need help choosing Restaurant

[nannyt]

Hello everyone. I will be going to WDW in March 2009 for the 1st time. I am taking my 3 young granddaughters ( 3,4,and 5 ). I want to take them somewhere special because it will be my 6oth birthday. I would like to know if there is a good dinner show that would be enjoyed by all. I hope to take them to the Royal table for breakfast on one of the days. We will be there for 10 days. We are not staying at any of the resorts.

Also any suggestions as what I should NOT miss while in WDW.

[mom22gls]

Hello everyone. I will be going to WDW in March 2009 for the 1st time. I am taking my 3 young granddaughters ( 3,4,and 5 ). I want to take them somewhere special because it will be my 6oth birthday. I would like to know if there is a good dinner show that would be enjoyed by all. I hope to take them to the Royal table for breakfast on one of the days. We will be there for 10 days. We are not staying at any of the resorts.

Also any suggestions as what I should NOT miss while in WDW.

If you can expand your definition of "dinner show" to "entertainment during dinner" I would recommend 'Ohana at the Polynesian hotel. It is on the hotel monorail line, and you can easily get there from the Magic Kingdom. For children as young as your grandchildren, they won't want to sit through a show, and 'Ohana actually allows them to get up and participate in games and activities, right in the restaurant. The food is really wonderful, and it would be very appropriate for a celebration dinner. They bring yummy bread and appetizers to your table, then grilled meat, turkey, and shrimp, as much as you want. All the dipping sauces are "on the side," which is often an issue with little kids. There are also good side dishes. We took my parents to 'Ohana on their first trip, in March, and it was a big hit with everyone. You can kick back and enjoy a drink, while the kids dance and play games.

[Drince88]

'Ohana IS a good one - and they also will recognize those celebrating birthdays!

I was thinking with that age, they might like another Princess meal, like in Norway. I would worry about 'dinner show' length - but maybe Hoop De Doo would suit them? I'm not sure how long the 'show' part normally runs - but the food is served family style and my understanding is that it's 'corny' humor. They also recognize birthdays!

[nannyt]

Thanks!! Sounds like Ohana is the place to go. I just wanted a meal that would offer a fun place to be on a bithday because the girls just want some type of party atmosphere. I will deffinetly check out the meal in Norway. nannyt:D

[mckat]

You will probably get a lot of the same recomendations- but for a very nice dinner for you and lots of easy choises for your Grandkids, I would recommend Bomas in Animal Kingdom Lodge. The lodge is great fun to see, you can check out the animal viewing areas and then have a really great meal! We have been to WDW 5 times and Bomas has been first on every family members list. I'm not a big buffet fan, but there are lots of interesting dishes to try. Most are not spicey, and if you start with just a taste, you can go back for the one's you love. And there is a large selections of small deserts (8 is my record!). The kids have choices of all the classic kid food as well as great fruit. My kids like the carrot ginger soup as well. If you are done around 7PM there is a time where one of the African cast members tells stories from his or her homeland around a firepit outside. It is a special way to end the day, especially if you have been to AK that day (it is a very short drive from AK).

[nannyt]

Thanks Mckat! I will check that place out.

[rustyinc2fan]

I am going to second Drince88 with hoop de doo

[nannyt]

Hello Rustyin2canfan! What on earth is a secondDunce88? :confused:

[nannyt]

Oopps! I meant Drince 88:|

[danyoung]

I think Rusty was seconding the suggestion made by Drince88.

Another vote for 'Ohana - and bring your appetite!

[nannyt]

I've been on the computer tooooooo long. Sorry Drince 88 and rustyinc2fan I lost my mind there for a minute.

[mckat]

Don't feel bad. I had to ask once what LOL was, thinking it was some Disney thing. And then of course I had to LOL.... It's a whole new world.

[petesimac]

Hello Rustyin2canfan! What on earth is a secondDunce88? :confused:

LOL! Even got Rustys name wrong; you must have been sleepy. Thanks for the laugh!

