Favorite Character Breakfast and Why...

[rsmithx]

We have never been to a character breakfast (some for cost and some because we're lazy in the morning), but now that we're bringing a child our idea of a good time is changing. We're hoping to get in on one in or near the Magic Kingdom, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare or Crystal Palace.

To help us decide, please tell us what your favorite character breakfast is and why (and if it's not one of those, that's fine, we're always open to persuasion)

 

[Wingedheart]

I think it partially depends on which characters you hope to see and what restaurant location you like best.

Character breakfasts, in my opinion, are more about photo ops and autographs than about food. They are usually bustling and the characters come so frequently sometimes you don't get a bite in between or you forget that you even ate! Fun, but definitely not relaxing!

We really enjoyed Chef Mickey's. Nice buffet selection for breakfast, Mickey and Minnie are always popular with the kids, riding the monorail was a treat and seeing the Contemporary was fun. The breakfast is super busy and somewhat crowded.

The Crystal Palace always has a nice selection on their buffet (at least for lunch and dinner as we've only done those), but they have Pooh characters. The restaurant is beautiful, open and bright, and more spread out than Chef Mickey's. We think the best dining experience in the Magic Kingdom and we're not even big Pooh fans!

Those are the only two character meals I've been to, but I hope it helps!

 

[TJA]

I agree with the above that it depends on what characters you are hoping to see. Our girls have been at age 3 and under so we've gone for the mickey and pooh characters. Chef Mickeys is our favorite because we enjoy the entire atmosphere there and the character interaction is very fun. They have the typical mickey, goofy, minnie mouse characters. And every 20 or 30minutes they play a "Celebration" song and everyone, including characters, sings and waives napkins around. We also like Crystal Palace which has all the pooh characters. Again, character interaction is great and every so often they do a parade with the children. So both places offer an entertaining meal. We've never been to 1900 Park, but now that our girls are 4, we are gearing towards the princess character meals so we will be trying both 1900 Park and also the Castle.

 

[disneynewbeemom]

Our favorite is Ohana with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto. The food is served family style and the characters are so much fun. It is just a monorail trip away from MK!

 

[milmore104]

Our favorite is Chef Mickey's. Although we do LOVE CP as well. But if I had to pick just one to attend it would be CM. The character are great as well as the atmosphere. It's so much fun. Kids can get loud and let loose and have a ball.
As other posters have said though it depends on your preference of characters.

 

[Axel]

Crystal Palace is so much fun for breakfast. I am such a Pooh fan, so it's one of my favorite places to go for atmosphere. The food is your basic breakfast fare os waffles, pancakes, and such, but the interaction is so much fun. I'm a bit old for characters now (15, 16 for our next trip), but we go just because it's so much fun! We're also planning on doing dinner at 1900 Park Fare on our next trip. The other cool thing about CP is that if you book early enough, you get into the park before general admission so that you can make your reservation (we've done it, and it is so cool to see main street empty).

 

[simonkodousek]

I love Crystal Palace because of it's food and theme. It's a lot of fun!

~Simon

 

[Dizneydaz]

Of those you've mentioned, we've only done PF and we enjoyed it. It was my DD's 7th birthday and our last day there. We were able to take our time eating, and playing with the characters since we weren't leaving for MCO until about noon.

The food was excellent (as is their dinner) and the characters were wonderful. Mary Poppins is in the lobby. Alice and the Mad Hatter are in the room along with Pooh and Tigger. My DD7 had a great time interacting with the 3 talking characters. Since we were there about 11 a.m. we had the characters to ourselves, mostly.

Of course, now that I've told you how wonderful it is, I have to mention that PF will be under rehab this late summer/ early fall. here's the news from allearsnet.com-

The Grand Floridian Resort's 1900 Park Fare will close for rehab 7/9/07 - 10/1/07.

During 1900 Park Fare's closure, the Grand Floridian Cafe will offer a pre-plated character breakfast and dinner, "Supercalifragilistic Breakfast" and "Cinderella's Gala Feast." Also during that time, Citricos, upstairs at the Grand Floridian, will be open for breakfast and lunch with a menu similar to the cafe's. Citricos will also resume dinner seven days a week. (It is currently closed Monday and Tuesday.)

Based on that info, we won't be going there ourselves, this Sept.

Another breakfast character meal we've enjoyed is the Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway at Epcot. While not close to the MK it is only 2 monorail rides away from MK. You could arrive at Epcot in the a.m. and then after eating head to MK on the monorail. (transfer at TC). The food is good, the princess are, for the most part, wonderful. I like the building too!

Hope this helps! Happy Dining!

ADDED-we're staying at the POP too in Sept. What are your dates?

 

[ShannonN]

We did Donald's last year for our DS 7th b-day and loved it. The food was great and so were the characters. This year we are doing CM for his 8th. We ate dinner at CM last year and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping breakfast will be good too. I wanted DS b-day to be fun and exciting so I couldn't think of a better place to start off his day than at CM.
DH DS ME

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Since you are looking for one in or near the MK, our favorite is 'ohana with Lilo, Stitch and Pluto. Mickey is also available for photo shoots at the entrance but does not go table to table. Stitch and Pluto are very very funny, spend a LOT of time at the tables, and there is a parade with maracas for the kids (and the not so little kids!). The food is very good, pre-plated which can be great if you don't want to juggle plates and little ones at a buffet line. Get a window view of the volcano pool and Cinderella's castle in the distance.

Our other favorite is the Cape May buffet, but this is more in the Epcot area at the Beach Club. GREAT buffet..when we were there, Goofy, Chip and Dale visited the tables (again, LOTS of time with us) and Minnie was in the lobby for photo shoots. They were adorable in their "beach" wear.

Out of your list, I guess I'd go with Chef Mickey's if you want the Mickey et al characters. But I would pick Crystal Palace because I think the food is better, and I love Pooh and friends!

Depends on who you want to see!

 

[bubba73]

My favorite is Chef Mickey's. The food is really good. The character interaction is phenominal. And the views to MK afterwards is great.

We have done CP, The Beach Club and CM's for breakfast and I just love CM.

 

[Maggi May]

Chef Mickeys is a great experience for all of the reasons listed above . . . the characters, riding the monorail, the upbeat and just plain fun atmospere . . . oh, and the food!

Since no one has mentioned it yet, I'll throw in a mention of the Play and Dine breakfast at Hollywood and Vine at Disney MGM Studios. If your little one likes the Little Einsteins or JoJo's Circus, this one is a must! The food was pretty good and the character interaction and entertainment was just right for the preschool set. My DS had a blast.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We really enjoy CP with Pooh and friends. In July we are trying 'Ohana and Breakfastosaurus.