Best restaurants for birthdays

I had a birthday at the Crystal Palace once! I got a surprisingly small amount of attention though.

I have been to several restaurants on my "birthday trip," but I don't really like a lot of attention so I play it kind of low key.

Really?! When I've celebrated birthdays at CP, they've done mickey confetti and streamers on the table, then brought out a cupcake with a candle and a card signed by all the Pooh characters! It was really fun. Plus, all the characters there made a big fuss

I've also done a birthday at Yachtsman Steakhouse, where they brought another card signed by lots of characters (a goodly amount, actually!), along with a special, free dessert that was delicious!

Also, I've seen people celebrate birthdays at 'Ohana, where they do a special Hawaiian birthday song and make the whole restaurant sing it!

Ok, I have spent 2 birthdays and 2 anniversaries there.

My favorites for my birthday, I had a cupcake in the Crystal Palace and a card signed from all of the characters, 1900 Park Fare I had a cupcake and a special placemat that was lamenated and signed by all of the characters plus a birthday crown, and at the 50's Prime Time there was a candle in my dessert and our server had everyone sing to me.

We had a huge bday for my DS at Chef Mickey's back in 1998. We went thru group sales (we had 21 people) They made him a cake & gave him a card signed by the Fab 5. Of course there was the Birthday singing & napkin twirling too. But Chef Mickeys was quieter then in general, so it was a big deal. Garden Grill gave DS a cupcake & a card the next day on that same trip. Bonfamilie (now gone) gave him some Mardi Gras Beads, a cupcake & a card.

We did DH's birthday at Artist Point in 1998 too. I don't recall anything special about that - we might not have even said it was a birthday.

We did my Birthday at California Grill in 2005 (the big 4-0) DH ordered me a cake. That same trip, DS & DH ordered me a cake & a really cool candy & chocolate covered strawberry thing at AKL. AKL gave me a nice birthday card & put us in what I consider the best room in AKL, way down the back overlooking the intersection of 2 safaris ( Sunset & Arusha)

Ooh! That rooms sounds great, do you remember the room number?

It was pre-made. They had the characters from the breakfast too that had signed it, and we were there for dinner with Cinderella & co
Cinderella, Prince Carming, Mad Hatter, Fairy GodMother, Mary Poppins, and Alice are on it with their pictures, all at a Fair. Really cute.

That sounds really fun. I've never been to that character meal, but I've heard the Mad Hatter is just outrageous!

1900 Park Fair is a great character meal. I've never done it for a birthday, but I have done it on two other occasions.

The Mad Hatter really does liven things up, and Mary Poppins was great. When I told her that hers was my favorite of all Disney films, she had me play Burt to her Mary, and watched while I attempted my version of Step in Time atop the roof!

That's awesome. Did you do any songs besides Step In Time? It's A Jolly Holiday would be a good one!

That would've been nice, but I believe she had to stay in rotation. There were actually other tables for her to visit!

I think that when the guests volunteer to be part of the entertainment, they should maximize the effect!

I've had MANY great birthday experiences at WDW. I've celebrated my birthday at the Poly, the Contemporary, the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and the Swan.

In some of them I've celebrated in more than one restaurant.

I HOPE to celebrate someday at the AKL and the Dolphin as well.

I have found that in each one they make a BIG deal out of you, bring you a special dessert, act like you are the 'MAN!', and generally it is a wonderful experience.

I just hope that none of the above find out that my birthday ISN'T in January, March, April, June, July, August or October.

I'll be really embarrassed if they do!!!

Imagineer: What a great story! I wish you took video! Would love to hear a review of 1900 Park Faire overall, too.

Mousetraveler: I wonder if you can get a birthday pin now if it's not your actual birthday (since they have the promo and all). I hope so!

On the subject of the "what are you celebrating" deal. It always seems to me that when you're checking in and they ask "Are you celebrating anything?" that there's a tone to their voice that's basically saying "Just come up with something." Am I just projecting?

Brad that's the impression I get as well. They would love for you to come up with something. Birthday, Anniversary, New job, New car, New hangnail, ANYTHING, just celebrate with us.

They're smart. They spend a mere pittance on something for you, but EVERYBODY around you sees you being treated special and they all think (just like us) how THEY want to celebrate with Disney.

That "pittance" probably brings back tourism investments over and over and over..

Yeah, I can't see that cutting into their profit margin much. Anything to make the trip more magical.

New hangnail! Of course! That's what I'll be celebrating next time!

Reminds me of the "prizes" you try so hard to win at carnivals. They generally aren't even worth what you paid for the attempt and you don't win most of the time. Just makes you feel good to win it. Same thing with the button. Doesn't really cost them anything, but it makes you feel good.

Maybe that can be our new codeword. We'll all say were celebrating hangnails and see if we can get someone to ask why they keep hearing that.