Making the DVC Rounds...A March '11 PTR: TR link added p. 30

[wdwgirl03]

So...for years Chef Mickey's was my favorite character breakfast. Then 2 years ago my friend and I went. Just the 2 of us, no kids, etc etc. We were seated right away, but then they sat us in a room that the characters were just leaving. I brushed it off, figured they were moving quickly and it would be no problem. Well, we got our first plate of food, and as we're finishing, the waitress came over and gave us our check "whenever you're ready, I don't want to rush you." At this point, the rest of the room was starting to clear out and they were re-setting the tables...we had yet to see the characters (mind you, we're both wearing Minnie ears.) So we got another plate of food and I asked for more water. The waitress comes by and checks to see if we had paid "I don't want to keep you waiting." ...no water. So I asked again and sat there. Now they were starting to seat the people that we checked in with. Ah! Mystery solved, they were trying to get us in and out, figured we wouldn't want to see the characters (again, I remind you, we were 2 "grown-ups" wearing Minnie ears!) So the waitress brings my water and checks the bill again. At that point I informed her that we booked a character breakfast for a reason and we wouldn't be paying until we actually saw the characters. I was a little ticked at that point. So we eventually saw the characters, and left after we saw them all. ...and haven't been back since.

That also happened when they were remodeling the area next door into the Contempo Cafe. The hostess stand had so much dust and crap over it...it was just disgusting. All the food was covered, but it still grossed me out.

So...long story short: chances are good you won't have the same experience as I did, I've never had it happen at any other character meal where it's only adults dining, but I just had such a bad experience, that I really can't recommend it.

That being said, I love character breakfasts! I think they're a fun way for adults to get their pictures with the characters and eat some breakfast at the same time (I love big breakfasts!) My favorites are Cape May Cafe for breakfast (it's super calm, which is nice for adults!) and Crystal Palace for breakfast (we did it before the park opened, so cool!)

Oh no, I'm sorry you had a bad experience! And thanks for the other recommendations as well. Now I'm going to have to look into those!

I've never done a character breakfast. Haha, okay, I've never done a Disney breakfast at all! However, if I were to do that, I'd try to book the earliest time possible because the idea of kids touching the serving spoons and being around the food kind of grosses me out. I'd like to be there when everything is clean and the food is fresh! The lure of going to a place that has or might have biscuits and gravy is just too much sometimes though. Haha.

The price is insane too, but since you guys love the character interactions and you want breakfast, I'd say do it. I mean, it's okay to have one or two meal splurges. I don't see how people can do buffets like time and time again (I mean, I know some of the DDP). Just think, the money you save throughout the rest of the week on your other meals will make up for the $26 for this buffet!

LOL, oh Rachel, you crack me up. But I hear ya on the food being fresh, that's always a plus.

That's the thing too, is that we don't do a lot of sit down meals (we don't go to WDW to just eat!). I think it would be fun to do since we haven't done a character meal since we were little and it's something different.

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of Chef Mickey's...we did it for breakfast last year and while the character interaction is pretty good, the food is eh. Nothing too great. I like Crystal Palace much better!!

Alright, another recommendation for CP. I might have to talk to my sister again because I never thought of going there. But maybe we could do that instead if I could get an ADR.

I feel like I've been neglecting this too!!! Thanks for the chapters!!!

My brother and I did CM in March. We thought it was good for breakfast and were on the DDP. We both agreed that unless we had kids, we wouldn't pay OOP for a meal like that. We both said that we could use the $26 and get a better dinner or lunch than that. Have you thought about adding the DDP on? $40 a day is a lot, but for us, we usually like to do a sit-down meal, especially if it's really hot out, it gives us a good break and good meal!!

Honestly I don't think we'll ever do the dining plan. We've discussed it a lot and just think it's way too much food, atleast for us. I know a lot of people love it but it's not for us.

I haven't been to CM's since I was little kid so I can't comment on it now. But I've done 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, and Cape May recently. Of the 3 CP was by far my favorite character breakfast. First off, it had the best food! The Puffed French Toast is AMAZING!!!! I loved having the pre-park opening ADR. How can you beat walking down an almost empty Main Street? Hello, fabulous photo-op! I didn't experience any no-show characters there either. They seemed to take cues well as to how much interaction people wanted.

Cape May was a close second. They just don't have the Puffed French Toast.

'Ohana was meh. The food wasn't very good, but the character interaction was great. Pluto was a riot!

Way back on one of our first trips we did the "Breakfast with Minnie" at the Polynesian, which was either at Ohana or the other place (the names might've been different then anyway). And now that's 3 people who've brought up Crystal Palace. When I saw the first comment I did start to think about getting there early and having that empty park feeling. Hmmm...decisions decisions. Although there might not be a decision to make if there are no times available. LOL. But I think I will share the idea with my sister and see what she thinks.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

 

[jwwi]

Re Chef Mickey's, I think it would be a fun place to go if you have never been there before. Breakfast is usually less expensive, and you get to see all the characters too. I am not sure if you have been to CP at the MK for breakfast, but that is my favorite. Chef Mickey's is fun to experience, but the food is not quite as good.

