A character breakfast- with specific requests:

[married2mm]

I bet this will be a fond memory for you that you won't regret. My daughter and I were just talking about how fun the character meals were with my mom. It was a lot of fun, good memories and we have some nice pics. We found chip and dale to be very sweet. I'd agree with garden grill.

I would just avoid chef Mickey , ohana and 1900 park fare...the mad hatter was a bit over the top when we went.

Have fun and don't forgot an autograph book for Dmil. Better yet, get a photo mat, have the characters sign and get a nice picture of you all.

I think you're right-
Memories are quite a big part of the whole vacation experience & dmil loves food

 

[married2mm]

thanks all for your great replies.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I think 1900 Park Fare would be good for your requirements. We were seated in an area where we didn't really see the characters until they got to our general area. Alice and the Mad Hatter did run around a little, and they gave us the most attention, probably because DD was in an Alice in Wonderland shirt. Overall though, I wouldn't call it a hectic or loud meal. The food was excellent.

 

[PrncessA]

Another person who says Garden Grill Breakfast. Out of all the character meals, this is the only one that my husband and I are doing on our adults only trip. It is quiet and private (if you ask for a circle booth) and relaxing, then you get the characters.

We also enjoy Cape May breakfast, but we found it a bit louder than Garden Grill.

 

[Hopefully]

Which is exactly why I didn't book on our last 2 trips....

However dmil speaks wistfully of seeing the characters from a distance
She would never actually say she wants to go or not go anywhere -
but facial expressions and hints she puts out there suggest she wants to give it a go.

I understand.
But I think what folks are telling you is that you either need to temper your list of requirements or please your MIL. We don't think anywhere, other than possibly Garden Grille and Cape May Café, even come close to your list of requirements.
Good Luck

 

[Disnsyncey]

Actually I was going to suggest the character breakfast at the Four Seasons, only Minnie, Mickey, and Goofy but the food seems to be top notch!

Reviews:
http://www.mousesteps.com/dining-ma...sons-resort-orlando-is-a-fun-way-to-begin-day

http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/09/15/menu-monday-review-four-seasons-ravello-character-breakfast/

I was about to mention Ravello too!

 

[karatstravels]

Another vote for the Four Seasons - the best character breakfast we have been to. Great service, good food (far exceeds Disney food), quiet and great character interaction. We were a larger party and had the private dining room that opens to the terrace - almost like our own private character breakfast. You will be spoiled after doing this one!

 

[momof2cuties]

jumping in to ask about Four Seasons. Where about is it and how would I get there if we are not renting a car? Possible by Disney transporation? We are staying at AKL/PO FQ/BWI

 

[tobikaye]

jumping in to ask about Four Seasons. Where about is it and how would I get there if we are not renting a car? Possible by Disney transporation? We are staying at AKL/PO FQ/BWI

You would need to use a cab (or uber, car service, etc...) to get to the Four Seasons. As far as I have seen, there is not WDW transportation to this resort. It is located in the Golden Oaks community.

 

[Hopefully]

You would need to use a cab (or uber, car service, etc...) to get to the Four Seasons. As far as I have seen, there is not WDW transportation to this resort. It is located in the Golden Oaks community.

Yes
I would also expect that as a Four Seasons restaurant it would be fairly expensive. I definitely would check menu prices before I decided to dine there.

 

[GillianP1301]

Garden Grill is by far the calmest/quietest character meal and the food is really good. It's family style and not buffet, which helps make it more relaxing.

Cape May is not too bad either noise wise, especially with an earlier morning ADR for breakfast. Food is really good there too.

Avoid Chef Mickey, that place is over the top chaos no matter what time you go, Tusker House & Ohana can get loud too because they both do a follow the leader type dance/march thing with the characters and Hollywood & Vine attracts the really young kids, because it's Disney Jr. and with that comes noice and the food there is pretty bad too.

 

[tobikaye]

Yes
I would also expect that as a Four Seasons restaurant it would be fairly expensive. I definitely would check menu prices before I decided to dine there.

$46/adult & $24/child (3-12)

So, a bit more than the non-princess character breakfasts, but only by about $10-16.

http://www.fourseasons.com/orlando/services_and_amenities/disney_experiences/character_breakfast/

 

[dkrauss]

I would go with the Garden Grill in Epcot. It's family style so no buffet. And the semi-circle booths make you feel like you are by yourself and it's not near as noisy. I've never been for breakfast but I had dinner here and it was a lot quieter than the other character meals we have done.

This is actually a good suggestion I forgot about.............My wife and I did an early breakfast there in January. Food was pretty good.........since we were like the first ones in.......the noise was minimal............however characters visited 2X

Doug

 

[married2mm]

Another person who says Garden Grill Breakfast. Out of all the character meals, this is the only one that my husband and I are doing on our adults only trip. It is quiet and private (if you ask for a circle booth) and relaxing, then you get the characters.

We also enjoy Cape May breakfast, but we found it a bit louder than Garden Grill.

That's interesting-thanks.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Add me to the group who suggests Garden Grill. Definitely request a booth when you check in, though. Better view and more private.

 

[vinotinto]

We've had some fairly loud breakfasts at Cape May, with lots of little kids running around, very excited that goofy (or Donald) are on their way. It's just the nature of things. But, we did have a quieter breakfast there later in the morning once - on a day that we were skipping parks early and heading to a waterpark around 10:00 ish. So, perhaps a later breakfast there would be a good compromise.

 

[msb578]

It sounds like the one at the swan/dolphin would work. It's only on weekend though. A couple characters appear, not five or so like at other breakfasts.

Ah yes- Garden Grove, not to be confused with Garden Grill

 

[newestkg06]

Our breakfast at Crystal Palace (no Mickey, it's Winnie the Pooh characters) was perfect I thought. No crazy dances, loud music, or forced merriment. The characters came around and greeted and you chose how you wanted to interact. A table near us with only adults just said a quick hi, no pictures or anything. No one acted like that was strange. We got up and took pictures with each (with our kids). The buffet was very good (puffy french toast!!) and the building itself was really beautiful. Our server was really friendly and helped take pictures of the whole family together. If you are a fan of the characters, that's one I think you could put on the list.

 

[karatstravels]

So, a bit more than the non-princess character breakfasts, but only by about $10-16.

And the food / service more than make up for it. Not to mention the setting is lovely.

 

[maxiesmom]

Our breakfast at Crystal Palace (no Mickey, it's Winnie the Pooh characters) was perfect I thought. No crazy dances, loud music, or forced merriment. The characters came around and greeted and you chose how you wanted to interact. A table near us with only adults just said a quick hi, no pictures or anything. No one acted like that was strange. We got up and took pictures with each (with our kids). The buffet was very good (puffy french toast!!) and the building itself was really beautiful. Our server was really friendly and helped take pictures of the whole family together. If you are a fan of the characters, that's one I think you could put on the list.

You must have missed the parade they have the kids do. I love the Crystal Palace, but it seems pretty noisy to me.