Well let me be the first to say happy birthday to her.

Go to www.waltdisneyworld.com and click on book, then dining reservations. This way you can go through your choice online and faster then you would if you called and made reservations.

Now for the hard part. First Disney dining, at any time of the year gets full real quick, so #1, be flexable and #2 Book early.

Also there are so many choices that you head is going to spin. There are 21 sit down restaurants in the four parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios). Plus each moderate and exclusive has at least one restaurant and can have up to four. And each restaurant has a different amazing theme.

Some of my favorites.
Epcot: La Cellier, Canada; Le Chefs de France, France; Rose and Crown Pub, UK; Coral Reef Restaurant, Living Seas.
Magic Kingdom: Cinderella's Royal Table, and Liberty Tree Tavern.
Hollywood Studios: The 50's Sci-Fi Diner.

If you want to wow her. Try and get a table at California Grill at the Contemporary. It sits atop the Contemporary resort (the big A frame hotel that the monorail goes through) if you can get a table at night when the Magic Kingdom's fireworks are going of you will get a great view from your table.

Just do some research and you will find some great choices.

I second California Grill. In the vicinity of MK, I also enjoy Artist's Point at Wilderness Lodge, very fine NW style food and wines in a pleasant setting overlooking Lake BV. Narcoosie's at Grand Floridian is on the water with an MK view for fireworks or the lights on the water boat parade. Victoria and Albert's is Disney's five star with $$$ appropriate. Victoria and Albert's may have a dress code.
You can reach Contemporary or Floridian by monorail from MK for lunch or dinner.

stumpworks73 hit all of my top recommendations!

If you decide on California Grill, try to ask (when you reserve) for a window table and time your reservation to begin about ½ hour before the evening fireworks show in the Magic Kingdom. When the show begins, you'll have a fantastic view of it all.

Bon_Bon, I didn't mean to steal your idea about seeing the MK fireworks show from one's California Grill table. It's actually one of my favorite suggestions too. It was late and I missed seeing it!

Hey Guys, You're onto it - great suggestions so far. I forgot to mention in my initial post that I'd tried to book California Grill online yesterday and there are no reservations available Same for Narcoosie's which I have tried just now. I should have thought about this earlier on...

Any thoughts about an offsite property that we could do an early dinner at then come back to MK? Or is that not really feasible? I had come across Portobello at Downtown Disney but that seems to have pretty mixed reviews.

I would try for 1 of the countries at EPCOT, even if you are at MK if you have a Parkhopper Pass

Hi -

The restaurant in the French pavillion at EPCOT is excellent.

Mike, Have you tried Artist Point (in Disney's Wilderness Lodge)? It definitely is special occasion quality.

Another thought would be to phone them (from NZ). Their direct number is 407–824–2293. Explain your circumstances (i.e. that you are traveling halfway around the world to celebrate a special occasion and what can they do to accommodate you?)

You could also phone California Grill directly at 407–824–1576 and try the same approach.

More Disney phone numbers here: http://www.islandcruisetravel.com/disney_phone_numbers.htm

Thanks Vic, I think a few phone calls are in order at this point. Fingers crossed - there's some great options if I can just get a booking

I also like Citrico's at the Grand Floridian. It does not have a view so doesn't seem to fill up as fast, yet it is also a nice, special occasion atmosphere. Just eat a little earlier, then take the monorail right over to the MK for fireworks.

I've been to Portobello and it was good, but not special. I'd go back for a family dinner or something, but it may not be what you are looking for this time.

Artist Point is a good suggestion as well - nice and close to MK. I also like Flying Fish at the Boardwalk, but that might not be too convenient to go over to the Fireworks.

Yay! Have just secured a 6:25 reservation at Artist Point. Now I just need to figure out the details - how does one best get from MK to Wilderness Lodge? I'm thinking we might miss the fireworks too, or is that still do-able? Thanks everyone for your help so far - it's much appreciated

Mike, I don't stay at any of the Disney hotels since I live here, but my initial thought would be to ask your hotel concierge to arrange this for you. It really not far at all from MK to Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Even a taxi would not cost you very much.

Another transportation option to/from MK according to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/wilderness-lodge-resort/ :
"Transportation at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is complimentary for Resort hotel Guests. Magic Kingdom theme park can be reached from Disney's Wilderness Lodge by boat or bus. Other destinations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, including Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parks, are also accessable from Disney's Wilderness Lodge by complimentary bus and boat transportation."

The boat dock is located behind the restaurant and hotel on the lake, just past the geyser (which is worth a look). I think that is what they are referring to, but a phone call to the restaurant or hotel should confirm this. It's a nice little (free) boat ride.

Good one thanks Vic, I hadn't had a chance to do much research yet - I was on my way to work this morning when I thought I'd try and get a booking just in case. Just as well I did that! I'm sure getting there won't be too hard, we may well end up driving to the resort in the end as we'll probably head back to our off-site accom to get ready for dinner. It would be nice to be able to get a view of the fireworks at MK at 8pm but that just might all be a bit tight. Thanks again for your help!

Wherever you are you can find locals' and visitors' reviews of restaurants at www.yelp.com If you are like me (I didn't trust it at first), then pick a place you know and see if people give the place an accurate rating. Of course make sure there are more than one or two ratings (the trust thing again)but I haven't been disappointed yet by the site.

Have you checked the fireworks schedule for your date in September? It varies from none, 8, 9 or 10 pm. So depending on your date you may be able to make it back to the Magic Kingdom for them. The easiest way from the park to the Wilderness Lodge is by Disney boat as another poster mentioned. They never ask whether you are a resort guest or not and I'm sure they'd want you to get to your reservation There is a boat that goes between between the WL and the MK. It's possible the boat will make another stop too, so Disney's transportation can be slow going, allow plenty of time, like an hour + if you use the boat, or even a bus (Disney will tell you 1.5 hours) You could take a taxi but you have to take the ferry or monorail from the Magic Kingdom to their Ticket and Transportation center walk through the ticket booth plaza to the Taxi stand that's at the far end and across from the ticket booths - so even that is not super fast, so again - just allow plenty of time. I think you could make 9 or 10 pm fireworks, 8pm might be iffy. You can watch the high fireworks from the beach at the Lodge but you won't be able to see them all. As for Artist Point it is very good, depending on your time constraits you could ask for a window, nice water view. I can recommend the smoky portobello soup (the color of concrete but so good they have the recipe ready for anyone who asks) and the salmon Have a wonderful dinner! And Happy Birthday to your friend!

Thanks edipip! Fireworks will be at 8pm on that day. But that's ok, we'll catch the ones at Hollywood Studios a couple of days later

You are welcome. Are you speaking of the Fantasmic show at Hollywood Studios? There are no fireworks normally at Hollywood studios, except on July 4th. You might get lucky on your way back from dinner at Artist Point and see the MK fireworks from the boat. Hope you guys have a great time

That's the one... still looks like fun and I'm sure we're going to have a ball. Thanks

Another good place for Disney info is http://www.disboards.com/

You'll have a great time I'm sure, enjoy!