Avoid Grand Gathering Breakfast at Tony's

[bsusanmb]

Our family of 13 paid $39.00 each for the Grand Gathering at Tony's in MK for breakfast with Mickey. It was supposed to be a wonderful experience where the characters spend time with your family.

Well, we were all jammed in with no room to move. The characters could not get to our family or our toddlers because they couldn't get through to visit with us. The food was served to us on a plate - scrambled eggs, small Mickey waffle, potatoes, sausage, and one Danish. All of this for a mere $39.00.....it was the BIGGEST rip off ever. I am willing to pay money for a good experience, but this was terrible.

We were unable to get any photos of the characters visiting at the table, because they couldn't get to the table. We got about 2 minutes to pose at the very end with Mickey and it was rushed and uncomfortable.

I had to ask for water and coffee...and no refills offered. The foot was luke warm.

Two days prior, I had taken the toddlers to Chef Mickey's for a lot less money and LOTS ans LOTS of character time and photos, plus all you care to eat! And of course the Crystal Palace was another place that was less expensive with lots of character interaction.

I would not recommend the grand gathering to anyone and intend to write a letter to Disney about it.

 

[JMLBrats]

Even though this is thread is pretty dated, I'm bumping it up to see if anyone else feels this way? We have reservations for this in August and I'm trying to figure out if we should keep it. We are using one of our TS's each from the plan so the money isn't so much a factor, but still want to know if it's worth it? Anyone?

 

[bsusanmb]

I know you are looking for another opinion, but let me tell you first of all, I am a Disneyaholic. I visit WDW 4 times a year. We are DVC member with 630 points, and there is not anywhere else I would rather be. I support everything Disney does for the most part.

That being said, DH and I along with 3DD's and 1DS and their spouses will vouge for the fact that this was an awful meal and an awful time. Unless you enjoy being piled into crowded spaces where you can't move and being served a small breakfast, like what you get or not, and lack of servers attention to refilling coffee etc, and waiting your turn while each family gets photos with Mickey - we waited over 30 minutes with 3 toddlers, you are best to go to Chef Mickey, Donald's Breaktosaurus, and the Crystal Palace. The only thing you get at this "grand experience" is a pin. You will be very disappointed. I did a search on Deb Will's message board and read the same thing before I went, but I thought it would be a nice thing to try. DH and I have done the safari breakfast when we stayed at the AKL concierge and LOVED it. It was wonderful, the food plentiful, and not rushed. This was TERRIBLE. Food was cold, one little scoop of scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage (which I don't eat), and there was one Danish each on the table on a tray. No one came around to refill our drinks unless I chased them down.

So, I just want to warn you, there are much nicer adventures for kids and much better meals and service elsewhere.

Best wishes on your upcoming trip! We'll be there the end of April, and can't wait!!

 

[Laurafoster]

Sorry you had a bad experience. Thanks for sharing though!

 

[JMLBrats]

I know you are looking for another opinion, but let me tell you first of all, I am a Disneyaholic. I visit WDW 4 times a year. We are DVC member with 630 points, and there is not anywhere else I would rather be. I support everything Disney does for the most part.

That being said, DH and I along with 3DD's and 1DS and their spouses will vouge for the fact that this was an awful meal and an awful time. Unless you enjoy being piled into crowded spaces where you can't move and being served a small breakfast, like what you get or not, and lack of servers attention to refilling coffee etc, and waiting your turn while each family gets photos with Mickey - we waited over 30 minutes with 3 toddlers, you are best to go to Chef Mickey, Donald's Breaktosaurus, and the Crystal Palace. The only thing you get at this "grand experience" is a pin. You will be very disappointed. I did a search on Deb Will's message board and read the same thing before I went, but I thought it would be a nice thing to try. DH and I have done the safari breakfast when we stayed at the AKL concierge and LOVED it. It was wonderful, the food plentiful, and not rushed. This was TERRIBLE. Food was cold, one little scoop of scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage (which I don't eat), and there was one Danish each on the table on a tray. No one came around to refill our drinks unless I chased them down.

So, I just want to warn you, there are much nicer adventures for kids and much better meals and service elsewhere.

Best wishes on your upcoming trip! We'll be there the end of April, and can't wait!!

thanks for explaining it more, I also posted about this on the DVC boards-interested to see what others think too. I guess since I haven't heard a lot about it, I do have doubts that it will be a worth while experience.

 

[bsusanmb]

Go to Allearsnet.com

This is Deb Will's site. If you do a search of this magical gathering, you will read all negative reports- well, some neutral, but stating the same conclusion that I did - kids get more interaction with the characters elsewhere, and a much better meal.

If you decide to go, let me know how it was. I was sent a comment email about this experience, and I really let them know what I thought about it. So maybe they have improved. I think that they overbook and there is just no room to move, and the food is very limited, even for the little ones.

Have a wonderful vacation!
Susan