Character Breakfast Advice

[CebleFish]

Hello Disney Friends,

I need some quick advice. I'm going to Disney with 11 family members in less than 3 weeks. This morning I tried to make arrangements for a character breakfast at the Crystal Palace (yes, I know it's very late to be doing that, but this was kind of a spur of the moment trip). Anyway, there was no room for 11 at the breakfast, but they had lunch space available, so I took that, but I really would prefer breakfast.

Today I was reading my "unofficial guide" and looked at the breakfast at the Garden Grill in Epcot as an option. Does anyone have any thoughts on which would be better? Which characters we see are not really a major concern. Either Pooh or Mickey is fine. So, the question is quality of food, atmosphere, and family style vs. buffet.

Please help me decide.
Thanks
Carol

 

[dmonroe]

We've never eaten at CP; but we did do a lunch at GG a couple of years ago. My family really enjoyed it. The food was good and there was a lot of character interaction. They came by our table 4-5 times--Chip and Dale sat down and colored with ds. Mickey fed him some of his mac & cheese. I would do this one again!

 

[jcemom]

I thought Garden Grill only had lunch/dinner?

 

[dmonroe]

Woops! I forgot to mention that the meal we had there was lunch.

 

[CebleFish]

No. They have breakfast, too. At least according to the menus on the Disney site and the guide books.

I think I'll give it a try. If lunch is good, chances are breakfast is good as well.


Thanks
Carol

 

[susy]

The Garden Grill no longer serves breakfast. We have done dinner there twice and lunch there once. Excellent!!!

We have done CP for breakfast and lunch. Both were great!!!! Any choice will be fine!

 

[DizzyLaura]

I went with a large group several years ago. We couldn't get PS. So, We just went there early in the morning. They managed to fit us in if we split into two groups (two different times). I actually enjoyed it because some of us went on rides for awhile and the others ate. It was kind of nice to be in a small group for a bit. Don't know if this is an option for you, but it may be worth a try. There are also several character breakfasts that don't get filled up until the last minute. You may want to try the one at the Polynesian (can't remember the name) (It had Mickey and friends). We also got in there easily without PS.

Dizzy Laura

 

[snuggles]

Hi Ceblefish and welcome to the Dis. I'll move your post over to our resturant board for you.

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by CebleFish
Today I was reading my "unofficial guide" and looked at the breakfast at the Garden Grill in Epcot as an option. Does anyone have any thoughts on which would be better? Which characters we see are not really a major concern. Either Pooh or Mickey is fine. So, the question is quality of food, atmosphere, and family style vs. buffet. Carol

Crystal Palace and Garden Grill are two of our favorite places. Unfortunately they no longer serve breakfast at Garden Grill however they do have early lunch Garden Grill is family style while Crystal Palace is buffet. I was initially worried about family style however it's a nice change to getting up to go to buffet. You get a lot of food at both and we enjoy the food at both as well. Hmm. Regarding Crystal Palace have you considered splitting up your party and then having them put tables together when you arrive. I know some people have done this with success however there is no guarentee. We actually prefer lunch over breakfast as it's a nice break to have an early or later lunch. The determination for us would be which park were you planning to go to that day. One is Epcot and one is MK. I think the Garden Grill is probably more laid back. Have you taken a look at the menus for both of them perhaps that may determine it for you. I would make my decision by which park I was in because I really enjoy both of these restaurants.

 

[tink2]

We've eaten at both- with a group of 11. GG used to serve breakfast, but stopped a couple of years ago- after the cutbacks resulting from 9/11. We've done lunch at both. We prefer lunch that way we can eat a small breakfast and dinner. Both restaurants have their high points. Crystal Palace is my family's favorite charactre meal- we eat here twice each trip. The food is terrific and the characters are great too! CP has Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet ( Piglet is not guaranteed but has been there 3/4 times we've eaten here). GG is iffy for us on our upcoming trip. We may eat here to see Mickey. The food is OK- nothing spectacular. But the character interaction here is wonderful! The characters visited our table at least twice- Chip and Dale 3 times! Chip and Dale played with DD- 2 1/2 for a very very long time!!! We like the convenience of meals inside the parks- doesn't waste park time traveling to/from a resort for a meal. I don't think you could go wrong either way! Be sure to let them know you want to be seated next to each other as soon as you arrive and when you make the PS. They can't promise, but they do make note of it. We showed up at GG without a PS for lunch and got in. There was a little confusion during the seating, but it worked out.
Have a great time!

BTW- CP is buffet and GG is pre-plated all you can eat.

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by tink2 BTW- CP is buffet and GG is pre-plated all you can eat. [/B]

GG is pre-plated now? It was family style when we ate there in Sept. The waitress brought the food on large platters and your family served themselves vs. the meal is brought on plates to table similar to a wedding.

 

[tink2]

Sorry- you are right. I didn't choose my words well. The food is brought on large platters and you serve your plate. I just meant it wasn't buffet. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by tink2
Sorry- you are right. I didn't choose my words well. The food is brought on large platters and you serve your plate. I just meant it wasn't buffet. Sorry for the confusion!

No prob, I just started to panic

as I am working on finalizing our PS for our trip in 10 days. That would have been a significant enough change for me to change my P.S. as I'm not into pre-plated. Thanks for the update.