Are back to back character meals a bad idea?

[centurythree]

I have arrival night reservations at the Garden Grill (7 pm) as well as reservations the next morning at Chef Mickey's (7 am). Does that sound like a little too much of the same thing too close together? If so, changing the arrival night restaurant shouldn't be too difficult. I'll be traveling with two first-timers, one of which is 12.

 

[mhmcduff]

If they weren't the same characters I would say go for it but since it is Mickey and Friends at both seems like a bit much. Maybe change one to CP at MK with Pooh and Friends (fun for all ages and good food) or WCC at WL which I have never been too and does not have characters but is fun-
Also my opinion but of the two you have I like Chef Mickeys MUCH better- we cannot stand the food at Garden Grill- we call it the Garden Grease and they don't give you many choices- Catfish on vacation!-sounds like a punishment!
I would try to get Chef Mickeys at dinner and if you have plans to go to Epcot the next day try to get the Princess breakfast at Norway if the boys in the group will!

Anyways good luck! and Enjoy!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I wouldn't do Garden Grill. We didn't like the food or the atmosphere very much. I am not sure what time you are arriving that day, but I would consider something more laid back...perhaps dinner at your resort? Trying to do a 7:00 pm dinner on arrival day, then be back up for an early breakfast might be a little much to start your vacation with.?...But breakfast @ Chef Mickeys would be a perfect way to kick off your vacation!
(do they do Chef Mickeys at 7:00 am? Maybe it is 8:00 am- seems really early. )

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I wouldn't do Garden Grill. We didn't like the food or the atmosphere very much. I am not sure what time you are arriving that day, but I would consider something more laid back...perhaps dinner at your resort? Trying to do a 7:00 pm dinner on arrival day, then be back up for an early breakfast might be a little much to start your vacation with.?...But breakfast @ Chef Mickeys would be a perfect way to kick off your vacation!
(do they do Chef Mickeys at 7:00 am? Maybe it is 8:00 am- seems really early. )

Yes, they start breakfast at 7am! I could never roll out of bed and eat that much food, but Chef Mickey's is a blast!

I totally agree, I'd skip Garden Grill and just eat somewhere more relaxed on your first night...maybe at the resort. Two character meals with the same characters back to back is probably overkill.

 

[catne]

we liked Garden Grille food & atmosphere...found it very relaxing & quiet, too...none of the hustle & bustle of character buffets. We like the character buffets too, but you might enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at GG especially on arrival/travel day.

And are they really the same characters...at GG it's Mickey, Chip & Dale and Pluto. I thought the only duplication of these at Chef Mickey's was Mickey?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I don't think 2 character meals back to back is too much. I have LTT booked our first night there (so glad I got this before they did away with the characters), followed by CRT the next morning. The last full day we have there we will be at CP for a late breakfast and 1900 Park Fare for dinner.

If you think the characters at the two meals are too similar, then maybe it's too much. But that's up to you.

 

[Harambe]

Our kids have out-grown the character meals for the most part, but when they did like them, we'd only plan ONE per trip! Something to look forward to.

I'd say just plan one for the fun experience, and pick something else for your first night.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I dont think so...sometimes we do that too..have a good time!

 

[wishtdream]

we liked Garden Grille food & atmosphere...found it very relaxing & quiet [\quote]

We like GG also. Whats Disney without characters? Go and enjoy.

 

[honeymo78]

We have character meals almost every morning, a few lunches and at least one or two dinners. And we have no kids. For one, I like the food, with or without the characters, and I actually enjoy seeing them over and over again. Where else can I really do this but disney.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Back to back in my opinion is no big deal. After all you are in Disney . I say go and have fun

 

[In Luv with Disney]

we liked Garden Grille food & atmosphere...found it very relaxing & quiet, too...none of the hustle & bustle of character buffets. We like the character buffets too, but you might enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at GG especially on arrival/travel day.

And are they really the same characters...at GG it's Mickey, Chip & Dale and Pluto. I thought the only duplication of these at Chef Mickey's was Mickey?

Nope...all of the characters you listed are also at Chef Mickey's.

 

[Del]

We like to spread our character meals out....

Del

 

[squirrel]

Garden Grill is family style-no getting up to get food. This is relaxing.

I guess it is up to you. If you have the tickets to go to EPCOT then I would go, no point in leaving an unused day on your tickets that expire.

If it is costing you a day on your tickets to just go to EPCOT for dinner then I would see if you can get an ADR at a resort restaurant.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

And are they really the same characters...at GG it's Mickey, Chip & Dale and Pluto. I thought the only duplication of these at Chef Mickey's was Mickey?

Pluto is at both as well.

 

[Stitchfans]

I'd leave it alone and go as is. For our trip we will be doing more or less the same as you. Garden Grill we go mainly for Chip and Dale. Each character meal is planned around special characters for us and the others are just an added bonus even though we already saw them at a different meal. I have quite a few character meals planned for our trip in March.

 

[OKW Lover]

While we personally wouldn't do back-to-back character meals, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't. Its kind of up to what you and your family are looking for in a Disney experience. For us, we do a character meal only on a few occasions, not every trip to WDW. But then we go ~4 times a year so we probably have more opportunities.

 

[inkkognito]

I would do those two back to back, especially since the atmosphere is so different. Chef Mickeys is very energetic but GG is so much more laid back. We just had luch there a week or two ago, and we saw the characters several times and had some fun interactions. It's so much more of a mob scene at Chef Mickey's. The food was pretty tasty too (my DH hates green beans but he wolfed 'em down there).