character breakfast questions

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Hi all. Hope I am asking in the right place.

I need some help with a character breakfast with our 5 year old grandson.

Can we even do this if we aren't staying at a Disney property?

Is it too late to make a reservation since we leave in a month?

Any recommendations or help sure would be appreciated.

Bill

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'd call Disney dining and see what's available. Yes, you can dine anywhere on property even if you aren't staying onsite. The trick is going to be getting an ADR. Your options amy also be inside one of the aprks, so if that's the case, you'll need to pay for park admission.

One CD that is often overlooked, and maybe even doesn't take ADR's is the character dining at the Swan. The character interaction over there is pretty good too! They have a character breakfast in the Gardne Grove (they used to have a character dinner, too.)

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I'd call Disney dining and see what's available. Yes, you can dine anywhere on property even if you aren't staying onsite. The trick is going to be getting an ADR. Your options amy also be inside one of the aprks, so if that's the case, you'll need to pay for park admission.

One CD that is often overlooked, and maybe even doesn't take ADR's is the character dining at the Swan. The character interaction over there is pretty good too! They have a character breakfast in the Gardne Grove (they used to have a character dinner, too.)

OK need some help here as I have no knowledge of all the Disney abbreviations.

What is an ADR and CD?

We'll also be going to the park for 5 days while we are there for the week if that helps any.

Thanks

Bill

 

[aribelle]

I'd call Disney dining and see what's available. Yes, you can dine anywhere on property even if you aren't staying onsite. The trick is going to be getting an ADR. Your options amy also be inside one of the aprks, so if that's the case, you'll need to pay for park admission.

One CD that is often overlooked, and maybe even doesn't take ADR's is the character dining at the Swan. The character interaction over there is pretty good too! They have a character breakfast in the Gardne Grove (they used to have a character dinner, too.)

Garden Grove DOES take ADRs...but the three times we went there you wouldn't need them! (Though I'm one of those "better safe than sorry types, I'd make the ADR since I know I want it.....but it's also one of those that I feel confident I could walk up and get).

And it's a great character experience, a lot of it because there isn't the large crowds so the characters can spend quite a few minutes with you. We went for an early dinner one Friday evening and the characters were Rafiki and Timon (Lion King).....we were literally the only table with kids....and our first plate of food got cold because the two characters were playing with us and we were having so much fun for probably 10 minutes or more. Now...once other families arrived, we didn't get that kind of attention, but they came around a half dozen times while we were there. And the food was great. TImon & Rafiki were only there Mon/Fri night, so be sure to ask if it's a night for them.

THe weekend breakfast is also wonderful....the characters were Chip & Dale, but I hear that Pluto and Goofy are sometimes there too, and again, a lot of time spent at each table. Great food.

Only downside.....you have to pay $10 for parking (AP and DDE don't get you free parking)....also because Swan is not owned by Disney it doesn't accept AP or DDE for dining discounts either....but our AAA worked.


Other great character meals for a boy (i.e. not princesses, lol):

Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends (this one is popular so may be booked since you leave so soon, but ask, sometimes off times are available.)

Animal Kingdom has characters at Tusker House (Donald's Safari breakfast) it has Mickey, Pluto, Goofy and Donald....maybe Minnie?

Chef Mickey at Contemporary Resort may be very difficult to book this close, but it's excellent and has Mickey and friends. Call and see if anything is available....lunch and dinner are supposed to be excellent too.

If he likes Jo Jo or Little Einsteins, then Hollywood Studios has a character meal with Playhouse Disney....no clue on the food as my kids are older.

O'Hana at the Poly has Lilo & Stitch, plus Mickey was there for our breakfast. Fantastic food, not a buffet in the traditional sense....they bring a platter of food to you and you can ask for more of anything. The juice is to die for....they finally brought us a pitcher, lol.


Bring along an autograph book (you can buy them at Disney, or they're cheaper if you get one before you go). And your camera!

 

[aribelle]

OK need some help here as I have no knowledge of all the Disney abbreviations.

What is an ADR and CD?

We'll also be going to the park for 5 days while we are there for the week if that helps any.

