Character Dining - First Timers

[Nancyg56]

Would two boys 8 and 10 enjoy Hollywood & Vine?

If you are going for the characters, I doubt it. This meal features characters that appear to the younger set. Think Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse kind of characters

 

[mgentry210]

I am in the process of writing my dining review. We just got back and did 11 - Yes, way toooo many character meals. There are pictures of the food and characters for each meal. This should give you plenty to decide! My opinion based on your post would be Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House. She will get to see all the Disney Junior and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse friends. Here's the link to my work in progress: http://www.disboards.com/threads/ca...ef-table-star-wars-too-updated-ohana.3422178/

 

[williamscm3]

I would choose Crystal Palace for the characters and food...poohs French toast puffs are delish!

 

[jani3]

I am in the process of writing my dining review. We just got back and did 11 - Yes, way toooo many character meals. There are pictures of the food and characters for each meal. This should give you plenty to decide! My opinion based on your post would be Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House. She will get to see all the Disney Junior and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse friends. Here's the link to my work in progress: http://www.disboards.com/threads/ca...ef-table-star-wars-too-updated-ohana.3422178/

11?!?!? That's awesome. Thanks for that, I'll read later and take notes. It'll be our first time at wdw and feel overwhelmed with the whole thing.

 

[TwoCortWort]

Garden Grill, 1900 Park Fare, Tusker House are our favorites

 

[mgentry210]

11?!?!? That's awesome. Thanks for that, I'll read later and take notes. It'll be our first time at wdw and feel overwhelmed with the whole thing.

We are here to help! Best tip is that you cannot do everything in one trip. I was obviously guilty of this our last trip, but it was our first trip bringing our nieces. You live and learn! You are obviously a planner (like me- no judgement!), so pick what you think are you top 5 experiences for each park and set that as a goal. I've helped many friends plan their vacation. I am the spreadsheet queen and happy to help if you want. Just step back and enjoy. The best part is sometimes sitting down with a box of popcorn (insert mickey bar, adult beverage) and enjoying the park. Everyone is so nice and friendly. You will have a blast! Feel free to message me with any questions. We are passholders so we've probably done it!

 

[jani3]

We are here to help! Best tip is that you cannot do everything in one trip. I was obviously guilty of this our last trip, but it was our first trip bringing our nieces. You live and learn! You are obviously a planner (like me- no judgement!), so pick what you think are you top 5 experiences for each park and set that as a goal. I've helped many friends plan their vacation. I am the spreadsheet queen and happy to help if you want. Just step back and enjoy. The best part is sometimes sitting down with a box of popcorn (insert mickey bar, adult beverage) and enjoying the park. Everyone is so nice and friendly. You will have a blast! Feel free to message me with any questions. We are passholders so we've probably done it!

Thanks. I am trying to make a list of the "must do" so I'm reading here as much as possible.

 

[LaurenDisneyMom]

following for my first timers- ages 5 and 3

 

[atm55]

If you are going for the characters, I doubt it. This meal features characters that appear to the younger set. Think Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse kind of characters

Thanks. Changed my reservation to the Garden Grill for dinner.

 

[Dr Gevil]

Our favorite character breakfasts are 1900 Park Fare, Cape May Cafe, and Ohana's. We are headed to WDW in a couple weeks and are also going to Crystal Palace and Tusker House. That being said, we've never been to Tusker House and wanted to check out a dinning experience at AK, besides the usually counter service meals we do.

I really like the Cape May Cafe breakfast. Pretty good food and you get Minnie, Donald and Goofy in beach attire. Much more relaxed, longer character interaction here! But I love Tusker House breakfast. Really good food, esp. for a buffet, and the big 5 - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy in safari gear. Great if you can get an early ADR and then jump right on the Safari ride - saves a FP+ for another ride or another safari later in the day.

 

[atm55]

I really like the Cape May Cafe breakfast. Pretty good food and you get Minnie, Donald and Goofy in beach attire. Much more relaxed, longer character interaction here! But I love Tusker House breakfast. Really good food, esp. for a buffet, and the big 5 - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy in safari gear. Great if you can get an early ADR and then jump right on the Safari ride - saves a FP+ for another ride or another safari later in the day.

Thanks, I have reservations at the Tusker House for Breakfast.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

OUR WDW CHARACTER MEAL & BUFFET RANKINGS (*rev: February 2015*):
Results are listed from best to worst
Best Food (quality first, then variety):
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Ohana
. . . Garden Grill
. . . Tusker House, breakfast-Lunch (moved from #1 Spot due to menu changes)
. . . Garden Grove Swan-dinner
. . . Akershus Royal Banquet
. . . Tusker House, Dinner
. . . Cape May Café
. . . Hollywood & Vine
. . . Crystal Palace
. . . Cinderella Royal Table (since new menu)
. . . Chef Mickey's
Best Character Interaction (time with guest first, then friendliness):
. . . Tusker House, Breakfast-Lunch
. . . Akershus Royal Banquet
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Garden Grill
. . . Tusker House, Dinner
. . . Ohana
. . . Garden Grove (Swan, dinner)
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Chef Mickey's
. . . Cape May Café
. . . Hollywood & Vine
. . . Cinderella Royal Table
. . . Crystal Palace (barely enough time for a photo)
Best Atmosphere (surroundings and ambiance):
. . . Cinderella Royal Table
. . . Tusker House, Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
. . . Akershus Royal Banquet
. . . Ohana
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Garden Grill
. . . Crystal Palace
. . . Hollywood & Vine
. . . Cape May Café
. . . Garden Grove (Swan, dinner)
. . . Chef Mickey's
NOTE1: Results are listed from best to worst. Overall, Tusker House wins due to best food and the length of time the characters stay at each table. A close second is 1900 Park Fare. By far, Chef Mickey's is the loser, due to mediocre character interaction and almost terrible food quality. The very distant second worst is Cinderella Royal Table, for brief time at tables by characters and the new menu.

NOTE2: Characters
. . . 1900 Breakfast: Alice, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Pooh & friends
. . . 1900 Dinner: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Step Sisters
. . . Akershus Banquet : Belle, Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine
. . . Cape May Café : Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy
. . . Chef Mickey : Mickey, Minnie, Chip-n-Dale, Goofy
. . . Cinderella Royal Table: Cinderella (downstairs), Ariel, Aurora, Snow White, (maybe Belle, Jasmine)
. . . Crystal Palace : Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet
. . . Hollywood and Vine : Disney Junior Characters
. . . Ohana : Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Pluto
. . . Tusker House: Donald, Mickey, Goofy, Daisy