Give Me Your Thoughts On My Eating Plan...

[GottaLuvMickey]

So, we just booked our trip for September. It will be DD's 3rd birthday and her first time to WDW! She's into all things princess and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse... So these are the Character dining plans that we're hoping to book. What do you guys think? We've never done WDW with a kid, so we're feeling kind of lost (even though DH & I met while on the College Program!)

Breakfasts:
Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway
Donald's Safari Breakfast at DAK (okay, that's more for me than her )
Cape May Character Breakfast

Dinner:
Chef Mickey's (TOTALLY for DH! )
1900 Park Fare
Garden Grill (we went here on our honeymoon, so we know we love this one)

We're going to be there for 7 days, so these meals will be kind of spread out, there's only one character meal per day. No days that we're doing two in the same day. What do you guys think? Like I said, we've never done this with a kid, but we think she'll enjoy it. My mom will be on this trip with us also...

I'd like to hear from people who have gone to these restaurants with toddlers especially. I know she loves the characters, she's been to Disneyland and can't get enough of them, but I know she could end up being freaked out. That's not my concern, I just want to know that all of these places are good.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

Sounds fun, though it's a LOT of character meals. You may want to try some meals with other experiences too so you can just eat and talk rather than keep getting up for the buffet and/or interrupted by characters.

Also, since she's 3, you don't know how she'll react to characters. Even if she's seen them before, little ones are so unpredictable! My advice would be to do face characters early in the trip and mask characters later on.

My only other comment is that it's a lot of Mickey - he's at FOUR of the restaurants you list. Not that you can have too much Mickey but why not try some different characters too - like Crystal Palace with the pooh characters.

Anyhow, on your list, I've only been to Akershus. We enjoyed it a lot - the food was good especially since they made me my eggs fresh (I requested well done eggs, as I can't stand runny eggs). In addition, our kids liked Coral Reef (giant fish tank), Biergarten (polka band), Sanaa (wild animals), and Sci Fi (eating in a car themed table and watching film clips). We ate at Rose and Crown too and liked it but it doesn't have special theming.

I'm sure you'll have a blast, but personally I'd rethink doing 6 character meals and instead pick a few other restaurants that offer different kids of unique experiences.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

2 of the 4 are Family Style, right? The Princess one and Garden Grill? I know when DH and I went to Garden Grill we had a lot of time between characters to talk and such... The reason we've kind of picked so many character meals is because, at least right now, she's difficult in a traditional restaurant setting. She gets bored quickly and wants to move on. So we were thinking since the characters would be coming around, she might not get bored as fast?

We thought about Crystal Palace, but she really isn't into Pooh. We don't have cable, so she doesn't see anything on Playhouse Disney and really hasn't been exposed to those characters. These plans MAY change, as I have a friend from high school who is a manager at CRT and has promised me that she will be able to get us an ADR there. So if that's the case, we'll probably do that for breakfast on her birthday morning and probably cut out Cape May...

 

[OhThePain]

Are these all of your ADR's or just the character meals? As a PP said, young ones can be pretty unpredictable. If these are all your ADR's and your DD end's up hating being around the characters (especially the masked ones) it could pose a problem and put you in quite a pickle.

Also, where are you staying? Cape May can be a real pain to get to in the morning if you aren't staying near BC, have a car or plan on taking a taxi.

Thirdly, I only counted 3 restaurants that have Mickey (CM's, GG and Donald's).

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

These are just the character meals. We're also planning on going to La Cellier as a table service meal... plus a counter service everyday. It pretty much breaks down to one character meal per day that we're there except for our second day there. We are staying at POFQ, but planning to book Cape May for about as late as we can. That's going to be breakfast on the day that we leave, so we wont be going to a park that day, just breakfast and then hang out for a few hours before we have to go to the airport... Do you think it'll still be an issue getting there? Even by late morning? I know that we'll have to transfer buses since there are no "resort to resort" buses...

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

2 of the 4 are Family Style, right? The Princess one and Garden Grill? I know when DH and I went to Garden Grill we had a lot of time between characters to talk and such... The reason we've kind of picked so many character meals is because, at least right now, she's difficult in a traditional restaurant setting. She gets bored quickly and wants to move on. So we were thinking since the characters would be coming around, she might not get bored as fast?

We thought about Crystal Palace, but she really isn't into Pooh. We don't have cable, so she doesn't see anything on Playhouse Disney and really hasn't been exposed to those characters. These plans MAY change, as I have a friend from high school who is a manager at CRT and has promised me that she will be able to get us an ADR there. So if that's the case, we'll probably do that for breakfast on her birthday morning and probably cut out Cape May...

Yes, Akershus and Garden Grill are family style. Akershus does have a buffet component though. Personally, I wouldn't do BOTH Akershus and CRT. There is a lot of character overlap. Since it's her birthday, I'd do CRT instead of Akershus if you don't mind spending the extra credit or added cost.

I agree with PP - Cape May will likely be a pain to get there unless you're staying in that resort area. And it doesn't add any new characters, so IMO, not worth the hassle.

A lot can change in 8 months as far as your DD getting bored. She's only 2 now. Before your trip, take her out to eat on a regular basis so she gets used to eating in restaurants. Bring her snacks and little toys so she can entertain herself. As she gets bigger she'll also start scribbling on the kids menus. Pretty much every WDW restaurant gives out coloring pages. You can also bring little toys for her to play with in restaurants, just like at home.

