Opinions on character dining?

[higgy66]

In Sept we did Crystal Palace and another in DHS with Disney Clubhouse charactors (?) which were both nice - however, I have to say though a big hit for us was the Garden Grill in Epcot. It had Mickey and Pluto but also the family favourites Chip and Dale. They came to our table a few times and spent so much time with the girls - they even spoon fed my youngest who wouldn't eat her tea - she still talks about it now and it was several months ago now.

I also liked the way that you can't see the other tables so until they approach you can sit and enjoy your meal and not be watching anxiously waiting for your turn and the kids not eating as they're waiting for them to come.

Chip and Dale were so flirty with me even I forgot for a minute they're not real! We all came away and said we'd definitely eat there a couple of times on our next visit as the actual food was great too.

 

[disneyholic family]

Yep - I was playing around with the system this week and I could have booked CRT - actually could have booked anything I tried!

We loved the Park Fayre dinner. Lovely to eat at the Grand Floridian and the best food of any of the character meals we have done (that's Akershus, Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace). The ugly sisters were fab!

for good food, try the character breakfast at the cape may cafe in the beach club hotel...better food than at GF and a much quieter meal....fewer people and not nearly as noisy as at the GF...
also, a good selection of characters (goofy, chip and dale...and i can't remember who else....maybe pluto? )

 

[silver apple]

There's just so much choice and so little time...

We have knocked 1900 Park Fare on the head, too many mixed reviews, maybe next time.

I managed to book CRT, Teppan Edo and Sci-fi diner today but I was a day shy of 180 to book ohanas so will do that tomorrow. You also aren't able to book the Gospel brunch at the house of blues - you can book lunch & dinner, but you have to book direct with the restaurant for Sunday brunch

Thanks again everyone, I'm getting sooo excited now

 

[JohnnySharp2]

A bit daft coming from me as with Joshua's 'needs' we don't really get chance to do much restuarant dining.
However, we had a good look around the Grand Floridian last April and we are definitely considering a booking there for this August, the layout of the 1900 Park Fare restaurant we liked, didn't feel it was over-noisy, it's buffet orientated which I always see as a positive and all in all it looked a really nice place for a character breakfast.
If we feel it is suitable for a non-verbal autistic child I think most children would enjoy the experience there, besides it's the Grand Floridian - probably Disney's classiest resort.

I totally agree that you need to get good advice and you have had plenty, but sometimes until you go you really will not know if you like it.

The big plus also is you get chance to look around the GF, and it really is well worth a walk around.

We also looked around the Polynesian and can see the appeal of Ohana's, but it was much much busier there than Park Fare, to be honest I think both of these would be a good choice.

Have a look at the menu and photos on www.allears.net and www.wdwinfo.com , may help you in your choices.

 

[scojos]

A bit daft coming from me as with Joshua's 'needs' we don't really get chance to do much restuarant dining.
However, we had a good look around the Grand Floridian last April and we are definitely considering a booking there for this August, the layout of the 1900 Park Fare restaurant we liked, didn't feel it was over-noisy, it's buffet orientated which I always see as a positive and all in all it looked a really nice place for a character breakfast.
If we feel it is suitable for a non-verbal autistic child I think most children would enjoy the experience there, besides it's the Grand Floridian - probably Disney's classiest resort.

whilst ihave an autistic child, i know enough to know each one is different, i just wanted to add how much my josh enjoyed ohanas bfast. josh is convinced stitch has autism, which is why he is so naughty and we pre warned the handlers of his asd and that he may have a surreal reaction. we had the loveliest few hours, stitch was fab and the food was lovely, staff said we could stay at the table as long as we wanted it was deff one of our "magic" moments.
i would never suggest you go as you know your child better than anyone, i would just say they dealt with my son very well.
Tracy

 

[fuse04]

Did 1900 Park Fare last year and like sevreal others on here did not rate it. Long wait after ADR time, everyone packed in (felt like they had 20% more tables than was comfortable), very noisy and food not great.

We love Crystal Palace, DD and DW like Chef Mickeys whereas I can take it or leave it. DD loved Liberty treee but I don't think that is a charater meal any more. Ohana breakfast we enjoyed.

Good luck

 

[Tony Toon]

We did 1900 Park Fayre for breakfast on Christmas morning and have to say we all absolutely loved it. Wouldn't hesitiate to go again! We really like CP breakfast and have done O'Hana's a couple of times (1st time v good, 2nd time not so much - think this one really depends on your server). Did Hollywood and Vine a few years ago (2002 I think) and really enjoyed it. Also did the old Restorauntasuaurus and were very disappointed. Wish I was doing one tomorrow Maybe I could cheer myself up by going online and booking some ADRs for Easter and the summer

Mrs TT

 

[gallmcduck]

We don't post v much lurk lots n lots. Really enjoyed this thread though. We've done CRT would agree you r pretty much paying for the experience. DD1 loved it, DS not so keen best bit was sword. CP fab going again this year. Has anyone got experience of princess breakfast at epcot? Thinking on booking ADR for July.

 

[mikki.young]

We did the gospel brunch a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Food (buffet style and huge selection) was great and the gospel jazz was great fun. They hav different people performing each week

 

[SwooshICE]

Would character dinings be too kiddy for 2 mid 20s adults with no kids?
Trying to figure out if we should stick with regular character service or character dining.

 

[scojos]

Would character dinings be too kiddy for 2 mid 20s adults with no kids?
Trying to figure out if we should stick with regular character service or character dining.

everyone is a kid a wdw, go for it!!

 

[Pegasus928]

Definately do it.
having fun on holidya should have no boundries - especially age related ones

 

[wayneg]

We are in our 40's, would 100% do a character meal.

 

[fav_is_tink]

We don't post v much lurk lots n lots. Really enjoyed this thread though. We've done CRT would agree you r pretty much paying for the experience. DD1 loved it, DS not so keen best bit was sword. CP fab going again this year. Has anyone got experience of princess breakfast at epcot? Thinking on booking ADR for July.

Hi Gallmcduck
I could almost start my post the same as you with this sentence
"We don't post v much lurk lots n lots. Really enjoyed this thread though. "
I've been lurking here for almost 2yrs and have only started posting today!!!

CP is the only character breakfast we'll have tried when we go there for the first time in July - really looking forward to walking down a fairly quiet Main St - hoping the food good too!

 

[scojos]

CP is the only character breakfast we'll have tried when we go there for the first time in July - really looking forward to walking down a fairly quiet Main St - hoping the food good too!

food is excellent at CP, puffed toast is my fav, receipe available on allears.net if you enjoy cooking
tracy

 

[gemmybear83]

I'm a bit late for this thread, but were a couple with no kids in our 20s who really enjoy our character meals we only go for a couple per trip because were not massive buffet fans but love the characters!

This trip we went for a Crystal Palace breakfast and an Akershus breakfast.

I wasnt overally taken with Crystal Palace it was fun, but really loud and busy. We has a lovely cast member who sprinkled some pixie dust and gave us a signed certificate from all the characters

We really enjoyed Akershus, if your on the dining plan this is great value for money as you get a photo with Belle in yellow dress in a special folder. We thought the restuarant was much nicer and quieter inside, and prefered the food.

The hot food `is served family style on a platter (and they bring as much out as you want) and was more civilised, there was a cold buffet too which was really nice.

 

[gallmcduck]

Walking down main street before the crowds is a great experience at our last visit we booked cinderella castle for breakfast and strolled in the park with excellant photo op at the castle. We couldn't walk right up to the castle as the stage show was all set up. Getting through the main gate was really easy as well its well managed for adrs.