Garden Grove Keep or Cancel?

[shaycamp21]

My friend has decided to join us last minute during free dining (they are staying off property) so I have been helping her try to book some meals. One of the only character meals she could get was dinner at Garden Grove (on Mediterranean Night). What are the food and character interaction like? The reviews on allears are not great but there are not very many recent ones. She also has breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and lunch at Akershus but thought that the characters at GG would appeal to her son (she also has two dds hence the princess meal). Since they will be paying oop for their meals it will be expensive so they really don't want spend the $$ on yucky food. Any thoughts about GG?

 

[shaycamp21]

bump

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I was wondering also. Right now $25 gift cetificates for there are on sale for $3 at Restaurant.com. Code SAVE.

 

[2Tiggies]

I can't help you, but I posted a very similar thread yesterday. The only thing I am not sure of is whether the characters are present for dinner. From the pdf menus is appears that characters are only present for breakfast on the weekends (Sat/Sun). It isn't a factor for me as we have other character meals. I disregarded the reviews on allears because, as you say, they are not recent and also, since I like the look of the menu and the restaurant, I have decided to determine for myself how good it is. If there is a serious problem you could always call a manager. I doubt it can be that bad.

I should add that I made my reservation yesterday for less than 2 months time and had no problem getting any times or days I tried as available.

Just thought I would mention that this restaurant is not on the DDP so everyone pays OOP there. As a PP said, you can help with the cost by getting a certificate from restaurant.com.

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

There are characters at the Garden Grove every night. On Monday/Friday nights, it's Timon & Rafiki, other nights, the characters are Goofy & Pluto (I think). Of course, the characters are subject to change, as I found out 2 weeks ago .

As for the food, I have only done the Monday/Friday seafood buffet, but the food has been good. On the seafood nights, they have (among other things) fish, peel & eat shrimp, and crab legs. When you are seated, the server will bring you bread and Caesar salad (the Caesar salad is excellent).

Also, I have found Garden Grove to be less hectic than other character meals and the characters can spend more time at each table (and sometimes, they come around multiple times).

 

[Jeanieblue114]

The allears menus are updated as of June.
I'm wondering if things have changed since they do all say that there are characters for breakfast on weekends and no other mention of them?

It also seems like that is the only time that it is a buffet. There is a straight menu listed for all other times.
Keep in mind that there is also a parking fee now for the Swan (and Dolphin). Might want to park at the boardwalk next door and walk over or the Yacht club and take a boat ride around the lake a little.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

sorry...there's also a buffet on weekend, but it says characters are in the morning.

Definitely could be wrong though...I would call the Swan and ask.

 

[2Tiggies]

sorry...there's also a buffet on weekend, but it says characters are in the morning.

Definitely could be wrong though...I would call the Swan and ask.

I looked at the pdf Menus on the actual Garden Grove website. It appears to be pretty up to date and it is the same site that you get to if you click the link from the restaurant.com site. At the bottom of all the menus it says characters are there for breakfasts on Saturdays and Sundays. Again, that doesn't worry me, but it may be a deciding factor for some.

There doesn't seem to be too much in the way of feedback so far from those who have been there, but I suspect the fact that it is not on the DDP means that people opt to eat elsewhere to use up their credits. I had hoped some OOP guests would comment but it looks like I will need to report on it when we get back.