+/- character dining

[DebMcDonald]

I've come to the realization that we might not get breakfast with cinderella, though explaining that to my four year old will be another story. I will try to call every day in May (90 days out) for our week in August. But any recommendations for other character dining. Her second choice is Mickey and Minney. Any dining that you were disappointed in? favorites that you could do every visit?

 

[newscick27]

My kids love Chef Mickey's, they have a great buffet with stuff for kids and adults! plus Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and chip and Dale are there and will come to the table. Plus they do a little celebration thing where they dance around the restaurant and everyone waves their napkins in the air. The kids just eat it up!!! Plus they have a wonderful dessert selection.
Crystal Palace is also good if she likes Pooh and the gang!!

btw, read all the advice on these boards about getting in for CRT, I did and it paid off, I got a PS the first try!!!!!

Good Luck!

 

[beattyfamily]

What I do is I try for CRT and if I don't get it I try for the Princess Storybook breakfast (and now lunch or dinner) at Epcot. That is a wonderful meal to meet Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Belle, Jasmine and Mulan (and sometimes others like Mary Poppins).

Also if my DD really wanted Cinderella, and I didn't CRT, I'd try for the Cinderella dinner at the GF.

If you don't want either of those options, then I'd say Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace are both popular fun character meal. Actually I also enjoy LTT for dinner with Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale!

 

[saffymom]

I would second the vote for Chef Mickey's! It was wonderful. My DS 2 loved it, and the food was terrific! My BIL took his family to the Norway princess breakfast and said that it was great as well. That might be a good alternative for you. They had no problem getting PS for it.

 

[tink2]

Try for CRT- absolutely magical. If you don't get that one, the princess meal in Epcot is an alternative- even though we weren't thrilled with the food and rushed princesses, DD5 loved it! Our second fav., next to CRT, is Crystal Palace- good food and a lot of fun with Pooh and friends! We eat here 2 times ever trip! We liked Chef MIckey's a lot, it just eats up park time and that is a no-no for us- but I'm glad we did it once b/c it was a lot of fun and good food at breakfast! We were a little disappointed in LTT- I had read so many great reports I think my expectations were too high though. We much prefer Crystal Palace to LTT. Good luck! If your daughter is into princesses, I'd definitely try for CRT or do the Epcot meal as an alternative!

 

[Dopey's Girl]

IMHO...no attacks please...Chef Mickey's is getting TOO industrial. What I mean by that is that EVERYBODY wants to go. So I think they've gotten a little lax. The food is good, but not amazing (I'm talking about breakfast). I haven't been for lunch or dinner so can't speak to that buffet. (In general anyway I think buffets tend to be somewhat mediocre.) Also, the last time we were there I felt a bit like cattle. Moooove it into the line to check in at the podim, moooove to get your picture taken, mooove to your table, moooove through the buffet line, moooove through all the tables to get back to your seat... you get the idea. I guess I'm getting to be a dining snob. When I'm at Disney, I've been on my feet all day, and when meals roll around, I want to sit and be served. Chef Mickey's is still a good experience, I just think there are better.
To see Mickey and friends, my favorite choice is Liberty Tree Tavern in MK for dinner or Garden Grill in Epcot (we liked the Ice Cream Social there).

 

[Princess Glenda]

Follow the guidelines in the Disney Restaurants section and try for CRT. I called 3 days this week for our PS and got 2 out of 3 days for CRT. The second day was a much better time and day for us so I am going to cancel the first day. Getting CRT is nerving, but the best Disney experience I have had. If you can't get CRT, then I would suggest the Princess Storybook Breakfast at Epcot.

 

[SeeDisney]

Try to check out the Grand Floridian dinner with Cinderalla Prince Charming at the 1900 Park Faire. THIS WAS MY FAVORITE CHARACTER MEAL.


I was there about 3 weeks ago and witnessed Cinderalla dancing and getting down on the floor and hugging the little princesses.

Make your PS around 4:30 ish -- then you'll get to watch the opening of the restaurant -- a countdown of "Biddity Boddity BOO!!" and the Fairy Godmother comes out with pixie dust. They also pick a little princess to help with the countdown. It's really cute and uplifting. (So Disssnnneyyy)

We plan on going back there again in a couple of years.

 

[MrsPete]

Rule #1 about Cinderella's breakfast: DO NOT tell the kids about it until you've secured your reservations! A four-year old won't know about this meal if you don't tell her. However, it sounds like this advice may be coming too late.

My suggestions:

First, don't give up on Cinderella's breakfast (or book the new lunch). You might find a cancellation at the last minute.

Book Chef Mickey's as a back-up. I agree with other people here who said that the food is nothing special, but the character interaction is fantastic! It was -- by far -- my girls' favorite character meal. I enjoyed Cinderella's castle more, but they loved Chef Mickey's.

If you end up going to Chef Mickey's, play it up as if it's a much better deal for you: Explain that you'll ride the monorail to get there. Make a homemade card inviting your child to dine with Mickey and friends; include some Disney stickers. Have the card say something like, "I'm really looking forward to meeting you next Wednesday morning. I'm saving my favorite table just for you. Be sure to try my pancakes and chocolate milk; I'm sure you'll like them. Love, Mickey Mouse." Four-year olds are still easy to manipulate. Just wait 'til they're ten!

If possible, go to both! They're very different, but both wonderful!

 

[F1Julie]

Don't sweat it if you don't get CRT. We finally got it for our December trip and it was a big letdown after all the hype. Same for PSB. DD4 and I much prefer 1900 Park Fare if you are looking to dine with Cinderella. The character interaction is so much better there. Garden Grill is our favorite meal with Mickey and friends. The food is terrific and the characters spent more time with us here than at any other character meal.