"Timon: 'This looks like a good spot to rustle up some grub.'
Young Simba: 'What's that?'
Timon: 'A grub. What's it look like?'
[Timon eats the grub]
Young Simba: 'Ewwwww, gross.'
Timon: 'Tastes like chicken.'" -Lion King
We walked through the rather formal lobby and went to check in.
The Swan is a beautiful hotel and The Garden Grove restaurant is absolutely stunning.
Unfortunately they haven't figured out how to marry this gorgeous setting to it's dining experience. Dinner at Garden Grove is a character buffet, but the place is so formal it feels stilted and stiff. When we were seated there were only 2 other people in the whole place.
Our waiter started things off awkwardly when upon spotting our wristband photopass card he asked us if we had been at a waterpark, to which we responded yes we had been at Typhoon Lagoon that day.
He then said "Were there a lot of rich people there?"
Certain that I had heard him incorrectly I stammered "What?"
He further clarified with "You know a lot of rich English people."
I thought it was the strangest comment/question and all I got out was "I didn't notice."
After this witty exchange he did not ask us for our drink order or anything. He walked away. When he came back he did not bring our bread basket, but he did explain about the food at the buffet which was an "Elegant Southern BBQ." Even the kids buffet was rather pretentious.
He was about to walk away again when I suggested we would like to give him our drink order, which he grudgingly took. I ordered an adult beverage and when it finally came it was so strong I couldn't even drink it.
I tried, I really did, but it was impossible. When I told him I needed it watered down some, he confessed that the bartender wasn't there and he had made it himself and he's known for his strong drinks. At that point I just wanted him to go away.
We all headed to the buffet to see what we could find, not much as it turned out. Upscale bbq is obviously not our style.
However we were there for the purpose of seeing Adam's favorite character Rafiki so we focused on that.
About this time Timon came out and we had some fun interaction with him.
Remember there are a total of 8 people, us and 2 others, in the whole restaurant at this point. I always feel bad for the characters when there is not much for them to do. Timon left shortly after that and Rafiki soon appeared. Adam loves Mr. Blue Butt as he calls him and we took our pictures.
A few other families had been seated by now and the atmosphere lightened up a little. Plus it helped that our waiter stayed away. Our brief attempt at the dinner food over, we moved on to the desserts. Adam could find nothing he liked, he said even the cookies and cupcake on the kids table tasted bad. How do you mess up a cupcake?
I tried several of the desserts and there was a melon custard that was very good.
While I was enjoying my dessert Rafiki snuck up behind me and tapped my shoulder. I was really startled and the kids thought it was hysterical.
When we were leaving Daisy wanted me to take her picture on one of the benches, and Adam kept jumping in front of the camera in annoying little brother fashion.
I finally got the shot and we headed out.
We rode the bus to AK and then got on one to CSR.
Back at the room the kids found new plushies, personalized pjs and an invitation to Crystal Palace for lunch the next day.
We all went to bed immediately in anticipation of the Magic Kingdom and our first rope drop of our trip.
I'll take a look at the Creative DisBoard for the Chef Mickey's breakfast - thanks 
- it really does seem like somewhat of a crowd may be the way to go in Disney World. (I'm not talking Easter and Christmas Day crowds of course!) But, you know how some things can just be better when there are lots of people around you, also enjoying themselves? 
I hope he didn't charge you for it. You know...since you weren't one of the rich English people there that day. 
Not to mention the whacked out waiter! I am still trying to figure out the whole "rich English people" comment. We noticed a lot of British people at TL the day we went -- didn't seem overly wealthy though. 
