Deciding on character breakfast for Thanksgiving...

[Surgie2]

WE have 11 people staying offsite (5 kids ages 5-11). We've decided Thanksgiving will not be a park day so plan to have a character breakfast and then see decorations at resorts. I assumed we'd go to Chef Mickey's as we've done in the past but now I'm wondering if Topolino's might be a better option (Chef Mickey's has seemed a bit chaotic in the past). I read some past reviews here that favored Topollino's. Is that still the case?

 

[pks_domer]

We've not done Topolino's, but our go-to non-park character breakfast is 'Ohana. You could then just monorail loop to see resort decorations.

 

[jsergent]

Maybe depends upon what characters you want to meet?

Topolino's generates a lot of opinions over "is it worth it". The answer is very subjective depending upon personal expectations. We were there in June and really loved the character breakfast. The food was delicious and plenty enough to fill us. I would recommend Topolino's, we had a great time.

The views from the top of Riviera were fabulous as well!

 

[Surgie2]

Maybe depends upon what characters you want to meet?

Topolino's generates a lot of opinions over "is it worth it".

Since the youngest two don't remember previous trips to WDW, we want to meet Mickey and Minnie for sure. As far as "worth it", yes subjective and honestly since we are only doing one character meal that Nana and Papa are treating for, I am fine paying for a better experience. And by "better", I'm not expecting outstanding food. Just looking for good character interaction and photo ops.

 

[Her Dotness]

Topolino's is somewhat upscale from Chef Mickey's.

If the kids are accustomed to more classy restaurants, Topolino's will suit wonderfully.

Characters are the classic couples in artsy costumes--Painter Mickey, Author Minnie, Dancer Daisy and Sculptor Donald. They come around for meets and photos and do a little performance to music, too.

Have no concerns about the food; it's marvelous, more creative than the traditional American breakfast.

I suspect you'll have discovered an experience that makes Chef Mickey's seem ordinary and unimaginative.

Don't hesitate, as you may have to try repeatedly to get Topolino's. It's extremely popular. Better have a backup in case.

 

[nw6675]

I'm going to sound negative, but hope for the best and expect the worst. It's going to be very hard to get one anywhere for that day plus for that many people. Even more so at 60 days .

If the moon and stars align. Topolinos.

 

[Surgie2]

Don't hesitate as you may have to try repeatedly to get Topolino's. It's extremely popular. Better have a backup in case.

Thanks for the detailed information. Yes, my daughter and I plan to both be online early and refresh so that we can hopefully get breakfast reserved as soon as reservations open. We aren't picky on a time since it's not a park day.

 

[Surgie2]

I'm going to sound negative, but hope for the best and expect the worst. It's going to be very hard to get one anywhere for that day plus for that many people. Even more so at 60 days .

I won't be trying to book all 11. My daughter will try for 6 and I'll try for 5 simultaneously. Any thoughts on if a day other than Thanksgiving would have more of a chance? I know it's a very busy week.

 

[nw6675]

Thanks for the detailed information. Yes, my daughter and I plan to both be online early and refresh so that we can hopefully get breakfast reserved as soon as reservations open. We aren't picky on a time since it's not a park day.

Just remember onsite people had up to 10 days before you. Good luck! Please post back when your window opens. I always wonder how people fare, but we rarely hear back.

 

[nw6675]

I won't be trying to book all 11. My daughter will try for 6 and I'll try for 5 simultaneously. Any thoughts on if a day other than Thanksgiving would have more of a chance? I know it's a very busy week.

I would try for any day possible in any combination. Thanksgiving Day is prob the hardest.

 

[Her Dotness]

Thanks for the detailed information. Yes, my daughter and I plan to both be online early and refresh so that we can hopefully get breakfast reserved as soon as reservations open. We aren't picky on a time since it's not a park day.

Tons of luck, then.

Go for that one immediately your window opens, trying next for the end of your stay if you can't get Thanksgiving, which will be highly doubtful.

