best character dining?

[720L]

Where is the best character dining? We've been to the one at Grand Floridian but would like to go to one at the parks because it would be more convienient. We loved the one at Grand Floridian! We went for breakfast and it was awesome....

 

[jcemom]

Our favorite was dinner at the Garden Grill in the Land Pavillion at Epcot. The food was good, as was the service, and the character interaction was excellent. I also liked that you are seated in high-backed booths making your meal much more private.

 

[my3princes]

We like Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. We have done the breakfast many times. The food is alright and the character interaction in wonderful. My kids really enjoy twirling their napkins in the air and singing with everyone else in the restaurant. The Garden Grill at Epcot has great food, but less character interaction.

 

[DisKim]

The Crystal Palace is my faveorite. I like having a nice lunch with Pooh and friends after a long morning at MK.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by my3princes
The Garden Grill at Epcot has great food, but less character interaction.

I suppose it all depends on what you're looking for and your definition of interaction. Chef Mickey's -- with the parades and napking twirling -- could definitely be fun. To me, it's more like chaos, lol. I get enough of that at home, lol. Garden Grill is a much more quiet and calm atmosphere. No parades or napkin twirling to be sure. However, as for interaction, Mickey helped my DSs with their word search puzzles (given to the kids along with crayons) and personally delivered DH's birthday cake, then proceeded to spoon frosting from the cake right onto the end of DH's nose! Chip and Dale pinched DS's cheeks and kept sneaking sugar packets into the hood of my other DS's sweatshirt. Pluto played a peek-a-boo of sorts, hiding around the corner of the booth and jumping out at us. Each of them came to our table several times over the course of the meal. WE prefer the more personal sort of attention and can do without the more celebratory atmosphere of Chef Mickey's, but that is just a matter of opinion. You may very well like Chef Mickey's better, as I think many people do. I'm sorry, I should have elaborated more in my description above!

 

[my3princes]

jcemom
We have had lunch at the garden grill on two separte trips and did not have the same experience as you. We got to see each character once over the course of our meal (the server actually had to track down a character or two that we hadn't seen so that we could leave). There was no playing with the kids, just a quick photo op and autograph and they were gone. One time the restaurant was very busy, the other almost empty. I'm glad that you had a great experience and hopefully we will too as we love the food and continue to go back.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by my3princes
jcemom
We have had lunch at the garden grill on two separte trips and did not have the same experience as you. We got to see each character once over the course of our meal (the server actually had to track down a character or two that we hadn't seen so that we could leave). There was no playing with the kids, just a quick photo op and autograph and they were gone. One time the restaurant was very busy, the other almost empty. I'm glad that you had a great experience and hopefully we will too as we love the food and continue to go back.

Experiences do seem to vary widely at times. DisKim mentioned Crystal Palace, but we had the same experience there as you have at Garden Grill! Donald's Breakfastosaurus was the worst we've experienced, but I've also read many good reviews of it. All in all though, I think the important thing is that there isn't one we would not go back to, even Donald's! Though it may be at the bottom of my list, the kids still enjoyed it and the food was good...of course, I tend to think any food I don't have to cook myself is good, LOL

 

[720L]

bump

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We like the character diner at Liberty Tree Tavern.
. . . as all character meals, food is all-you-can-eat
. . . home style food, so picky eaters will eat
. . . small dining areas, so it is more sedate and quiet
. . . family-style, so food is brought to table
. . . people not running around all the time
. . . characters circulate easily and often
. . . nice to go right after the afternoon parade
. . . cool repite during the day, so a chance to cool off

 

[alloyd1170]

We like Chef Mickeys for breakfast. My son had a blast there. I thought the food was good (better than what was served in the cafe downstairs)! We met all the characters at least once in the hour that we were there.

alison

 

[kilee]

We've have had "bad" interaction at CP for lunch. They are so big there. They only made it by once, they signed- posed and left. No "interaction" at all. Just what our expierence was though.

I have to second the LTT for dinner as the best in my book too. Everytime we've gone there, we've seen each character at least 2-4 times and they take the time to "play" each time through. All but Minnie-- she never does . Anyhow, I like the food here the best too, as do the rest of my family.

I think it's all a matter of personal opinion. If you ask my DH he doesn't like character meals all that much. He thinks it's awkward.

 

[Del]

Can you tell me who is at LTT and for what meals? How is the menu? Thanks

DEl

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by Del
Can you tell me who is at LTT and for what meals? How is the menu? Thanks

DEl

This is from allears.net (Dinner only):

Characters are: Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip and Dale and Meeko

BILL OF FARE

DECLARATION SALAD - Tossed Mixed Greens, served with our special Tavern Strawberry Vinaigrette Dressing

PATRIOT'S PLATTER - A generous serving of roasted turkey breast, carved beef, and smoked pork loin chops, accompanied with Tavern-made mashed potatoes, market vegetables, herb bread stuffing, and Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese.

BEVERAGES - Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange, Lemonade, Birch Beer; Coffee, Regular or Decaffeinated; Hot Tea; Hot Cocoa; Milk, Whole, Low-fat, Skim or Chocolate; and Nestea Iced Tea.

Rolls and gravy also included.

DESSERTS - Boston Creme Pie included. Assorted fresh desserts from Martha's kitchen $2.25 - $5.50 each

PRICES
Adults $21.99
Little Patriots (ages 3-11) $9.99

Liberty Tree Tavern

 

[wisbucky]

Without a doubt it is the Crystal Palace. Food is great, characters come around and atmosphere is super.

 

[ucmann]

I'll put my vote in for Chef Mickey's for any meal. No other location has the type of fun they have here. A must for any trip!