Hiya Denise – welcome to
planDisney!
Thanks so much for stopping by with your question – we always love to help Guests just like you have a more magical vacation!
Walt Disney World Resort is a great place to celebrate just about anything, but an 80th birthday is certainly special! Before I make some recommendations, let me first remind you that advance dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance. So, for the best reservation availability, you’ll want to put a reminder in your calendar! The phone lines open at about 7 a.m. Disney time and reservations are usually available online and in the My Disney Experience Mobile App around 6 a.m. that morning. Sometimes even basic date math is a challenge for me, so I usually search online for a helpful date calculator to make sure I have the correct day.
If you haven’t visited Walt Disney World before, or if this is your first time in forever, you may be surprised by all the new dining options. Gone are the days of hot dogs and chicken tenders being your only options! There’s now everything from world-class fine dining to innovative food trucks, and everything in between. Also, every dining location at Walt Disney World Resort is ready to help you celebrate any occasion – many offer
celebration cakes that you can pre-order, and you can also have a custom cake sent to most table-service restaurants!
Some of my favorite table-service restaurants that are fit for a celebration include
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort,
Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and
California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. All offer phenomenal fine-dining experiences with exciting menus and inviting décor. At Topolino’s Terrace, you may be able to step outside on the rooftop and catch a glimpse of the Harmonious fireworks from EPCOT. At California Grill, you’ll overlook Magic Kingdom where you might catch the fireworks during Disney Enchantment. You could also consider some of the fireworks dining packages to add some extra pixie dust to your evening. Currently, both
Spice Road Table and
Rose & Crown Dining Room offer fireworks dinner packages, giving your crew a front-row seat to EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular, Harmonious! Disney Springs also has many fantastic dining locations, and some, like
Morimoto Asia, also have private dining rooms available for booking if you’d like a more intimate experience.
The good news is that no matter what your plans are, you’ll be able to find a great option to celebrate. One last tip – make sure you let every Cast Member you interact with know that it’s your Mom’s 80th birthday, especially when you call in to make the reservation, and again when you check in to dine. They’ll make sure that she feels special!
I hope this information is helpful –
please let me know if any other questions pop up as you continue planning!
Ryan J.