't a character meal. Our trips are almost always just the two of us. She said she likes Be Our Guest, Grand Floridian Cafe, and Sanaa.

 

[Lisa F]

my son loves california grill. He has always been spoiled there and now he always requests two signatures per trip... one CA Grill and one "Try something new". I like to go right when they open at 5pm, service is more relaxed and the restaurant isn't loud yet. It's a nice grownup meal that you can do with your little one. It's a tradition now!

 

[meagarunt22]

Not dinner but pick a pearl in Japan gift shop is a nice experience... I did that with my DD many years ago.

If she is into animals perhaps dinner at Boma at AKL and a tour of the resort to see the animals? I have only had breakfast there and it was very good.

Sci-Fi to eat in a car in the drive in?

Of the restaurants in AKL, would Boma be your recommendation? I have also heard great things about Sanaa. She's not an adventurous eater so I will have to look up the menus.