Suggestions for special dinner please

[MJ6987]

Hi,
We are planning our trip (2 weeks) in Feb 09 and I would like suggestions for a "special" dinner. The background is that my wife and I are going with our two girls (6 / 9) but my mum and dad (their grandparents) are joining us for the second week - the girls don't know this. The day that they are due to arrive I would like to arrange a nice meal somewhere for the 6 of us. I am also planning for the girls to have a BB Boutique makeover earlier in the day so that they can also "surprise" my parents with that as well! So, somewhere that we can have some family catching up and the girls can show off their new look. Can be Disney or non-Disney.

Given that they will be arriving mid afternoon following a long flight from the UK we want somewhere easy to get to (we will have a hire car though) - e.g. we will probably want to avoid the hassle of getting in / out of a theme park. We will be staying at Regal Sun Resort (right by Downtown Disney).

Also bear in mind that we are already planning the following on other days: Crystal Palace (breakfast), 1900 Park Fare, Boma, Whispering Canyon Cafe (lunch), Chef Mickeys, 50's Prime Time, Holloywood & Vine, Rose and Crown, House of Blues.

Bearing in mind that I have not been to FL before, things I had thought about (based on research) are: Rainforest Cafe at DTD (but worried about the wait - can you make reservations? Even earlier in the day?), Bahama Breeze, Whispering Canyon (as I believe that dinner is "more fun" than the lunch we were already planning?).

Thanks All,
Matthew

 

[Poppins2000]

Matthew,

You might want to try a dinner show like the Hoop-De-Do-Revue over at Ft. Wilderness or the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian. All the children we have traveled with (nephews under 12) enjoyed both shows immensely (Hoop De Do was their favorite!).

We all also enjoyed Jiko - The Cooking place at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's expensive but the food was outstanding and kids enjoyed it as well.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

You may try Ohana for dinner,or 1900 Park Fare for Dinner Cinderella will be there, Or Coral Reef.

 

[Northern_Julie]

With the girls dressed up I would second 1900 Park Fair.

 

[christa112]

Where are they girls doing the BBB? There is one right inside Cindy's castle now and you could do that there and then do the Royal Table. I would think that would be very special for both your girls and your parents.

 

[Katiebell]

With the girls dressed up from their makeovers, you will want some place where they can enjoy that "princessy" feeling and you can get really cute pictures -- I totally agree with 1900 Park Fare (Cinderella, Prince, Stepmother and Stepsisters are the typical characters there). You might also consider Akershus in Epcot -- a meal with the princesses, great picture opportunities. The menu for lunch and dinner is a little distinctive, Norwegian style food, but there have also been some recent menu changes -- check out the menus online and see if your family would enjoy them.

CRT is of course the number one "princess" option, but I've heard the food isn't spectacular. Of course, it's the location that's important. The meals are quite expensive, but there is a picture package included. Akershus also has a picture package included now, and the price there is much more reasonable.

You might also look at some of the signatures for an elegant "special" dinner -- another poster recommended Jiko (AKL is beautiful!), or you could try to get one of the coveted reservations at California Grill during the fireworks.

RFC, Bahama Breeze, or WC might all be fun, but not really places to go after splurging on a BBB makeover...more casual atmosphere, KWIM?

 

[Katiebell]

Where are they girls doing the BBB? There is one right inside Cindy's castle now and you could do that there and then do the Royal Table. I would think that would be very special for both your girls and your parents.

Wow, that makes sense -- why didn't they think of that before! My sister's DGD had her BBB makeover in DTD, then they had to hurry, hurry, hurry to make it all the way over to 1900 PF for dinner Much better idea to have it right there at MK

 

[PrincessDisney96]

Yes, I agree. I think that Cinderella's Royal Table would be a good choice. It would be so magical for everyone especially the girls! And there is a BBB in the castle. So if you do the BBB in the castle it would be very manageable to go eat afterwords. (You know since there in the same building!)

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with either Jiko, which was a wonderful, special dinner, or the Hoop Dee Doo Review for a special "Disney" night.
The Hoop Dee Doo Review is an all you care to eat dinner of ribs and fried chicken, salad and corn bread, and beans. It includes beer, wine and sangria. The Hoop Dee Doo is a corny Western Themed show with lots of singing, dancing and corny jokes. There is a fair degree of audience participation. We have been several times and it is fun for all ages. The food is certainly not gourmet, but it is good for what it is - "Down Home Cooking"
We also love Jiko. It is a beuatiful restaurant, with warm caring servers and delicious food. It is a special evening kind of restaurant.
Enjoy

 

[poeticdiabetic]

With little girls all dressed up as princesses, Cinderella's castle would be my pick.