Help me plan this

[Clifton Tesh]

The one and only time I've been to WDW was in April for my honeymoon. It was just me and the wife, so we got to eat at adultsy places.

Well, I loved it so much that I'm going back. I'm taking my little girl for her 10th birthday in January.

She went to Disney with grandma and grandpa when she was 3, almost 4, years old. She obviously doesn't remember much and I'm sure she didn't even care what restaurant she ate at as long as it had PB&J.

One of the definite must is CRT, I'm thinking this is going to be breakfast. We are also doing BoG (her favorite princess before Frozen was Belle), I'm thinking for dinner.

Is there somewhere she can dine with Elsa and Anna?

Is Crystal Palace the only place to meet Winnie the Pooh characters?

Besides HDD, where else can we eat dinner/lunch that has a show? (I'm definitely going to BierGarten again)

Is Rainforest really as bad as people make it out to be? Would it be worth taking a 9/10 year old there for the animatronics? If so, is the one at DS better than the one at AK or vice versa?

I'm going to have at minimum the regular dining plan and I'm staying away from 2 credit meals because I felt it was a rip off the last time. CRT will be paid out of pocket.

Any ideas on making a 10 year old girls birthday as magical as possible are welcomed

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Is there somewhere she can dine with Elsa and Anna?
. . . no

Is Crystal Palace the only place to meet Winnie the Pooh characters?
. . . 1900 Park Fare breakfast at GF

Besides HDD, where else can we eat dinner/lunch that has a show? (I'm definitely going to BierGarten again)
. . . Luau at Poly
. . . Mickey BBQ at FW
. . . Raglan Road at DS
. . . Sunday Gospel Lunch at House of Blues

Is Rainforest really as bad as people make it out to be? Would it be worth taking a 9/10 year old there for the animatronics? If so, is the one at DS better than the one at AK or vice versa?
. . . both are about the same
. . . the animatronics are entertaining, but not spectacular
. . . the place is LOUD

I'm going to have at minimum the regular dining plan and I'm staying away from 2 credit meals because I felt it was a rip off the last time. CRT will be paid out of pocket.
. . . CRT as OOP is better than using DDP

 

[Parker Clan]

Is Rainforest really as bad as people make it out to be? Would it be worth taking a 9/10 year old there for the animatronics? If so, is the one at DS better than the one at AK or vice versa?

We had a good experience there & most definitely like the Animal Kingdom one better!

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

As far as Rainforest Cafe goes, we had a good meal there. It's not anyplace that I really care to return to, but it was ok. I think a child would enjoy it.
Tusker House also has character dining for breakfast, but it's not Pooh characters. It has Micky, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy.
Other considerations for the entertainment value would be: The Sci-Fi at Disney Hollywood. The place is fixed up to look like a drive-in movie from the 1950's or 60's. Your table looks like a car and they play old B movie clips on a drive in movie screen while you eat. There is also 50's Prime time Cafe. It is also a little on the noisy side, but the food is really good. The place is set up to look like your Mom's house from the 1950's. We go there on every visit.
Lastly would be Coral Reef. This place gets a lot of mixed reviews, but we like it. I would first check out the children's menu. The children enjoy the huge aquarium that is visible from anywhere in the restaurant. You are able to watch the sharks, fish and sea turtles swim as you eat your meal.
These are all places with some entertainment value.

 

[Malibustyle23]

Is Crystal Palace the only place to meet Winnie the Pooh characters?
. . . 1900 Park Fare breakfast at GF

If you are going just for the characters I would choose Crystal Palace. The ambiance is much better, there are Pooh themed decorations and we usually have seen Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet while dining here.

While I loved 1900 PF breakfast and I am not a breakfast person I found it odd the characters that visited us there. Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter (we had someone else?), Pooh and Eeyore are generally on the roster there. It's just very random selection of let's throw these guys together here. It may of been only on our trip but 1900 characters seemed rushed and slightly inconvenienced while CP always seem to be organized and spend plenty of time with us even making second rounds.

BOG is a beautiful experience but Belle isn't there. I haven't researched if this has changed but when we took our dd for her birthday in 2013 we dined at Akershaus in Epcot. Belle greeted us in her yellow ball gown for a picture with us before we were seated for dinner. Other characters came around to our table during our meal.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

If you are going just for the characters I would choose Crystal Palace. The ambiance is much better, there are Pooh themed decorations and we usually have seen Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet while dining here.

While I loved 1900 PF breakfast and I am not a breakfast person I found it odd the characters that visited us there. Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter (we had someone else?), Pooh and Eeyore are generally on the roster there. It's just very random selection of let's throw these guys together here. It may of been only on our trip but 1900 characters seemed rushed and slightly inconvenienced while CP always seem to be organized and spend plenty of time with us even making second rounds.

BOG is a beautiful experience but Belle isn't there. I haven't researched if this has changed but when we took our dd for her birthday in 2013 we dined at Akershaus in Epcot. Belle greeted us in her yellow ball gown for a picture with us before we were seated for dinner. Other characters came around to our table during our meal.

Akershus is where my dad said they took her to meet belle in 2010.

I just couldn't imagine belle not being at BoG

I will have to check on that and possibly schedule a meal at akershus.

 

[CCxmas]

Akershus is where my dad said they took her to meet belle in 2010.

I just couldn't imagine belle not being at BoG

I will have to check on that and possibly schedule a meal at akershus.

