Can't miss meals/restaurants with little ones?

[sweeties]

We are traveling with my 3YO DD and 18-month-old DS to WDW 9/25 to 10/2 and staying at BCV. Wondering what you guys would recommend for can't miss meals? Here are some priorities:

1) A meal with lots of princess time. I was thinking CRT breakfast or lunch, but I'm seeing comments about 1900 Park Fare. I would appreciate some thoughts on these and any others I should know about.
2) Another character meal for DS, thinking Chef Mickey's but open to other suggestions.
3) We'll probably do one TS a day (mostly dinners) and one CS a day, then try to have breakfast in the villa to save money.

I was also thinking about maybe trying the Aloha show at the Poly, still not sure whether it might be too much for the little ones, though I've seen some positive reviews in another post I put up earlier.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Sysyphus]

The Norway Storybook dining gives you more princesses... one meet&greet/photo on the way in (Seems to be Belle more often than not from reports I have read), and four touring the tables - although our day that included Mary Poppins and Alice, not really princesses.

Crystal Palace (in MK) with Pooh & friends is by far our favorite character meal.

 

[carmiedog]

for little ones I think Garden Grill is great - very relaxed/quiet and superb interaction with mickey, pluto, chip & dale

 

[PrincessDisney96]

Chef Mickey's is GREAT for little ones. I didnt care for Cinderella's Royal table If you are going for a princess breakfast go with Norway Storybook breakfast and dinner 1900 Park Fare. The food is excellent at all of these and the characters you just can't beat. I would not do the Spirit Of Aloha Show. To many credits and not all that. Rather I'd do Ohana's. It is fine for the little ones if you don't mine the noise. Also there is a hulahoop contest for the little ones and a marching parade! Hope this helped you.

 

[amw]

We are traveling with my 3YO DD and 18-month-old DS to WDW 9/25 to 10/2 and staying at BCV. Wondering what you guys would recommend for can't miss meals? Here are some priorities:

1) A meal with lots of princess time. I was thinking CRT breakfast or lunch, but I'm seeing comments about 1900 Park Fare. I would appreciate some thoughts on these and any others I should know about.
2) Another character meal for DS, thinking Chef Mickey's but open to other suggestions.
3) We'll probably do one TS a day (mostly dinners) and one CS a day, then try to have breakfast in the villa to save money.

My kids were the exact same age the first time we went to WDW. Chef Mickey's was GREAT and we've made it a tradition to go every time since. We tend to do the first seating for dinner so that there's not a long crowded wait to get in -- and because not all the tables are full yet, we seem to get more character interaction. On that trip, my DD18mths would have nothing to do with the characters ... until Mickey realized the way to her heart was through her stomach ... he spoon-fed her ice cream My DD3 just loved the napkin-twirling, and was fasciated with the monorail which we rode after dinner.

On the last trip, we did CRT for lunch. The princesses spent minimal time at each table, but if you just want that one pic with each then it's worthwhile. My girls felt awkward around "talking" characters, and didn't engage with them.

I think Cyrstal Palace sounds cute for your age kids, but I didn't like to do a big meal on a park day.

 

[Shmily1]

I think your DS would like the Cape May Cafe character breakfast. It has Minnie, Goofy, and Chip or Dale. Goofy is fun!!! He will sit with you and try to take your food! It's a fun place to be, not crowded, and the food is great!!

 

[carrie6466]

Last year my DD (her 4th bd trip) and my niece (18 mo) were crazy for Hollywood & Vine character meal. It was June & Leo from little einsteins, JoJO and Goliath from JoJo's Circus. We did 1900 Park Fare and CRT as well, but they had the best time at Hollywood and Vine, they got to dance and play with the characters. Hope that helps

 

[MommyBuzz909]

I have the same question, just minus the princess thing. My DS5 HATES princesses!! He gets very mad when I mention ANYTHING about ANY of them....

 

[Melissa_E]

Last year my DD (her 4th bd trip) and my niece (18 mo) were crazy for Hollywood & Vine character meal. It was June & Leo from little einsteins, JoJO and Goliath from JoJo's Circus.

Yes! My 4y.o. DD loved this meal the best! You can't beat the look on her face when she met June.

 

[emh1129]

our votes: Chef Mickey's, Norway breakfast, Crystal Palace

 

[sweeties]

Thanks everyone! I didn't know about Hollywood and Vine. I will definitely have to look into that. And it's good to know the details on CRT. Definitely need to think about whether or not it makes sense for us.


Keep the suggestions coming!