Character meals with older kids?

[kitntrip]

We're booked to go to WDW next fall. This will be our second time, while the first one was back in 2012. My kids will be 15(girl) and 11(boy) next year, and have said they don't care if they do character meals or not. I enjoyed the character meals a lot last time, and was wondering which would be good for older kids? We did Chef Mickey, Tusker house, Akershus so looking for something different, though it has been so long we could do them again and it would feel like the first time lol.

 

[22Tink]

We're booked to go to WDW next fall. This will be our second time, while the first one was back in 2012. My kids will be 15(girl) and 11(boy) next year, and have said they don't care if they do character meals or not. I enjoyed the character meals a lot last time, and was wondering which would be good for older kids? We did Chef Mickey, Tusker house, Akershus so looking for something different, though it has been so long we could do them again and it would feel like the first time lol.

Garden Grill breakfast is one of our favourite character meals for all ages. Great food and fantastic character interactions.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I have a 14-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son and they both really enjoy Garden Grill. They'll humor me and go to any character meal I want to take them to, but this is one they both still ask for. I don't really know what it is about GG, but it does seem to be a bit more "grown-up" than some of the others.

 

[1GoldenSun]

Garden Grill breakfast is one of our favourite character meals for all ages. Great food and fantastic character interactions.

Haha, I was typing while you posted! Great minds think alike.

 

[meggiebeth]

1900 Park Fare is brilliant for dinner we have found. We had Lady Tremaine trying to set her daughters up with my brother, and the stepsisters themselves came over and argued over it. I feel like the antics here really appeal to adults and teenagers.

Garden Grill is a pretty unique experience being a rotating restaurant.

Although you said you already did Chef Mickey’s, I do think this is a staple restaurant for families, and is iconic enough to appeal to teenagers and older children. While your children may not be bothered now about character meals, I’m sure at the time they will really get into it and enjoy meeting all of the characters.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I took nine HS graduates to Chef Mickey's for breakfast on the trip we took for our son's graduation. We all stayed in an OKW Grand Villa. I had purchased Mickey Graduation Ears for all of them and I made them wear them for the breakfast. Later on one of the kids told me she wasn't looking forward to it at first, but loved it after the fact. Chef Mickey's is always good to make a kid feel like a kid again.

 

[kitntrip]

I will definitely put Garden Grill on the list, I didn't really think of 1900 Park Fare, so I'll put that on the list as well. We really enjoyed Chef Mickey's, and it was our first Disney meal so we might do that one again. Thanks everyone!

 

[Amelia :)]

I would do breakfast at Crystal Palace. Magic kingdom makes you feel like a little kid again anyway and you can’t help but love the Winnie the Pooh characters.

 

[Jennifer Bowers]

Trattoria al Fornoon on boardwalk. They have princess and prince combos.
I've never done the character breakfast but I have had dinner there and love the boardwalk area as well as the walk to epcot. I think that whole area is appealing to teens/tweens. It's definitely on my to do list. Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel sound pretty fun!

 

[3gr8boys]

I would do breakfast at Crystal Palace. Magic kingdom makes you feel like a little kid again anyway and you can’t help but love the Winnie the Pooh characters.

We enjoyed CP breakfast in April..... We being me, DH, DS11 and DS15. It was actually a request of DS15! We had a 10:30 ADR, so were able to enjoy some rides before stopping to eat. Everybody (even DH!) enjoyed the food....though we all had different favorites (puffed French toast, yum). The setting is so pretty (windows, sunlight, greenery) and there is just something special about Pooh and friends.

Agree with PPs that GG is fun. We had a PPO during our April trip- filled up without rushing and walked right onto Soarin'. The character interaction was great!

 

[kitntrip]

Trattoria al Fornoon on boardwalk. They have princess and prince combos.
I've never done the character breakfast but I have had dinner there and love the boardwalk area as well as the walk to epcot. I think that whole area is appealing to teens/tweens. It's definitely on my to do list. Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel sound pretty fun!

I didn't realize Flynn and Rapunzel were at a character meal! I love them, so I'm definitely going to have to look into that.

