Opinons for a three year old...

[MissMet]

Where would you take your three year old son for his birthday dinner? I want it to feel special for him. I guess I'm looking for the best restaurant that will make a big to do over him. I understand it's dependent on the staff that day, but what have been your positive birthday dinner experiences? Any standouts? Not stuck on character dinning as, he was afraid of them last trip.

Thanks!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would consider Whispering Canyon. Ask for ketchup.

 

[disneyvoice]

For a little guy I would recommend Garden Grill or Chef Mickey's. We did birthdays at both when our son was between 2-5 and he loved both of them. I do tend to think that Garden Grill might be a bit better if you want the characters and staff to make a big fuss over him. It isn't as crowded and I think the characters are able to spend more time at each table. But in terms of atmosphere - Chef Mickey's is really fun, it's kind of a "party" theme to begin with. Both have food little ones will enjoy but Chef Mickey's will have a wider variety for him to choose from since it is a buffet. My son was always happy with the desserts at the buffet or the dessert at the end of the meal at Garden Grill, but I did once order one of the pre-made cakes for my mom's birthday at Garden Grill (she had a GREAT time there for her birthday as well).

Oh, wait I just saw that your son was afraid of the characters! Garden Grill was the first place we took our son to when he saw the characters - he was just a baby. The CM asked if he had ever seen them before and when we told her no, she send Chip and Dale over to approach him very cautiously and then to spend some time with him when he seemed interested. They were SO good with him and I believe that is why he has had a lifelong love of the characters! If he seems better with the characters this trip you could let the CM at any restaurant with characters know that he has been afraid in the past and ask if they could approach him cautiously to make sure he will be okay. The characters are usually very good with kids who might be a bit hesitant about them.

 

[Marthasor]

I would consider O'hana. It's really fun! They have live music, the limbo, coconut races and they acknowledge all special occasions so at least his birthday would be recognized.

 

[Mrspeaks]

Mickey's backyard BBQ. They announce birthdays. My kids love dancing with the characters!

 

[got15]

i agree w/ Previous Poster- if you want to ease into a character meal- Garden Grill is most definitely the place! Its not overwhelming (due to the restaurant layout) and the characters are quite wonderful and so is the interaction. We have never had a bad time there- and they do make birthdays wonderful. Additionally, we have had great birthdays at Whispering Canyon (our 3 year old loves doing the stick pony races and running to deliver ketchup). If you want something at MK- Crystal Palace (also characters) has always made a big deal about birthdays . Our kiddos LOVE Chef Mickeys- but both birthday experience and food has been meh .

 

[carlypaigesmom]

I agree with Ohana or whispering canyon

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

50s Prime Time or Whispering Canyon Cafe.

If he likes dinosaurs, T-Rex, but that might be overwhelming for a toddler.

 

[MissMet]

Thanks guys!

Our trip isn't until Oct. We're headed on a DCL cruise in two months so we could test him if he's gotten any better with characters but our ADR window opens before our cruise.

Maybe we'll go with a non-character meal for his birthday, which is the beginning of our trip, but schedule Garden Grill for the end of our trip so he's had a lot of time to see the characters from afar too.