I love to ride the Monorail either before or after, so that's a nice bonus too.

 

[Cat0727]

Whoa, CM is now $26 for breakfast? That's insaneee. I've been to Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, and 'Ohana so far for breakfast. I definitely want to try out Cape May and Tusker eventually. Crystal Palace is fun but my sis and I were so tired (didn't look so good in the pictures LOL). I think we made our reservation for 8am and finished just after the park opened. I don't think you can go wrong with either CP or CM. Let us know what your sis says!

 

[MickeyisBeast]

We haven't gone to CM for breakfast, we did for dinner! And it was a lot of fun, and the characters were fun! I hope the breakfast food is better though, I got a little sick after eating the food there, but that was dinner, so it could be different.

 

[PirateKate]

Hi! First, I just want to say that I love your itinerary! Nothing but park days. That is awesome. I bet you all are going to have a great time!

 

[tinkgurl]

You know Chef Mickey's is always a must for us. I do have to say though, I haven't been for breakfast. I'm sure the food is just like any other breakfast buffet at WDW. I hope they do napkin twirling for breakfast!

 

[cbg1027]

Way back on one of our first trips we did the "Breakfast with Minnie" at the Polynesian, which was either at Ohana or the other place (the names might've been different then anyway). And now that's 3 people who've brought up Crystal Palace. When I saw the first comment I did start to think about getting there early and having that empty park feeling. Hmmm...decisions decisions. Although there might not be a decision to make if there are no times available. LOL. But I think I will share the idea with my sister and see what she thinks.

Was breakfast with Minnie at the Poly something like this in your memory?

I'm told that was the character breakfast at Papeete Bay Veranda, which occupied the space that is now 'Ohana. I think we must have started going to Disney around the same time so we have some of the same early Disney memories.

Oooh your 180 day mark came already? Hmm well I wouldn't count on being able to get in to CP or CM at this point. But if you're set on one it doesn't hurt to keep looking.

If you're interested, Cape May might be a good option then. They're fairly easy to get in to. If you want to see more about it, I have a review in one of DRs -links in my signature.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Re Chef Mickey's, I think it would be a fun place to go if you have never been there before. Breakfast is usually less expensive, and you get to see all the characters too. I am not sure if you have been to CP at the MK for breakfast, but that is my favorite. Chef Mickey's is fun to experience, but the food is not quite as good.

I love to ride the Monorail either before or after, so that's a nice bonus too.

We have never been to CP either. So I'd love to try any of those places! Part of my reason for wanting to go to Chef Mickey's is to see the Contemporary. I know we could do that anyway, but if we were there for breakfast we could wander around. But yes, I love the monorail ride too.

Whoa, CM is now $26 for breakfast? That's insaneee. I've been to Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, and 'Ohana so far for breakfast. I definitely want to try out Cape May and Tusker eventually. Crystal Palace is fun but my sis and I were so tired (didn't look so good in the pictures LOL). I think we made our reservation for 8am and finished just after the park opened. I don't think you can go wrong with either CP or CM. Let us know what your sis says!

Yeah, that's what it said on the website, or on here, I can't remember. Hmm, those all sound like fun choices. OK, now I am going to have to try looking into all of them. haha The Tusker House could be fun...

We haven't gone to CM for breakfast, we did for dinner! And it was a lot of fun, and the characters were fun! I hope the breakfast food is better though, I got a little sick after eating the food there, but that was dinner, so it could be different.

That stinks you ended up getting sick. That makes for a bad memory.

Hi! First, I just want to say that I love your itinerary! Nothing but park days. That is awesome. I bet you all are going to have a great time!

Hi PirateKate! Thanks for joining in. Yup, all we usually do is go to the parks. LOL. But it's so much fun.

You know Chef Mickey's is always a must for us. I do have to say though, I haven't been for breakfast. I'm sure the food is just like any other breakfast buffet at WDW. I hope they do napkin twirling for breakfast!

haha, yes I knew you'd respond. I know you guys always like CMs.

Was breakfast with Minnie at the Poly something like this in your memory?

I'm told that was the character breakfast at Papeete Bay Veranda, which occupied the space that is now 'Ohana. I think we must have started going to Disney around the same time so we have some of the same early Disney memories.

Oooh your 180 day mark came already? Hmm well I wouldn't count on being able to get in to CP or CM at this point. But if you're set on one it doesn't hurt to keep looking.

