Garden Grove breakfast - what characters?

[stitch34]

What characters are there on the weekend? Also, seeing can't make a reservation - will this still be an easy walkup?

 

[HomerHog]

We were intrigued by the Garden Grill and tried to go early in December last year. Everything we read was that it was easy to get into, food was good, etc. We were staying at the Dolphin and tried to go on Saturday morning. Our plan was to eat breakfast, explore the EPCOT resort decorations a little, and be at the International Gateway by 11:00 for World Showcase opening.

We arrived at Garden Grove around 8:45 or so. There were quite a few people waiting. We thought we were in the wrong place. We were told it would be over an hour wait. We weren't thrilled, but we planned on eating there. Then we looked inside and saw the restaurant less than 1/3 full. They had an empty restaurant and full lobby because they had two people waiting tables. We decided we didn't want any part of such an inept operation.

We proceeded with our plan to explore the resorts and figured we would grab something along the way and eat extra when we got into EPCOT. When we made it to the Beach Club, we thought we'd take a shot a Cape May Cafe. Cape May was booked completely full for the entire weekend we were there. We were seated within 5 minutes as a walk-up. Everyone was very friendly including the general manager of restaurant who actually seated us.

Sorry for the mini rant, but we felt like Garden Grove did us a favor since we would have only seen 2 characters (usually Goofy and Pluto) instead of 4 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy) and their service could not have topped Cape May.

 

[2Tiggies]

What day are you trying to get in? I booked (but it was dinner) less than 2 weeks ago. However, I was juggling my itinerary around and kept trying for different times and dates until I finally confirmed the reservation and every time without fail, the exact time I requested showed up as available. It looks like you are going around the same time as we are.

I can only think that the big draw with the breakfast is that you are limited to weekends if you want characters, which is also cheaper than dinner and that since it is not on the DDP and everyone is therefore paying OOP, that breakfst is more sought after.

I must admit, I was on the website for Garden Grove and also found the specifics of characters and who appears at which meal, very cryptic. It still looks really good to me and I intend giving it a go.

 

[stitch34]

Well our original thought was Cape May which we enjoy....but is booked. We have ADR for Boma which we like but characters would be nice and Garden Grove would be nice to try something new. But we also need something that would't take too long. At least with Boma won't have to wait for characters. Was h oping Garden Grove would be kinda quick......but now concern is how long to wait for table. WOW to who posted about that hour wait for an almost empty restaurant. We'd be wanting to go like 9:45. Gotta think about this!

 

[TDC Nala]

we would have only seen 2 characters (usually Goofy and Pluto) instead of 4 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy) and their service could not have topped Cape May.

Mickey doesn't generally appear at Cape May. Doesn't mean he wasn't there, but don't book it expecting to see Mickey.