21st Birthday Trip

[hugsnpugsnotdrugs]

Hello! I am completely new to this forum (joined about 2 minutes ago) and I need some advice! I'm sure there are a billion threads about 21st birthdays at WDW, but I figured every experience is different and some people may have different tips!
First, some details:
This would be my 14th or 15th trip to WDW. I would be traveling with, at the most, 8 people- all adults, and all of whom have been to Disney World many times. Because I am taking summer classes, I have a very short break between semesters: May 8th through the 18th of 2015.
Some questions:
My family and I normally go in the off seasons for MNSSHP or MVMCP. How different will the crowds be in the first couple of weeks of May compared to the crowds in October or December?
I love food. Eating at all places in WDW is my favorite (I LOVE Liberty Tree and Chef Mickey.) What good restaurants are in Disney World or Downtown Disney? Are there any bars or clubs? I'm really not much of a drinker or a partier, so those aren't an absolute must.
Are there any fun things to do that many people don't know about? Most of the time my family plans the trip around restaurant reservations, show times, and fast pass times. I'm looking for something a little different this time.
Thank you for all of your help! I really appreciate it!

 

[totaldisneygirl]

This sounds like so much fun!!
The good thing about the beginning of May is that kids are still in school and it's right before the Summer and Memorial Day which is when most people are there so crowds should be ok.
In terms of restaurants, I absolutely love Chef and Liberty Tree so great choices there. I don't know if a nice dinner at California Grill in time to watch Wishes is an option. It's nice and pricey but for a 21st it could be a treat with a nice glass of wine or champagne. Also, a lot of people like to "Drink around the World" for their 21st at Epcot's World Showcase which could be fun to do with friends.
I hope my 2 cents are helpful!

 

[SamandChel]

Crowds in May will be more like mid December then October. it will be busy but not completely packed. Check out the boardwalk. There are two places there you may be interested in seeing. Jellyrolls and the Atlantic dance hall. Boardwalk at night can be a nice place to hang out for adults. I do know last time I was there downtown was under a ton of construction. don't know if it still is but I'll be there in two weeks and can let you know! definitely try to go to California grill if you can. It's amazing especially during fireworks. Also look into a tour. They may have one you would like.

 

[Aly Grant]

Hiii!!!! I am on my 21st birthday trip right now until jan 5th and I am doing a live trip report!

It's on the trip report board called (LIVE) my 21st birthday extravaganza! I am not much of a drinker or partier either but I CAN tell you that I love disney and FOOD! I will post more suggestions on this board when I have more time because I am on the bus back to our resort and like about to pass out, haha but DEFINITELY DEFINITELY DEFINITELY go to rainforest cafe and get the strawberry mojito. You will love it!! I also visited in May this year so I will post more about what that is like too

So excited for you!! Joining here was a good choice, the community here is amazing and you can follow trip reports and basically go to Disney again and again vicariously through other mousekateers until you leave for your own!!!

 

[TXDisney]

Gotta do drinks around the world at Epcot. It's a marathon not a sprint. We always start at canada at around 11ish and work our way around slowly and finish in Mexico right in time for illuminations. Hitting up DTD is a must as well.