Buffets aren't so simple with little ones. You've got to carry plates and it requires multiple trips down the buffet line.

If it were me, I'd do Chef Mickey's (this one has Minnie), Tusker House (this one has Daisy, but no Minnie) or 1900 Park Fare, and one princess meal (either Akershus or CRT). Then, I'd add in a few different experiences like Coral Reef, Biergarten (it's a buffet, but the entertainment is great), Sci Fi, Tony's (kid friendly food choices), Ohana ...

One last word of advice - get DVDs with various Disney movies so she knows more characters. That way, she'll know who Pooh, Peter Pan, Alice and other characters are.

EDIT: Word of advice - don't book Cape May breakfast. It'll be a PITA. Seriously. You'll be packing and trying to get ready to check out of your room. You're not going to want to spend an hour getting to another resort for breakfast in the morning - even a late one. Plan to take it easy on your last day.

 

[AirGoofy]

We really did not care much for the CM dinner. The food was not very good and it was really crowded (in September). We waited 30+ minutes past our ADR time. We also had a late night reservation, and with the sun down, it was really dark inside. We did however have a great morning breakfast there. It was not as crowded, good character interaction, and good food.

Cape May Breakfast is our favorite breakfast there. Food was wonderful and the best character interaction. I do agree with previous poster in avoiding ADR on the last day as it is hectic and a lot of extra travel time from POFQ. And, I'm not sure about BC, but I don't remember there being a bus from BWV to Epcot.

 

[holliedd]

So, we just booked our trip for September. It will be DD's 3rd birthday and her first time to WDW! She's into all things princess and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse... So these are the Character dining plans that we're hoping to book. What do you guys think? We've never done WDW with a kid, so we're feeling kind of lost (even though DH & I met while on the College Program!)

Breakfasts:
Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway
Donald's Safari Breakfast at DAK (okay, that's more for me than her )
Cape May Character Breakfast

Dinner:
Chef Mickey's (TOTALLY for DH! )
1900 Park Fare
Garden Grill (we went here on our honeymoon, so we know we love this one)

We're going to be there for 7 days, so these meals will be kind of spread out, there's only one character meal per day. No days that we're doing two in the same day. What do you guys think? Like I said, we've never done this with a kid, but we think she'll enjoy it. My mom will be on this trip with us also...

I'd like to hear from people who have gone to these restaurants with toddlers especially. I know she loves the characters, she's been to Disneyland and can't get enough of them, but I know she could end up being freaked out. That's not my concern, I just want to know that all of these places are good.

We are going with our 3.5 year old for the first time and we picked many of the same places. Believe me I know how a 3 year old is at a restruant...no matter how many times she has gone out to eat patience is not their virtue..that is what we picked buffets as well because I think between the food being right there and the charecters she will do great

The only reason we aren't doing cape may or chef mickey is because of the whole resort/park/resort system I really don't feel like sitting on a bus with her more than we have too.

Here is a general list of what we are doing and going so maybe it will help you out...
Donald Safari Breakfast
Yaki & Yeti
Akershus
Coral Reef
Cinderella Royal Table
Wishes Desert Party
Mama Melrose
Hoop Dee Do Musical Revue

Personally I think as long as she loves the charecters that at her age charecter meals are the best things ever..I wish we could do more with Mickey because dd loves him soo soo much and the more princesses the better with her as well

 

[disneydreamkate]

My youngest was about 2.5 when we first took him and was fine with the characters. We did lots of character and buffet dining with him our first two trips with him, and will do so again this trip. He loves the characters, and the buffets offer a great selection and variety of foods to choose from. He would get very bored with the choices he'd have on the kids menus since he is a vegetarian. That said, the only character meal we have been to that you've mentioned is Tuskerhouse which I-I mean my family loved! As far as Cape May, could you plan it for a day you'd be going to Epcot? We did eat dinner there and then took the boat to Epcot. Have a magical and memorable trip!

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

We really did not care much for the CM dinner.

Unfortunately, Chef Mickey's isn't an option to cut out... DH LOVES it. We met while we were on the college program there and we never went together and he still complains about how we never went.... 6 years later! And he doesn't really like to eat for breakfast, so I let him choose that one. If it was up to me, I'd totally cut that one out! Its just not a priority to me..

 

[AirGoofy]

Unfortunately, Chef Mickey's isn't an option to cut out... DH LOVES it. We met while we were on the college program there and we never went together and he still complains about how we never went.... 6 years later! And he doesn't really like to eat for breakfast, so I let him choose that one. If it was up to me, I'd totally cut that one out! Its just not a priority to me..

Well, that is sweet. DW and I did not meet at Disney, but we Honeymooned there 10 years ago. There are a few favorites that we re-visit as well. I think your other choices are good, and our dds have liked them over the years. Have a great trip.

 

[hammie59]

We did Chef Mickey's for breakfast when my kids were 1 and 5. I thought the food was pretty good and the character interactions were excellent. Nothing over the top, but they took their time and with 5 coming to the table (sometimes more than once), we got our fill. The atmosphere was quite cheery and both children had fun. I'd go back for breakfast no problem. I think the only drawback is that it's kind of loud.

I have us booked for a 1900 PF breakfast next trip. Never been, so I hope it good!