I am celebrating my 45th birthday this April at Disney World and I want to have my birthday dinner somewhere everyone is going to have a great time at. I need ideas as I am the one making all the ADR's. So it is me, my husband, my 19 year old son and his girlfriend who will be there. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Can you provide a little more info as to your individual tastes? Is anyone a picky eater? Does anyone hate ethnic food? Is your idea of the perfect meal an all-you-can-eat buffet, or would you prefer haute cuisine? Etc.
If it were my birthday at WDW, and imagining my sister's family (20-year-old niece and similar age boyfriend) were along, I think Bistro de Paris and Tokyo Dining at Epcot would be on the short list along with California Grill and Jiko. And while I know this wouldn't make most people's lists, I would happily go back to Olivia's Cafe at Old Key West.
I'm a big fan of the California Grill for special occassions. Its at the top of the Contemporary, the view is amazing, the food is fabulous and you can watch the fireworks from the observation deck! Its my #1 hands down!
Oh, my goodness. . . Cali Grill would be great for a celebration, but I think Jiko would be a good choice, too - especially if there is a group and you can ask for the small dining room. . . Just a thought! 
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien
I would need more info also. Steak or Seafood? signature or not?
California Grill will be closed until August of 2013! Scratch that off your list. Flying Fish is an awesome restaurant, I highly recommend that. They are not just seafood either, most people think it is because of the name. They have a nautical atmosphere. Scrappy loves their Char-crusted Angus New York Strip Steak, and I love the Potato-wrapped Red Snapper. Here is their menu right now.
Menu as of Oct 2012
Appetizers
Chardonnay-steamed PEI "Canadian Cove" Mussels - Fennel, Chiles, Pesto Crema, and Ciabatta Crostini $18.00
Yellowfin Tuna Tartare and Crispy Tempura Tuna-Vegetable Sushi Roll - Hijiki and Wakame Seaweed, Yuzu Tobiko, Wasabi Foam, with Sweet-and-Spicy Sauce $18.00
Vegetarian Sushi Roll - Silken Tofu, Avocado, heirloom radish, young carrot roll, cucumber-seaweed salad and piquant mango and Asian Chile creama $12.00
Our Signature Flying Fish Cafe "Crispy Maine Coast Jonah Crab Cake" - Savory Vegetable Slaw, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis, and Ancho Chile Remoulade $16.00
Chef's Eco-friendly/Sustainable Shellfish Appetizer: Floribbean Wild Gulf Shrimp Cocktail - watercress, spiced radishes and palm hearts, horseradish-piquillo cocktail sauce $16.00
Crispy Sesame and Togarashi-scented Calamari - Spiced Green Papaya, Wakame, and Vegetable Julienne, with Asian Dipping Sauce $15.00
Our Chef's Degustation of Worldly Artisanal Cheeses - Five Tasting Portions and accompaniments Raisins on the Vine, Spanish Membrillo with a Bing cherry, Honeycomb, Bermuda onion, kiln-dried Cherry and Currant compote Agrodolce $17.00
Artisanal Soup and Salads
Soup of the Day: Rustic Southwest Style Black Bean Stew - crispy Laughing Bird shrimp, apple-smoked bacon, tiny greens and cilantro creme fraiche $9.00
Caesar Salad - Young Red and Green Romaine, Roasted Garlic Dressing, Parmigiano-Montegrappa Frico, and Pesto-Sourdough Croutons $11.00
Fresh Mozzarella di Bufala - Florida Yellow Beefsteak, Ugli-ripe and tiny grape Tomatoes, aged Balsamico, Exotic Peppercorns, Petite Basil, and Sicilian Olio Verde $15.00
Epcot Land Pavillion Sweet Bibb and Aruba red leaf salad - Frizee, Vermont goat cheese, late summer crop plums, heirloom radishes, candied walnuts and lemon-dijon vinaigrette $10.00
Entrees
Our Chef's Special Thunder Entree: Oak-grilled Fragrantly spiced Swordfish - wilted greens, fricassee of herb-roasted vegetables, with a Verjus, garlic, and chive butter emulsion $34.00
