How Do we make Donald's Breakfast the best experience it can be?

[PracPerfPatricia]

I am planning on booking Donald's Breakfast as soon as my window opens next Saturday. My family loves Donald and this is the only breakfast that guarantees his appearance. We aren't normally huge breakfast eaters or buffet fans for that matter.

This being said, I've read the reviews about Donald's and they are quite mixed to say the least, (as they are with many restaurants-Tony's and Sci Fi come right to mind.)

We will be going in December and I remember reading that the characters all appear in holiday clothiing which sounds really charming.

I think I will be less upset if the food isn't gourmet -and I'm not really expecting it to be, just hoping for decent quality breakfast foods but I feel I will be upset if we are being rushed or treated badly by the servers. (I don't expect to stay all day but close to an hour seems about right.) I try to be as polite as possible to others and the thought of having rude servers treat my family poorly makes me nuts...

If anyone has been here, can you offer any suggestions that may help improve our chances of a really great experience? And perhaps I'm worrying for nothing?

Thanks so much!

Patricia

 

[Micca]

For various reasons, DW and I found ourselves at AK last month wanting some breakfast. With absolutely no pre-planning we found ourselves at the Breakfastosauras(sp?). Character interaction was not important, we just wanted something to eat prior to our day at the park. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality and variety of food. Everything was fresh and hot(this was the first seating of the morning). The character interaction was very good and well organized. I think the best thing you could do to prepare is to be sure your family is well rested. Don't forget your camera.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We took a six year old relative to Donald's precisely so he could meet the characters there.

I was unimpressed. The characters did come by the table, paused for seconds for a photos (and I do mean seconds) then zipped off.

Once the characters had been to the table, the server started pushing us to leave.

The buffet itself was disorganized and it took too long to get through it. The food was ok, but not very well prepared.

I know Donald is a favorite of your family, but you have a very good chance of meeting up with him in any number of other places, especially since it's the holiday.

I've been to nearly all the breakfast character meals and the best so far (for consistency, food quality, service, and true character interaction) is Cape May's Breakfast buffet (at least for our family).

Oh, nearly forgot to mention this bit too. They took the little one's photo at Donald's. (Outside before being seated). Then, once developed and put on a keychain (several different photo sizes included in the package too) they came to the table and really pushed for us to buy it. We would have, gladly only the photo was terrible. When we refused the CM selling the photos was terribly rude. Nope. Wouldn't bother with Donald's again. Sorry.

 

[beeayekay]

DH and I were at Donald's last August on the first day of free dining. Didn't expect to interact with characters since there were so many children --- but, all the characters came to the table and made a big fuss over DH's bald head -- what pictures we have!!! I was truly surprised each and every one stopped at our table for something or another -- one scared me by coming up behind me as I was trying to eat! There were so many characters I lost count - or was it because I was too interested in eating!! Really good breakfasty food, eggs, french toast, breakfast meats, sausages, some good, but different potato cassaroles, quiche - yummie!! and a large table with fresh fruit and fresh pastries. A wonderful beginning to a great vacation.

Oh, the only people taking pictures were the guests. The characters were more than willing to take pictures with other characters. One of them, took my camera and took my picture with DH and Goofy. Then got the characters together and took their picture with another family -- using MY camera!! We all had a great laugh and a great time.

Hope you have as great a time as we did!!!

 

[torinsmom]

Our experience at Donald's was great! We did have the last seating(10:30) which may have helped us not to be rushed. The food was good and the characters really interacted with all the families in our section.

Marsha

 

[barbeml]

We have done it twice: first time a group of 5 adults and one 4 year old boy, second time three adults.

Both times we had the earliest seating. The food was quite good and the variety was excellent. The hot food was smokin' and the cold food was chillin', just the way I like it.

We had great servers who did some fun things, and we were perfectly happy with the characters. Donald was particularly funny...he got quite offended by my Pal Mickey!

We never felt rushed and no pictures were taken for us to buy.

I hope you give it a try!

 

[budbeerlady]

I know Donald is a favorite of your family, but you have a very good chance of meeting up with him in any number of other places, especially since it's the holiday.

Since it will be quieter when you are at WDW, you can find Donald at MGM in the trailers. DD met Donald there, he walked with her down the street holding her hand. It was so wonderful. There was NO ONE around and they clowned around for about 10min. We were at the park when it opened and had a wonderful time.

 

[dixiedizfan]

We had a late seating (after 10 a.m.) when we ate there. The good news was that we weren't rushed or hurried at all. All the characters came by and stayed long enough to make the kids happy. Bad news was that it was very slim pickings at the buffet. Most of the food had run out and was not being replenished. And what we WERE able to get tasted pretty bland.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

We have done Donald's a number of times. We have enjoyed it each time we have been there. Only once was I annoyed by the server. She wasn't rude she was just forgetful. I kept having to ask for my drink again and again. But, that can happen anywhere. I ended up just grabbing a milk carton off the buffet table.

Once before DH and I were married our server made a big deal out of us. He made me get down on my knees and ask my then DBF to marry me. That server acted a lot like a 50's Prime Time server.

I have always found the food to be great. We actually eat there mainly for the food as my dd and I are more into princesses than the fab five.

In every experience we have had there my only "complaint" is that Donald takes forever to get to the tables. Every time we have been there we have been done with our meal and just sit waiting for him to come. Not a big deal in the long run though.

Have fun!

 

[jakensydsmom]

We last visited WDW in August 2003 (we will return April 07!). I am finally getting around to scrapbooking the photos from that trip (pathetic, I know). Some of our best character photos were at Donald's. The characters all spent a lot of time with us and they kids really enjoyed it. Don't worry about the food - breakfast is one of those meals that is hard to mess up.

 

[jmurphy625]

I wonder if they'll be in holiday clothing at Donalds? We liked that they were dressed in "camp" gear

We ate there around Thanksgiving and the food was great (of course my kids had cereal, toast and a banana-boring.) Service was very slow...and the lines were long at the buffet...but we still enjoyed it. We felt far from rushed! The characters came to our table twice...

We had an earlier seating (before the park opened) and they took our picture in front of the big Christmas tree near the entrance.

 

[skiingwife]

We ate at Donald's in December and really enjoyed it. The food was hot and delicious. The characters all came by and spent enough time with us. But what made this a great experience was our waiter, Neil. He was so funny. We were laughing so hard we were in tears. He played all kinds of gags on us. Ask to be seated in Neil's section and you will not be disappointed. It's hard not to leave a big tip when you have a waiter like him.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

we ate there this past year in early December - some characters were dressed for the holiday, some were not. OP - if you want details, I will provide them. Otherwise. I won't spoil the fun!!!!

 

[cavepig]

There seems to be mixed reviews on Breakfastasaurus - so it's hard to tell how it will be if you go. We did it a couple weeks ago and it was not fun. We were rushed, the line for food was crazy, our server was rude, characters were quick to pose for picture and left. Pluto skipped my niece. They didn't take any pictures outside with Donald - so maybe they stopped that. Food was okay but nothing special. Our ADR was at 8:10 and everyone was seated at once and told go get your food fast cause characters are coming. It was crazy and we won't go back. Glad some people enjoyed it, but for us it sucked.