Garden Grill or Chef Mickey's?

[pilesoflaundry]

If you could only do one which would you do?

My kids want to do a character meal, we have never done one before and budget only allows for 1. They are happy meeting anyone, no particular favorites. My youngest I think would slightly prefer meeting Chip n Dale but the other kids might prefer Chef Mickey's. My youngest was afraid of everyone last year but did mention she wanted to meat C n D when we saw them while passing through epcot.

Probably going for dinner at Mickey's btw, not breakfast. I figure if I have to wait 45 minutes or longer to see someone I might as well eat . We spent an hour last year waiting to see Mickey and Minnie over in Toontown. We will be going in June if it makes any difference.

Second question while I am at it, can I have 2 kids split a kids portion at Garden Grill? I'm so confused with the family style serving. My younger two never eat much when we go out, they are always too excited to eat.

Thanks.

 

[HeatherC]

If you could do only one, I would actually suggest the Crystal Palace. This one has the Pooh characters.

The last time we went to Chef Mickey's, we were disappointed. Food was not great and the character interaction was lacking at that time. We've been there before and enjoyed it, but have decided that for the amount of money we like Crystal Palace a lot better.

There is a great food selection and the food has always been very good. Kids can choose from pizza, mac and cheese, chicken fingers, etc.. For the adults there has been prime rib, fish, pasta dishes.

They also have a make your own ice cream sundae bar that kids love.

Just another alternative.

 

[cmesq61]

CHEF MICKEY'S!!!! Food was surprisingly good. Awesome character interaction. Good service. We happened to luck out with a good table in the first row of tables near the window where the characters were coming out and so we didn't have to wait long to see everyone. Even my too-cool-for-their-own-good teens enjoyed the characters. I have heard from some people though, that if you have a table on the far side of the dining room, the wait can be long with little ones. Fortunately, I can tell my kids that their over grown child Mom is having more coffee and waiting for characters, too bad if you don't like it!

Garden Grill: We've only gone once, had a bad experience, didn't bother going back. Food merely OK, not hot when it got to the table, slooooow service. Great character interaction, though. I told Chip & Dale that they were my daughter's favorites and they really hammed it up with her even though she's older, which was fabulous. Waittress--not good at all.

Have a fabulous trip!!

 

[jackal]

We just got back from doing both. The characters are much more interactive at Garden Grill. The food is fine at both. Chip and Dale are at GG with Mickey and Pluto. They were so fun and very interactive. Chef Mickey's is fine too.

If I HAD to pick one, it would probably be GG for the character interaction. Plus, I am not a huge fan of buffets.

GG is served family style. Depending on the ages of your kids, you will be charged for both. Unless they are under 3, I believe.

 

[DowntownDisneyFan]

The food is much better at Chef Mickey's. Both are fun places though.

 

[walt's assistant]

We're Chef Mickey's fans. Garden Grill is good, though.

 

[cheap traveler]

I have done both multiple times, and I would say Chef Mickey's. Food is rarely any good at Garden Grill, I have found a few times that the adults in our party end up eating the kids food because it was better. And the dessert for the kids at Garden Grill last time was no good - poor quality cupcake and off brand toppings for it. There is such a selection of food at Chef Mickey's that everyone can find many things they will like. The noise level at CM is loud, but it is Disney. I will also agree with another poster that Crystal Palace is great. Food is good, desserts are good, character interaction is good. My older Daughter says she doesn't like Pooh and friends, but still loves the restaurant. But remember, your kids probably wont remember the food so if this is a once in a lifetime thing, maybe try for their favorite

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Thanks for the suggestions. My kids will be 5-7-10 when we go so I will budget for paying for all of them then at GG if we go there. We are still talking it over. I know my 10 year old is the adult rate.

Crystal Palace is out, it looks good but my kids aren't big winnie the pooh fans so I don't think it would be worth it.

We've tossed around the idea of CRT but I know it's very hard to get reservations so if we do, we aren't telling the kids and will just surprise them. If we don't, we will try another time.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with Chef Mickey's because it's got the classic Disney characters and it has a great atmosphere.

 

[SnowWhitee]

I know you did not ask about these, but if looking for more options you could try Tusker House at AK or Cape May breakfast at the Beach Club. Both have characters.

If you go to the movie and campfire at Fort Wilderness, you'll see Chip and Dale there. And it's free!

 

[Suellen]

We always do both ~ but if you can only do one Chef Mickeys!!

 

[jlcd]

My kids love Chef Mickey's. I am not a huge fan of buffet's but it's one meal we always do. The atmosphere with the characters and monorail overhead is great. Have a great time wherever you choose!!