If you're interested, Cape May might be a good option then. They're fairly easy to get in to. If you want to see more about it, I have a review in one of DRs -links in my signature.

YEAH!!! I remember getting a pin too that says "I had breakfast with Minnie." Here's our pic:

The funny thing is, I have been checking times at Chef Mickey's and maybe it helps that there's only going to be 2 of us but they do still have times available. So did Crystal Palace. I might go ahead and just make some reservation to have it and we can always cancel it.

 

[Jennifer48]

I didn't know you had a PTR?! Heading back to catch up!

 

[Jennifer48]

I've been to Chef Mickey's for both breakfast and dinner. I had a great time at both and the food was delicious! I think its just going to be up to you in the end whether you want to try it or not.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I didn't know you had a PTR?! Heading back to catch up!

I've been to Chef Mickey's for both breakfast and dinner. I had a great time at both and the food was delicious! I think its just going to be up to you in the end whether you want to try it or not.

haha, yup I have a PTR! Glad you are all caught up...you really haven't missed much.

 

[wdwgirl03]

OK, breakfast experts! I need more advice! So I went ahead and made ADRs at BOTH the Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's. It was kind of weird because the first time I searched for Chef Mickey's the only time available was for 7 am and that just seems a little too early for me. LOL. So then I searched for Crystal Palace and got something for 8:10. Then I went back to try Chef Mickey's and it said there was something at 8:00. Really weird. But anyway, I made them both for the same day, March 31. I was talking to my sister last night and she said she didn't want to do it on our last morning (April 1) which I kind of agreed with.

Now, obviously I'm going to have to cancel one of them since they're for the same day at virtually the same time (Disney gave me numerous warnings that I had conflicting reservations...yes I know, I'm not an idiot! ). So here's my next question...I was looking at the menu for Crystal Palace and all it said for the breakfast was "traditional American fare". I am assuming that the menus at these two places can't be TOO different. If you've been to both, did you find the food to be pretty similar as far as selection goes? I know a couple of you have said CP is better as far as quality goes but typically I'm not too picky about that. Like when we ate at Mama Melrose's we thought it was really good but a lot of people say they don't think it's that great.

Thanks for the help again! Now we just have to decide which one to keep!

 

[cbg1027]

Well you already know my vote...CP!!!!!

An 8:10am is a perfect ADR....come on imagine it....
Walking down an almost empty main street....taking photos in front of the castle at 8am.

Getting to eat in a half empty restaurant...almost no lines at the buffet....Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet...

And the best part of all....Cinnamon Puffed French Toast!!!!!!!!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Well you already know my vote...CP!!!!!

An 8:10am is a perfect ADR....come on imagine it....
Walking down an almost empty main street....taking photos in front of the castle at 8am.

Getting to eat in a half empty restaurant...almost no lines at the buffet....Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet...

And the best part of all....Cinnamon Puffed French Toast!!!!!!!!!

Well, there actually is early EMH that day at the Magic Kingdom so maybe it'll be more crowded than usual. haha Ahhh I really don't know which one to do now. It's not like this is a life-changing decision. I do love the idea of an almost empty Main Street.

 

[Cat0727]

OK, breakfast experts! I need more advice! So I went ahead and made ADRs at BOTH the Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's. It was kind of weird because the first time I searched for Chef Mickey's the only time available was for 7 am and that just seems a little too early for me. LOL. So then I searched for Crystal Palace and got something for 8:10. Then I went back to try Chef Mickey's and it said there was something at 8:00. Really weird. But anyway, I made them both for the same day, March 31. I was talking to my sister last night and she said she didn't want to do it on our last morning (April 1) which I kind of agreed with.

Now, obviously I'm going to have to cancel one of them since they're for the same day at virtually the same time (Disney gave me numerous warnings that I had conflicting reservations...yes I know, I'm not an idiot! ). So here's my next question...I was looking at the menu for Crystal Palace and all it said for the breakfast was "traditional American fare". I am assuming that the menus at these two places can't be TOO different. If you've been to both, did you find the food to be pretty similar as far as selection goes? I know a couple of you have said CP is better as far as quality goes but typically I'm not too picky about that. Like when we ate at Mama Melrose's we thought it was really good but a lot of people say they don't think it's that great.

Thanks for the help again! Now we just have to decide which one to keep!

Last year my sister and I did Crystal Palace for breakfast at the same time and the same week you are going. Main Street wasn't as empty as I expected. The food at CP was pretty good. I guess it all depends on which characters you'd prefer seeing more.

 

[bellebookworm9]

While we haven't been to Chef Mickey's (since the DIS poll I made had people saying I should cancel it), we went to Crystal Palace and loved it. I believe the food choices are similar. I guess it really depends on the atmosphere and characters you would prefer. I hear the CM's can be very loud, but I don't recall CP being all that noisy. CP is cheaper by about $5/person. It requires less traveling, and you can get into the park early!

