If you had to choose one......

[MeNZ2DizNee]

Character meal at DL which would it be and why? We're trying to decide which to go for. We'll only be doing one this time around so we wanna really take the time to choose the perfect one. There will be two 4 year old boys, a 3 year old girl, a 2 year old girl and an 8 month old. There will also be 7 adults. Our family is not really into breakfast very much but we'd be willing to sacrifice for the right atmosphere and character interaction. The kids are a bit too young to be into any specific character but Pooh tends to have a slight edge over the others...with the exception of the princesses for the girls, of course. Any help/opinions are greatly appreciated. TIA.

L

 

[dcfromva]

MeNZ2DizNee,
My favorite place for breakfast is the Storybook Cafe at the Grand Californian.
The characters (Chip and Dale) are very low key. They used to come around to your table, but the last time we visited, they stayed in a central place and you visited them. I don't know if they still do this, but when we were last there (Apr 2003), they will still calling all the kids up and having Chip and Dale lead them around the restuarant playing "follow the leader".
What I like most about the Storybook is that you have an option to order breakfast off the menu or you can have the buffet. Often times, I will order raspberries and sourdough toast for breakfast while DH and DS will order a breakfast off the menu. It keeps everyone in the family happy.

-DC

 

[cuterlt]

Storytellers is great - the food is wonderful, and you can order off the menu. The character interaction is at the front when you come in, although they do do a parade of sorts. The kids really seemed to enjoy this one, although it was not very crowded there when we went last time (1/4). The time before that it was pretty crowded and somewhat hectic, but the kids still seemed to have a great time.
Plaza Inn inside disneyland has pooh and friends. We really enjoyed the food and the characters were very attentive, even to us, a childless couple. I don't think they have a menu though and it's strictly buffet breakfast. I really enjoyed it there as well.
No matter what you choose, I'm sure you will enjoy it!

 

[Sonya in Boise]

We have been to Goofy's kitchen and it was well worth the price. the buffet was decent with a good selection of NON breakfast items as well as breakfast itesm. THey have made to order eggs/omlets, waffles shaped like mickey, sausage/bacon, potatoes, bread, begals, fresh fruit, and yogurt. I believe they also had various salads and veggies (marinated tomatoes I know for sure). There was also a Peanut Butter and Jelly pizza that was great. The desert area was stocked with cakes, muffins, danish, tarts, cookies and such. I think there might have been some lunch meat and rolls. The price is the same for breakfast/brunch, but it increases a bit for Dinner. I think the hours are breakfast/brunch until 1pm, so you could always go closer to lunch time then head to the hotel for naps and a swim.

The character interaction (in my opinion) is worth the price alone. We had great one on one time with Snow White. There was no line and my girls were able to see her 4 times and each time she spent at least 5 minutes with them. She stood near the dessert area but all the other character came to our table. We saw Pluto, Goofy, Baloo, Mad Hatter, Donald and Gepetthio.

We were sat near the Character exit/entrance so every time the Characters left for a break the girls would get a high five or a lick from Pluto (the hilight of the trip for my 18 month old)

We have also eaten at Ariels Groto in DCA. It's a fixed price meal (lunch or dinner) and you have less choice of food, but the character interaction was also good. Ariel sits near the front, but the other character roam around the table. We saw Ariel, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto here.

I would pick Goofy's kitchen first, then Plaza Inn for the Pooh Characters. If you decide to go to Goofy's or Storytellers make priorty seating reservations, I think you can make them 60 days in advance.