Is Garden Grill really that bad?

[taswira]

I'm trying to figure this out, I know they cancelled lunch. But are chip and dale still there for dinner? Thank you!

Yes - Chip and Dale are there. The "usual" scheduled characters are still the chipmunks, Mickey and Pluto.

As for the "rotation" often being "broken," I have heard rumors that they often leave it off to save electricity/MONEY. It cuts their operating expenses. I don't know IF the rumor is true or not. The worst possible scenario is being seated by the entrance when the rotation is off. Then all you see is the entrance ramp, the podium, and the people/guests. It really kills the atmosphere!

 

[kadesha]

We love Garden Grill. We've ate there several times and it's always our absolute favorite character meal. We've never had a bad experience! It is--hands down--the best character interaction I have found!

 

[Tiger926]

Yes - Chip and Dale are there. The "usual" scheduled characters are still the chipmunks, Mickey and Pluto.

As for the "rotation" often being "broken," I have heard rumors that they often leave it off to save electricity/MONEY. It cuts their operating expenses. I don't know IF the rumor is true or not. The worst possible scenario is being seated by the entrance when the rotation is off. Then all you see is the entrance ramp, the podium, and the people/guests. It really kills the atmosphere!

BTDT! The restaurant is not that attractive to begin with, as it's outdated, IMHO, so, not having the rotation does not make for a good atmospheric experience for us at all. That's part of the reason we liked GG - even the rotation is slow, it's cool to be able to rotate and see different things.

Tiger

 

[Keegansmommy]

We tried it for the first time in January. The food was decent, but the character interaction was by far the best we had experienced! We definitely will be going back in March! Chef Mickey's had better food, but the character interaction there was not good. If you're going to a meal for the characters, I'd rather great interaction and less than stellar food.

 

[Snork]

My wife and I ate there for the first time last trip and we both really enjoyed it for a number of reasons;

1) The food was great. My wife is a choosy eater, and most of the food had sauces on it which she normally will not eat. The sauces met her approval, so if you are with picky eaters, that is a good sign.

2) The character interaction was outstanding. We are DINCs (duel income no children) and rarely get good character interaction at other character meals. All 4 characters sat with us, messed with us (I am fat and bald and they all rubbed my head and belly), and hugged my wife while I took a bunch of pictures.

3) The room was rotating which was really neat. I have never been in a rotating resturant so that was cool. BTW, per our server it rotates one revolution per hour.

4) Our server was cool and honest. I asked her how her day was going, and she told us the truth. Lets just say it wasn't so magical. It was really busy and her feet were sore. I just thought it was cool because usually you don't hear that at a Disney resturant....

My wife liked it so much she wants to celebrate our 5th wedding annivarsary there next Sept.

 

[Fantasmiss]

Garden Grill is the only BAD restaurant experience we've ever had in WDW, and it really was BAAAAAAAAD.. Food was BAD enough, waitress was terrible, rude, etc. Really, if you want a good holiday: stay away

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Yes - Chip and Dale are there. The "usual" scheduled characters are still the chipmunks, Mickey and Pluto.

As for the "rotation" often being "broken," I have heard rumors that they often leave it off to save electricity/MONEY. It cuts their operating expenses. I don't know IF the rumor is true or not. The worst possible scenario is being seated by the entrance when the rotation is off. Then all you see is the entrance ramp, the podium, and the people/guests. It really kills the atmosphere!

Thank you very much. My kids are desperate to meet Chip n Dale and at least if we go here it's a guarantee. My youngest called them chip n dip once by accident and now it's a family joke. We can't wait to go.

If the food is bad, we won't do it again but we are going for the characters anyway.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

do they still do the ice cream social (dessert) thing there?
I did that once on a solo trip and then again with the kids on the next trip- it is by far the best character interaction (even when I was by myself! LOL) and not sure if things have changed but it was one of the few places you could be guaranteed to see Chip and Dale. Ofcourse dessert is kinda hard to go wrong with- so that might be an option (if they are still doing that?) instead of going and using a TS credit for food that everyone is saying is horrible.
?
I kinda wonder if they are still doing that since I don't ever see anyone mentioning it anymore. If they are- we would probably want to do that again!

 

[tmarquez]

I was wondering if anyone knew if the menu has changed since this was posted? We like the old menu much better too!

I am a local/passholder and I frequent Garden Grill for the CHARACTERS and the catfish, in that order. I used to dine there twice a month or more until they went to the more expensive "dinner only." I always request a booth (so my character friends can sit with me awhile - LOL) and I even have favorite servers I sometimes request. As with most restaurants, there are good and bad days/food. Please don't condemn the place without trying it personally. Some like/love it, others hate it. Many at least think it is the BEST character experience at WDW.

It is true that the food is not as good as it used to be, but most days I would call it "good" (not bad and not great). If you like things a certain way - ie. steak rare, fish crispy, etc. - let the server know while he is taking your beverage order. They WILL try to please you. It pays not to suffer through a bad, high-priced meal and complain later!

Unfortunately, even if you love Garden Grill food on one visit, you may not on the next. Their menu changes seasonally except for the basic meats/fish. During the winter those yummy cheddar potatoes are absent and they serve a different bread and dessert. Below is the menu as of last month. I'm hoping spring and summer will bring back the cheddar potatoes and better bread.

Oatmeal Cluster Rolls
Green House Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Grilled Flank Steak with Mushroom Cabernet sauce
Rotisserie Turkey Bresat with Cranberry Relish
Southern Fried Catfish
Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Baby Carrots & Broccolini
Warm Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel & Whipped Cream

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

I am a local/passholder and I frequent Garden Grill for the CHARACTERS and the catfish, in that order. I used to dine there twice a month or more until they went to the more expensive "dinner only." I always request a booth (so my character friends can sit with me awhile - LOL) and I even have favorite servers I sometimes request. As with most restaurants, there are good and bad days/food. Please don't condemn the place without trying it personally. Some like/love it, others hate it. Many at least think it is the BEST character experience at WDW.

It is true that the food is not as good as it used to be, but most days I would call it "good" (not bad and not great). If you like things a certain way - ie. steak rare, fish crispy, etc. - let the server know while he is taking your beverage order. They WILL try to please you. It pays not to suffer through a bad, high-priced meal and complain later!

Unfortunately, even if you love Garden Grill food on one visit, you may not on the next. Their menu changes seasonally except for the basic meats/fish. During the winter those yummy cheddar potatoes are absent and they serve a different bread and dessert. Below is the menu as of last month. I'm hoping spring and summer will bring back the cheddar potatoes and better bread.

Oatmeal Cluster Rolls
Green House Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Grilled Flank Steak with Mushroom Cabernet sauce
Rotisserie Turkey Bresat with Cranberry Relish
Southern Fried Catfish
Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Baby Carrots & Broccolini
Warm Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel & Whipped Cream

GG used to be our favorite restaurant - we have been so disappointed the last two visits and also disappointed that Victor is not there anymore. Did you know him and where did he go?????