Dinner show and character meals - eh?

[EdmondD]

I suppose it comes with visiting a lot, but looking through dinner shows and character meals for our next trip I just can't get excited about anything.

We liked Hoop-de-doo but just did it last year. Mickey's BBQ looks a little too chaotic (and a lot too overpriced) and we did Spirit of Aloha about a dozen years ago and weren't blown away and current reviews make me think not much has changed.

Seems like we've either done the character meals (Cape May and Garden Grill last year - CP a couple years ago) or find the ones that are left either be too much money for what you get (okay, they all are, granted) or just not something we want to get involved with (CRT, 1900 Park Faire).

I'm thinking about Ohana or Tusker House...or Cape May again (which we really liked). Any thoughts the first two?

 

[minnie mum]

TH is one of the few character meals where we actually like the food.

 

[Legendofthehawk]

It seems like there is either a love or hate for Ohana, depending on who you talk to. I think that depends also on what the objective is. Are the characters the objective ? Is the food? Or both?

Ohana's food to me was just alright. It was nothing special and had it been by itself, sooooo not worth the price that was paid. We did get to see Lilo, who was amazing with my kids.. so it evened out. Thus! my vote is for TH or Cape May. I haven't been to TH, but have always heard good things.

 

[SillySallySews]

I'm in the "love it" group for 'Ohana breakfast. We have gone at least once on every trip for the past 4-5 years, and we've even gone to Disney just for that breakfast when we are visiting family in FL. I do not think the food is anything gourmet or spectacular, but it's always been tasty, hot, fresh, and plentiful. My kids really love Lilo & Stitch, but you also get Mickey in his Hawaiian shirt and Pluto. The little parade they do around the restaurant with the kids is something they really enjoy, and I just think the overall vibe of the breakfast is fun. We usually save it for checkout day and think it's the perfect way to end our Disney trips.

We also love Cape May, both breakfast and dinner. We don't repeat that one every trip, but probably at least every other.

 

[shortnsassy730]

I don't think there is anything remotely food about O'hana breakfast. It's so limited and what they do offer isn't even that great. My two fave buffets on property for breakfast are The Wave and Boma (best meal on property for breakfast). If you are specifically wanting characters, then Tusker House wins by a mile in my opinion. While I prefer an early lunch there, breakfast is really good as well.
Another thought, while its not characters, Sanaa with animal viewing is wonderful. You can't beat their bread service.

 

[Funholiday]

It doesn't look like you have done 1900 Park Fare. Out of our four character meals, that was my favorite as far as the food.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm with you on the been-there-done-that list. With the exception of the new Minnie's seasonal dining at H&V and Mickey's Backyard BBQ, we've done every character meal on property. Yes, they are expensive, so at this point we only go if we like the food. That leaves us with Tusker House! We love lunch there! We would also do Garden Grove on a weekend if we are staying in an EP resort, but that's only because we can get 20% off with our AAA card!

If you like restaurants with a lower price point, but with some entertainment value, I would consider Sanaa lunch (so good and you get to see the animals!), Coral Reef, Biergarten, Sci-Fi, TRex, Rainforest Cafe, Marrakesh, Raglan Road, O'hana dinner.

 

[EdmondD]

I don't think there is anything remotely food about O'hana breakfast.

LOL on the Freudian slip! That's a withering review!!

Thanks all...this gives something to, uh...chew on.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

We loved Tusker House for lunch! The food was excellent, and there were a lot of choices/variety. The characters did a nice job interacting with my 1 year old, and she was really excited to meet the ones at TH (Mickey, Donald, Daisy, Goofy).

 

[Baklava]

We really enjoyed 'Ohana breakfast. The food is basic breakfast but it was good and there was plenty of it and the characters were the real draw.

Our best characters for breakfast were at Garden Grill and Park Fare and the best food was Cape May. Tusker House did not blow us away at all.

Is Sci-Fi still doing breakfast? It's not characters but it was fun and the food was excellent!

 

[Pkltm]

We loved TH breakfast! Loved walking through an empty Ak to get there, plus the food was pretty good!

 

[revdon64]

We're big fans of Tusker House. Our next trip (just DW and I) will be the first one in which we haven't scheduled a TH meal.

 

[shortnsassy730]

LOL on the Freudian slip! That's a withering review!!

Thanks all...this gives something to, uh...chew on.

oops lol. But it's true. I really don't care for it.