Garden Grill or Chef Mickey's--Advice ASAP Please!

[EMom]

So DD springs it on me that she would like to see Mickey at a dinner....Of course, she also mentions Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Chip and Dale and many others. Since you can't get them ALL at one dinner, something has to give.

Here's what I know or THINK I know:

Chef Mickey's--We've eaten here a few years ago. The food was okay, nothing to write home about. It's a buffet and I'm not a huge fan of buffets. I seem to remember M&M, Chip & Dale, either Pluto or Goofy and Donald. Lots of characters. We're celebrating DD's birthday and I've heard they give kids a free birthday cupcake, which she would love.

Garden Grill--I think this is a family style meal and it's catfish, flank steak and turkey, with chicken strips for the kids. No free birthday cupcake here, but I have heard the kids' dessert is a "decorate your own cupcake," which would make her just as happy. So we're even on the dessert issue. I'm not as clear on who the characters are....maybe Mickey and only Chip & Dale??? Most reviews of the food seem to be pretty good.

I would appreciate ANY advice or comments you have about these two restaurants, especially the characters. I really need to change my ressies today or tomorrow at the latest.

Thanks a million,
EMom

 

[Muffy]

It depends when your trip is. If it is coming up soon it may not be possible to get chef mickey's. I would try for Chef Mickey's but the Garden Grill has good character interaction. I think the food is a little better at CM's though. Good luck!

 

[magicmouse2]

Garden Grill is better fresher and tastier food, though less variety. Its much more relaxing too. Nice setting and quiet.

 

[stitchlover]

I would have to say Garden Grill, which shocks me. Frankly the food wasn't all that great when we went back in March. But the character interaction was the best we have ever experienced. And for that reason alone we will be dining there again in March '08. We have some wonderful pictures from that meal. Mickey in his farmer outfit was adorable and Chip and Dale were priceless.

 

[Astryd]

The Garden Grill is my DD7 favorite, its where she always asks to go.

We usually do both though because i love the food and atmosphere at Chef Mickey's, especially for birthdays.

 

[TheRatPack]

We did both our past trip (a week ago) and we enjoyed the food at both. The character interaction is so much better at Garden Grill though. They sat down at our table many times and Pluto even begged (no, actually demanded) that he be fed from my sons plate LOL We saw Mickey, Chip and Dale and Pluto. I got a picture of Chip trying to feed my son too, and Pluto stared down my oldest daughter....they were a hoot.

 

[septbaby]

Cape May Cafe would also fill her request. They are a breakfast or dinner buffet.

 

[kcrew]

Charactersluto, Chip, Dale, and Mickey. They came over and over and over!!
Food: Outstanding! This was the best child's dessert anywhere and the adult dessert ranked right up there with my top choice for the trip. DS said the Mac and Cheese was the best at WDW. Other DS loved the catfish. The steak was outstanding and the potatoes sooo yummy. Rolls and biscusts were a huge hit. No one ate the turkey...didn't look good and one small taste confirmed it was dry...doesn't necessarily mean it is always like that.
Also it is so much more relaxing than a buffet with all of the up and down and concern over missing characters.

 

[Princess Amy]

I love Chef Mickey's!!!

We are eating there this upcoming trip. One of the only ADR's DS picked himself. He ate at CM for his 3rd birthday and still remembers it to this day. And now he will eat there again...only this time for his 6th birthday. Wow, how time flies!

 

[lunapnp]

EMom, I am so glad you asked this question! I was thinking about posting the same thing. We are going in less than 3 weeks. We actually have ADR for Garden Grill, Chef Mickey's, Cape May, and Crystal Palace. Of these, we have done Chef Mickey's in the past. But, I have read so many negative reviews about Chef Mickey's lately that I'm reconsidering. I actually think we will only be doing Garden grill and Cape May. So....if I cancel any ADRs I'll be sure to post it on the board. (My Crystal Palace is for the night of MNSSHP on Oct. 8!! )

 

[M 'n C]

If mickey is her requirement you'll have to do garden grill. He wasn't at LTT last year when I was there and I haven't heard anyone say that's changed.

 

[Colinsmom]

We did Garden Grill 2 years ago for DS's birthday, and we all loved it. The food was quite good, and they brought him a free birthday cake (maybe 6" across) for his birthday, plus he also got the decorate-your-own-cupcake kids' dessert. Not sure if they still do this, but don't rule it out for that reason alone until you ask!

 

[rstamm]

If you are going soon it is unlikely you will be able to get Chef Mickeys.
Garden Grille was available a week before our trip for just about any time.

We liked GG is was nice, We went to Chef Mickeys last Christmas and I didn't like the food at all.

The Characters should be great at either place.