Beast is a BoG for DINNER only and according to Disney it is not guaranteed that he will even be there for Dinner. He was available when we went for dinner early December last year. Belle is at Akershus in Epcot. Not sure what other characters are available at that meal. I have been unable to get an Akershus for our trip this Nov/Dec. I'm guessing that it is because of the new Frozen ride opening this month. Also holding out hope that maybe it will have an option for the Candlelight Processional this year that has yet to be released.

 

[Chrelaine]

BOG is a beautiful experience but Belle isn't there. I haven't researched if this has changed but when we took our dd for her birthday in 2013 we dined at Akershaus in Epcot. Belle greeted us in her yellow ball gown for a picture with us before we were seated for dinner. Other characters came around to our table during our meal.

No Belle at BOG, just the Beast at dinner. When we went to Akershus for breakfast in May 2015, we met Belle for photos before the meal and Snow White, Ariel, Cinderella, and Aurora came to the tables during the meal.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Is Crystal Palace the only place to meet Winnie the Pooh characters?
. . . 1900 Park Fare breakfast at GF

Besides HDD, where else can we eat dinner/lunch that has a show? (I'm definitely going to BierGarten again)
. . . Luau at Poly
. . . Mickey BBQ at FW
. . . Raglan Road at DS
. . . Sunday Gospel Lunch at House of Blues

Did not know Raglan Road has dancing! I had to Google it after you mentioned it. The scottsman in me is going to love that and I believe my daughter will too! Thanks for mentioning it.

I'll have to check into the Luau, that could be interesting.

And I'm a huge gospel music fan, I would probably love the gospel lunch. It might bore the little misses but daddy needs to have fun too.

As for 1900 park fare, it sounds fancy and fancy isn't me. I felt awkward and out of place at Le Cellier, couldn't imagine me anywhere near anything at the GF. But I'm glad to know there's another place that Pooh characters show.

 

[Malibustyle23]

As for 1900 park fare, it sounds fancy and fancy isn't me. I felt awkward and out of place at Le Cellier, couldn't imagine me anywhere near anything at the GF. But I'm glad to know there's another place that Pooh characters show.

While the resort is beautiful I can guarantee you that 1900 park fare is not fancy at all. If the menu and the characters entice you don't let that cause you apprehension. It's a buffet restaurant with characters, kids, noise and a lot of strangers close to each other in park attire.

 

[Her Dotness]

As for 1900 park fare, it sounds fancy and fancy isn't me. I felt awkward and out of place at Le Cellier, couldn't imagine me anywhere near anything at the GF. But I'm glad to know there's another place that Pooh characters show.

Naw, 1900 PF is pretty much your standard character meal atmosphere.

I know the GF intimidates lots of people, but breakfast and dinner at 1900 PF are as kid and family friendly along with non-GF-elegant as there is outside of the QS at Gaspy's (Gasparilla Grill).

We love the GF so possibly my opinion won't sway you since Le Cellier was outside your comfort zone. However, as mobbed as 1900 PF is with families, it's pretty different from other GF TS eateries.

As old as your daughter is, she might enjoy dinner more at 1900 PF. Characters are Cinderella and the Prince, Lady Tremaine and the Wicked Stepsisters. The Wickeds are an absolute riot!!! You would have a great time yourself egging them on as we do.

DH told Anastasia she looked rather like Jessica Rabbit. She promptly held up her "front paws" rabbit-like and twitched her nose while screeching to Drizella nearby, "Sister, HE said I look like a RABBIT!"

We were laughing so hard we could scarcely eat!

 

[Clifton Tesh]

While the resort is beautiful I can guarantee you that 1900 park fare is not fancy at all. If the menu and the characters entice you don't let that cause you apprehension. It's a buffet restaurant with characters, kids, noise and a lot of strangers close to each other in park attire.

Naw, 1900 PF is pretty much your standard character meal atmosphere.

I know the GF intimidates lots of people, but breakfast and dinner at 1900 PF are as kid and family friendly along with non-GF-elegant as there is outside of the QS at Gaspy's (Gasparilla Grill).

We love the GF so possibly my opinion won't sway you since Le Cellier was outside your comfort zone. However, as mobbed as 1900 PF is with families, it's pretty different from other GF TS eateries.

As old as your daughter is, she might enjoy dinner more at 1900 PF. Characters are Cinderella and the Prince, Lady Tremaine and the Wicked Stepsisters. The Wickeds are an absolute riot!!! You would have a great time yourself egging them on as we do.

DH told Anastasia she looked rather like Jessica Rabbit. She promptly held up her "front paws" rabbit-like and twitched her nose while screeching to Drizella nearby, "Sister, HE said I look like a RABBIT!"

We were laughing so hard we could scarcely eat!

I've heard about the step sisters and how fun they are. Thanks for the info, maybe we will give it a try!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Did not know Raglan Road has dancing! I had to Google it after you mentioned it. The scottsman in me is going to love that and I believe my daughter will too! Thanks for mentioning it.

1) Glad we could help.
2) TrustTheScupper.

 

[mommycrawford]

Since your daughter loves Belle, be sure to do "Enchanted Tales with Belle" in MK!...she can meet Belle and possibly participate in a storytelling! Be sure to stop at Guest Services on Main Street for her to get and wear a birthday button, as I am sure it will help her get chosen to participate, and get her some special attention!

I think 1900 Park Faire breakfast might be a great breakfast choice for a 10 year old because she can have conversations with face characters like Alice and Mary Poppins (occasionally Belle in blue pinafore,) and still see Tigger and Pooh.