Chef Mickey's or the Garden Grill?

[centurythree]

I've switched my reservations from September to January to avoid heat, humidity, hurricanes, love bugs and free dining. Now I get to plan my ADRs all over again

Here's the thing. I'm taking down two first-timers (mother and and her 12-year-old son.) I think a character breakfast would help them get acclimated, plus avoid my having to spend time in a character line later.

Our first park day is a Monday. At first I was planning to take them to MK first, but MK tends to be more crowded on Mondays. So, I was thinking of switching to Epcot instead. Or I might just have us go to MK for a couple of hours in the morning and then head to Epcot for the afternoon.

My question for now is, if we spend the whole day at Epcot should I take them to Chef Mickey's or the Garden Grill for an early ADR (~7:15 for Chef Mickey's or as early as possible for Garden Grill)? What are the pros and cons of each? Does anyone know the Garden Grill's earliest ADR time?

Thanks in advance! I'd rather not do an in park breakfast ADR at MK regardless of which park we're at that morning.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Garden Grille would seem to make more sense since you are at Epcot. However if all were equal, I would definitely choose Chef Mickey's because of food quality and character interaction. My children, DS's 4 and 6, love Chef Mickey's and tell us we must visit there for breakfast or dinner at least once every trip.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I really like Garden Grill, they have good food and really good character interacton, but there's no breakfast at Garden Grill, I think the lunch seating starts at 11am. It probably wouldn't be my choice for a "first" character meal.

Chef Mickey's is the traditional 1st character meal. With a 12 yr old boy, make sure you take the time to ride the monorail there, he'll like that. If he's not crazy about lot's of small children running around, you might want to try Cape May Cafe's breakfast bufftet (at the BC). It is a character breakfast, not crowded/crazy, great character interaction and the food is really good.

 

[centurythree]

How embarrassing, I must be caught in a time warp! You're correct, of course, the Garden Grill does not serve breakfast anymore. I'm going to look into Cape May, that was one I hadn't considered.

 

[alldiz]

I love Chef Mickey's....haven't tried Garden Grill yet.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[kdaisy20]

My DS9 loved the Garden Grille when we went for 3 short days in 06. We are going to be there in July, and the first words out of his mouth was if we could eat there again!

We had eatten there before kids and choose this since favorite character is Pluto and the characters have always seemed very friendly-that would be our choice!

Kdaisy20

 

[We-r-Disney]

Chef mickeys far better in food quality and quantity. Fresh and Fabulous at chef mickeys also the characters are alot happier as will you when you dine there. Garden Grill: overrated, This menu really need to be updated...

 

[travispotts1]

I haven't eaten at the Garden Grill so I would have to say Chef Mickeys. Here is why: Chef Mickeys is the classic Buffet. They have it all from shrimp to Prime Rib. They also have a large assortment of desserts - all wonderfully delicious. One of the best parts is you can go up for seconds, and thirds, and fourths . . . The best part of the restaraunt is you have interaction with the classic disney characters - Donald, Goofy, Minnie, Mickey, and I think Pluto all dressed in Chef outfits. Chef Mickeys also has a photographer, not roving, but with a display. You can get your picture taken and either add to your photopass or bring to the table - I don't recall. All in all, the kids love Chef Mickeys, it's fun, and it's good eatin.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

Chef Mickey's is one of our favorites, so I would definitely recommend it. The food & character interaction were both very good. Chef Mickey's has a fun atmosphere & features the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto) so it would be a great way to start your vacation. Cape May would be a good alternative. Cape May also has good food, but the buffet seemed a bit limited compared to Chef Mickey's. Cape May had outstanding character interaction and had a more relaxed atmosphere than Chef Mickey's. Unlike Chef Mickey's, we had a difficult time getting to Cape May from our resort for our breakfast ADR.