Shy kids birthday dinner

[mama4]

My son is turning 7 during our trip in January. I want to celebrate his birthday with a special meal but out of all my kiddos, he's the only one who doesn't enjoy the characters. He likes them from afar, but gets shy and anxious when they come to the table. He does better with the calmer characters, such as Pooh and gang at CP but still was pretty reserved. He doesn't cry and flip out, he just hides behind us, won't interact...that kind of thing. I've considered dinner shows but if the noise level is too much he probably wouldn't love that either...and he definitely wouldn't enjoy being called up for audience participation. I'm trying to find a place that is interesting and fun to kids but not as interactive or at least a little more low key. He really enjoyed our meals at T-Rex, Rainforest (the 2nd time) and Sci-Fi. I'm just hesitant to go to DTD and really didn't want a repeat.He alo LOVES buffets..especially with dessert buffets Other ideas I've had are Whispering Canyon, 50's Primetime, California Grill (view of castle?), Garden Grill (rotating restaurant and I think he'd like that the food is grown there). I think he'd love the food at Hoop de doo (esp the strawberry shortcake) but I think the noise will put him off. Anyone have other suggestions or input? To try to sum up my description of him...he's somewhat shy/timid but on the verge of overcoming this. He enoys fun and entertainment but doesn't like to be surprised and in the spotlight. Thanks for any help you can give me

 

[The Hendies]

I feel for you! One of our son's wasn't necessarily shy, but he just hated having attention drawn to himself! Sci Fi has kind of a neat drive-in feel interior with some old film previews showing on the "Big Screen". The food is sort of basic, and some people aren't impressed, but we like it and try to eat there every trip.

Hope his birthday is special!

 

[hellokittiemama]

Does he know about the trip? If he does - what about asking him where he would like to eat/go/do. I'd probably pick a few choices and have him choose in between them to make it less of an overwhelming choice. Its his day so let him be the king of the castle and pick where he wants to go.

Maybe he'd like to do a pirate & pals excursion or a fireworks cruise or something like that?

If he likes desserts what about the desserts MK fireworks buffet/viewing?

 

[jennyleettu]

I agree if he knows about the trip then I would ask him what he would like to eat... one of the things that was suggested when I asked about my daughters birthday the MK wishes dessert was suggested...it sounds like fun just not sure if she would eat the food or stick with just the desserts! LOL!! It's a Tomorrowland Noodle Factory. It's one of the things that is still being tossed around on our list.

The other thing I thought of was picking some place with his favorite kind of food and ordering a special birthday cake.

 

[mommycrawford]

I know he is a boy, but perhaps 1900 Park Faire would work....Face characters only: Cinderella, the Prince, the step family, and most importantly...A DESSERT BAR (buffet dinner!) The step sisters can be annimated, but there are many handlers at the restauraunt, and I am sure you could easily have them not harass him!

O'hana dinner has games/hula/limbo, for those who want to participate, but you do not have to.

If you want strictly a nice buffet, perhaps Cape May Dinner, at the Beach Club would be good...lots of children enjoy the independence of going up to get their food, make choices, etc, and they have a clean, nautical atmosphere with a great dessert bar!

BTW...if you think he'd be interested in Garden Grill because the food is grown on site, you should probably look into the "Behind the Seeds" tour in the land pavillion...he would tour the green houses where the stuff is grown. It is not a pricey tour, and you can get a discount on it with a Disney Visa card!

TOTALLY FORGOT...maybe BOMA at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!...Big, varied buffet, themed like an African marketplace, and you can go view animals on the Savannahs out back of the lobby! There are displays of African artwork in the lobby, and story telling around a fire pit in the evening.

 

[Tricia1972]

I was going to suggest Boma as well! The AKL is very pretty with lots of dark woods and African prints. Our boys (7&4) have about 75 pictures of the carpet alone! The dessert part is great for dinner and afterwards you can go check out the animals. They even have night vision viewing of the animals, which would be pretty special and neat for him.

I would personally avoid ordering a special cake if he's shy and doesn't like attention drawn to him. Even if just one server brings the cake, it's bound to draw the attention of those at nearby tables and well meaning neighbors might inadvertently embarrass him.

 

[mama4]

Thanks for the great ideas!

The Hendies, we really liked Sci Fi as well and it has been a while since we went so this is definitely on my list. Even if not for his bday dinner.

hellokittiemama and jennyleettu, he doesnt know about the trip but I have been a little sneaky and hinting that I need a suggestion for a good place for a "friend" to take her son for a birthday dinner. He just didn't really have any suggestions...you'd think he's never been to Disney before The only restaurant he remembered was T-Rex Cafe. Now, I did consider a Pirate Cruise but we're going in January so I think it might be too cold on the boat for us (wimpy Floridians). I did NOT think about the Wishes Dessert buffet though. That is an awesome idea and I'll check into it.

 

[mama4]

mommycrawford & Tricia1972, Thanks so much. Boma's a great idea and he loves animals. I think I have a ressie there. Will have to dbl check. Will they do a birthday cake? He doesn't mind the attention from that(guess the promise of sugar offsets the fear of attention?) he just doesn't want the attention to continue for long. He wants to know it will end He even did the CP parade once after watching it once or twice. Just no lingering characters or getting up on stage.
Also good ideas abot the Cape May and 1900 PF. I had a ressie at PF and cancelled it- it was more for dd but I thought Akershus might be better since it was IN a park. Cape May is seafood, right? The boys both love seafood and it might be a good idea to do a simple, character-free dinner. You guys have really helped me narrow down a bit. Thanks so much. Now maybe availability will be my final deciding factor!