Three Year Old Bday dinner

[Boardwalk_bride]

Hello,

My 180 days is soon approaching and I'm looking for suggestions on anything special to do (or not to do) for my daughter's 3rd birthday. For context we will be staying at Kidani and are all vegetarian.

Any suggestions? We could just do Boma or Sanaa and get a special dessert - not sure about Jiko (we will see how much she chills out by her bday). A character meal would be cool but the three of us (toddler, husband and me) all really appreciate good food. I like the idea of afternoon tea - but don't really want to pay for her (so maybe would rather go before she turns 3?).

Or - is just being in WDW good enough and a meal doesn't matter (it's more for me and her dad anyway!).

Thanks!

 

[sponica]

Honestly I'd go get ice cream (you said vegetarian, right?) as a special treat.

Do something special at Beaches and Cream if it's open. If it's still closed for refurb, maybe Ghirardelli at Disney Springs?

 

[Schneewittchen37]

When my kids were toddlers, they loved dinner at the Crystal Palace in MK. Your baby will love you forever if she gets to meet Winnie, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. Also, I do think the buffet has plenty of veg options. I think if you let them know when you arrive, a chef will walk though the buffet with you and let you know which items meet your restrictions. And the AC is very nice after a hot day at MK.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do Sanaa during the day time. The food is so good and the restaurant is lovely. During the day, you have a chance to see animals walk by - it's really cool!

 

[MinneTinK]

My 3 year old daughters favorite meals of our last trip were via Napoli and chefs de France (she really loved this one since she’s a big fancy nancy fan and the idea of dressing up and having dinner in Paris was right up her ally)

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Honestly I'd go get ice cream (you said vegetarian, right?) as a special treat.

Do something special at Beaches and Cream if it's open. If it's still closed for refurb, maybe Ghirardelli at Disney Springs?

I should have mentioned her and I are lactose intolerant - so vegan when it comes to ice cream! I bet they have a vegan option though.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I would do Sanaa during the day time. The food is so good and the restaurant is lovely. During the day, you have a chance to see animals walk by - it's really cool!

That is what I was thinking too, but it might not be as special as we have a savanaah view room.

 

[Aj1129]

We took our DS last year for his 3rd birthday. Narcoossee’s did a little something special for him. They put Mickey confetti on the table and then brought him a little dessert and sang happy birthday. We had his birthday noted on the reservation and didn’t really expect anything. DS loved playing the confetti during the meal. It definitely made our trip special.

 

[MumziMom]

As you say you all love good food, our favorite restaurant for celebrations is the California Grill. Top notch food, great view of the fireworks - highly recommend. They have vegetarian options. I also recommend the Bread Service at Sanaa. And there is the Rivers of Light Dessert Party over at Animal Kingdom. Honestly, she will love having a birthday button and having everyone wish her a "Happy Birthday!"

 

[marchingstar]

Isn’t it still the rule that kids don’t age at disney? If she turns 3 during your trip, you shouldn’t be paying for her at a tea unless you order her something specific, as far as I understand (luckily, this is the disboards, where someone will correct me if i’m wrong!)

 

[Crystal824]

I would probably do a character meal if she is into that. Maybe CRT or Akershus. My daughter hardly eats so for her 4th birthday last year, we did the Frozen dessert party. I was worried about her staying awake, but we slept late that day and she did fine. She loved it.

 

[YesterDark]

My daughter's first trip was when she was around 2.5 years old. She doesn't remember much except emotions and flashes of stuff. We did CRT back then and she had a great time, but the memories are more for you and pictures than her long term.

 

[sponica]

I should have mentioned her and I are lactose intolerant - so vegan when it comes to ice cream! I bet they have a vegan option though.

Well there goes that plan!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

If she is 2 at check in , Disney will consider has to be 2 the entire trip if that helps.

We recently had a GREAT meal at Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh & friends in MK. They had lots of great options (many vegetarian).

Other fun character dining options that have great food are 1900 Park Fare for breakfast (Mary Poppins- Alice in Wonderland - Mad hatter- Pooh - Tigger) and dinner (Cinderella and her step family ) and Bony Voyage Breakfast at the Boardwalk (Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider)...adn Akershaus in Epcot in Norway has a great lunch or dinner with the princesses....

