Character Dining?

[michelled]

Hi! We have booked our Disney vacation for October - now I need some suggestions for Character Dining. We will be traveling with my DD 3 and DD 1.
Thanks
Michelle

 

[amw]

That depends ... are your DDs princess-crazy yet? If they are, then I would say to try and book Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast/lunch or the Princesses at Norway in Epcot. However, both those character meals are premium -- they cost more and have picture packages included. We've done the CRT lunch once when my DDs were 3 and 5 and that was enough for me! It was a guick hello and pic with each princess and that's that. If you must have the princess photos, its a good place to get them all at once.

My girls prefer Chef Mickey's and we go on every trip. It's become a Disney tradition for us. We book the first seating at a dinner time (we're not big on breakfasts), and we tend to do this meal on a non-park meal so that we're not rushed. The character interaction is great, and the atmosphere is party-like. The girls loved seeing the monorail go by, and we tend to ride it around after our meal. The first time we went my girls were the age of yours -- the DD3 was thrilled just to see Goofy. My DD1 was spoon-fed ice cream by Mickey. We've always had great experiences there, and the girls consider it a highlight of their trip. Incidentally, these reviews are based on character interaction and atmosphere -- you're not really "paying" for the food

 

[granolacruncher11]

We love The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom with Pooh and friends!

 

[drag n' fly]

We love The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom with Pooh and friends!

Crystal Palace is perfect for kids that age and Chef Mickeys too!

 

[tigger2on]

I am doing a mommy/daughter trip in May with my 3 yr old and we have booked the following CMs.

Storybook Princess Breakfast - Norway @ Epcot
Little Einstein/ Jojo's Circus lunch - Hollywood Vine & Dine @ Hollywood Studios
Mickey & Friends - Liberty Tavern @ MK
Winnie-The-pooh & Friends - Crystal Palace @ MK
Cinderella Dinner - 1900 Park Fare @ GF
Supercalifragilistic Breakfast - 1900 Park Fare @ GF

This is only a 5 day trip to on DDP. I am paying for 1 breakfast out of pocket!

 

[drakes]

The above noted Character Meals are good.

We loved Chef Mickeys, we also liked the Garden Grill at Epcot - Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale - this was the best character interaction we had at a meal. Pluto danced with my DD, Mickey sat at our table as DD made her cupcake dessert. And Chip and Dale goofed around at each table. They are all dressed in farmer wear!
As it was not a buffet, we did not have to get up and potentially miss any of them walking by on their rounds

I also hear O'hana is alot of fun - that's for our next trip.

Have fun!

 

[shoppgirl]

We're travelling with our two girls, 6 and 4 this August and I booked 4 character meals!! I figure this is a good way for them to meet all their favourites without waiting in line at the parks to meet them!

We're having dinners at:

1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian) Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and the 2 stepsisters
Crystal Palace (MK) to meet Pooh and Friends

We're having breakfasts at:

Cinderella's Round Table to meet Cindy again, and all the other princesses, and to also complement our trip to the Boutique for our Princess makeovers
Chef Mickey's at Contemporary to meet Mickey and Friends.

I figure we can get our autograph books filled just at these meals alone and not worry about having to hunt them down at the parks!

 

[who's ur daddy?]

Although we have 2 boys, we had to try CRT. I must say that it sucked royally. There is a photo op with a sitting Cinderella prior to taking the elevator up to the dining room. That is all the interaction we got! There is the Fairy Godmother and two mice dancing and singing, but not a lot of interaction there for our table. If you would have bought a picture package, it's a good value since the food is acceptable (didn't say great; DO NOT ORDER THE CHICKEN BREAST - looked terrible and dry). I expected so much more with what I believe is the "ultimate" character meal at WDW.

Chef Mickey rocks! Lots of close interaction with the characters.

 

[tigger2on]

Which Cinderella meal has Lady Tremaine and the 2 stepsisters? Have they changed it?
We have always had the Cinderella dinner at GF 1900 Park Fare and it has always been Cinderella, Prince Charming, Perla and the other female mouse from Cinderella!

 

[tigger2on]

is great as well... we just didn't book it this time round. Also have heard good things about Mickey's Backyard bbq as well. (Not included in DDP though ( )

 

[abirdd]

Which Cinderella meal has Lady Tremaine and the 2 stepsisters? Have they changed it?
We have always had the Cinderella dinner at GF 1900 Park Fare and it has always been Cinderella, Prince Charming, Perla and the other female mouse from Cinderella!

1900 Park Fare had a character change late 2007, after the refurb. Apparently, guests have been much more satisfied with the antics of Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters!

 

[abirdd]

For our family, we need to stike a balance between decent food (edible) and good character photos/interaction.

Having tried almost all the character dining experiences in the last three trips (aside from Ohana Breakfast), our fav still leans towards Crystal Palace. There seems to be a wide variety of food items at each meal time, to serve picky to curious eaters. We've had wonderful character interaction at the CP, and some great servers to boot.

Chef Mickey's was okay for breakfast (we're not breakfast eaters, but the food at breakfast was far superior to dinner).

