Garden Grill or Storybook Dining?

[ahill004]

I want to add one more ADR in Epcot on the day the grandparents will be with us so they get to experience a character meal with the grandkids. I just cannot decide between the Princess dining or Garden Grill. Thoughts from anyone who has been to both?
Background info - we will have 2 and 4 year old girls with us. The 4 year old loves princesses and the 2 year old loves all the Mickey characters. They would both love either restaurant.
THoughts on the food? Character interaction? Atmosphere of both?

 

[disney3mom]

We have done Norway twice and Garden Grill once. This past trip (Last week) we thought the Norway dinning was WAY over priced ($170.00 for a party of 5 not including tip). The princess all came by the table but did not make eye contact and were only at our table for 30 seconds or so. We did get a picture but it was taken VERY fast and we were given no options and Mom (Me) was leaning over when they took the photo and so we now have 9 phots of all 5 of us with mom standing all funny.

Kids were DYING to eat at Garden Grill but did not tell me until we arrived. WE called everyday but could not get a reservation. We will be sure to eat there in 2010!!

I want to add one more ADR in Epcot on the day the grandparents will be with us so they get to experience a character meal with the grandkids. I just cannot decide between the Princess dining or Garden Grill. Thoughts from anyone who has been to both?
Background info - we will have 2 and 4 year old girls with us. The 4 year old loves princesses and the 2 year old loves all the Mickey characters. They would both love either restaurant.
THoughts on the food? Character interaction? Atmosphere of both?

 

[SGMCO]

We ate at Garden Grill last trip
but haven't tryed the Storybook (sounds like fun).

We didn't care for the food or the atmosphere at the Garden Grill--
but we seem to be in the minority.

To us the food at Garden Grill was like School Cafeteria food--I didn't think it
was worth the cost to eat there.

If I had the choice I would try the Storybook at Lunch time--
has to be better food, atmosphere looks charming--lunch prices a plus.

 

[berrytexas]

My family has been to both restaurants. Twice to Garden Grill and once to the Princess dinner. We like both restaurants. For your family of young girls I recommend the Princess dinner. Mickey and Chip & Dale are found in numerous places through out the parks and restaurants. But to get one-on-one time with a Princess without waiting in line is nowhere else except CRT.

We were able to take multiple pictures with each princess and got a lovely family photo with Belle before the meal. The only Princess that didn't give us much time was Sleeping Beauty. She seemed to be in a hurry.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

The grandparents went with us to breakfast at Norway in Feb - my girls were 6 and 4. Breakfast was wonderful and the princesses were charming and attentive. No one seemed rushed to visit and we were very happy with the character interaction.

We are going back in December and the grandparents have said to definitely include them in that breakfast again. They loved it! They loved the food and thought it was so much fun to see the girls with the princesses.

I have not done Garden Grill so I can't comment on that. But with 2 little girls, I think you would have a wonderful time at Norway.

 

[lgiltmier]

WE did both last week for dinner.

I was disappointed in the character interaction at the Storybook. We got a beautiful picture of DD and Belle - we'll cherish it. But I thought it was ridiculously expensive, and the food was OK. DD was still thrilled to see all the princesses.

Garden Grill - food was good, nothing spectacular except the DESSERT. YUMMMMM! I seriously considered ordering a 2nd one, except I would have regretted it later. =) The character interaction was GREAT. Chip and Dale and Pluto were all very interactive, stayed at our table for a long while, and were very funny.

Just my .02...

 

[Minnie & Me]

Did they fix the floor at Garden Grill? Any recent reports on rotating floor?

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We did the Storybook breakfast and absolutely loved it. Our girls were 3 and 5 and loved the time with the princesses. It was was of my favourite meals too. NOthing fancy but just loved that breakfast potato casserole. We will go there again next time but maybe for lunch or dinner for something different. Haven't tried Garden Grill yet.

 

[catne]

we really enjoyed both the food & the characters at Garden Grille at the end of May 2008. The floor was revolving then...when did it break?

 

[ahill004]

Well, I booked Garden Gill because we already have CRT booked for later in the week (but without the grandparents) and my dad LOVES catfish (hee, hee). Of course my oldest would NEVER get tired of princesses so we could swtich back to Norway. But I have read from several people that the character interaction at Garden Grill is much better??? I really want their grandparents to see how neat character meals are with the little ones. I just don't know. But I have second thoughts about Garden Grill now b/c there are a fair share of REALLY BAD reviews on the food (but really good reviews on the character interaction).
Shoudl I scrap both meals and just book the restaurant in France?

 

[berrytexas]

Well, I booked Garden Gill because we already have CRT booked for later in the week (but without the grandparents) and my dad LOVES catfish (hee, hee). Of course my oldest would NEVER get tired of princesses so we could swtich back to Norway. But I have read from several people that the character interaction at Garden Grill is much better??? I really want their grandparents to see how neat character meals are with the little ones. I just don't know. But I have second thoughts about Garden Grill now b/c there are a fair share of REALLY BAD reviews on the food (but really good reviews on the character interaction).
Shoudl I scrap both meals and just book the restaurant in France?

My family has been to both Garden Grill and Akershaus. We enjoyed both very much. Character interaction is good at both places. I think one thing I liked better at the Princess dinner, was the ability of the Princesses to speak to our children. Where as the non-face characters cannot do this. Each princess asked our children questions and allowed multiple pictures. A wonderful experience.