Best Character Dining?

[jennkarma]

I'm looking to take my 2 1/2 year old for Character Dining. Which is the best place? I think she would like Mickey the best. We are looking to do it for dinner.
THANKS!!!

 

[wdwishes1990]

The characters at Chef Mickey's have always been great making sure everyone gets an opportunity.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I think the only character dinner featuring Mickey is Chef Mickey's (he's at the Cape May breakfast, but I don't think he does dinner). I haven't been there in many years, but it seems to get fairly poor reviews for food quality but generally good reviews for the character experiences.

In my family's opinion, the best character meal is Crystal Palace, which features Pooh, Tigger, Piglet & Eeyore. The food is above average with nice selections of salads, entrees and OK desserts, and the characters are warm, engaging, and beloved.

Another option, if she's into the Princesses, is to go to Akershus in Epcot. We went for the first time last week and were very impressed by the quality of the food and the princess interactions were as good, or better, than we had at Cinderella's Royal Table a few days before, for half the price.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

The Garden Grill in Epcot also has Mickey and it is a quieter atmosphere. It depends on if your daughter does better in an exciting enviornment or soemthing a little more sedate.

 

[mom2val]

I vote for Garden Grille in Epcot. Mickey, Chip, Dale & Pluto were all there in Dec '09. It was a very calm character meal. Food is brought to you. The characters all made it by at least 2 times. If we had eaten slower I am sure we'd have seen them a 3rd time.

 

[VLee]

For the age of your child, I would suggest Chef Mickeys as the kids get to participate in the little Mickey celebration by waving their napkins around.
Also Donald is there, who is enjoyed by most kids.

For an older child, I would recommend the 1900 Park Fare dinner in which Cinderella, Prince Charming, the stepmother and two stepsisters appear. (the mice and Fairy Godmother appeared a while back but now the stepsisters are there.)

My 7 and 10 year old really enjoyed the funny antics of the stepsisters. It was really fun to see them "fight" and roll around on the floor in their dresses. However, I will say that my 3 year granddaughter was a little frightened by them and did not want her pic with them as their facial expressions scared her a little. They were portrayed wonderfully and even posed like that with the kids.

 

[skipperkim]

Another vote for Garden Grill. It's much quieter and more relaxing than Chef Mickey's. At Garden Grill you get more personal attention than at Chef Mickey's.

 

[dawnbu40]

Garden Grill would be the best choice. Chef Mickey's is highly overrated. It is too loud there and the buffet is not the greatest.

 

[OhThePain]

Another vote for Garden Grill. The food is good, not great but not awful. Revolving around LWTL is a nice touch. The character interaction is the best on site in my opinion. The shape and size of the restuarant leads to a quieter atmosphere and more character interaction (sometimes come around 3 or 4 times). The character time does not feel as rushed as it does at most of the other character meals.

 

[abubu919]

I know Mickey isn't here but I vote Crystal Palace. I personally think they have great service and food, especially breakfast, along with great character interaction. But Chef Mickey's is good as well.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

If seeing Mickey is your priority then you have two options for dinner: Chef Mickey's or Garden Grill. At Chef Mickey's you will see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald & Pluto. At Garden Grill the characters are Mickey, Pluto, Chip n Dale. The main difference between the two places is atmosphere: Chef Mickey's has a fun/upbeat atmosphere while Garden Grill is more sedated. The food at Garden Grill is served family style while Chef Mickey's is a buffet. Both of these places get mixed reviews - so take a look at the menus - that may help you decide.

 

[wizzzzzard]

Chef Mickey's is OK, if a bit loud. My family enjoys it, but my kids are older, and have never really been all that bothered by loud restaurants. Unlike most folks 'round these here parts, I like the food at Chef Mickey's. I've always had fine meals there. (Except the time when I got sick earlier in the day. But that wasn't CM's fault! )

A better experience can be had at Garden Grill for Mickey. The resturant is a little more low-key, and the characters have a bit longer to interact, since the resturant is also a bit smaller.

IMHO, Crystal Palace is the best for the little kids. Pooh, Piglet, etc, interact better with younger kids. I have pics somewhere of them really working with my daughter when she was little.

My kids are older now, and not so much into Pooh, but the food in CP is quite good. Personally, I'd go for Crystal Palace, but if you are set on Mickey, go for Garden Grill.

 

[kimis]

My dh and I do many character meals during our stay. It is the best place to get pics with some of our favs. We like all of them however Tusker house was our least favorite.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

My kids enjoyed Chef Mickey's. They were 14 and 8 at the time.

 

[megwilliams]

We took the twins to Chef Mickey's when they were about the same age. I know Chef Mickey's gets tons of bad reviews, but honestly, we loved it. Our waiter was always there with refills, and the character interaction was great. We had no problems with the buffet. Sure, there were a few things we didn't like, but that's par for the course with buffets. We haven't been to Garden Grill yet, so I can't compare, but for toddlers/preschoolers, I think Chef Mickey's is great!

 

[thej]

If you have to have Mickey for dinner then choices are limited. We had a great time at Garden Grill, the food is just OK, but the time you get with the characters is great!

If you can do without Mickey, I would second the Crystal Palace. The food choices are better than average for WDW buffets and the character interaction is great.

 

[altus]

Chef is second

 

[kwdancer26]

If you choose Chef Mickey's do breakfast over dinner. Dinner food, minus the dessert bar, really wasn't good.

Although I haven't been there myself Crystal Palace constantly gets great reviews.

I have heard mixed reviews about 1900 Park Fare.

 

[disneybliss2]

My daughters' favorite character meal at that age (and still now) is Chef Mickey's for breakfast. For us, the atmosphere is fun and lively and true Disney magic. We've always had GREAT character interaction here. There were plenty of good food options as well. Their next favorite is Akershus w/ the princesses. Good food, and great place to meet the princesses. The character interaction is good, but a little more rushed than over at Chef Mickey's.

 

[Brian JT]

Having had two of our kids there at 2 years old, I vote Chef Mickey's. The food is fine and the atmosphere for little kids is great. Good luck.