P.S. I've started my PTR for next October, so come on over if you want!

 

[OhMari]

Hey,
Just found your Pre-trip.

Same days.
I have a feeling we are going to be on the same flight home.
Unless you went with the earliest flight.
We are on the 2nd flight of the day. I want to extend it another day, but Sunday is riduculously expensive right now.

I almost booked Ole Key West with my 40% off pin code. It was $350 cheaper, but it was only a studio and with 4 women, I think it would of been too small. So I went with a one bedroom and the price increased a lot.

I switched our ressie from AKL to The Yacht Club. I think my Disney hating sisters will enjoy the board walk.

 

[wdwgirl03]

While we haven't been to Chef Mickey's (since the DIS poll I made had people saying I should cancel it), we went to Crystal Palace and loved it. I believe the food choices are similar. I guess it really depends on the atmosphere and characters you would prefer. I hear the CM's can be very loud, but I don't recall CP being all that noisy. CP is cheaper by about $5/person. It requires less traveling, and you can get into the park early!

P.S. I've started my PTR for next October, so come on over if you want!

Hmm, I wonder why everyone said to cancel it! I don't know why this is such hard decision...I keep leaning towards one and then lean toward the other one. We were looking at menus last night and it does sound like they have pretty similar choices. Maybe I should just draw out of a hat.

Hey,
Just found your Pre-trip.

Same days.
I have a feeling we are going to be on the same flight home.
Unless you went with the earliest flight.
We are on the 2nd flight of the day. I want to extend it another day, but Sunday is riduculously expensive right now.

I almost booked Ole Key West with my 40% off pin code. It was $350 cheaper, but it was only a studio and with 4 women, I think it would of been too small. So I went with a one bedroom and the price increased a lot.

I switched our ressie from AKL to The Yacht Club. I think my Disney hating sisters will enjoy the board walk.

Woo hoo, same days! Do you know when your nephew is marching yet? It would be fun to see a WI band playing!

We are going home on the 9:45 Southwest flight. We usually like to leave earlier in the day just in case we get delayed or something.

The Yacht Club sounds nice. I think your sisters will like the BW too...ever since my parents and sister stayed there in January my mom keeps saying how she really liked it. I wouldn't consider my mom to be a "Disney hater" but if she got to stay there again I think she'd like it a lot more. haha

 

[OhMari]

Hmm, I wonder why everyone said to cancel it! I don't know why this is such hard decision...I keep leaning towards one and then lean toward the other one. We were looking at menus last night and it does sound like they have pretty similar choices. Maybe I should just draw out of a hat.



Woo hoo, same days! Do you know when your nephew is marching yet? It would be fun to see a WI band playing!

We are going home on the 9:45 Southwest flight. We usually like to leave earlier in the day just in case we get delayed or something.

The Yacht Club sounds nice. I think your sisters will like the BW too...ever since my parents and sister stayed there in January my mom keeps saying how she really liked it. I wouldn't consider my mom to be a "Disney hater" but if she got to stay there again I think she'd like it a lot more. haha

Yep, same flight home.
My oldest sister wants to stay till Monday.
My younger sister wants to come home because she has to work Monday.
If we stay till Monday flights are a lot cheaper.

My nephew marches on Thursday, around 8:30 p.m. They announce the parade with 2 bands, then the WDW parade starts. Is it Spectro parade or is it called something else.

Just got off the phone with DELTA, they already changed our flights. I wanted to fly out earlier, but my sister wants to see my nephew get on the bus, before we leave. So we are flying out 20 minutes later, and DELTA didn't think we would make our connecting flight in Atlanta, so she booked us on a later connecting flight. Did I mention we are going to Savannah for a few days, before we head to WDW?

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yep, same flight home.
My oldest sister wants to stay till Monday.
My younger sister wants to come home because she has to work Monday.
If we stay till Monday flights are a lot cheaper.

My nephew marches on Thursday, around 8:30 p.m. They announce the parade with 2 bands, then the WDW parade starts. Is it Spectro parade or is it called something else.

Just got off the phone with DELTA, they already changed our flights. I wanted to fly out earlier, but my sister wants to see my nephew get on the bus, before we leave. So we are flying out 20 minutes later, and DELTA didn't think we would make our connecting flight in Atlanta, so she booked us on a later connecting flight. Did I mention we are going to Savannah for a few days, before we head to WDW?

haha, that's funny we'll be on the same flight! We're coming home Saturday since school starts up again on Monday and it's kind of nice to have a day back at home to get back to reality.

Hmm, well maybe we'll have to go to the parade that night to see the band. I would think it would be SpectroMagic, unless they are still going to have the Main Street Electrical Parade. I haven't been keeping up lately to see if they've changed back to Spectro or not.