What would be our best option for a birthday dinner inside the park?

[mrslamb]

We will be arriving on my daughter's 5th birthday Hubby and I have been many times but it will be her (and our 19 month old's) first trip! Trying to decide where we should eat her birthday dinner that first night. We will be going to the park that night so want to eat somewhere there (Disneyland park). Hoping for a sit down type place where she could order some kind of dessert, etc. Also hoping for a spot with vegetarian selections...we are not vegetarians but my parents and siblings are, and they will be traveling with us. Lastly, would sort of like to avoid a buffet-type place.

So far, was leaning toward maybe Carnation Cafe....?

 

[jdb in AZ]

We will be arriving on my daughter's 5th birthday Hubby and I have been many times but it will be her (and our 19 month old's) first trip! Trying to decide where we should eat her birthday dinner that first night. We will be going to the park that night so want to eat somewhere there (Disneyland park). Hoping for a sit down type place where she could order some kind of dessert, etc. Also hoping for a spot with vegetarian selections...we are not vegetarians but my parents and siblings are, and they will be traveling with us. Lastly, would sort of like to avoid a buffet-type place.

So far, was leaning toward maybe Carnation Cafe....?

We really like Carnation Cafe, tho their menu is limited. Check out the menu for Cafe Orleans -- they have cheese Monte Cristo sandwiches (often called Monte Crisco because yes, they're deep fried.) They also have yummy garlic parmesan french fries, and beignets for dessert.

 

[rentayenta]

The problem with CC is they don't handle larger parties unless it's very very slow which I have rarely seen.

The Plaza Inn is sit down but cafeteria style as in you order and find a table. It's cute though. We love it. The food is yummy and they have dessert. Not sure about the veg options though.

 

[mrslamb]

The problem with CC is they don't handle larger parties unless it's very very slow which I have rarely seen.

The Plaza Inn is sit down but cafeteria style as in you order and find a table. It's cute though. We love it. The food is yummy and they have dessert. Not sure about the veg options though.

Oh, good tip. We will have a party of 9...and it will be a Saturday....hmmm..

 

[rentayenta]

Oh, good tip. We will have a party of 9...and it will be a Saturday....hmmm..

They won't take PS for parties that large. You'd have to chance it.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

You may also want to consider French Market. Again, it's cafeteria style rather than sit-down with wait service. There's a lot of seating though, and you can push together tables to accommodate your group size. If you hit the right time of day, you can be entertained by live music when you eat. There is a four cheese and pasta gratin for vegetarians. The kid's menu has macaroni and cheese or you can select a kid's size portion of the chicken or roast beef. There are always several desserts to choose from.

Another kid-friendly food location is the Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. There are various pasta and pizza choices, so that should satisfy both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, and there is ample seating. The problem with that place though is they are sparse on desserts. I heard they had added the chocolate parfait to the menu recently, but it may only have been a temporary tie-in to the re-launch of Star Tours since it was being sold also with an R2-D2 stein. You could always pick up a cupcake or other treat from the bakery or candy shop on the way over and present it to your daughter at whatever restaurant you choose after you've all eaten your dinners.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

For a birthday, have you considered the Goofy's Kitchen character meal in the Disneyland Hotel? Character meals are pricy, so if cost is an issue, I'd go with Carnation.

Since the birthday is arrival day, you won't have to burn a park day if you were to eat outside one of the parks if burning a park day is an issue.

And no matter what even if it's the day after, be sure to get the birthday and 1st visit buttons at City Hall and ask for the birthday phone call. Have a camera ready too for the phone call. I've been 3 times on my birthday as an adult and characters have spent extra time with me because it's my birthday. I've had some very fun character moments, but one of the most magical came on my birthday because I was wearing that birthday button.

 

[mrslamb]

For a birthday, have you considered the Goofy's Kitchen character meal in the Disneyland Hotel? Character meals are pricy, so if cost is an issue, I'd go with Carnation.

Since the birthday is arrival day, you won't have to burn a park day if you were to eat outside one of the parks if burning a park day is an issue.

And no matter what even if it's the day after, be sure to get the birthday and 1st visit buttons at City Hall and ask for the birthday phone call. Have a camera ready too for the phone call. I've been 3 times on my birthday as an adult and characters have spent extra time with me because it's my birthday. I've had some very fun character moments, but one of the most magical came on my birthday because I was wearing that birthday button.

Thanks for the tips! Thinking maybe we will just chance that we can get seated at Carnation or else come up with maybe a counter-service plan B... Any idea how crowded it is likely to be? It will be November 5 that we are arriving (a Saturday), and staying through the 10th.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I've always had good success getting a seat at Carnation even right after the parade. Carnation will take reservations and if your group is too big, they may be able to put your tables together.

And if it's full, Plaza Inn is a good backup option. I live in NorCal and if I arrive around 9:00pm with the park still open, I usually have dinner at the Plaza Inn because it's open later. The Plaza Inn will likely be more expensive than Carnation.

 

[candygirlIRE]

What about the Big Thunder BBQ?? We've heard so many good things about this restaurant that we will be booking to go! We may have a birthday cake delivered for our baby daughter as she will be one next month (a merry UNbirthday really) But of course the cake is mainly for meeeeeeeee

I think it's a nice atmosphere!

 

[Eeee-va]

What about the Big Thunder BBQ?? We've heard so many good things about this restaurant that we will be booking to go! We may have a birthday cake delivered for our baby daughter as she will be one next month (a merry UNbirthday really) But of course the cake is mainly for meeeeeeeee

I think it's a nice atmosphere!

That sounds like a great idea given your party size and desire to avoid buffets! I've heard they have vegetarian options but you might have to request them in advance.

 

[jessicaerv]

I'm in a similar situation. We'll be in the park on my DD's 2nd birthday on 10/18. I was considering the Birthday Party that DLR offers, but I'm not sure if food is included or just cake. What I DO like is that Mickey and Minnie make an appearance, so its a relatively inexpensive way ($15.00/pp) to acquire a photo with the Head Mice without standing in long lines that a 2yo would not tolerate. I called and the party starts at 3:15. Here is a link to the info on the Disneyland page.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-occasions/birthdays/

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Your DD would like Cafe Orleans. What are some characters that she likes?