Character Breakfast?

[Goingtodisneyworld]

Hello,
We are thinking about Breakfast for our first Character Meal with our 1½ year old. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or recommendations for this magical event, both resort &/or park restaurants would be great (too late for Cinderella’s Table as we are leaving next month)! Thanks again for everyone’s time ~ Christine

 

[crisi]

Your 1 1/2 year old probably would enjoy a lot of places better than Cindy's, anyway. At that age there is nothing like cuddling up with Tigger or getting close to Mickey.

We always enjoy the character breakfast at the Poly. Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale are usually there. Its a quick monorail ride to the MK when you are done. The food is good (served family style, so you don't have to get up and go to a buffet - which is difficult with a toddler in tow) and there is enough room around the tables.

 

[Beka'sMom]

Just got back and went to the Chef Mickey breakfast at Contemporary- we loved it! However, it is a buffet and I missed Mickey coming to our table while I was up getting some food

 

[AB'sDad]

It really depends on your 1 1/2 year old.
I think some kids can get easily scared.

Its up to you, but my advice would be to take your 1 1/2 yr old to see some large characters up close before you get to Disney.

We took our outgoing 9mo old and she had an absolute blast with the characters. Smiling, giggling...
She went back at 13 months and she was a bit scared at first, but then warmed up and had a good time.
This summer we took her to a chucky cheese so she would get used to some large characters before Disney and she was terrified by Chucky at first. Again, it took a whlie, but she finally warmed up.

We are going back this November and she'll be 22 months. My guess is that the first sight of a 6 foot Tigger or Pooh coming up to her will scare her, but she'll quickly get over it.

As far as restauraunts go
Your 1 1/2 won't miss much with the Princesses. Don't get me wrong, they are great and the concept is great, but kids don't really get it till 3 or older. I'm sure others have differing opinoins.
All that said, we are trying to get Cindy reservations for our Nov trip

Our favorites would be Pooh at Crystal Palace at MK - but its currently closed till Dec I think.
Pooh has moved to Tony's and we have PS there in November.
I've heard good things about it.

But my daughter's favorite is probably Mickey at Garden Grill for lunch. We have had our best character interaction there.
Personally, Garden Grill is not my favorite place to eat, but the characters there have always been great.

We were not impressed at all with Breakfastasarus at AK.

I've heard good things about the Poly and like the other poster, there are some positives about family style so you don't have to leave the table.

have fun!

 

[crisi]

I'll second something ABsDad said....

Make sure your child will not spend an hour screaming through breakfast because she is scared of the big characters before you spend all the money (and time)!

If there isn't a local place where there are big characters, book your breakfast late in the trip. If you are staying on site, make an effort to be in the lobby when the Character Caravan comes around. Show her the characters in the parks.

If she is hesitant, you can still do the character breakfast. These guys are good at reading a kids mood and will give her plenty of space. But if she sees "Big Mickey" and starts screaming, cancel the breakfast.

My daughter treated all characters like big stuffed animals (she was 2 1/2). My son, at 3 1/2 had a "don't get too close to me, but I'll look at you" attitude.

Deb Willis' site at www.wdwig.com has a "where the character's dine" page.

 

[beattyfamily]

our favorits (so far):

Crystal Palace
Chef Mickey's
Princess Breakfasts (maybe Ecpot's has an opening??)
1900 Park Fair

This trip we're trying the Princess one for the first time and Breakfastasurus for the first time...can't comment on them yet...

Have fun!

 

[CamColt]

We have always gone to Chef Mickeys and enjoyed it very much. This time we tried Cindys & Breakfastasaurus. Cindys was awesome, food and all. Donalds had great food, but it was a very stressful expereience. We had orders being shouted at us and the whole ordeal was very structured and we just could not fun that way. I couldnt wait to get out of there(but like I said the food was great). Good luck deciding!

 

[Goingtodisneyworld]

Thank you all so much! This will actually be her second Disney trip, the first was at 6mos. and she loved all the characters. However I know what a big difference 1 year can make, I never thought of a Chuck E Cheese trial (what fun!), we will also make this a farewell breakfast after many character greetings in the parks & caravan mornings ~ great advice! Thanks again for all the caring information, everyone has been so nice I am going to post on the family board re, Water parks if & Which one for toddlers? Warm Regards ~ Christine