Best Character Meals for Adults?

[Rubeng724]

We are a group of 8 adults traveling to Disney World in December. 2 parents and 6 children—all in their 20s (yes, we are big Disney fans!) We are thinking of doing two character meals: one breakfast and one dinner.


For us, ambince is equally as (if not more) important as quality of food. After all, it is a character buffet so we’re not expecting the food to be the most memorable part of the experience. The characters are what we’re in for, and having good food can’t hurt of course. A little bit more about my family: my mom likes Winnie the Pooh (Crystal Palace?), but she’d honestly be happy anywhere; my sisters like pretty much anything Disney; my dad and brothers don’t really care, although I’m sure they’d feel a bit awkward around princesses. For reference, we did Goofy’s Kitchen in California two years ago and had an absolute blast. Loved the interaction with Goofy and his friends! I think a restaurant with the Fab 5 would be ideal, but Chef Mickey’s doesn’t appeal to us at all (noise and location seem like a nightmare.)


As of now, we are considering Cape May for breakfast and 1900 PF for dinner. Thoughts? I hear the step sisters are hilarious, but as I said before, not sure we want to do a “princess” dinner. Is this a princess dinner anyway? Another option for breakfast (or dinner) is Crystal Palace. The thing is that we’re trying to have at least one meal with the classics, so if we do Crystal Palace we’d probably have to give up 1900 PF to make room for a meal with the classics. Not sure where though since Chef Mickey’s is a strict no. We were also considering Tusker House, but we’re doing Boma (staying at AKL) so we figured it might not be worth it since, from what I hear, it’s practically Boma but with far less food options.


Any other places worth considering? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!


P.S. We are paying OOP, so we could care less if the character meal is on the DDP or not.

 

[czechplz]

One of my favorites is the Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno. It is so much fun! Plus, you get to see a couple of rare characters, Eric and Eugene.

 

[Geomom]

• 1900 Park Fare dinner is great with adults--Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters really are hilarious. You'll also see Cinderella and Prince Charming--so only 1 princess. I feel the food at 1900 Park Fare is the best of all the character buffets.
• Garden Grill at Epcot is fun--Chip/Dale/Farmer Mickey/Pluto. We have laughed our heads off at the antics of Chip/Dale.
• Hollywood and Vine at Hollywood Studios (lunch/dinner) has the classic characters, dressed in whatever seasonal outfit...we've been there for Spring and for Christmas. Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy were there.

To get the most out of character meals with adults, you need to initiate some conversation with the characters--comment on finding husbands with the stepsisters, etc. For Chip/Dale--we've had autograph books and then they just keep signing...one time it was signing the napkins, one time the table! And it was sooo funny watching him try to get the name OFF the table when he used our Sharpie!

 

[Chrisizzle]

We (two adults) chose Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. It universally got the best reviews from The Dis team on their vlogs and we certainly were not disappointed.

Actually, you should get it from the horses mouth.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

My choice would be Garden Grill (breakfast) for the fun atmosphere, great character interaction and really yummy food. Hollywood and Vine is also a good option to see the classic characters in seasonal attire. I also hear that 1900 PF is a lot of fun for adults.

 

[dachsie]

I would consider Tusker house and 1900PF. Tusker has good food - maybe book a late breakfast and you can try both breakfast and lunch options. Step-sisters at 1900PF are great

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

1900 Park Fare (Dinner) & Garden Grill would be my top two choices.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

My 15 year old daughter and I recently had dinner at Artist Point with Snow White, the Evil Queen , Dopey and Grumpy. The food was delicious and the characters were great. It had a more laid back and elegant feel that most character dining places. The appetizers are presented on a serving tray that looks like a tree. You get to sample 3 different things. Then you order a specific entree. Then the desserts are also served on the serving tree tray and you get to try several. It was a fun dinner and I liked how they food was done...I need to write up a review and include my photos

 

[goofyintoronto]

For adults, ive never been but i think it would be perfect for an adult character meal...Storybook Dining at Artist Point! I use to love this restaurant before it became a character meal. I cant wait to try it on my next trip.

Second choice i'd say Garden Grill or Cape May. Breakfast is so yummy at both, and i love the characters. Esp at Garden Grill. So amazing.
Tusker House is also delish...but breakfast only. I didnt like lunch/dinner. I loved the breakfast variety though.

 

[chris benton]

I'd go with one of the places with the "standard" characters that everyone would enjoy, and then choose based on food from there. Sounds like CM's is out, so Cape May (breakfast only) or Tusker House (a lame attempt at ethnic specialties - don't be fooled into thinking Tusker House has some exotic good stuff - it's DISNEY exotic,) or Garden Grill.

ETA - as noted by a poster - Cape May only has Characters at Breakfast - Sorry about the confusion

 

[MrsDuck]

Garden Grill or Tusker - those are my favorites!

 

[TreeFalls]

Cape May breakfast, Garden Grill, Tusker House

 

[hes122]

Trattoria Al Forno Bon Voyage breakfast was wonderful.

 

[LoriWV]

Given the characters you want to see (and maybe avoid), your plan sounds solid. (Possibly doing Crystal Palace in place of 1900).

 

[Dug720]

For adults, ive never been but i think it would be perfect for an adult breakfast...Storybook Dining at Artist Point! I use to love this restaurant before it became a character meal. I cant wait to try it on my next trip.

Second choice i'd say Garden Grill. Breakfast is so yummy and i love the characters.
Tusker House is also delish...but breakfast only. I didnt like lunch/dinner. I loved the breakfast variety though.

I don't think they do breakfast at Storybook Dining. Only dinner.

 

[Dug720]

I'd go with one of the places with the "standard" characters that everyone would enjoy, and then choose based on food from there. Sounds like CM's is out, so Cape May for more seafood, or Tusker House for more standard (but a lame attempt at ethnic specialties - don't be fooled into thinking Tusker House has some exotic good stuff - it's DISNEY exotic,) or Garden Grill.

Cape May only has characters at breakfast.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I don't think they do breakfast at Storybook Dining. Only dinner.

Oops. I meant to write 'meal'. Not breakfast. Thanks for catching that.

 

[chris benton]

Cape May only has characters at breakfast.

Edited my post - thanks for catching that!

 

[FtW Mike]

We do Crystal Palace for dinner once every trip My DW needs her Eeyore fix. We find Dinner to have better selection and food overall than Breakfast. We also do a dinner at 1900 Park Fare and while we generally wave off Cinderella and Charming our interaction with The Madam T and her daughters has always been a blast food is okay.Tusker House had good character interaction but my DW found food not too appealing.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've gone solo to both Cape May and Tusker House and enjoyed both of them. However, I felt somewhat more comfortable at Cape May. The CB there seems to attract more adults-maybe because of the convention crowd. When I was there, I wasn't the only solo there nor certainly the only table with only adult (s).