charachter dining suggestions

[bwatlas]

Have been asked for suggestion from all you DIS'ers what we should do for our charachter dinner. Three boys 3-5 and grandparents (mid-late 60's) are who we are trying to please.
Could you also tell me why you chose/suggested the one you picked, also? My DD16 will just go wtih the flow. She enjoys the time with her cousins.
Thanks much to all!

 

[amscherm]

Crystal Palace... it is winnie the pooh, tigger, eyeore, and piglet...the buffet is really good and I was very impressed with the charachter interaction... We went with my DS5 and my parents and my MIL last year and we all LOVED it so much!!!

 

[Dopey Rocks!]

We dined with the characters 4 times while there in September this year. We have a 3.5 DS. He was completely star struck by the FAB 5.

We did Chef Mickey's--our FAV--our first morning there. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and goofy were there. We loved it!

We also did Crystal Palace with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore-he was not as into the characters for some reason-even though he loves Pooh as well.

We ate breakfast with Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Pluto and Goofy at Animal Kingdom--he loved it as well.

Finally, we did Liberty Tree with Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale for dinner and LOVED that one as well. I am sad they are discontinuing it next year.

You have lots of other options as well with other characters. Try letting your kids lead the way in choosing their favorites. I do not think you can go wrong with any of them really.

Have FUN planning-you are going to have a blast!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

My son favorite Character meals are:
Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker HouseAnimal Kingdom Buffet - food good even hubby likes it. Great Character interaction (Mickey, Goofy, Daisy and Donald) and they came by twice. They had a parade with the characters and my son loved it. They don't rush you at this place.
Crystal Palace Magic Kingdom Character Buffet - food good but can be hectic, characters are fast and only one visit to the table. My husband favorite buffet meal.
Play 'n' Dine at Hollywood and Vine Disney's Hollywood Studios Buffet Character - my sons most favorite character meal b/c he loves The Little Einstein and JoJo and Goliath. Food not great but the character interaction is one of the best...characters came to our table 3x and every 20 mins they have a dance party and my son love it (we loved it b/c my son is normally very shy but not in Disney...he goes and dance and jumps and sign along especially with at this place).
Goofy's Beach Club Breakfast Beach Club Character Breakfast -food good and character interaction great too (came around 2x and characters took time with my son playing and sat next to him for a couple of mins).
Chef Mickey's Contemporary Character Dinner - Food Ok, my husband did not like it but it was ok to me and my son but My son loved the place.
1900 Park Fare Supercalifragilistic Breakfast Grand Floridian Character Breakfast - this one is my favorite for the food and character interaction (Tiger and Pooh came to our table 4x and played cars with my son). I loved that they can make eggs your way and great food selection. Service is one of the best for a buffet. I did not enjoy the Character Dinner as much but Cinderella did take my son hands and had a private dance with him.
I hope this helps.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Tusker House Character Breakfast was outstanding! Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. What a blast! Buffet was good, dancing and ambiance great, a wonderful start to the day! I don't know if they do dinner!

 

[GatorLady]

Tusker House Character Breakfast was outstanding! Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. What a blast! Buffet was good, dancing and ambiance great, a wonderful start to the day! I don't know if they do dinner!

Characters are only at Tusker House for breakfast.

 

[GatorLady]

Since you are looking for a character dinner...

Garden Grill in Epcot would be a great choice. It is one of the less hectic character meals and they bring the food to you. (Grandparents might appreciate that). No having to stand in line trying not to miss characters while you get your food and then the kids food. It is also now the only place to see Chip and Dale at a meal. We had the best character interaction of our trip there.

Your other evening choices that aren't princess related would be Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace. I prefer Crystal Palace because I think the dinner buffet is better, it is slightly less hectic, and it is right inside the MK.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[bwatlas]

Suggestions are great, anymore out there?

 

[bwatlas]

Anybody else have any input? We're leaning torwards Chef Mickey at moment, from what we've read on it (having never done one before ) so it will be a first for all.

 

[NJGuy3]

I've been to Chef Mickey's during a couple occasions, both breakfast and dinner. It's ok...although it's a 'louder' atmosphere compared to other character meals.

I've been to Donald's breakfast at Tusker House in AK. The food and atmosphere was good.

I've done Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner once which was good.

I would definetly recommend Goofy's Beach Club Breakfast at Cape May Cafe. It's an excellent place for breakfast in every aspect...great food, excellent service, great character interaction, pleasant atmosphere, not loud at all considering it is a character meal.

My second choice for a character meal (breakfast or dinner) would be 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian Resort.

Hope this helped!

 

[Princesskeyblade]

I LOVE Chef Mickeys. I went as a little girl and I can not wait to go back with my DF in two weeks!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Chef Mic's

 

[MHSweb79]

We liked the food at Chef Mickey's but it is loud, hectic and somewhat chaotic. Did I mention LOUD? The good thing is that you get mainstream characters - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, etc.
We love breakfast at Crystal Palace but you have to be Pooh fans to appreciate that one. We are and we do.
We love breakfast at O'Hana, not so much for the characters (who cares about Lilo & Stitch?) but the food is very good, and you get all you can eat. Plus we can't afford to stay at the Polynesian so it's nice to spend some time there- it's a beautiful place.
We did Garden Grill - not too impressed with the food, but it is more peaceful and you get some good character time. This would be a good choice with tired grandparents and cranky kids since it's all you can eat but not a buffet. It's cool to watch the scenes change as the restaurant rotates.
We did a Pocahontas meal at the Studios one time (ABC Commissary?) but I don't think that's there any more. (A giant raccoon scared my DD, but she got to hug Pocahontas so all was forgiven.)
Family members rave about 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian, but they have 3 girls and only 1 boy, and it's a girl thing.
We've never had a bad character meal experience - they are all fun. I would say check out who is at which meals, and go where your kids will be most excited to see their favorites.

 

[TiggStitch]

We did The Crystal Palace and loved it.

My suggestion for a wonderful, filling and mega fun filled breakfast would be at 'Ohana's at The Polynesian at the Lilo and Stitch Best Friend's Breakfast!! Hoping I get my point across....

Not that I am partial or anything, being the Stitch half in this duo, but if the kids know who Lilo and Stitch are, fabulous, if not, Mickey and Pluto also show up.

Characters aside, the atmosphere is beautiful, the view is spectacular, the food, sensational, and did I mention the Blue Boy...???

Hope this helps!