Best Character Meal for a 1-Year-Old?

[MouseFan88]

Hello DISboards family!

I'm a WDW veteran making my first trip with my daughter this September when she will be 18 months old.


Since our last 4 or 5 trips have been as two adults, we haven't done any character meals. So I'm looking for some advice from other, more experienced parents. We want to do one character meal during our trip to give baby girl a chance to interact with some characters. She hasn't watched many Disney movies and/or shows yet, so she doesn't have any favorites. So our main considerations are cost, food quality, and character interaction for her age. By way of background, we'll be spending a day each in MK, EP, and AK (skipping HS this go-round), one water park day, and a partial resort/Disney Springs day. We're open to character meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Thanks in advance for any insights or tips!

 

[Kae]

What's her best meal of the Day?

 

[kboo]

What's her best meal of the Day?

Yes, this.

Also - I have a bunch of pictures of DD1 when she was about 22 months and with her face all scrunched up from crying while we are taking a picture with Tigger at CP. So that age can be unpredictable!! For that reason, I wouldn't suggest doing CRT or Akershus at that age just because they are so pricey!

I voted for Garden Grill because that was the restaurant where DD1 came to love the characters. It's a lot calmer - most of the other restaurants can get very hectic. And the way the tables are set up, you could flank your DD in a booth (I recommend asking for a lower level) so the characters aren't so scary. Also - because the way the restaurant is set up, you aren't "sharing" your character interaction with another table. It feels really private, and the walkway area on the outside perimeter is perfectly set up for taking pictures without anyone else in view. Also, the food is really good! some of the vegetables are grown in The Land (or at least, that's what they tell us, LOL.)

Also the buffets can be pretty hectic, and overwhelming, and noisy. (TH especially, can be a long walk to your table, and I once lost DD1 somewhere between buffet and table)

That said, if you can snag a PPO ADR at CP, there is something magical about taking pictures on an empty Main St!

 

[MouseFan88]

What's her best meal of the Day?

Not dinner Pretty much any time other than dinner she's good to go!

I voted for Garden Grill because that was the restaurant where DD1 came to love the characters.

Thanks for that feedback! I had seen some reviews of Garden Grill and thought it seemed like the atmosphere may be more relaxed, which I think will be better for all of us.

 

[kboo]

If she's an early riser, I'd try for pre-park opening breakfast reservations (also breakfast is usually less expensive)

1. at MK: CP, then CRT

2. at EP: GG, or Akershus (2nd choice)

I tend to get the last breakfast slot at TH and use it for lunch - you get breakfast and lunch foods, and the lunch buffet at TH is quite good. But on the whole, would save it for when DD is older because of how loud and hectic it is. The rest rooms and changing stations are pretty far from the dining room, too.

 

[cassie58]

CP is our favorite brft, like the food and characters(Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore) and it a beautiful building right across from the castle. Characters are not in costume, always seem like giant soft stuffed animals! It is not as boisterous as CM, never seems too loud to us, maybe with the two sides seperated by the buffet in the middle it is more spread out.

My other choice for that age would be Cape May Cafe. It is a very relaxed atmosphere, and characters are very sweet (Minnie, Donald, and Goofy). Food was good, and you can walk right into Epcot when you are done, or stop and play on the beach out front.

As PP mentioned, you never know what the reaction will be at that age, so just be prepared for possible tears, and hopefully be surprised with giggles! We did a brft at Poly when DD was one since we weren't doing the parks just visiting friends in the area (no Stitch at the time which might have scared her!) She just stared in awe, not particularly happy or sad. Have fun!

 

[Kae]

We loved Cape May for Breakfast on our resort day about 10 am, Crystal Palace lunch was always great when the kids were little a nice break before the parade.

Kae

 

[pixie08]

My son loved them all at 13 months but we did mostly breakfast and lunch because evenings were his crankier time. We did Crystal Palace, 1900 Park fare (he loved the step sisters), Minnie's Holly wood and Vine, Cape May Cafe, Tusker House and Garden Grill (we were there almost 2 weeks lol). One thing to note was that Crystal palace was basically the best because the characters are snuggly and it is a nice park break for them (and near baby center)but Tigger scared him. He ran up from behind him to hug him but my LO got scared.

