Help! Need suggestions for theme dining

[DKM]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and it is also mine and my Family's first time going to Disney world. Our trip is scheduled for January of '07. I am an insane planner and I always like researching everything so that we can get all we can out of our vacation. I must say this forum is awesome. My wife and I have been reading it for awhile and I have finally decided to post. Anyhow...

I would love some suggestions on themed dining experiences. Traveling in my family is myself, my wife, & our two daughters who will be ages 6 and 3 1/2 at the time we arrive. I know the girls want to see Cinderella's castle and have that dining experience. They are really into the whole princess thing. Could anyone help me out with some other themed experiences? Maybe some of you have had some experience with kids this age and what they liked or didnt like. Granted, I am just as excited as they are to experience disneyworld but, really this trip is for them! just an fyi also, My brother in law, sis in law and their 4 children (ages 6-12, their boy is the youngest in that crew and then three sisters) will be going too. We have what they call a "magical gathering" booked-maybe someone will have a suggestion for a fun dining experience both families can enjoy.....

Thanks in advance

Patrick

 

[pdchris]

Altho it isn't "themed" dining, if you going to MGM you may wish to consider their Fantasmic Dinner Package. It doesn't cost extra but what it does do is give you a special entrance to the Fantasmic light show. Instead of waiting in line or getting to the entrance to the show 30-45 minutes earlier, you can stroll in through the special entrance 15 or so minutes before the show and take a seat.

 

[TikiGoddess]

I was going to say that we really enjoyed Prime Time at MGM. The food was good and the theming was great...the older kids should really enjoy it. Also Crystal Palace is great for younger kids. We did it and our boys loved it (Winnie the Pooh and Friends). They even got to be in the Hip Hip Hooray for a Pooh Bear parade around the restaurant which they loved. Breakfast there was also really good.

 

[tjmouse]

There is one meal especially for Magical Gatherings. It's at Tony's at MK. Here is more:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/magath.htm#4
You will see characters as well, with Mickey.

Definately do Cinderella breakfast in the castle or Princess breakfast in Norway.

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a neat place to eat with stick horse races for the kids and great milkshakes (Wilderness Lodge)

The Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Polynesian

Hoop De Doo Review at Ft. Wilderness

'Ohana at the Polynesian

1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian

Cape May Cafe at Beach Club for an oyster buffet

All these can be found here:

http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

Hope that helps!

 

[TTA Deb]

DKM, WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD! While visiting MGM Studios, try Sci-fi Dine-in Theatre. Bet the kids would get a kick out of eating in a convertible and watching the movie screen.
In Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney, if you'd enjoy eating in a "jungle," try Rainforest Cafe.
Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom is a great place to get autographs and pictures of the kids with Pooh and his friends!
Wishing you a magical trip!!!

 

[5disneyfreaks]

I have to say I am surprised that no one has said Chef Mickey yet. We had so much fun. It is an idea.

 

[sschro3]

We went September 2005 with 3 girls(7,6,5) and 1 boy(3). We only tried 2 character meals....Dinner at Chef Mickey's and Princess Breakfast at Epcot. Both were a great opportunity to get pics and autographs. Princess Breakfast was very calm while Chef Mickey's was wild (in a good way) the characters were dancing and waving napkins around. We ate at the 50's Prime Time Cafe at MGM and our kids thought it was pretty cool, but disappointed they were not told to keep their elbows off the table or told to eat all their veggies....our waitress was kinda a dud.

 

[crisi]

At that age, my kids really enjoyed Biergarden in German - an Oktobertfest celebration and a restaurant that is indoors, but makes you feel like you are eating in a German square. San Angel Inn has the same feeling - you feel like you are eating on a patio overlooking a lagoon. The kids thought the volcano was impressive at that age. We haven't taken them to Coral Reef because my husband doesn't eat fish - and I use my "indulge me" credits at Flying Fish, but that is another restaurant that entraces children.

 

[DKM]

Great! Thank you all so much for all of the information!! These forums are so incredibly helpful, especially for a newbie like myself! We are going to check out some of your suggestions and figure out what we want to do. Cinderella is a must from what I understand, I would imagine the girls want to do the princess one too. How is the Hoop De doo show? We were thinking of maybe taking the whole group there? Will kids under 10 enjoy it?

A couple of you mentioned the Crystal Palace. What exactly is that?

 

[5disneyfreaks]

If your kids like Pooh, then they should like Crystal Palace. It is a buffet with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore. We had a great time there. In fact, we are going to be at WDW for my DD 13th birthday, and that's where she wants to have her birthday dinner. We went for breakfast last year and will be trying the dinner this year.
I hope this helps.

 

[kcashner]

Another thought is Coral Reef where you can watch the fish while you eat. Liberty Tree Tavern is a great Character meal with Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, chip and Dale.

Many other suggestions are great, so I won't repeat them.

 

[Disney_Mama]

We went last week and did the Hoop Dee Doo at Fort Wilderness. There are no characters there but the show was a hit with all of us. DD's 10 and 6. Loved it. We also did Donalds Breakfastsouras (something like that) at Animal Kingdom. The food was OK but the character interaction was very poor. We did Coral Reef last year. Pricy but the kids loved it.

 

[hockeybabe]

Welcome to the DIS!

Another vote for Biergarten in Epcot, it is fun, just make sure there is a show playing during the time you are there.

Whispering Canyon at WL is fun, too! When you think you'd like more opinions on specific restaurants, do a search for a thread with that topic, and you will get plenty of info. Enjoy!

 

[Reese]

I think our favorite meal was breakfast at the Crystal Palace. Even our oldest two 13 and 8 enjoyed the character interaction. The food is also very good. It was also a bonus to book early and get into the park before it opens. You can get some great shots in front of the castle without all the people in the way.