Best birthday dinner for a 10-yo girl who “isn’t in to princesses”?

[JKCDA]

Im taking my currently-9-year-old daughter to Disney just her and I (bless my lovely husband) for her 10th birthday (on April
fools), and since we’re there actually on her birthday, I want to take her for a special dinner.

She informed me she’s not into princesses, but she does love Star Wars, if that makes any difference in food choices.

We’ve been a few times as a family before, but not in the past 5 years. The other times we went, we did all the character meals we could, including Cinderella’s castle, so she’s not too fussed on that.

Any suggestions? There are no food allergies or specific dislikes, although like most kids, she’s not terribly adventurous.

 

[Marshmelo]

Sci Fi Dine In at HS is fun. And you could do all the Star Wars stuff while in HS.

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

How about the dessert party at Hollywood Studios: Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/galactic-dessert-party/

 

[PardonOurPixieDust]

I would definitely recommend the Star Wars dessert party in Hollywood studios! It’s a ton of fun! You meet Star Wars characters with minimal wait, munch on vaguely Star Wars inspired treats, and get led to the reserved fireworks viewing area by Storm Troopers! It’s a great ending to a day in Hollywood Studios.

In fact, I’d recommend doing a day around the Boardwalk and Hollywood Studios. If she’s still into princesses at ALL, she might enjoy starting the day at the Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno. It gets good reviews, and you meet Rapunzel and Ariel but also (more importantly) Flynn and Eric! Having a meal with the two of them is something a little different than the other princess meals.

Whether or not that breakfast interests you (and her), I might considering doing a little more grown-up lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby. I know at that age, I was into having a little more grown-up of birthday experiences. I’m also a big fan of glow cubes, and if they still have the derby-hat shaped glow cube, it’s adorable.

My perfect day at that age would be all three of these: a PPO Bon Voyage breakfast, a last seating of lunch at the Brown Derby (or a super early dinner), a day of Tower of Terror, roller coasters, Star Tours and Star Wars shows, with the Star Wars dessert party wrapping up the night.

However, cheaper fun options while still staying near the Star Wars stuff would be to do Sci Fi or 50s Prime Time. Both are great and engaging little windows in time.

Another option is going the “you’re a little more grown up”. Play it a little more the sophisticated Disney angle. You could do an afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian or a non princess related spa day and dinner at the Deluxe Resort where you do the spa day.

No matter where you go, be sure she’s wearing a Birthday Button all day! Or even all trip! She’ll get a ton of birthday wishes, and occasionally a bit of extra pixie dust!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Another vote for Sci Fi.

 

[sugar and spice1]

Ohana and after watch the Electrical Water Pageant and the fireworks on the Poly beach, OR the 50's Prime Time Cafe and the Star Wars Fireworks and Show after ( included with admission to the park. ) Have fun.

 

[sanapp]

My daughter who is not a princess girl loved Ragkan Road.

 

[Nancyg56]

How about the dessert party at Hollywood Studios: Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/galactic-dessert-party/

This is what I would do.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with the PP's who suggest the Star Wars dessert party. The desserts are great, you receive a gift and the Stormtroopers make a visit and escort everyone out to the viewing area. If you want to do a dinner beforehand, I would make an early reservation at Sci-Fi or Hollywood Brown Derby in DHS.

 

[JKCDA]

We’re definitely leaning towards this...we’d just have a light dinner before hand and binge on desserts! Is it worth the cost?

 

[PardonOurPixieDust]

It was when I went last year, though a few things have changed since then. There’s a thread about the Star Wars events (including the dessert party) elsewhere on the Disboards where you can get details on its current iteration.

