Character Meals

[Darcy03231]

I'm planning to take my niece (4 y.o.) to WDW for the first time in October 2008. I decided to go with the DDP just to make things easier and want to do two character meals. She loves the princesses so I thought the Story Book Princess dinner at Askerhaus and then either Chef Mickey's or Liberty Tavern. Since I haven't been to WDW with a little one in years I'm looking for input. I think the last time I was at a character meal had to be at least 8-10 years ago!

 

[5onadime]

Our family prefers Chef Mickey to Liberty ( for what its worth ). They kids had a much larger variety of food to choose from since it was buffet instead of family style.

 

[septbaby]

Chef Mickey's will probably suit her really well. There are 5 characters, music, dancing (optional), napkin waving and just a bustling atmosphere. They also take a photo before seating you, but you get to decide if you want to purchase it. I believe it is now included in the package price at the Storybook meal. Truth be told you'll probably LOVE Chef Mickey's as the characters don't just shower the little kids with attention they hug our big ones too.

Unless she really wants to see specific princesses beyond Cinderella, also consider 1900 Park Fare for dinner. We took a 5yo 4 years ago and she just had the best time. She wore a princess dress and we picked up a tiara and costume jewelry while at WDW. It was an easy evening and I thought the food was really good. We spent some time in the lobby and gift shop of the Grand Floridian and she even filled out a couple of post cards to send home and mailed them at the front desk. I can't comment on the Storybook meal; no first hand experience.

I made ADRs this morning and inquired on CRT. We have a 6yo boy for a short trip. For us I don't think that 2TS price is worth it, for your little girl it might be. He's still asking about Chef Mickey's and we'll be there again, that ADR is all set.

 

[MissMagnolia]

We loved CRT for lunch - our daughter (3 at the time) had an amazing experience. We saw Cinderella (in the lobby) and the Fairy Godmother, Belle, Snow White, and Mary Poppins at our table. I have never done the Storybook meal at Epcot and would only consider it for breakfast (I do not like Norwegian food which is what is served at lunch). I have heard that the photo package is now included there. Most little girls wear their princess dresses at the Princess meals from what I've seen. DD felt very special in hers.

We love Crysal Palace in MK (Pooh Characters - Winnie, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet). We had a nice time at Chef Mickey's - my DD was dressed like Minnie Mouse and when Mickey came to our table he REALLY played it up. The photos are priceless. At Chef Mickey's they take your photo in front of a plate and then come to your table with the photos. I really don't like that because I always feel obligated to purchase it - you don't have to, though.

I have been tempted to try Liberty Tree Tavern, but you should know that it is a Thanksgiving style meal served family style instead of a buffet (Chef Mickey's is a buffet).

Good luck in your choices!

 

[heymom]

My DD and DS liked Chef Mickey's as they were able to choose from the buffet exactly what they wanted to eat. We also had very good character interaction, ( Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, and Goofy ).
This being said they also liked Crystal Palace for breakfast which also was a buffet . There was great character interaction between my son and Tigger as well as Eeyore and my daughter. Piglet came to the table as well and Pooh was out front to greet you as you came in, or in our case as we left.

 

[septbaby]

My DD and DS liked Chef Mickey's as they were able to choose from the buffet exactly what they wanted to eat. We also had very good character interaction, ( Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, and Goofy ).

When we were there in Sept they had Donald Duck and Pluto, but not Chip and Dale

 

[Tricia1972]

When we were there in Sept they had Donald Duck and Pluto, but not Chip and Dale

We were there in October, and experienced the same characters. Chip and Dale are now at LTT, but no longer at CM.

For what it's worth - we preferred LTT dinner to CM Dinner. It was nice to be seated and have the food brought to you and gave us more time to all enjoy the characters. At CM we'd always try to time buffet runs around where the characters were. But that could be because of our large party size.

 

[Darcy03231]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll look into the Crystal Palace too as she loves Tigger. Since this is a trip for her we may just do a character meal each day.

I did look into CRT but really didn't want to spend the 2 TS credits. As long as she sees some princesses for one meal I'm sure she'll love it. I did plan on doing the breakfast there as I don't think she would care for "traditional Norwegian" food.

 

[heymom]

We had breakfast in Norway with the princesses ( Aurora, Snow White, Mulan, and Belle), this was family style and it was american breakfast food. The character interaction was as good here as there was when we ate at Cindy's. Snow White remembered my little nieces name from seeing her a few days before at Cindy's. This really made her day.

 

[blana]

Just a quick reminder, for a 4 year old, the menu for Akershus at night is similar to anywhere else. Hot dog, cheese ravioli, etc. Not the traditional food. So, if YOU would like to try to traditional foods, it's not that bad to take children to. Oh, DS ate off of my Kjottkake with no problems. (I'm not big on having a huge meal early in the day.)

 

[GatorLady]

I agree with Tricia about it being nice to have the food brought to you vs. buffet (we did CM last year). That is one main reason we are doing dinner at LTT this year (that and DD5 loves Chip and Dale) . That way you can enjoy both food and characters without having to worry about timing everything.