Thanks

Bill

ADR: Advance DIning Reservations Call 1-407-WDW-DINE (1-407-939-3463).

CD: Character Dining

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

ADR: Advance DIning Reservations Call 1-407-WDW-DINE (1-407-939-3463).

CD: Character Dining

Thanks for both of your post.

I think he would like the Safari breakfast. If we can't get that we'll try for the Garden Grove.

Appreciate it.

Bill

 

[hildarumpole]

If you can't get an ADR for breakfast, you could try for a character lunch or dinner. Garden Grill at EPCOT is a revolving restaurant. Liberty Tree Tavern and Magic Kingdom serves a Thanksgiving type dinner. Both of these restaurants serve family style, meaning you don't have to go up to a buffet line, the food comes on large platters to your table. It's nice, because you don't have to worry about missing the characters. If you go the http://www.allearsnet.com you can check out the menus (click on the dining tab), pricing and character info.

 

[danielle782001]

You were given many good suggestions here...

I would like to add Cape May Cafe to the list...It is located in the Beach Club resort (next to Epcot)....They have a beach theme...Minnie, Goofy, Chip/Dale come in their beach costumes....The place is very calm and the quietest character meal on property...The character interaction is always excellent...The food selection is very large and the food is very good...

Great place to start your Epcot day

 

[Dizneydaz]

Another possible character meal is the Best Friends Breakfast at 'Ohana at Poly. Your grandson can visit with Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, & Stitch. The food is served famliy style and is very good. The juice is excellent as is the fresh fruit and mickey waffles.

Here's a few pix from our trip last Sept.

Hope this helps-have a great trip!

 

[rellabee]

I'll give another for Cape May Cafe. My first choice would be Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace, but I'm not so sure you'd be able to get an ADR at this late date. You should be able to still get into Cape May, it's not as loud/crowded, and we have had some of the best service/meals here. The characters are very cute in their beach wear!! They also seem to have larger selections of the fresh fruit than other buffets.

 

[noahdove]

Great pictures!!!!!

 

[septbaby]

Our 5yo just loved Chef Mickey's. We went on Sept. 1st and he's still talking about it. It's outside the park (at the Contemporary hotel) so I'd think you could be flexible in trying to go for Breakfast or dinner. We were staying on property and chose a late breakfast, so it was brunch for us. This year we're going for dinner.

Chef Mickey's has 5 characters (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald). The interaction was great, our 5yo even danced with Donald, they do this napkin waving thing that is fun. The place is bright and noisy with the kids, music, monorail, etc. They also take a group photo before seating you. Its optional to purchase; I bought ours. Truth be told even I'm excited to return to Chef Mickey's.

Years ago we stayed off site took a 5yo girl to dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. She did the whole princess dress up thing. We enjoyed dinner and visiting the hotel. Valet parking was great that night because it poured the whole time we were there and we never felt a drop.

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Thanks for all the replies.

You guys are AWESOME!!!

Bill

 

[mickeynut1]

A few that we really enjoy are Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club, and Ohana's at the Polynesian . Chef Mickey's and Cape May Cafe are buffets and Ohana is all you can eat served family style to your table . Good luck getting an ADR. Have a great time with your grandson .

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Once again I'd like to thank everybody. My grandson decided he wanted to eat with Tigger so we are doing the Crystal Palace for lunch.

Bill

 

[GranddadTom]

I would second all of the recommendations that you already have but I would add one more suggestion. Getting around Disney takes time and can be a hassle. I would suggest that you decide what days you will be in what parks and do a restaurant in that part - in other words, drive to the park, park, get into the park and forget about transportation until the day is over. That little 5-year old guy could use a break around 1:00 for lunch in an A/C restaurant. The Character Lunch with Pooh and Friends at the Crystal Palace would be perfect. I'd suggest something like that.

 

[septbaby]

Once again I'd like to thank everybody. My grandson decided he wanted to eat with Tigger so we are doing the Crystal Palace for lunch.

Bill

So are we! It will be a welcome break from the heat and you won't have to upset your daily routine much, just be sure to be in the Magic Kingdom that day and you're all set.

By the way I'm a Philly native and my nephew lives there. Someday I'll get back home.