[nannyt]

I'm glad I can brighten your day. This is my very first time on a chat line so you may be in for more silly mistakes.:D

[mckat]

This was the first place I participated in web discussions. It is still my main place. It is very well moderated and people are nice. And I love Disney. You are among friends who can LOL with each other:D

So another suggestion for something to do that you might miss- is the Bird show at AK. It doesn't sound very exciting, but it is an excellent show with lots of cool birds doing what they do naturally. A funny story line going on with the human hosts. My kids at all ages love it. It also is a bit more peaceful and a nice break.

[nannyt]

This site is GREAT. I'm taking all the suggestions that I get so that our trip will be a fantastic one. Each time I get on line though someone talks about a place that sounds better than the last one. I have 2 new places to check out Bomas and Wispering Canyon Cafe. I still have time before I can make my AR. but I want it to be at the best place.
I have a list of preschool things to do at WDW. When you said check out the bird show at AK. is that what they call Flights of wonder?
Also this may sound like a dumb question but are the places that these restaurants located; Ohana, Bomas, and Wispering Canyon located in the parks? I am not getting the park hopper so I have to make sure that if they are thats the day we spend at that particular park.

[Fantasmicgal]

None of the places you asked about are in the parks. Ohana is located in the Polynesian, which is on the monorail & close to MK. Boma is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, close to AK just take the resort bus from Animal Kingdom. Whispering Canyon is at the Wilderness Lodge, you can take a boat ride from MK. Hope this helps:)

[Drince88]

I've found this page (http://www.mouseplanet.com/misc.php?pg=wdw_dining) to be really helpful for the basic dining questions (like "Where is that restaurant?"). You get to it from the Walt Disney World link right below the big MousePlanet logo above, and then the "Dining" link. Many of the restaurants have their own links with the menus.

[mckat]

Yes the bird show is "flights of wonder". You may already have all these, but as far as Animal Kingdom and preschool kids, I remember one of my son's favorite thing was to go on the trail in dinoland where you can climb on the statues of the dinosaurs as well as play in the boneyard (nice bench for adults with tired feet to set as well). We also went on triceritop spin which is like dumbo but much shorter lines! and seats four people. However, I made the mistake of taking my 7 yr old on the Dinosaur ride which was very rough and lots of alarms and yelling and flashing lights. She cried for 10 minutes after. I learned my lesson. Along those lines, if one of your grandkids is a little more scared then others, the 3D movies It's tough to be a bug has some scary parts (I'm putting it under a spoiler so people don't have to look if they don't want to), has some special effects in the chair when things poke you in the back or under your seat, so it can be a good idea to put them on their lap . You will have such a great time!

[nannyt]

:D Thanks everyone! Every suggestion is a BIG help. I think I'll stay away from the Dinosaur ride. If it scared a 7 year old it will certainly do the same for a 3,4,and 5 year old.

[mdrausch]

Don't know if I am late to the show on this one, but my youngsters really enjoyed the Mickey Mouse's Backyard BBQ at the Fort Wilderness Resort. Good food, and a fun time. Kids can dance with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the rest.

[nannyt]

Thanks Mdrausch! I'm going to check that one out.

[Bell30655]

With three girls at that age, I think that the Princess Storybook Breakfast at Akershus is a must do. Two years ago when my daughter was four we did this meal and was the best dining experience that a little girl could ever have. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmin and Mulan were there. Each came to the table and took pictures with my daughter. The breakfast meal was excellent and the service was great.

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/picture.php?albumid=105&pictureid=714
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/picture.php?albumid=105&pictureid=715
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/picture.php?albumid=105&pictureid=716
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/picture.php?albumid=105&pictureid=717
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/picture.php?albumid=105&pictureid=718

[nannyt]

Thanks Bell! I want to do only one breakfast with the girls because of the high$$$$.:crying: If you had a choice between eating at the castle or Akersus which one would you choose? I've never been to WDW. Where is Akersus located?

[Drince88]

Akershus is the restaurant in the Norway portion of World Showcase in Epcot.