Character Meals

[vickikoz]

Going in August and thinking of doing a character meal. What's your favorite? Kinda on a budget!!

 

[Siouxstone]

When we can only do one, I try to figure what characters we really want to make sure we see. It's almost Mickey, since he always gets mobbed!
My absolute favorite is Garden Grill at Epcot in the Land pavillion. You get Mickey Pluto and Chip & Dale. The tables are such that you don't feel crowded and the characters always seem to take their time. Unfortunately they don't do breakfast. They used to do an Ice Cream Social years ago, but they did away with it. So sad, a character event and it was only $7 for a sundae! I truly miss it.
Breakfast is almost always the cheapest meals, but a lot of them can be done late enough to be considered a brunch. I know lots of people do Ohana or Chef Mickey's during a MK day and have a late breakfast after an early start.
But the best thing: I've never had a character meal that wasn't a ton of fun!

 

[twins2again]

We are going in august too! i think if i had to choose one it would be chef mickeys at the contemporary it is just what you imagine disney is. Theres loads of characters and they all come to your table. theres lots of music and singing and a buffet with those mickey mouse head waffles. You will love it! Also they take photos at the beginning and you can purchase a pkg right there.

 

[disney6family]

I agree, if you can only do one, do Chef Mickey's - it is tons of fun and breakfast is cheaper than dinner. Even though we hate getting up earlier than usual for us, it is worth it and you get a jump on your day.
The kids love the party and the breakfast food is really good, stuff for everyone!

 

[Girly_Qs]

I've been told that if you're looking for a more budget minded princess option that Akershus is a very nice alternative to CRT.

 

[Mkrop]

Going in August and thinking of doing a character meal. What's your favorite? Kinda on a budget!!

Who do you want to see? Where are you staying? I would pick one with Mickey if I could chose only one.

We liked Garden Grill in Epcot and Chef mickey at CR.

I would call soon if you are talking AUg 2007. You may have to take what is available!

 

[vickikoz]

Well I have a 5 year old boy and a 2 year old girl, so I'd like to do the princess for the little one but I can't leave the big one out either. So I was kinda thinking down the line and I just kinda wanted to hear what everyone's favorite.

All the times I've been to Disney I've never done the character dining.

 

[Mkrop]

Well you cant go wrong with Mickey. But even Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends is a lot of fun. Ok so I guess you are going next year no need to panic!

 

[vickikoz]

Oh we are going this August I guess I should just call and see what they have available

I'm really starting to panic!!

 

[vickikoz]

Crystal Palace would be nice I forgot about that one. We used to eat there when I was little. I always loved their muffins and puffed french toast.

 

[carissanboys]

We've only done one and it was lunch at Crystal Palace. The food was great and we loved seeing Pooh and friends. This next trip we're going to focus on seeing Donald since that's my oldest ds's favorite and we didn't get to see him last trip.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I would definitely call ASAP and see what they have available. We are going the last week of August and Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace are booked pretty solid. (I tried to change reservation times for them and was unable to.)
One alternative might be the breakfast at the Grand Floridian. It is temporarily being held in the Grand Floridian Cafe instead of 1900 Park Faire and may have openings. (I believe it's usually Pooh, Tigger, and Alice and the Mad Hatter.)
Good luck!

 

[Mkrop]

Oh we are going this August I guess I should just call and see what they have available

I'm really starting to panic!!

Juts call today and see what thay have available for your dates. Be flexible, if you are willing to do lunch vs breakfast or dinner, you might do better or a place like Garden Grille in Epcot which is not as well known. Donalds Breakfast at AK. Cape May has some Mickey meals if you are willing to travel over to that resort. Like I said you didnt say where you are staying and if you have a car. Crytsal Palace had an awesome lunch buffet. I think you will love character dining and if the budget allows it this trip I think you should call and try for one! LTT in Magic Kingdom

We did walk into Chef Mickey for breakfast in April at 7:15 but I think that was a fluke and we did cancel ours for later in the week but when I tried to switch one from breakfast to lunch during our trip no luck.

CALL TODAY and if you have no luck keep trying even while you are there.

Good luck and let us know how you make out!

 

[Doc CW]

Crystal Palace morning breakfast buffet with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet is our family favorite

 

[LJRJR]

Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK is great too! The family style food they serve is very nice and you get to see alot of characters including Mickey and Minnie. They dont offer the "family picture" with the meal, which can get kind of pricey.

 

[pl'smama]

Well I have a 5 year old boy and a 2 year old girl, so I'd like to do the princess for the little one but I can't leave the big one out either. So I was kinda thinking down the line and I just kinda wanted to hear what everyone's favorite.

All the times I've been to Disney I've never done the character dining.

These are all great suggestions, but you are running out of time. However, that said I booked all of our ADR's two months before we went last year and we got wonderful times for 3 Character Meals.

SInce your DD is still young, you could possibly skip the princess thing for now. Does your DS like Winnie and Friends? If so they will both adore Crystal Palace and there is such a wide variety of food with a little kid's station!! We did a three o'clock late lunch and just had snacks later on. It worked out well.

Ohana's for breakfast was amazing!! The food was out of this world and that is saying a lot as I am a fussy eater!! But there was no bad seat in the place and we got to meet Lilo, Stitch, Pluto and (drum roll....) Mickey!! So, that is a really great option.

Out other one was Cinderella's Castle and I loved it, but I would do something different this time. Not too many characters there and your DS would probably be happier elsewhere. We did dinner and the food is on the formal side. It was still a wonderful time, but we could accomadate our one little princess ( age 3.5) very easily.

Whatever you decide have a super time!!!

Suz

 

[DVCMama]

For our family if we had to limit to just one it would be Cinderella at 1900 Park/Grand Floridian Cafe. My kids all just love her and the mice so it would be a 'can't miss'. I would agree with others, just figure out what characters are most important and decide based on that.

 

[vickikoz]

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I'm going to call today and find out what's available!! Does anyone know if there is a listing of all the character dining or do I have to just call?

 

[bluejaygirl]

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I'm going to call today and find out what's available!! Does anyone know if there is a listing of all the character dining or do I have to just call?

allears.net has a good listing of all the choices.

We liked Garden Grill a lot

 

[adamsloco]

Here is a link for the allears.net page "Where the Characters Dine". It is a listing of characters, and what character meal(s) they can be found at.

Where Characters Dine