Mommy and Me dining ideas needed

[mermster]

I am planning a "Mommy and Me" trip in July. I am looking for fun, girly dining ideas. My daughter will be 9 at the time. (I am already thinking we'll do the afternoon tea at GF.)
Thanks!

 

[jemgumby]

If your budget allows Cinderella's Royal Table. That would definitely be girly for sure!!! Also my DD 9 LOVES Coral Reef. She loves to watch all the fish while we eat. Hmmmmm, Beaches and Cream would be fun too!

 

[aristocatz]

Definitely afternoon tea at the GF-they serve little sandwiches too!

How about the princess meal at Akershus (sp?) in Norway/Epcot?

 

[EeyoreEma]

What about 1900 Park Fare for dinner?

 

[mermster]

LOVE all the ideas so far!!
Thanks and feel free to add more

 

[emmabemmainc]

I did a Mommy and Me trip last year with my daughter--I will tell you that her favorites were(she will be 9 next in March):
CRT--we went for lunch and it was a wonderful experience!
Coral Reef--not my fave, but it's on her list of must dos!
HDDR--I know--not super girly, but she loved it.
'Ohana--loved the food and the interaction (races and lessons)
Norway--princesses are always good!
50's PT--again, good food and she loved the silliness of the wait staff!

Have fun! We're going to try and go back this fall--I can't wait!

 

[mermster]

We have never been to Coral Reef, so I think we'll definitely have to try that! Have always wondered about HDDR - I only hear great things about it, but have never been quite sure about it, I don't know why!!
Last time she was at Norway princess meal she was only 2, so I think we'll have to go back there too!

BTW: This is going to be a total surprise trip for her. I am even toying with not making ADRs and letting her pick where she wants to eat while we're on the plane ride down... But I think I'm a little too OCD for that. I'm trying to be more "loose" with this trip (I am a definite over planner), but that might just be too "loose" for me
Anyone have opinions they would like to share?

emmabemmainc: My daughter will be 9 this March also (and her name is Emma)

 

[emmabemmainc]

Wow--isn't that funny???!!! See--we were ahead of the game--we named our Emma's before the hype!!

I think it's so cool that it's going to be a surprise, and I think she could make some choices, but I think you should makes some ADRs for the ones that are harder to get into.
You could always just casually bring up wanting to go down there and ask her what kinds of things she might like to do--you could go online and say, "Wouldn't that be fun?"--or would you rather meet Pooh and friends or Snow White? Stuff like that--that way you'd have her input without her knowing anything definite.
I'm so OCD--I'm already planning our fall trip and asking my daughter daily where she wants to go. LOL!

My Emma's b-day is on the 24th--so if they have the same birthday, it would be even crazier!

 

[jemgumby]

My DD 9 also loved Prime Time too. I know not really girly but as another poster said the kids like the servers being silly and "getting on" to the parents! She also loved Ohanas breakfast! Also I have never eaten at The Plaza in MK but it looks so charming and they have the Mickey Mouse sundaes!!! Just looking at pics of the decor makes me want to eat there and I have read alot of good reviews. She might enjoy that too!

 

[ShannonMB]

Aww, I'm hoping that our Nov trip is just my 9 year old daughter and me, too. But we usually get stragglers. On our last trip a couple months ago, my DD loved 1900 Park Fare and 50s PTC. At 50's, she especially loved that our waitress gave us "homework" - we had to try to name all 17 Disney movies with one-word titles. It was a hoot! DD also LOVES TRex cafe -- not very girly, but it's become a must-do for us and we always have to make a dino, which we give a Disney name to. So far we have a Tink and a Minnie.

FYI, if you haven't ever done it, take her to pick a pearl in Japan. This is one of DD's absolute favorite activities in all of WDW!!

Have a great time with your precious girl!!!

 

[flipflopmom]

Definitely make ADRs for July! If she still likes princesses, CRT, Akershus, 1900 Park Fare. That one would be fun for breakfast, too. Grand Floridian cafe has that elegance feel to it. Crystal Palace is also light and airy. Chef's de France? If you feel ok with the food, Marakeesh is gorgeous inside, and she can dance with the bellydancer!