 

[NYCgrrl]

Hello,

My 180 days is soon approaching and I'm looking for suggestions on anything special to do (or not to do) for my daughter's 3rd birthday. For context we will be staying at Kidani and are all vegetarian.

Any suggestions? We could just do Boma or Sanaa and get a special dessert - not sure about Jiko (we will see how much she chills out by her bday). A character meal would be cool but the three of us (toddler, husband and me) all really appreciate good food. I like the idea of afternoon tea - but don't really want to pay for her (so maybe would rather go before she turns 3?).

Or - is just being in WDW good enough and a meal doesn't matter (it's more for me and her dad anyway!).

Thanks!

I should have mentioned her and I are lactose intolerant - so vegan when it comes to ice cream! I bet they have a vegan option though.

Sanaa is such a lovely eatery but staying on site can make it harder.
I'd consider taking a bus over to Disney Springs which is a 10 - 20 minute bus ride from your home resort and have a meal there. Sooo many good choices; just peruse the menus of cuisines/restaurants you've an interest in. Follow with a dairy free gelato (several choices) at Vivoli or a Sprinkle's cupcake. Double check on the ingredients used at the cupcake place as I'm not sure whether dairy is used in all products or not.

Enjoy your stay and special day no matter where you go.

 

[Jacq7414]

My daughter's first trip was when she was around 2.5 years old. She doesn't remember much except emotions and flashes of stuff. We did CRT back then and she had a great time, but the memories are more for you and pictures than her long term.

I think that’s true for a lot of ages. My parents took us for the first time when I was in 2nd grade, so I was around 8, and I remember flashes of stuff too.

OP I would take her to CRT. We brought my daughter right before she turned 3 and she was in awe. It was really cool to be in the castle and they give the little kids wands (for girls) and a “shooting star”. My daughter still plays with hers and tells everyone she got it at Cinderella’s castle

 

[YesterDark]

I think that’s true for a lot of ages. My parents took us for the first time when I was in 2nd grade, so I was around 8, and I remember flashes of stuff too.

OP I would take her to CRT. We brought my daughter right before she turned 3 and she was in awe. It was really cool to be in the castle and they give the little kids wands (for girls) and a “shooting star”. My daughter still plays with hers and tells everyone she got it at Cinderella’s castle

No doubt about it. It was a great experience. My daughter didn't remember much though by the time we went back two years later. She was just starting peak princess years. A lot of people like to say don't bring your kids until they are X age. I'm an advocate for bringing them as young as you can afford/handle/stay healthy. You build memories for your family and even if the kids don't remember specifics, the built in memories/nostalgia/tradition just make all of the following trips even better.

Of course this thought process changes if it's a once in a life time trip.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I think that’s true for a lot of ages. My parents took us for the first time when I was in 2nd grade, so I was around 8, and I remember flashes of stuff too.

OP I would take her to CRT. We brought my daughter right before she turned 3 and she was in awe. It was really cool to be in the castle and they give the little kids wands (for girls) and a “shooting star”. My daughter still plays with hers and tells everyone she got it at Cinderella’s castle

Thanks for this. I've struggled with CRT. The "face" characters kind of creep me out - no idea how she will feel. This isn't going to be the only time we bring her so I am trying to decide whether to go with this now or wait. I agree with other - this is really for our memories as parents but I think that is just as important. We've had a hard couple years health wise (her and I) and I just want to have some really special memories!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

No doubt about it. It was a great experience. My daughter didn't remember much though by the time we went back two years later. She was just starting peak princess years. A lot of people like to say don't bring your kids until they are X age. I'm an advocate for bringing them as young as you can afford/handle/stay healthy. You build memories for your family and even if the kids don't remember specifics, the built in memories/nostalgia/tradition just make all of the following trips even better.

Of course this thought process changes if it's a once in a life time trip.

I'm not worried about the age thing - I'm expecting we will bring her back several times before she is an adult. We actually got married in WDW in 2010 so it is quite a special place to us! The exchange rate for us isn't great right now, and with booking a 1 bedroom suite, it is turning out to be quite an $$ trip!