Garden Grill had some okay food, but as noted earlier - probably features the BEST character interaction of all meals in the park. Great for the younger kiddos, who can't get enough of Mickey and friends.

Hollywood & Vine just didn't cut it for us, food was yuck. Not sure if an off day, but that seemed to be the sentiment among other families as well. Was better off meeting the Einsteins (whole cast) and Jojo at the PHD photo op pavilion.

I could go on, but my brain keep coming back to Crystal Palace!!

 

[joech]

That depends ... are your DDs princess-crazy yet? If they are, then I would say to try and book Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast/lunch or the Princesses at Norway in Epcot. However, both those character meals are premium -- they cost more and have picture packages included. We've done the CRT lunch once when my DDs were 3 and 5 and that was enough for me! It was a guick hello and pic with each princess and that's that. If you must have the princess photos, its a good place to get them all at once.

My girls prefer Chef Mickey's and we go on every trip. It's become a Disney tradition for us. We book the first seating at a dinner time (we're not big on breakfasts), and we tend to do this meal on a non-park meal so that we're not rushed. The character interaction is great, and the atmosphere is party-like. The girls loved seeing the monorail go by, and we tend to ride it around after our meal. The first time we went my girls were the age of yours -- the DD3 was thrilled just to see Goofy. My DD1 was spoon-fed ice cream by Mickey. We've always had great experiences there, and the girls consider it a highlight of their trip. Incidentally, these reviews are based on character interaction and atmosphere -- you're not really "paying" for the food

The food at Norway is the worst from all the meal we had from our 2 weeks trips back in Christmas. We ordered the lamb, fish ( forgot what they had ) and the steak and there were all terrible compare to all the other TS we had. It is lucky they have a salad bar so we ended up skipped our ordered meal and went straight to the salad bar.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I think the ages of the kids play a part in the choices too. For kids age 3 and 1 a buffet might be a little challenging. Some one is always sitting at the table while the other one gets food. Not all that great a family dining experience.

So here's my suggestion. O'hana...it's served family style so everyone sits together and is served but it's still an all you can eat. We loved O'hana the service was excellent and so was the food. They have Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stich.

Really what it comes down to is what characters do you want to dine with?

 

[Reese]

I pick our character meals for who the kids really want to meet. DS and DD are big on the Little Einsteins right now so the Playhouse lunch was a great one.
I love O'Hana's, it is our last morning tradition. They bring the food to your table and have a parade for the kids. The characters are Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch. The characters at this location seem to have a great time with the kids.
For the Winnie the Pooh fans there is Crystal Palace. It is a buffet for all three meals and I find the character interaction to be pretty good.
Arkeshush is great to meet several princesses. On the dining plan it is still only one credit as opposed to Cinderella's Royal table which is two. Dining in the castle is unique but probably more so when the kids are a little older.
1900 Park Faire is always really crowded and loud. I found that it was really just too much for younger kids, I think the accoustics of the resurant seemed to amplify everything.
At that age I know my guys also love Mickey and Donald you can find them at Chef Mickey's or Donald's breakfast safari. I found both of them to be equally good it just depends on where you are for the day.
If you are looking for a nice supper the Liberty Tree Tavern is good. It is served family style and is your typical thanksgiving feast. The characters are Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale. I've found the interaction to be quiet good each time we've been there.
I see the cost of the character meal as an investment in time saved not having to wait in line to meet the characters. The one problem with that age is they tend to shy away from the big characters. I found that the face characters are a great introduction to characters.

 

[michelled]

Thanks for the advice - I will be on the phone April 25th making our reservations

 

[pl'smama]

You can not go wrong with Chef Mickey's for any age! It is one of my fave's no matter who you are. We have been for breakfast and the food was wonderful, great interaction with Mickey and the gang and lots of energy to get you started on your day!

Have fun, Suz

 

[abirdd]

I found that the face characters are a great introduction to characters.

Funny, our experience was the complete opposite. DS between ages of 1-2 LOVED the big characters (Pooh, Tigger, Darby, Piglet, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, etc). However, we was TERRIFIED of Aurora, Cinderella, Prince Charming, etc. Something about seeing the face characters turned him right off.

 

[natcat]

Crystal Palace is really pretty and convenient because it is located at Magic Kingdom but I didn't find the supper food memorable. Some people on the DIS are saying that breakfast is really good. We liked Liberty Tree Tavern too for characters and being served was nice. The Castle with pictures of Cinderella is nice too and then the story told by the fairy godmother while you are having supper is ok too.

 

[amw]

Funny, our experience was the complete opposite. DS between ages of 1-2 LOVED the big characters (Pooh, Tigger, Darby, Piglet, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, etc). However, we was TERRIFIED of Aurora, Cinderella, Prince Charming, etc. Something about seeing the face characters turned him right off.

That's why mine didn't have a great experience at CRT. They're not shy, but didn't engage the "face" characters. They were too shell-shocked So, they got a quick hello and where are you from and that's that. The kids who asked questions got more time, and a better overall experience.

They prefered the big loveable, squeezable characters who made them laugh with their actions.