Where Would You Go!!!

[jklmw]

I am celebrating my 40th Birthday in January
I am traveling with my DH, DS,7, DD,5 and my parents
My Dad will most likely be in a scooter, he had parkinsons and is slowing declining. I really want this trip to be a once in a lifetime trip for all of us.
The night we come in, we are doing the illuminations, this is the night of my birthday. We are not sure what to do for dinner. Where would you go for your 40th? Remember we are not going to any of the parks during the day!!
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[coltsfanatic]

I would definitely choose buffet/family-style-like food with great atmosphere, like Ohana or 1900 Park Fare!

 

[Quin]

What environment is your Dad most comfortable with? Some people prefer the casual and semi-anonymous nature of a buffet while others are uncomfortable with the higher noise level and the way mobility issues impact getting his food.

Do you all like seafood? If so, the buffet choice is Cape May dinner while the sit-down choice is right across from it at Flying Fish. If the $ at FF is a barrier, you could go to Coral Reef since you said you are doing Illuminations afterwards.

Good steaks at Kona (then monorail to Epcot) or Yachtsman (signature $$).

A character meal would be nice (1900PF if, again, buffets work better for you or Garden Grill if not) but I don't think I'd use that option for my birthday night.

 

[lovin'fl]

You are going to Illuminations? That is in Epcot...so I'd try for Le Cellier, but that's now signature so is 2 TS if you are doing the dining plan. The boardwalk area has some options(Cape May buffet, Kouzzina, Captains Grill) and is easy to get to from Epcot. Epcot itself has a ton of other options...Teppan Edo (Japanese steakhouse), Coral Reef...those come to mind and would be what I'd like to do for my birthday.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I'd recommend Kouzzina. It has great food, a lively, celebratory atmosphere, and it's close to Epcot, so it would be easy to get there before or after Illuminations.

 

[h2odivers]

Go to Le Celliar in Epcot, You can sit back relax and have someone bring a 4-5 star meal to you and your father. God Bless and have a wonderful time.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I'd choose Les Chefs de France. If not that, another Epcot restaurant. I'd definitely eat in WS, if I were going to the park to see Illuminations anyway. We love the vibe that time of evening, with people going to the different countries for dinner.

 

[crabbygal902]

First of all, I'll tell you where I wouldn't go in the Epcot/Boardwalk area:

Cape May. I really enjoyed it when we went in January, but it is not special enough for an important birthday celebration, IMHO. Although the food was tasty and the atmosphere pleasant, there isn't a 'wow' factor about this place.

Le Chefs de France. Again...nice place with nice food, but not much different from what I can make at home. The best thing about this place was the visit from Remy.

Three places I've been that I'd suggest:

Biergarten. The food is pretty good, but the atmosphere and entertainment are outstanding. I think that this would be really fun for a celebration.

Teppan Edo. My DH celebrated his 41st birthday here on Thanksgiving evening, and it was just wonderful. Great food, the nicest staff I've ever encountered, and a lively atmosphere. I see a lot of reviews on this board that complain that Teppan Edo is just like your local Japanese restaurant and not to bother with it. If that is true, their local restaurants must be MUCH better than mine! We had a lovely experience and this is now one of our top 5 Disney restaurants.

Le Cellier. If you don't mind spending 2 credits on the dining plan, that is. We have been here on our past 3 trips, and each dinner has gotten better and better. The tables are rather close together...would that be a concern for your dad and his mobility?

Whatever you decide, I hope that you have a great vacation filled with memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. Let us know which restaurant you picked!

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

I would definitely do O'Hana's. This is the one must-do for our family every time we go.

 

[tookie]

What a special and wonderful way to spend your birthday! I am sure it will be a trip to remember! Our family's favorite restaurants in EPCOT are the Biergarten and Teppan Edo. If it were me and going for my bday, I would choose Biergarten.... fun, lively, and good beer! Happy early 40th!!! I just turned 40 myself and it isn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be!

 

[jklmw]

I don't know any of you, but I love you for being so great and the positive messages for my Dad and my celebration!!!!
I booked at 1900 Park Fare, but I really want O'hana, I think it would be better for him not to have to do a buffet style. O'hana is booked so I will keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best!!!

Any suggestions how to get lucky on a ressie there, let me know
You all are the best!! Thank you!

 

[fla4fun]

Are you doing the Illuminations cruise (no park admission) or going into Epcot to watch Illuminations? Since you mentioned not going into a park, I thought maybe you were doing the cruise. Is this correct? If so, make sure you allow plenty of time to get from GF to the cruise - ESPECIALLY if you are using Disney transportation.

The first thing I would suggest (even if you do have something booked already) is looking at the menus online. Make sure everyone in your party can find at least two things on the menu they would be interested in eating. The menus can change, so you don't want to have your heart set on one thing only to find out they don't have it any more. You may find that one restaurant may really stand out. For buffets, read lots of reviews to get an idea of the quality of the food and the experience.

I have spent a lot of birthdays at WDW. I have dined at the Yachtsman Steakhouse (very good), California Grill (good - plus great viewing for Wishes), and many of the theme park restaurants. It's really more about who you are dining with than where you dine.

 

[crostorfer]

Here is the thing about Le Cellier. (And I'm putting on my flame retardant suit now because I can see this coming.) I LOVE Le Cellier, LOVE it. BUT, in your situation, with a scooter, I wouldn't do it. The tables are very close together, it's not a scooter friendly place.

When we were there a few weeks ago a couple came in for their anniversary dinner, and they were both on scooters. Watching the Le Cellier staff try to move the scooters outside, (which is what they had to do), was a debaucle. None of the staff could figure out how to work the scooter and make it move. I think it took them 20 minutes just to get out of the dining room, and this was with 5 staff members working on it. It was comical.

The food is great, the service is great, I just don't think it's mobility scooter friendly.

 

[lovin'fl]

Any suggestions how to get lucky on a ressie there, let me know
You all are the best!! Thank you!

Keep an eye on the January cancellations thread on the dining reservations boards. Good luck...Ohana is a good one!

 

[jklmw]

Thanks Everyone!! We are going on the boat no park admission
That is what I am worried about, I feel like I am almost limited on choices since we are NOT going into any of the parks, JUST going on the boat
but I am going to take your advice about the cancellation board! Thanks Again, you all seriously rock!!!


http://distickers.com/ticker/

 

[engle]

If I were going on an Illuminations cruise, I would definitely eat at the Boardwalk or one of the Boardwalk resorts. ALOT less traveling. And with a scooter, I am sure that takes even more time than normal.

My recommendations of non buffet style restaurants there also keeping in mind that you have kids are....

Kouzzina
Flying Fish
Yachtsman Steakhouse.

I wouldn't go anywhere you have to travel AFTER dinner...too risky for time and all.

 

[engle]

Oh, and one other place that is really spectacular at the Swan, Il Mulino.

 

[juliebug1997]

Via Napoli!!!!! So yummy!!!!!

 

[jklmw]

I booked Cape May but totally hoping for an early ressie at O'hana!!! Thanks for all the great suggestions, you all make planning fun!!!