 

[mommyoftwinz]

I would try to book CRT, I don't think there's anything more magical than eating in Cinderella's castle! Plus, I would definitely try to book this one as early as you can, it's the hardest to get. Coral Reef you can probably just walk up to and get in that day. Have you thought about maybe a spa day, my girl is too young but when she gets older I'd love to do that with her. Have fun!

 

[itchin2go]

As the PPs said, make ADRs! If your daughter has other ideas once you get there, try to roll with the punches, but definitely have the ADRs in place.

If I were doing a girls only trip, I would definitely book CRT. However, if your daughter was 2 the last time you were in Akershus, it would be fun to compare the pictures of then vs. now.

I think Sci Fi would be fun with just the 2 of you. It's not necessarily girly, but sipping milkshakes in a car would be fun.

I think Beaches and Cream is a great idea too.

These aren't restaurant ideas, but you could also get henna tattoos in Epcot. My daughter did this on our last trip (on her ankle), and it was so cute. It took the lady like, just a few seconds, and the thing lasted for weeks. You could also get manicures in one of the salons - GF and Beach Club have them, I think.

Have fun!

 

[fairestoneofall]

My eight-year-old is not into princesses. However, she loves dinner at 1900 Park Fare (the stepsisters make her laugh). She also likes Crystal Palace and Biergarten. Those are her must-dos and where she says we "have" to eat when we visit.

 

[emmabemmainc]

Even though I was a contributor on this thread, I have to say that you guys gave some wonderful ideas! I had no idea about the henna tattoos--we will definitely be getting those when we go this year! I knew about the pearls, but I know my daughter would love that too.

Also--to the OP--there are various stands around (we found one by Aladdin's ride a few years ago and in POP last year)--that will do the multicolored braid in your dd's hair. It lasted forever (I wanted to take it out long before she let me!)--and my dd LOVED it!
Oh--also check out the candy lady in Epcot (can't remember her name now)--always a favorite!

 

[MichelleVW]

I would try to book CRT, I don't think there's anything more magical than eating in Cinderella's castle! Plus, I would definitely try to book this one as early as you can, it's the hardest to get. Coral Reef you can probably just walk up to and get in that day. Have you thought about maybe a spa day, my girl is too young but when she gets older I'd love to do that with her. Have fun!

I wouldn't count on walking up to Coral Reef in July, actually I wouldn't count on walking up to any of the in park restaurants in July!

 

[itchin2go]

Oh--also check out the candy lady in Epcot (can't remember her name now)--always a favorite!

Miyuki We read about her on the DIS and caught the tail end of a show last trip -- just amazing.

You could also get a mommy and me caricature done at one of the resorts. We had my daughter's done at WL on our first trip. It's one of my favorite souvenirs. They put her face on a cute mermaid body.

 

[wideeyes]

I did Cinderella happily ever after at 1900 park fare and Princess story book with my DD who was almost 8 and they would good fun.

My DD also enjoyed a more grown up meal at Yachtsman Steakhouse & Le Cellier.

 

[koolaidmoms]

How about something a little bit more "grown-up" too for a dinner. We did a meal with DD (9) where she got to dress up a bit - polo shirt dress with dressy sandals and took her to dinner at California Grill to see Wishes. Just something a bit more special for a dinner.

 

[2Tiggies]

How about something a little bit more "grown-up" too for a dinner. We did a meal with DD (9) where she got to dress up a bit - polo shirt dress with dressy sandals and took her to dinner at California Grill to see Wishes. Just something a bit more special for a dinner.

That's EXACTLY what I was going to suggest. All our trips are Mommy and Me because it's just us in our little family unit. My DD will be 8 on our next trip and I am considering Cali Grill. Thought about taking her to BBB at MK in the morning. She won't want the dress, shoes, etc, but she does love getting hair and make up done. Then I thought I would dress her nicely, but comfortably and take her to CG. Still not sure if it would be better to wait for her to turn 9, but the OPs daughter is, IMO, a great age to really enjoy the novelty of a "grown up" dinner.