I think we got approximately an hour to partake in the dessert party itself. It was a cute little layout in the same building where they do the meet and greets with Star Wars characters during the day. They close off the area, but keep these meet and greets open for dessert party guests, so you’ll have shorter lines and potentially longer character interactions. For adults, there are alcoholic drinks included (which definitely improved the value proposition for my party as we’re all adults). The desserts included everything from Darth Vader and BB8 cupcakes to a manned station with a liquid-nitrogen-frozen chocolate dessert. There were also a few savory options. After you have your time at the dessert party, you’re given a gift (I’ve heard of it being various character cups in the past, it was the TIE fighter popcorn bucket when we were there) and then two storm troopers lead you to a reserved area for viewing the Star Wars fireworks. I think I’ve heard they moved the area and it’s a little too close now, but I’m not sure of that. You do get to see the fireworks in front of the theater without having to secure a spot beforehand, and all that time you would have spent securing a spot and waiting for the fireworks is spent eating desserts in the Cantina instead. You can also grab some drinks and pastries before the walk to see the fireworks and eat/drink as you watch them.

Between fabulous character meets and tasty drinks and desserts, my family had a great time and it was one of the three top highlights of our trip (I also took them to the Halloween party and on the Wild Africa Trek, but this was right up there with them). But I may be a little biased because of that.

 

[BlondeAppetit]

We’re definitely leaning towards this...we’d just have a light dinner before hand and binge on desserts! Is it worth the cost?

Yes..I think that it packs a big punch...character appearances (the stormtroopers), sweet and savory options not just dessert, alcohol - if desired, fun gift (I have seen Chewbacca steins and we received one of the ships as a popcorn bucket per person), special seating for fireworks show.

Sending you a private message too.

 

[BlondeAppetit]

It would not let me send it but...she will be nine when she arrives at Disney. I would keep her as nine on the reservation, as it will be less expensive than booking her as a 10 year old and technically she is still nine when the trip begins.

 

[JKCDA]

Disney only cares how old you are when you check in...you never have to update your age. We check in the day before her birthday, so 9 she is!

Thank you all for your ideas...I’m pretty sure we’re going to go with this Galactic thing...how far in advance Do I have to check for reservations?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Disney only cares how old you are when you check in...you never have to update your age. We check in the day before her birthday, so 9 she is!

Thank you all for your ideas...I’m pretty sure we’re going to go with this Galactic thing...how far in advance Do I have to check for reservations?

I would start checking as soon as your dining window opens. If the reservations aren't loaded at that point, just keep checking.

 

[cobright]

Your ten year old sounds like mine did at that age and maybe Princesses are a little to 'childish' for her (I know, heaven forbid is what I say). Perhaps a restaurant with a more that caters to a more refined palate? Something with cloth table linens and a dress code (of sorts anyway)? My girl kiddo's 14 now and her favorite celebration hole is, and will probably always be, the Yachtsman.

 

[krose4]

Just an idea if she's a slightly adventurous eater, but Sanaa is great for an animal loving kid! Look over the menu, a lot of it is delicious (but you'd need a kid who isn't picky, it wouldn't have been hard for me as a child, but I was always an adventurous eater). Request a window table, and you look out over the savannah. Book an early reservation as they feed the animals near the windows shortly after the restaurant opens for dinner, and if you can swing it definitely go to the SW dessert party. It's hard to make a full meal of, but any SW loving kid would adore that party! Let the CM know it's her birthday, as they select a kid to lead the charge to the viewing area escorted by the storm troopers, and it being her birthday -might- give her an edge to getting the role, but as always there's no guarantee. I'm not really a fan of any of the dining in HS, but there's a lot of good eating in the epcot resort area and DS. Another fun activity (I planned a whole star wars day for my husband our last trip) is going to the Void in DS. It's really, really fun, and even if you're terrible at it (I was horrendous) the experience was one of our favorite during the trip. We were paired with a father son team that felt similarly.

 

[sapphirerose915]

If she specifically said she likes star wars then I'd maybe sleep in and have a nice breakfast somewhere.. depending on the day there are some yummy brunches on property... then I would go to Hollywood studios and do a star wars late day into the evening. To the meet and greet with Chewbacca, go on star tours... watch the imperial march, Do a quick service dinner at Backlot express- they have star wars themed menu items... then go to the star wars dessert party. I've never been but I've only heard fantastic things about it!! I'm planning a similar day for my husband who is a huge fan!!