 

[Surgie2]

Just remember onsite people had up to 10 days before you. Good luck! Please post back when your window opens. I always wonder how people fare, but we rarely hear back.

Yes I will remember to do that!

 

[Her Dotness]

Even though neither has characters, Ale & Compass and Trattoria al Forno have excellent breakfasts and will be somewhat easier to get.

The Tratt's atmosphere is very like 'Ohana's as you may know, dark-wood casual. Ale & Compass is more elegant, rather akin to Topolino's atmosphere.

I think either will provide an enjoyable experience you can secure more readily, though one never knows about holiday bookings.

 

[jsergent]

Since the youngest two don't remember previous trips to WDW, we want to meet Mickey and Minnie for sure. As far as "worth it", yes subjective and honestly since we are only doing one character meal that Nana and Papa are treating for, I am fine paying for a better experience. And by "better", I'm not expecting outstanding food. Just looking for good character interaction and photo ops.

I h

Topolino's is somewhat upscale from Chef Mickey's.

If the kids are accustomed to more classy restaurants, Topolino's will suit wonderfully.

Characters are the classic couples in artsy costumes--Painter Mickey, Author Minnie, Dancer Daisy and Sculptor Donald. They come around for meets and photos and do a little performance to music, too.

Have no concerns about the food; it's marvelous, more creative than the traditional American breakfast.

I suspect you'll have discovered an experience that makes Chef Mickey's seem ordinary and unimaginative.

Don't hesitate, as you may have to try repeatedly to get Topolino's. It's extremely popular. Better have a backup in case.

Reading this, now I'm convinced to try Topolino's... and I've already been there!

 

[Her Dotness]

Reading this, now I'm convinced to try Topolino's... and I've already been there!

That's quite the compliment. I'm glad you were persuaded to return, not that I think it took effort from me at all. Topolino's is very persuasive itself, we found.

We'd been for dinner but added the breakfast to our absolutely, positively must do list after last trip.

Such fun and deeeelish food.

 

[Surgie2]

Even though neither has characters, Ale & Compass and Trattoria al Forno have excellent breakfasts and will be somewhat easier to get.

I'll keep that in mind, though we may just eat at the house if we can't get a character breakfast since we aren't looking just to go our for breakfast. It's all about Mickey and Minnie as far as the kids are concerned. But I guess I'll have to set expectations very low for everyone.

 

[Surgie2]

Tons of luck, then.

Go for that one immediately your window opens, trying next for the end of your stay if you can't get Thanksgiving, which will be highly doubtful.

Unfortunately we only have one day after Thanksgiving to try for before we all depart.

 

[Surgie2]

I h

Reading this, now I'm convinced to try Topolino's... and I've already been there!

I think you've alll convinced me that while Topolinno's would be more interesting and enjoyable than Chef Mickey's, it will be a harder reservation to get. I think I will have to try for Chef Mickey's right when my window opens. If I try for Topollino's and it's full, I've lost a couple minutes in the queue and might not get CM at all. This is so stressful lol, but Thanksgiving week is the only week we could go.

 

[Jacq7414]

Topolino’s is my favorite character breakfast.

I thought that Cape May Cafe was pretty good too. Nice character interactions. I liked both better than chef Mickey.

Also, if you don’t get it right away I wouldn’t stop looking. We went 4th of July week and there were plenty of last minute reservations open.

 

[Jacq7414]

I think you've alll convinced me that while Topolinno's would be more interesting and enjoyable than Chef Mickey's, it will be a harder reservation to get. I think I will have to try for Chef Mickey's right when my window opens. If I try for Topollino's and it's full, I've lost a couple minutes in the queue and might not get CM at all. This is so stressful lol, but Thanksgiving week is the only week we could go.

CM breakfast is hard to get IMO. Can you have other relatives try to get the reservation as well? Like you all try for different ones