2nd Trip: Help needed with ADR plans

[Mouse Smitten]

((First post!))

This will be our second trip. We loved character our dining experiences last trip (Chef Mickey's, CRT, Crystal Palace) and we would like to do 3 or maybe 4 on our next visit.

We will be there 4 nights - arrive Sat. around noon and leave early Wed. AM.

Please give me your suggestions from our following narrowed list:

1900 Park Fare (PM for Cindy and prince)
Akershus Royal Banquet
Cape May Cafe
Garden Grove (?? not sure what characters)
Tusker House (AM for Safari Breakfast)

We are an early to rise family. We have park hoppers. We plan to take breaks for DD1.5 to nap in the afternoons.

What would you suggest we try to schedule for ADR's?
DD loves princesses - should we go to CRT again? Last time we where there at lunch, but I think an evening time when it's dark outside would seem magical.

Thanks in advance!

 

[joanne312]

I know it's not on your list, but Ohana is our favorite breakfast! The food is delicious and the character interaction is great. I would definitely do it if you haven't done it before.

If DD loves princess, Akershus is your best bet from your list.

 

[Mouse Smitten]

Thank you! Is it only Lilo and Stitch or are there more characters?

Also, is the experience at CRT more *enchanting* in the evening vs. daylight?

 

[Mouse Smitten]

Ohana is our favorite breakfast! The food is delicious and the character interaction is great.

Thank you! Is it only Lilo and Stitch or are there more characters?

Also, is the experience at CRT more *enchanting* in the evening vs. daylight?

 

[honeybunches]

You will love 1900 Park Fare! Akershus is great for the princesses. I liked it better than CRT.

 

[JJNikaPiot]

Ohana (Best Friends Breakfast) has Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto.

Garden Grill (Dinner only - EPCOT) has Chip, Dale, Mickey and Pluto.

Play and Dine at Hollywood & Vine (Studios)(Breakfast & Lunch?) may interest your little guy with the Playhouse Disney (Disney Junior) characters - Leo, June, Handy Manny and Oso.

Just tossing a couple others out there.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

We have eaten at 1900 Park fare for breakfast and dinner and enjoyed both. We've done Crystal Palace for breakfast twice and always enjoy it. Tusker House is our current favourite breakfast buffet.

 

[gabzee]

There are many character meals available. It truly depends on what characters you want. Since you have little ones, they may like the Hollywood and Vine (I have not been but I have heard that the characters- the Playhouse Disney crew- are big so I would look for pictures to make sure your youngest wont be scared). Ohana only has characters for breakfast (Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch). I like Chef Mickey's for breakfast ONLY! They food is good and you can see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald. I also enjoy 1900 Park for breakfast (I've only been there for breakfast but hear that dinner in good too). The food is good, characters are funny and take their time with you. The characters there include the Mad Hatter, Alice, Winnie the Pooh, and Mary Poppins. The food at Akershus and CRT isn't great but if you little ones like the princesses I would suggest one of these. I would probably lean to CRT since the experience itself in magical and you can say that you ate inside of the castle! The Crystal Palace is also a good one and they have Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore. I would factor into your decision what parks you are going to and how scary the characters will seem to your kids. I personally would definately try Chef Mickey(its a classic), 1900 Park, and pick one of the princess locations or Hollywood and Vine. In addition I would like to suggest that you look into possibly Teppan Edo at Epcot. I know personally that it is nice to switch it up a little and not continuously go to character dining locations. Teppan Edo is located in Epcot at the Japan Pavilion. It is a habachi restaurant- where they cook right in front of you. My kids- when they would little and still now- love it. It completely entertains them throughout the meal and the food is really good. They have a large menu but the basic habachi dinner there consists of your choice or combination of protein(s), vegetables, noodles, and rice. You can look at the menu on allears.com. To conclude, I would definately suggest Chef Mickey, 1900 Park, Teppan Edo, and either CRT, Akershus, or Hollywood and Vine. I truly hope this helps and that you have a wonderful trip. I would love to hear how it goes and what you decide.
Debbie

 

[jstouder]

Another vote for Ohana. It's our favorite breakfast!!

 

[ktlm]

1900 Park Fare (PM for Cindy and prince)- Very fun meal. We have done it twice. The first time we thought the food was mediocre, but this last December we thought the food was greatly improved and we really liked it. Be aware that this is a slow character meal. If you are seated at your ADR time, you will be lucky. The characters get spread out, and they stop for little "shows" here and there...Cindy and the Prince Dance; the Stepsisters sing etc. If you don't have any specific plans that might get messed up if it winds up taking a while, it is a great choice.


Akershus Royal Banquet- Princesses...what more can I say. We've done this one 3 times. We've done lunch and dinner. We like the food, but some people don't. We prefer CRT. DD is a princess fanatic, so we have wound up doing both the last 2 trips.

Tusker House (AM for Safari Breakfast)-- This is a great character meal. We've done this one 4 times. Good food and cute characters. Since you say you are early risers, I would highly recommend a pre-park breakfast here on your AK day.