Tusker House and Garden Grill were his favorites because he had seen Mickey on TV and knew the characters. He loved seeing goof at TH and Chip and Dale and Pluto at GG. GG was nice because it was family style so not having to get up with a 1 yo could be a plus. The buffets were nice because there was always some fruit or noodles he would eat. Word of advice is have them tucked near you not at the end where the character could scare them, or grab them out of the high chair as the character approaches.

 

[HopperFan]

I would likely do breakfast if you are early risers or lunch for a nice break in the day.

- Garden Grill is laid back, characters always been awesome and you don't feel packed or loud. AND YOU get waited on instead of tag teaming to the buffet table.
- I voted for Akershus because the Princesses (not fur) characters may be less frightening and great photos to have with her. Again, you are waited on and it will be a nicer meal for all of you.
- Only depending on where you are staying or if you have car, the breakfast at Cape May Cafe is very nice, no pressure, fairly quiet and the characters are good about spending time.

- Absolutely would not spend the money for the Castle until she is old enough to appreciate it.
- CP is great location, all meals, good characters but I hold the buffet and busy atmosphere against it. If so, I would do breakfast.
- Love Tusker House but with the tile floor and design ... it is LOUD and can be overwhelming for littles.

 

[westie55]

My son liked characters at 8 and 11 months, but was suddenly scared of them at 16 months and would cry when they got too close. As others have said, be prepared for any reaction. I suggest doing breakfast as it is the least expensive. Since you can't anticipate how your LO will react, might as well pick the most reasonably priced option! Garden Grill is probably easiest because it is quieter and the food and characters all come to you. No worrying about missing one as you make a trip to the buffet, or trying to juggle plates and your toddler.

 

[Habbott]

We did breakfast at Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, and Cape May. Each was fabulous with my 14 month old. Crystal Palace was a little more chaotic than the rest, but the character interaction was great.

 

[elaine amj]

Have u considered Garden Grove at the Swan? Great food and MUCH less expensive while still being a character meal.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I'd also like to throw the character breakfast at the Hilton Disney Springs out there, it's only held on Sundays, great food! and generally less chaotic than the in park options. $25 for adults so it's reasonable too. Normally has 3 of the fab 5 present and you won't feel rushed.

 

[BobbyDukes]

For breakfast, lunch or dinner you cannot go wrong with the Garden Grill. Super cool atmosphere, though however slightly outdated. Great interaction between Mickey, Pluto and Chip and Dale. We love it soo much we make it a must do on every one of our vacations. My girls absolutley love it and they have very plain non crazy food for the kids (aka Mac and Cheese).

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I voted for Garden Grill and I would specifically recommend breakfast, for these reasons:

1) The food is served family style. There is nothing worse than dragging a toddler up to a buffet. And, BONUS, the food is really yummy.
2) The character interaction is great! Super cute outfits and they take their time at each table.
3) The restaurant rotates (very slowly). The changing scenery may help keep the baby's attention.
4) Breakfast is usually a better time of day for most kids to sit for a character meal.

Good luck! We have been to almost all the character meals and GG is our fave!

 

[danielocha30]

I will do the princesses breakfast, toddlers get scare with fur characters and because they can't talk kids just stare at them wondering, princesses can really interact with your little one, or you can always make a reservation to a fur character meal but take your baby to see them before at meet and greet to test your child reaction

 

[blackpearl77]

I vote for Crystal Palace with Pooh!!

 

[ravenanne]

My DD enjoyed Akershus, she was around 13 months at the time. The princesess were totally sweet with her and we were able to get Mickey waffles at breakfast for her. Garden Grill was another place I had wanted to try but we didn't have the time.

 

[robinb]

I would choose a meal with "face" characters. My DD was terrified by non-face characters from about 18-month to 3 years old.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I voted for Crystal Palace. It is a light and bright atmosphere, the characters are awesome, and the food is delicious. (I love TH, but it's fairly dark in there).

Akershus is a good suggestion if you want face characters, or the new Trattoria breakfast.