Sweet 16 dinner recommendation?

[TeeKo]

DisExperts:
Any recommendations for a Sweet 16 dinner? For my neice
On the monorail loop (though would consider WL)
Ideally does not need a park ticket (but would consider MK)
No littles (youngest will be 11)
A third of the group doesn't do seafood....
Party of 11 (one gluten free, though not the birthday girl)

I think the California Grill would be perfect....except the fish part. But that is my leading contender.

Thank you!

 

[FelisLachesis]

You look like that signatures (aka 2 credit) places are where you want to go, so I'll stick there.

Remember, menus are always subject to change.

Currently, the entrees at California Grill looks 5/4 land-based. Cirticos at GF, is 3/3/1, the last one being a vegetarian entree. Narcoosee's is 6.5/3.5 in favor of seafood, the half and half being Surf and Turf.

Artist point at WL has steak!

Since no one is under 10, that does open up Victoria and Albert's, but is it in your budget at $185 per person? You'd be looking at spending about $2600 for one meal for 11 people, after tax and tip. That's more than some families spend on an entire vacation!

 

[barbliny]

I think Sweet 16's should be spent with fellow princesses (and their nasty step-sisters if they decide to crash the party that evening )

1900 Park Fare

 

[TeeKo]

You look like that signatures (aka 2 credit) places are where you want to go, so I'll stick there.

Remember, menus are always subject to change.

Currently, the entrees at California Grill looks 5/4 land-based. Cirticos at GF, is 3/3/1, the last one being a vegetarian entree. Narcoosee's is 6.5/3.5 in favor of seafood, the half and half being Surf and Turf.

Artist point at WL has steak!

Since no one is under 10, that does open up Victoria and Albert's, but is it in your budget at $185 per person? You'd be looking at spending about $2600 for one meal for 11 people, after tax and tip. That's more than some families spend on an entire vacation!

That is definitely more than I would want to spend for sure! If I were willing to part with that much, I suspect the 16 year old would be happiest if I just gave her the cash. And a Mickey bar

Thank you for such a thoughtful answer! The numbers are a great objective way to think about it. Thanks!

 

[TeeKo]

I think Sweet 16's should be spent with fellow princesses (and their nasty step-sisters if they decide to crash the party that evening )

1900 Park Fare

That didn't even cross my mind but I think she might love that! Thanks for the suggestion

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would consider Cali Grill (the view is AMAZING and the food is very good - great dishes that don't include seafood!), 1900 Park Fare (I agree with the PP, so fun to spend your 16th with a fellow princess) or even consider HDDR (Ft. W is easy to get to from the MK area, the show is super fun and they recognize all birthdays!)

 

[TeeKo]

I would consider Cali Grill (the view is AMAZING and the food is very good - great dishes that don't include seafood!), 1900 Park Fare (I agree with the PP, so fun to spend your 16th with a fellow princess) or even consider HDDR (Ft. W is easy to get to from the MK area, the show is super fun and they recognize all birthdays!)

Thank you for the suggestions!
HDDR had crossed my mind. I've never been there and hear it's quite a hoot. I've read that if you go there you need to be prepared to participate? My group has some introverts (not the birthday girl!) who would be horrified to become part of the show. But what are the odds of that anyway....

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Thank you for the suggestions!
HDDR had crossed my mind. I've never been there and hear it's quite a hoot. I've read that if you go there you need to be prepared to participate? My group has some introverts (not the birthday girl!) who would be horrified to become part of the show. But what are the odds of that anyway....

We have been to the HDDR many times and you do not have to participate. Truly - they just ask questions - like where you are from (and only ask a handful of people and then they ask who is celebrating a birthday. At the end they ask about 5 people to participate in the end of the show but truly you could say no. We went for our DDs 21st birthday and we were a party of 11 and had a blast. It was me, my DH, our 4 kids and 5 of her friends and we laughed and laughed. We all dressed with red bandanas in our hair and wore black, white and red. So so much fun. Plus one girl was allergic to dairy and she had plenty of food. They are so good with allergies. Once we went with our friend's DD who is a vegan and she had vegetable pasta and enjoyed it.

I would definitely do HDDR. Let us know.

 

[TeeKo]

That sounds so fun!! This will be my niece's 2nd trip to Disney ever. We took her for a long (or short?) weekend a few years ago so she's only been to MK and DHS. She fell in love with Disney of course
This trip will be her first time to see Epcot and AK!
She would probably like something more raucous than sophisticated....

Why red bandannas and red/white/black clothing?

 

[elaine amj]

My 16 yr old DD requested Coral Reef for her birthday meal and we all enjoyed it I do like the idea of 1900 Park Fare.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would definitely do Cali Grill around the fireworks time. Go out and see the fireworks during dinner. I did that with my SO last trip and plan on doing it with DD on our mother/daughter trip next year.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Just another suggestion if you end up doing HDDR - you can do wagon and carriage rides before or after the show depending on which show you book. Might add to the whole evening! https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/tri-circle-d-ranch/

 

[lovin'fl]

Mine, twin DDs who are 18, would likely pick Ohana for a birthday dinner. They just chose it for their graduation/senior week trip must do dinner back in May.

 

[TeeKo]

We all dressed with red bandanas in our hair and wore black, white and red.
.

Was this just your family or is this a HDDR thing?

 

[TeeKo]

Mine, twin DDs who are 18, would likely pick Ohana for a birthday dinner. They just chose it for their graduation/senior week trip must do dinner back in May.

Never been there either! I think I must not be branching out very much when we go to Disney....

 

[TeeKo]

Just another suggestion if you end up doing HDDR - you can do wagon and carriage rides before or after the show depending on which show you book. Might add to the whole evening! https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/tri-circle-d-ranch/

Thanks for this!
Do you have an opinion about the seating for the HDDR? I see there are 4 tiers

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Was this just your family or is this a HDDR thing?

Just our family. But I have to say I have seen several families dress alike. It is fun.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Thanks for this!
Do you have an opinion about the seating for the HDDR? I see there are 4 tiers

We have sat Tier 1 or 2 and both are great. Tier 1 is closer to the stage and our Tier 2 was in the back of the main floor but great. They go all over the room.

 

[mousestruck]

We celebrated DD's Sweet 16 at CRT. It was her request, since we had not dined there since she was little. I made a late reservation so we'd be there for the fireworks. Although you don't get a clear view, it was magical watching them through the stained glass windows. We didn't go for the food (which is nothing special), but for the experience, which was amazing. My daughter felt like a princess and had an evening she'll always remember!

 

[TeeKo]

We have been to the HDDR many times and you do not have to participate. Truly - they just ask questions - like where you are from (and only ask a handful of people and then they ask who is celebrating a birthday. At the end they ask about 5 people to participate in the end of the show but truly you could say no. We went for our DDs 21st birthday and we were a party of 11 and had a blast. It was me, my DH, our 4 kids and 5 of her friends and we laughed and laughed. We all dressed with red bandanas in our hair and wore black, white and red. So so much fun. Plus one girl was allergic to dairy and she had plenty of food. They are so good with allergies. Once we went with our friend's DD who is a vegan and she had vegetable pasta and enjoyed it.

I would definitely do HDDR. Let us know.

Thanks DisneyFansInNYC,
Booked HDDR for our group of 11 for the sweet 16! The kids are planning costumes for the family. They are already having fun thinking about it and we are still 180 days away