Ginger and Teriyaki Char-Crusted Yellowfin Tuna - bok choy, Asian mushrooms, carrots, snap and snow peas, with a lightly curried carrot-coconut lemongrass infusion $38.00
Oak-grilled Maine Diver Scallops - Mediterranean vegetable, basil, pecorino romano and mascarpone-laced risotto di carnarolli $35.00
Rustic Riccota, Swiss Chard, Portabella, Epcot Eggplant, Sun-dried tomato and herb crepe "lasagna" - wilted greens, local yellow tomato coulis, fontina-parmigiano creama and basil infused oil $26
Our Signature Flying Fish Cafe "Potato-wrapped Red Snapper" - Leek Fondue with a Veal Glace, Red Wine, and Cassis Butter reduction $36.00
Chef's Eco-Friendly/Sustainable Fish Selection: Oak-grilled Faroe Island Salmon - fennel, radishes and smoked trumpet mushrooms, with a tomatillo, green chili, pumpkinseed and cilantro sauce $37
Rainforest Pepperberry-grilled Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin - leek, fontina and truffle-laced pasta Mac n Cheese, grilled asparagus with klin-dried and fresh Bing cherry, Port wine, balsamico, tiny onion and trumpet mushroom compote $36.00
"Char-crusted Angus New York Strip Steak" - Fingerling Potatoes, Hericot Vert, young carrots, and bermuda onions with Classic Sauce Foyot $42
Seasonal Sides
Grilled Asparagus - with Sauce Foyot $9.00
Wilted Garlic and Lemon-scented Young Spinach $7.00
Leek, Fontina and Truffle-laced Trofie Mac n Cheese $10.00
Creamy Risotto di Carnarolli $8.00
Aged Gruyere and Parmigiano Potato Gratin $8.00
Fines Herb-roasted and Cultivated Mushrooms $9.00
Desserts
Trio of Concession Sweets - Out on the Boardwalk - Popcorn Mousse and Caramel Corn, Cherry-limeade popsicle, dark chocolate fudge burger, and pound cake fries $9.00
Our Signature Flying Fish Cafe Caramelized Banana Napoleon - crisp phyllo, banana mousse, creme caramel, exotic fruit coulis and bitter chocolate $8.00
"Our Chef's No Sugar Added Specialty" Pippin Apple and Mascarpone Cheese Creation - with candied pecan, fig, and pomegranate accents $8.00
Seasonal House-made Sorbets - with Fresh Berries, and a crisp tuile $7.00
Sinful Chocolate Indulgence -treusel-crusted caramel mousse, chocolate marshmallow cream-filled profiterole, chocolate sorbet, flaked salt-dusted chocolate caramel $9.00
PB&J Creme Brulee - wild blueberry conifiture and biscotti, white chocolate laced cape gooseberry $7.00
Blueberry-Lemon Panna Cotta Torta - citrus creme fraiche, and limoncello pate de fruit $8.00
I am celebrating my 45th birthday this April at Disney World and I want to have my birthday dinner somewhere everyone is going to have a great time at. I need ideas as I am the one making all the ADR's. So it is me, my husband, my 19 year old son and his girlfriend who will be there. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
crazycatperson is absolutely correct. We can make better recommendations when we know a bit more on the likes and dislikes of all the dinners, AND, what price point you are willing to shell out. Are you "allergic" to character dining, or do you not mind if Winnie The Pooh and friends come over to your table and celebrate your birthday with you? Do you prefer quiet, family dinning, or do you not care if there are kids banging on pots and pans every few minutes while walking in an impromptu parade?
Zz.
No longer an active member.
Happy, Happy Birthday!! So much fun to celebrate at Disney!!
We celebrated my husband's 40th at Sanaa. I booked the ressies right as the sun was setting, and we got to watch the sun go down on all the lovely animals walking around outside...it was completely magical AND delicious!
Without a lot of info I would say Narcoossee's. J loved the cheese plate, enjoyed his filet with lobster and I loved the whole maine lobster. The setting is beautiful, the GF on one side and the MK on the other which means you can watch the fireworks if you have the right ressie time.
