Best character meal? No buffets..

[Oliviaxxx]

What is the best character meal option that doesn't include buffets?

We are looking into our next Disney trip. We have never done a character meal before.

I am not a fan of buffets. In a way, they sort of gross me out. Pans of food out, people breathing and coughing on the food, dirty hands touching the same serving spoon that everyone uses We have someone with a compromised immune system in our party so we are extra cautious of germs.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

Cinderella's Royal Table, breakfast at Tutto Italia, Garden Grill, and Akershus are not buffet style.

I haven't been to Akershus in awhile, so the appetizers might be buffet style, but the main meal isn't. Last time we went for dinner, the appetizers were brought to our table.

I loved the food at CRT and Akershus. Tutto Italia was very good too. Only been to GG once. It was fine, but we've never cared about going back. If your group isn't into princesses, GG is the best option there.

I'm sure someone else will think of something that I missed.

 

[marchingstar]

i was starting the same list

the only addition i can think of is ohana breakfast.

 

[ncc1701]

There is a character breakfast at Trattoria al Forno at the Broadwalk. It is pre fixe table service so no buffet.

 

[gorkt]

Garden grill is a good one. You get a great private seating area, good food, and Mickey! I like the breakfast better than dinner, but dinner was decent too.

 

[karrit2000]

Cinderella's Royal Table, breakfast at Tutto Italia, Garden Grill, and Akershus are not buffet style.

I haven't been to Akershus in awhile, so the appetizers might be buffet style, but the main meal isn't. Last time we went for dinner, the appetizers were brought to our table.

I loved the food at CRT and Akershus. Tutto Italia was very good too. Only been to GG once. It was fine, but we've never cared about going back. If your group isn't into princesses, GG is the best option there.

I'm sure someone else will think of something that I missed.

Never heard of breakfast @ Tutto Italia. Did you mean the Bon Voyage Breakfast @ Trattoria al Forno?

I've never done Akershus but of all the others I think Trattoria al Forno is he best with Garden Grill next on my list. CRT is way over priced.

 

[Arielfan98]

Garden Grill hands down! Great food, plenty of character interaction and reasonably priced.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

Never heard of breakfast @ Tutto Italia. Did you mean the Bon Voyage Breakfast @ Trattoria al Forno?

I've never done Akershus but of all the others I think Trattoria al Forno is he best with Garden Grill next on my list. CRT is way over priced.

Yes I was thinking of Trattoria Al Forno!

 

[3gr8boys]

Garden Grill character interaction is lots of fun. We all enjoyed breakfast in April. The big cinnamon roll was a hit with everyone. There was a big bowl of delicious fresh fruit and plenty of other food to fill up on. (When it comes to AYCTE meals, we tend to prefer breakfasts.)

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Another vote for Garden Grill. Good food (served family style), fun characters, and a unique setting with the rotating view of Living with the Land.

 

[pattyw]

Our family favorite is Garden Grill!! Good food, great character interaction! Nice view of Land ride below!

 

[hmcater]

We really enjoyed the Bon Voyage breakfast at Trattoria al Forno. Great character interaction and very reasonably priced. The food was delicious as well.

 

[22Tink]

We love breakfast at Garden Grill. It’s probably our favourite character meal at WDW.

 

[MomOTwins]

If breakfast, Trattoria or Garden Grill are both very good. We thought the food was better at Trattoria, but Garden Grill is a rotating restaurant with fun views of the Living with the Land ride, and if you have a reservation for before the park opens, you have the bonus of getting "empty Epcot" photos and being first in line for Soarin. The characters are different too, so that might affect which one you choose (princes and princesses at Trattoria/Mickey and friends at Garden Grill).

If lunch or dinner, Akershus is hands down our favorite, both in terms of characters and food. There is a salad/cheese/charcuterie buffet for the appetizer course at Akershus, but you could avoid it and just have entrees and dessert at the table.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I love dinner and lunch at Akershus. They have a mini-buffet with deli meats, cheese, salads and bread, but honestly the food and dessert they bring you is plenty. I would avoid salad anyway for the immunocompromised traveller (hot topic, though. My facility is against fresh fruits/veggies for the immunocompromised, but it depends on facility, honestly) And there is great character interaction. 'Ohana breakfast is technically not a buffet, but it is all you can eat (served in a big skillet).

Another good one, as people suggested, is Trattoria Al Forno. I love the pastries they bring for the table. It's a bit pricy, but I walk away full.

 

[rg35]

Last time we went [to Akershus] for dinner, the appetizers were brought to our table.

Akershus appetizer course is a buffet. They call it the "taste of Norway." It's basically cheeses and cold cuts, salad and fruit.

 

[MooseBucks]

Garden Grill lunch or dinner is my favorite. Was not a fan of Akershus at all. Food was not my style.

 

[MooseBucks]

Also, depending on who you want to meet I’ve enjoyed Be Our Guest dinner in the past.

 

[fairygagamother]

We love Garden Grill & Trattoria & am looking forward to the new one at Wilderness Lodge, which I don't think is a buffet.

 

[Helvetica]

If you like costumed characters, Garden Grill (family style, not buffet).
If you like Princes and Princesses, the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast.

I also love Cinderella's Royal Table. They have 5 Princesses, but it's pretty pricey.