Toddler friendly restaurants??

[G8r4evr]

Hi All!

We just booked CR (Theme Park View! EEEEEE) for DD's 2nd birthday and first Disney trip in March.

We definitely want to do Chef Mickeys on the Monday morning that we will be there. Do I need to make reservations for that? Is there a direct dining ressie line or do I just call the main number?

Most importantly, I need a recommendation for her birthday dinner on Sunday night. She will be turning two and is IN LOVE with MICKEY, SERIOUSLY, but like a typical 2 year old, she will only sit still to eat for so long. Usually an hour and she is DONE. On the other hand, her Daddy and I love to "fine dine" on our vacas. So...is there a restaurant that might work for us?

THANKS!!

 

[indimom3]

You most definitely need a reservation for Chef Mickeys, and they are not always easy to get.
For her birthday dinner, you might think about something in the park like Liberty Tavern or the Plaza. If you want fancy, the California Grill has an amazing view, and if you can time your ADR to watch the fireworks, that would definitely keep your 2yo occupied.

 

[njsmama]

You need to call 1-407-wdw-dine for dining reservations. However the booking window opens at 180 days prior to your trip. You might not be able to get a reservation for any of the character meals this close to your trip.
Do call and try though, as walk ups in the busier months don't get tables very often and March and April are busy with Spring Breakers.
If you can get Garden Grill at Epcot for dinner, I would do that. It has Mickey and the gang, it is a small restaurant therefore, the kids tend to get lots of character interaction. The food is also served family style and therefore comes out quickly....and she is free! Character meals and "fine dining" don't really go together. Like the OP said, California Grill is awesome and is fine dining, but no characters.

Good Luck getting reservations...and if you don't succeed at first keep calling...someone may cancel!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Please get an "Ohana Breakfast...Your DD will LOVE LOVE it..and they will entertain her while you eat! (and take pics)

Hugs
Mary

 

[grace&philipsmom]

If you don't get Chef Mickey's for breakfast, you can try 'Ohana for breakfast as Mickey is usually present there as well.

Is your daughter into princesses? Akershus is nice in Epcot with princesses.

I also agree with PP that Garden Grill is a good idea for dinner. The restaurant also rotates slowly and it was a great distraction for my 2 year old. Some of the characters at Garden Grill visited our table several times - Mickey and Chip and Dale.

I am not sure I would do a fine dining for your daughters birthday. We did a couple of signatures on our last trip and they averaged between 2-3 hours. Luckily my 2 year old was occupied with toys, unfortunately I can only fit so many in my purse

Hope your daughter has a great birthday!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

What about Coral Reef? Our son loved looking at the fish in the tank.

Also at the table service places, when our entrees were delivered, we asked our servers if we could go ahead and pre-order dessert, to keep our meal moving right along. They were all happy to.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[hawkeyesparks]

Great places for your 2 year old to have a great time eating could be:
Sci-Fi, 1900 Parkfare (she'll love the characters), Crystal palace (great for breakfast), Cape May

Now for the a slightly more adult atmosphere, try California Grill, San Angel Inn, Artist Pointe(the kids dessert is awesome),

 

[Hans Moleman]

I was there last week and had no reservations for any Character meals, and we usually got a table within 20-30 mins.

I'm sure its not like that a busy times, but we got Chef Mickeys a few times with no wait at all.