I celebrated my 46th birthday at the California Grille a few years ago. Great view, great food...I'd do it again in a heartbeat if they were not going to be closed. I've always wanted to check out the Hollywood Brown Derby. Though I'd probably want steak on my birthday, and Vettelover has me sold on trying Shula's 
I also think Yak & Yeti is a fun option - I've had alot of memorable meals there, and love their Mango Pie!
Though I'd probably want steak on my birthday, and Vettelover has me sold on trying Shula's
Jeff, simply put, you will LOVE Shula's
Le Cellier! Tasty steaks and desserts for all!
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I think Teppan would be fun for a birthday meal
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Wow thanks for all the ideas!!! I should mention my husband has a gluten,egg and dairy allergy. My preferences vary. I could eat anywhere!! I have been thinking about a character dinner cause that would be so much fun. Plus gives me an excuse to go to one without small children in tow.My big thing is I want it to be fun with lots of laughs and memories. I am also bringing my 19 year old son and his girlfriend so nothing boring.
I celebrated my 46th birthday at the California Grille a few years ago. Great view, great food...I'd do it again in a heartbeat if they were not going to be closed. I've always wanted to check out the Hollywood Brown Derby. Though I'd probably want steak on my birthday, and Vettelover has me sold on trying Shula's
I also think Yak & Yeti is a fun option - I've had alot of memorable meals there, and love their Mango Pie!
Yak and Yetti are on the list for a lunch meal...went there in October and loved it!!!!YOu know I think I do want steak on my birthday!!!!!!
Then I would suggest that you do something fun and do character meals. My favorite place for that would be Crystal Palace, if you can stand the noise once in a while. This is dining with Pooh and Friends, and it is a buffet, so your husband will be able to choose food that fits into his dietary restrictions, or you can inform the cast member when you make your reservation and when you are seated. Usually one of the chefs will come over and guide the person on which of the dishes will be safe to eat, or they'll make some for you.
If you want something quieter and no characters, then Boma will be my #1 pick. Again, it is a buffet and the same advice as above applies.
Zz.
No longer an active member.
We have celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries and even an engagement at DW. Our favorite place to eat is the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort. In fact, we have ressies there for 2 nights when we're in Disney next week! The food is fabulous and the service wonderful. For something more lively and fun (and noisy!) we like O'Hana's. We've also had great meals at Chef de France in Epcot, but it is crowded and noisy at times.
LJ
Yachtsman Steak house gets my vote, the food was divine.
We love the Yachtman's too. It is very nice and very yummy, but very boring if you are looking for something more then a steakhouse.
Teppen Edo. They put on a show during dinner. Hubby would have to pass on the noodles but the rest of the menu should work for him. Both the food and the show are good.
I second Teppan Edo for a fun time. It is my very favorite food in WDW.
Oh all great ideas!!! Actually Teppan Edo is out as pretty much everything has soy sauce and that has gluten in it. The Yachtsman sounds great...probably make it one of the restaurants for us to visit but not for my birthday.We were at disney in October and found the odd restaurant wasn't so helpful in what my hubby could eat.(that was only 1 out of 8 and we found out is was a place disney didn't run )Love OHanna and definately going there one night.The character meals sound more and more fun. Has anyone been to the one at the lands building? We were also thinking the tried and true Hoop Dee Do Revue. I love the food and fun. I do have 7 table service meals to reserve!!!
Ok I have booked my dining reservations and my birthday dinner will be at Chip and Dale's harvest feast which is in Epcot at the lands building. Apparently the restaurant rotates and you get to look into the green houses!! I figured that would be the best character meal for us with something for everyone.
You mean The Garden Grill Restaurant? That rotates and you can see into the "Living with the Land" greenhouses. It's a character meal with Chip & Dale.
Yes that is the restaurant!!!Has anyone been to it.It looks like a lot of fun and the food looks to be something everyone would like.
Yes that is the restaurant!!!Has anyone been to it.It looks like a lot of fun and the food looks to be something everyone would like.
Yes we went on our last trip and found the food very good and served family style all you care to eat. Also the character interaction was very good and never rushed. Also it spins so slow that you do not even feel it. All in all it was a very enjoyable meal.
Oh, Garden Grill is a great choice!! I think that will be a great choice for your husband, as well as the son and the GF!
Happy Early Birthday!!
