Cape May Cafe vs. The Garden Grill

[DrMomof3]

Likely for dinner. We'll be staying at BCV so either will be reasonably convenient. We have 3 kids - ages 6, 4, and 2. They aren't super picky and are used to eating in restaurants. I've never been to either restaurant. We might be able to do both if anyone thinks that's worth it.
We'll likely have a princess dinner (probably the one in Norway - we've done 1900 Park Fare and Norway before and my daughter picked the Norway one because there are more princesses). I'm not really willing to spend 2 meal credits for CRT.
I didn't love Chef Mickey's (we went there for breakfast) and we've done the Hollywood and Vine character lunch 3 times already (and I plan to skip it this time!).

Thanks!
Amanda

 

[tink&stitchsmom]

I would pick Garden Grill. The character interaction was great, the food was good, and my DD really thought the revolving restaurant/changing scenery was pretty cool.

 

[DrMomof3]

How's the food at Garden Grill?

Amanda

 

[disneylovin24]

I've never been to Garden Grill, but I love Cape May. It has basic foods but they are very good, and the dinner has the excellent clam bake.

 

[TPBChick]

I always enjoy having dinner at the hotel that I am staying at. We take a break from the parks in the middle of the day and it is really nice to eat dinner at the hotel before heading back to the parks. Also if you do not have hopper passes, you are not committed to a certain park based on dinner reservations. We stayed at BCV last year and really enjoyed Cape May. I tried mussels for my first time plus I read here that they have added crab legs. Yummy.

 

[DrMomof3]

I always enjoy having dinner at the hotel that I am staying at. We take a break from the parks in the middle of the day and it is really nice to eat dinner at the hotel before heading back to the parks. Also if you do not have hopper passes, you are not committed to a certain park based on dinner reservations. We stayed at BCV last year and really enjoyed Cape May. I tried mussels for my first time plus I read here that they have added crab legs. Yummy.

So maybe we should do both!!!
Is there enough child-friendly food at Cape May? My kids will eat some seafood - shrimp, fish sticks, mild white fish (sole, red snapper) - but I don't think they'll eat clams or mussels.

Amanda

 

[ohanaMAMA]

we really enjoyed the Garden Grill for LUNCH. I was SO SO sad when they quit doing it. It was a perfect break when we finished the first half of the park before tackling worldshowcase.

the food was good, the characters fun (farmer mickey and gang) and the rotating restraunt was neat.

 

[pixarmom]

We love Garden Grill! It's our first night tradition - food is good, and character interaction (including Mickey and Chip/Dale) is some of the best at WDW. Particularly for a character meal, it's a relatively relaxed setting. They serve a wide variety of food (including kids' items), and it's family style, so no juggling plates for a buffet. They also have fun desserts for the kids - last time, it was a make-your-own cupcake. The restaurant rotates very slowly, so you see different scenes from The Land ride - I'd suggest the semi-circle booths on the lower level, and seat the kids at the ends. We highly recommend Garden Grill!

 

[jenjersnap]

They are very different experiences, that's for sure.

We are not Cape May fans. We've eaten there 3 times and it's gone from ok to "yeah, um, don't make me go back to that place!" Lots of people like it though so it's one you have to try for yourself, I think. I am a seafood lover and I think the quality of seafood is very low there. The other food is comfort type food you can find anywhere. It's always crowded. I hate the way the buffet is set up like a square. The desserts are wonderful though - oreo bon bons. Dinner has no characters, but I am sure you know that. Are you on the DDP? Because there is no way in Hades I'd pay OOP for Cape May since the big increase to $36/person!

My kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Garden Grill. I like family style so momma gets to stay in her chair! The food is more limited, of course, but my boys like it. It's one of the best character experiences at WDW, IME; very attentive and interactive there. The spinning aspect of the restaurant is a big hit. The restaurant itself is, no other word for it, ugly and dated.

So, I would choose Garden Grill with low expectations. But CM with low expectations might suit you better. I am no help, huh?

 

[DrMomof3]

We are doing the dining plan. And the main reason I'm considering Cape May is that we're staying there!
Good point about the family style vs. buffet. With 3 kids I feel like I never get to sit down and eat when it's a buffet!!!

Amanda

 

[pixarmom]

We are doing the dining plan. And the main reason I'm considering Cape May is that we're staying there!
Good point about the family style vs. buffet. With 3 kids I feel like I never get to sit down and eat when it's a buffet!!!

Amanda

Family style restaurants at WDW have been great for us (with our three boys) for so many reasons - avoiding the plate juggling that I mentioned earlier, but also because the food comes so quickly and the kids don't have to wait to order, etc. So in addition to Garden Grill, we also like Ohana and Liberty Tree! Have a great trip!