1. I think my first question would be are you on the dining plan? The reason I ask is if you are paying out of pocket (OOP) then I would suggest doing a breakfast. These are typically less expensive than lunch and dinner and lunches my be a few dollar less than dinner.
2. Do you want the character meal to be in the park you are visiting that day, or do you mind traveling to a resort for the meal?
3. What characters do you and your children really want to see and get pictures.
I have eaten at many of the character meals.
Breakfast - Favorites ones first
1. Tusker House at Disney's Animal Kingdom - (Safari Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. The breakfast food here is my favorite. There is great selection, it has always been very fresh. The tropical juice is delicious and the kids get to do a parade with shakers and noisemakers. The only downside of this one is it is very noisy, but worth it.
2. Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom - (Pooh, Eyeore, Tigger and Piglet) Food is good and it is in the Magic Kingdom. We like to eat a granola bar in the room and then head to the MK for opening ceremonies, ride a few rides and then have a late breakfast. We skip lunch and have a snack (love dole whips) and then have dinner.
3. Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary resort - Food is typical breakfast and is average, but I love seeing Chef Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald.
This one for me is less about the food and more about the characters. It is either a short walk or monorail ride to the MK after.
4. 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian - (Mary Poppins, Alice, Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger) Food is good here. It is a unique collection of characters. If you have breakfast here, it is a short monorail or boatride to the MK afterwards.
5. Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort - (Minnie, Donald, and Goofy were there last time I was there.) This one is conveniently located to Epcot. If you take a taxi to the resort for breakfast, you can then enter Epcot through the International Gateway which is much less crowded then the front entrance. The food is average breakfast buffet.
6. O'hana at the Polynesian - (Lilo and Stitch) This one is not a buffet. It is all you can eat family style. They bring platters to your table. The food was good, but I am not that into Lilo and Stitch and prefer to dine with Mickey.
Lunch
Crystal Palace is the only character lunch I have done. Same characters as breakfast. The food is pretty good. It is a nice break in the day, but sometimes we eat to much and are sluggish afterwards.
Dinner
1. 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian -(Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremayne and the step sisters) This is one my favorite character meals. The buffet has yummy prime rib and great variety. The characters are great fun for the entire family. Interaaction between guests, Lady Tremayne and the step sisters is quite humorous.
2. Garden Grill at Living with the Land in Epcot -(Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale). The food is average here and is served family style at your table. The reason I really like this restaurant is that it is small and the characters typically make it to your table more than one time. They also spend more time with you and don't seem to be as rushed.
I haven't done too many character dinners.
I hope this helps. Please remember everyone that this is my personal opinion and I am sure we won't all agree
) We'll be driving down, so we'll have to drive to a resort we want to eat at? Right? If I recall the buses from our resort only go to the parks. Or do we have to take a bus to the parks and get back on a bus that'll take us to another resort? I think it'll be much easier to just do a meal at one of the parks then, if that's the case. We definitely do plan on just sticking with breakfast because it is cheaper. And as of right now, we'll probably end up doing 2 character meals, lol. My son wants Mickey and my daughter wants Cinderella. Thanks for all for your input!
