We are going to Disney the week of Thanksgiving for 4 nights... Not only is Thursday Thankgsgiving it will be my ds 12th bday. My question is do they do anything special at the rest. if you tell them you have a bday boy in your party. Or is there a particular place we should take him for dinner that night that would be yummy and fun? We have never been and dont really know anything. lol

TIA

By Conni on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 03:16 pm:

OK, I just made reservations for a Character Breakfast w/ Lilo and Stitch and Mickey at Ohana's... Anyone been to this? Is it worth it? I can call and change it to Chef Mickeys they had an opening too. These reservations are for our first morning there.

I asked about what our options were on Thanksgiving day and one buffet at the Dolphin Resort is $48 person (10 and older!!!!) with characters. OH MY MY MYyyy... I am going to have a heart attack. Another dinner was $36.95 per person. And $17.95 for my 5 yr old. ROFL He and I usually share a meal?!

By Bellajoe on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 03:53 pm:

Yes, nothing in Disney is cheap. We paid $60 for a BREAKFAST for 2 adults and a 4 yr old and a 5 yr old! Minnie, Goofy and Chip (or Dale) were there but still. That is a LOT for some Mickey shaped waffles and to see some characters. But it was very "magical"

I have never been to Ohana's or Chef Mickey's so I don't have any feedback on that.

Have tons of fun...and be prepared for CROWDS! That is a very busy time a year.

By Kate on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 04:40 pm:

I was there in August and at O'hanas breakfast but no Lilo and Stitch, just Mickey, Goofy, Chip, and Dale. They do parades and march around with the kids. The food does not impress me as it's not very kid friendly. (at least not for MY picky kids) It's a lot of fruit, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and little Mickey shaped waffles with TINY pitchers of syrup, necessitating the immediate request of more syrup. I didn't love the wait staff and she took half the table's drink orders and ignored the rest. You get a big spiel on how you are all 'family' at this restaurant.

I didn't do Chef Mickey's breakfast, but I did their dinner. It's a more fun atmosphere and they do 'napkin waving'. I think they probably have WAY more food choices and for that reason alone I would choose Chef Mickey's.

O'hanas brings lazy susan platters out to you, there is no ordering. Chef Mickey's is buffet (at least at dinner it is, and I'm fairly certain it is at breakfast as well).

Since you have a 12 year old boy, he might appreciate Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge more than the character dinners. If you had girls I would highly recommend any of the character meals at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. Here is a link to the character meals complete with description and menus. Good luck!

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm

Scroll down the left until you get to character meals and click on it. You can also look at every menu and restaurant that Disney has under the first option on the left 'menus'.

By Kaye on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 04:58 pm:

We did a chef mickey breakfast and loved it. When we go back we will do that again.

By Debbie on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 05:08 pm:

Conni, we have never done O'hanas, but we did eat at Chef Mickey's. The food is pretty good, but it is pricey. If your ds's aren't into the characters, then I would skip it. If they like the characters, then I would definitely do it. Basically, you are paying for the character interaction, the food is just okay. Kate mentioned Whispering Canyon and I have heard that their breakfast is great. It is a fun atmosphere for kids. Also, you can get a birthday button at each of the parks for your ds.

Where are you staying and what days will you be there? Ditto Patti, about the crowds. I have heard that the beginning of the week is manageable, but from Wed. on through the weekend, it is very crowded.

By Karefl on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 05:29 pm:

If you go to guest relations & tell them about the b-day they'll give (yes GIVE) you an "It's my Birthday" button & "call" Mickey on the house phone. They'll let your son listen to a special b-day message. I LOVE Chef Mickey's too! You'll want to reserve BEFORE you get here though (like NOW)b/c Thanksgiving weekend is pretty busy around here!I've taken my oldest son to Japan at Epcot for his b-day. They don't do anything special, he just likes it! LOL You might try calling the reservations line & ask them! Have FUN!!!

By Amyl on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 12:33 am:

Hello there,

I just got back from Disney a couple of hours ago!!! Make sure that you get the pin that says that it is your DS's birthday!!! and I think no matter where you go they will do something, I know we had lunch with Pooh and friends and one of the kids in our party had his birthday pin on and the characters did some special hopping around letting everyone know that it was his birthday, EEyore carried a sign that said it was our friends birthday, it was great. Where are you staying?? We stayed at a great resort and had a blast, it is All Star Sports, we had so much fun and when we go back we will, with out a doubt, stay at one of the All star resorts!!! Have a great time!! We love it there and make sure you go and see Fantasmic at MGM one night that is a GREAT show!!!

By Bellajoe on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 07:59 am:

I forgot to add, the breakfast we went to was Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort. It was a buffet. The lady that served us our drinks was asian and so darn cute. She kept going "have a magical day" and "have more food" "it's a magical day". It was just sweet especially with her accent. Goofy actually came to our table about three times. At one point we had Goofy and Minnie at our table. The kids loved it.

The Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom was also a lot of fun and the food was great. Mickey, Minnie and Chip and Dale were right outside the restaurant when we went. The Rainforest Cafe was my ds's favorite restaurant there.

By Conni on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 11:07 am:

Thank you all so much for the tips!! I am still thinking about it... lol I am considering changing to Chef Mickeys for the first morning. *But* my 5 yo is very interested in seeing Lilo and Stitch... So we may just keep it the same. We arent too concerned about food- our kids will eat anything, not picky. I am still concerned about the Thanksgiving Day dinner. I'll let you know what we decide.

Has anyone done the Dino rest. in AK?

What about Down Town Disney- do they have some fun things to offer if we go there one evening? Any food recommendations, stores we dont want to miss, etc...

I have to tell you I am getting excited- but also am nervous!! After reading about the 4yo that died on a ride, I have already told dh that I will not be putting Blake on any ride that isnt obviously for small children. I'll probably be a nag the whole trip 'Nooooo my baby isnt getting on that!!' lol 'Oh nooo, those tea cups go way to fast, you'll get a tummy ache!' lol

We were going to stay at Port Orleans Riverside, but we switched too a value and will be staying at the Pop Century!!!

By Sunny on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 11:42 am:

A bit of advice that has nothing to do with restaurants; check your room thoroughly when you check in and check out. We stayed in two rooms at Port Orleans Riverside in August and my 13 yr old found a Mickey umbrella under the bed in one room and a nerf ball behind the armoire in the other room. LOL

I hope you have great time! As already mentioned, Thanksgiving weekend is a busy time. Expect crowds. We have eaten at 'Ohana's, Whispering Canyon Cafe and Chef Mickey's and enjoyed all of them. I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of your choices, but do try and get reservations now. I know one of our new favorite restaurants, Le Cellier, was turning people away who didn't have reservations while we were there, and we weren't there on a major holiday!

Oh, and if you get a chance, Port Orleans is a beautiful resort. You should check it out.

By Melanie on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 12:10 pm:

We did Chef Mickey's for breakfast and it was so much fun. But it's Disney-I don't think you will be disappointed with any of the character breakfasts!

I looked up birthdays in my Passporter book (which I highly recommend). Here is what they say:

If you are at a Disney resort, press "O" and ask for the special birthday message.

If you go to the Magic Kingdom on your birthday, stop by City Hall and get a free birthday pin. (I have read from others that the cast members notice these and help make the day special).

You are going to have so much fun! Be sure to share pics with us when you get back!