Best Character Meal?

[InLoveWithTheBeast]

I'm going to be taking my best friend to Disneyland when she comes out to visit me in March. She's never been to Disney, and I was thinking for the full experience I should take her to a character meal. Now the question is, which one is the best? I've bever been to a character meal at DL. I'm not really concerned about which meal we eat, but I'd like to make sure she has a fun experience and gets to meet the classic characters, especially Mickey, just because you have to meet Mickey when you go to DL. Any suggestions for the best meal for us? We're both 21, so we're not exactly the classic character meal types. Is there a meal with better character interaction for adults? Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm not sure Mickey shows up for any meals...that's what I read many times, at least!

 

[DangerMouse]

Bumber is right, you won't see Mickey at any character meal.

There are lots of varying opinions on which breakfast is best. For ambience and food, I prefer Storyteller's. You won't see "classic" Disney characters there, but you will see fun woodland creatures (i.e., Timon, Brer Bear, Baloo, Chip, Dale, Turk, Koda & Kenai). The food is awesome and you can order off the menu instead of eating the full buffet (which always seems like a waste of money to me). The atmosphere is calmer than the other locations (which as an adult, you may prefer as well).

 

[InLoveWithTheBeast]

That's disappointing about Mickey; I've never been to a character meal at DL, so I guess I assumed it was like WDW where Mickey is at certain meals. I love Storyteller's for dinner, so maybe we'll do it for a character breakfast. I've got a few months before she comes to visit, so I guess I have plenty of time to make a decision. I just want to make sure she has the best first trip to Disney that she possibly can. Thank you both for your help.

 

[mrypg]

We just loved Lilo and Stitch at PP for breakfast !!!! The best ever great interaction!!!

 

[Wendi2000]

The food at Storytellers Cafe is the BEST for breakfast... the buffet has so many great offerings - especially the French Toast, and also the Grilled Asparagus, yum. But if you want more of the classic characters, maybe Goofy's Kitchen would be a better choice for you. If you want to see Mickey, the best way to get some time with him is to visit him in his house in Toon Town.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Our favorite is the Plaza Inn with Minnie and Friends. Things we like about it: Its in the park, no need to leave and go to one of the hotels.
Its a "served" buffet, which cuts down on other guests touching your food.
Best character interaction we've had at any meal (we've done Goofys and Ariels). (tigger rolled on the floor with our dd, Minnie and Tigger played with ours sons Buzz gun, the fairy godmother held our children in her lap)
Nice variety of characters, we saw:Minnie, Chip and Dale, Hook, Fairy Godmother, Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore.

 

[Twinprincesses]

We loved the Plaza Inn as well. It is by far the best Character meal for our family.

 

[AidansMommy911]

I've been to all the character meals and feel the Plaza Inn with Minnie is my favorite. I thought the food was very good and it's nice to have the meal right in the park instead of going to one of the hotels. Although I do enjoy the ones at the hotels too.

I took my son for his first trip (unless you count when I was pregnant lol) and he loved the character interaction. I was so busy watching his little face (he's 13 months) that I let some of my food get cold! Eeyore was so cute with him!

 

[lilpixie]

Another vote for Minnie and Friends! We just got back and loved Minnie's. We saw about 7 characters and had the best ever interaction! I thought they had a great variety of foods: bagels, muffins, crossaints, mickey waffles, french toast, eggs, hash browns, breakfast sausages, bacon, cereals, etc etc. I had heard that the food wasn't that great -- but we loved it!! There was quite a variety -- and my SIL who had gone to Goofy's Kitchen said some of the food was "wierd" and she literally had to run to a bathroom because she got sick. However, I know Goofy's is a really popular one (though we won't be trying it!).
As far as character interaction at Minnie's-- they kinda come around to all of the tables. If you are really into and want a photo they will stick around and you will have some great interaction. If you don't want to get up -- they will come around and greet you but won't stay as long if you don't give them the vibe that you want them to --at least that is what we noticed.

 

[DesertBell]

Another vote for Minnie. My dd was dressed up as Tinkerbell when we went, and Hook kept buzzing the table and giving her "looks", until Peter Pan came to her rescue. We also really enjoyed Goofy's Kitchen.