Garden Grill??

[stitch09]

My family has been to Disney World 14 times and have had many wonderful experiences at all the restaurants that we've eaten at... but we've never been to Garden Grill in the Land at EPCOT, and I'm really interested in it!! We're going at the end of July, and we're currently working on all of our dinner reservations. I was wondering if anyone could let me know about the restaurant and if it's a good choice?? I've read some reviews and it seems awesome, between the food, character interaction, and atmosphere! Thanks for the help!!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Personally, I don't like the place.

While I liked the food (although DW didn't) and the characters, our party was on on the upper step of the restaurant, and we felt crowded in by limited space. Also, the little cubbies around the middle of the circle weren't tidy, which took away from the atmosphere.

I also found the soundtrack very annoying. Hearing crickets the entire time you are eating (very loudly) was distracting and annoying. While our two little nieces (2 and 4) like seeing the characters, this is not a restaurant I will go back to.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

We went last year and it was "Okay". Not my favorite and we do ALOT of character meals. The food was fine....nothing really special but not inedible either. The characters were great. I think maybe my experience is clouded slightly by our bad service.....seriously worst waiter I've ever had at Disney. I'm thinking I would be much more compliementary if we had had good service. Another thing is, if we ever go again, I will request...and be willing to wait longer for if necessary.....a table on the outside. Our table was on the upper, inside area and it took away from the atmosphere of the restaurant, in my opinion.

 

[RMulieri]

This was one of my families Favorite places this past December. The food was fresh, delicious and plentiful, the atmosphere interesting, and the character interaction FANTASTIC.The only negative was how crowded it was near the podium and entrance ,tons of people coming up from soarin trying to score walk ups,lots of congestion.I really wish they would go back to serving lunch to take some of the pressure off, especially during free dining

 

[PollyannaMom]

We've been 3 times. (In fact, the first time we went, we liked it so much, we booked another ADR for it on the same trip!) The character interaction was among the best we've had, and we were very happy with the food. - DH and I had the regular family style entrees, and DS had the kids' meal (and the decorate-your-own-cupcake for dessert, which he loved!)

 

[LWatson]

It was our fav. ADR this past trip. We got there right after it opened and it was empty and the characters spent a ton of time w/ my kids over and over. They were able to accommodate our seafood allergy and changed the menu for us. We thought it was well worth it.

 

[mickeygaga]

We really enjoyed it too. We like the food choices and it seemed to me the characters spent a lot of time with patrons. I myself like the crowds and to people watch so we really liked it.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

We went there in Sept 2008 and loved it. We were sitting in a booth on the bottom level, so it seemed very private with just our view of the passing scenery. I guess it was slow that day because each character made the rounds twice.

 

[Keri]

We have been twice, in 2008 and 2009. The kids loved it -- we had a TON of character interaction (almost too much :lol: They came around like 4x while we were there) and my youngest especially just went nuts for Chip & Dale. The food is good, IMO. My husband, who doesn't normally like fish OR veggies, ate both. Our service was great.

 

[msmama]

I'm another one that LOVES it.

If you're not picky about when you eat, try to get the earliest sitting you can. We were the first one's seated and we saw the characters probably 4-5 times and each time they stopped to play with my son. And they stayed longer than, say, the 30 seconds you get to take a picture at Crystal Palace.

The food is GREAT. DS was only 10 months and he ate at least one bite of everything.

 

[frtchr]

Garden Grill is one of our favorite places. The food is better than other character meals, IMHO, and the interaction with the characters is plentiful. We're sad that lunch isn't served anymore because dinnertime ADRs just don't work with our kids.