 

[Summer2018]

We're booked to go to WDW next fall. This will be our second time, while the first one was back in 2012. My kids will be 15(girl) and 11(boy) next year, and have said they don't care if they do character meals or not. I enjoyed the character meals a lot last time, and was wondering which would be good for older kids? We did Chef Mickey, Tusker house, Akershus so looking for something different, though it has been so long we could do them again and it would feel like the first time lol.

My DD has always enjoyed Cinderella’s Royal Table for breakfast and ‘Ohana breakfast throughout her childhood and into adulthood. She is about to turn 21, and we all enjoyed both as a family.

Crystal Palace was one she loved up until her teens. Chef Mickey’s has been hit or miss all along.

None of us really liked Akershus when she was young.

 

[swanwed6206]

If the kiddos are a bit uncomfortable with it, and it is mainly for you and the pictures- I would suggest maybe Garden Grove at the Swan. They have Goofy and Pluto every night and Chip and Dale on Friday. Most importantly in your situation it is usually not crowded (I would try to get an early week/ early time ressie). The food is a buffet that switches up every day and is pretty diverse and good. We particularly liked the chopped salads they make right in front of you. The kids might like stuff like that too. It could be a little out of the way depending on where you stay, but we typically stay at the BWV so it’s close for us.

 

[Nancyg56]

1900 Park Fare is brilliant for dinner we have found. We had Lady Tremaine trying to set her daughters up with my brother, and the stepsisters themselves came over and argued over it. I feel like the antics here really appeal to adults and teenagers.

Garden Grill is a pretty unique experience being a rotating restaurant.

Although you said you already did Chef Mickey’s, I do think this is a staple restaurant for families, and is iconic enough to appeal to teenagers and older children. While your children may not be bothered now about character meals, I’m sure at the time they will really get into it and enjoy meeting all of the characters.

I thought about my DGD at the age of 12 and again at 14 She loved 'Ohan with Lilo and Stitch, and really enjoyed 1900 Park Fare with teh Tremaine sisters. I had two youngsters with me, and soem of the character meals were booked with teh little ones in mind, and my DGD had the choice to join us or go with her Mom and Dad elsewhere. SHe really enjoyed CHef Mickey's as well. At 17 she is lookign forward to Garden Grill this year.

 

[Meghan4]

My DD has always enjoyed Cinderella’s Royal Table for breakfast and ‘Ohana breakfast throughout her childhood and into adulthood. She is about to turn 21, and we all enjoyed both as a family.

Crystal Palace was one she loved up until her teens. Chef Mickey’s has been hit or miss all along.

None of us really liked Akershus when she was young.

Just curious, what was it about Akershus you did not like? We have it booked for our trip next month, but i’m having second thoughts.

 

[Nancyg56]

Just curious, what was it about Akershus you did not like? We have it booked for our trip next month, but i’m having second thoughts.

I can answer for my family. Our little ones loved Akershus breakfast, and all of the adults did as well. If I chose for my DGD as an older kid, she woudl have been bored to tears. This is a Princess breakfast and the appeal is more towards the young royalty who come to dine.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Tusker House is always a big winner with my family. Even DH, who doesn't particularly like WDW, loves Tusker House! 1900 Park Fare breakfast is also good and the Mad Hatter is hysterical - your kids might get a kick out of him.

 

[B-Ride]

Crystal Palace is a beautiful setting and I defy any kid the age of yours not to love Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet.

 

[Summer2018]

Just curious, what was it about Akershus you did not like? We have it booked for our trip next month, but i’m having second thoughts.

After eating in the grand castle with the high ceilings, just being inside Akershus felt very claustrophobic. It had a more cottage feel. It was very cramped and as the princesses went from table to table, it was awkward trying to take photos. We also weren't crazy about the food at Akershus, whereas the breakfast, especially the french toast, at CRT was delicious.

 

[KenHutch]

My daughter is 18 now and will be 21 on our next trip. She has already earmarked 6 character meals that we have to do including CRT,Akershus and Crystal Palace. We are planning on brining her boyfriend. Gotta get that poor kid trained.