How is the Garden Grill?

[golden1]

I was wondering what people think of this restaurant. I don't see too many reviews of it but we are eating there on our last day and I'd love some input!

 

[TiggerFamily]

We ate there a few weeks ago and we liked the food but the best part was my DS 4 didn'nt like the characters so a cast member came over and sat next to him and she gave him a Mickey pin that she had gotten from Mickey, and it was a magical pin every time he touched it he would feel the magic and wouldn't be scared of the characters and it worked it was the most magical moment I've ever had at WDW.Mickey came over and sat with us for a long time and my DS 6 was in heaven that Mickey sat with us while we ate. Chip and Dale also gave us lots of attention too. To bad it was our last day at the parks. So the Garden Grill will always hold a special place in my heart. We will go back again. I'm tearing up again just thinking about it. Nancy

 

[jenjersnap]

It's ODS's fave character meal because it revolves and because we've always gotten lots of individual attention from the characters. The food is comfort food, better than average. My only complaint was that they got rid of the cobbler dessert; now they give you tiny pieces of a dessert sampler for the adults that us wanting (it was delicious just not enough!). The kids loved the decorate your own cupcake. I hope you love it as much as we do!

 

[jaycns]

It's one of our most enjoyable meals every trip. We like the good old "plain" yet VERY tasty food. It's a good mix of great cooking and familiar. Even my pickiest eater likes this place. We LOVE that it rotates. It's really cool to watch the ride go by. Also, this place has some of the best character interaction that we have found.

It gets two thumbs up in our books and is a must do for every trip.

 

[nuzmom]

We've eaten at the Garden Grill 3 times. We like the character interaction but I'd say overall it's just "ok". The vegetables are usually VERY good, but the meats/fish are sometimes a bit dry. This isn't a "must do" on our list, but it's a good "stand by".

The family type meal is always interesting - it seems like the servings (we have a group of 5 - 3 adults) are a bit on the small side and I find myself feeling "funny" asking for more (but we do). I always feel like I'm the hostess - I'm thinking don't take too much, make sure there's enough for everyone, always leave some on the plate for someone else. Anyway, it sounds like we're huge eaters or something, we're not, maybe it's the odd sized group. Anyway, I feel more "comfortable" with the family meals at Liberty Tree Tavern.

Having said all of that, it's all in what you're looking for in a meal. If you want a character meal in epcot, Go For It. If you don't care about the characters, we LOVE LeCellier and the Beirtgarden in Germany is pretty good. I do feel like I eat healthier at Garden Grill (did I mention the vegetables are really good?) so if that's a considertation, GG is a good choice. Ok, so we're not all about eating healthy - I have the same comment about the desserts as the last poster

Set your standards at average and remember you're getting character interaction and you'll enjoy your experience at the Garden Grill.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

We LOVE the Garden Grill - it is on our must do list!!

It is just so calm and peaceful there! we usually eat there around 6 - 7 in the middle of the week and it feels like we have the restaurant to ourselves!

I think the character interaction is better than any other restaurant! and we LOVE the food!!

 

[Schmeck]

We've eaten there 3 times - twice when it was the skillet family style, and the last time when it was the entree menu. We definitely like the family skillet much better! The characters seem to come around 2-3 times each meal too, which allows for a lot of great interaction. Pluto was our favorite - he even came around the back of the table, down at the other level, got up in an empty booth and "bit" my head...

 

[Stitch1404]

Does anyone know anything about how they do with menu substitutions? I know no one in my family would eat the catfish or the pork but we would love the kids chicken tenders. Yes, we are not very "mature" eaters! Do you think they would substitute chicken tenders for pork and fish? Also, what's for dessert?

 

[julia & nicks mom]

the meal is all you can eat - so I am sure they would not have a problem with this-

we have them bring the first round - DH likes the fish - and I usually end up asking for more steak - which is DELICIOUS!!!

just ask them not to bring the fish and pork to begin with -

I would never eat fish - and am not a pork fan - but their pork is pretty good!!

 

[mom22boys]

We are debating about eating here on our next trip too. I saw a picture of Farmer Mickey on a thread once and thought he was so cute! Are the other characters farmers too?

 

[BlindTyldak]

We are debating about eating here on our next trip too. I saw a picture of Farmer Mickey on a thread once and thought he was so cute! Are the other characters farmers too?

There's Dale (and my DH). Chip was in the same outfit. Pluto is the only one not dressed as a farmer. If the rotation includes Goofy (I think it varies between Goofy and Plutio, but it always at least Mickey, Chip, and Dale) Goofy dresses as a farmer as well.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

yes - it is chip and dale in overalls and Pluto with a handkercheif around his neck

 

[DisTeach1]

Can someone tell me if it's better to sit up top or down below. I know from one of them you can see scenes from Living with the Land. I can't remember which one??

 

[4mykids]

You can see the Land better from the bottom tier as the railing is glass.

We have always had a great time at the Garden Grill. Some of our favorite memories at WDW. Our kids are getting older (12 and 15) and a couple of years ago, my DH started got the characters into a "fight". We were one of the last families there and before it was over, Chip had lost his overalls, Pluto's tail was tied to a chair (darn Chipmunks!), there were sugar packets and crayons everywhere, the CM had lost her vest, etc. It was a rip-roarin' good time. Of course, my DH starts trouble everywhere! Want to see Minnie and Mickey get into it? Just ask Minnie where her engagement ring is and why that "deadbeat Mickey" hasn't proposed yet?!? That always gets her going. Can you tell we have been one too many times?

 

[The Sweetness]

Since its all you care to eat... I dont have any problem asking for extras of steak and dessert, if thats my 2 faves...

 

[golden1]

Thanks everyone! It sound like fun! My family is really into comfort type food (Loved 50's primetime on a previous visit) so this will be a hit. Plus, the kids will like the characters. It is actually our last meal of the trip so I figured letting the kids say goodbye to Mickey would be fun.

 

[Hanover]

We LOVE the Garden Grill and it's a must do for us. The food and atmosphere is very good and the character interaction is always the best of any character meal we've ever done.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We love Garden Grill! I think the food here is great! very tasty! We love the the place cause we feel it's an attraction itself, you can see the "living with land" while the place is revolving. the characters are fine. We always stop here when we go to Epcot.

 

[mom22boys]

There's Dale (and my DH). Chip was in the same outfit. Pluto is the only one not dressed as a farmer. If the rotation includes Goofy (I think it varies between Goofy and Plutio, but it always at least Mickey, Chip, and Dale) Goofy dresses as a farmer as well.

Thanks for the cute picture and the information!

 

[silverspark7]

I love Garden Grille! If you do a birthday there, all the characters come to your table and sing to you. You also get a placemat that all the characters sign! It was great fun!!!