opinons of these dinners with kids

[jacksmom2009]

we are going to disney late feb 2011 and have kids 24 months 3.5 yrs and 6.5 yrs. and we perfer dinners and are dining plan
here is where we are going and i was wondering opinions. we are doing earlier dinners so kids dont melt down.

1st nite- chef mickey dinner
2nd nite- crystal palace- this a must we loved it last time we went.
3rd holywood and vine- love this place kids love it- will probably get red lobster for dinner this nite.
4th nite ohana - this is anoter we loved.
5th nite garden grill
6th nite chef mickey? or could do akeshaus or whatever but not sure what to do.
7th nite crystal palace again

any suggestions of maybe what to swap out for chef mickey on friday nite is it even worth going to a 2nd time for dinner. and what do u think about akesha
i am almost tempted to try akesha for princess for my girls

 

[DLB]

I heard great reviews of askerhus... Or 1900 park fare with the stepsisters?

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Never been to Chef Mickey.... but you will see the main characters, but you can see them in the parks too. Probably a good first night dinner. Reviews get a lot of complaints but I'd try it.

We love Crystal Palace. The buffet food is very good -- something for everyone, a lot of variety, I really like the carved meats, salmon and ratatouie. The Pooh characters are fun and do a little parade too. Crystal Palace is a must to for us... out of 3 trips, been there 5 times, mostly for lunch.

I would skip hollywood and vine for dinner. Characters are only at breakfast and lunch... and the buffet at dinner in 2008 was not very good...limited variety and just not great quality. Crystal Palace's food is 10 times better. At Hollywood Studios, we really liked 50s Prime Time... very good food, great milkshakes and a little bit of kidding around. If you want to see characters - go to Hollywood and Vine for breakfast or lunch... (agent OSO, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins). They dance to music with the children... my DS loved it at age 4, and 5

Ohana. Been here in 2009 and 2010. Will not go again. The checkin process can be a nightmare taking 20 minutes just to checkin and up to another hour to wait. The food is not appealing to children -- it's mostly grilled meat, noodles, salad, wings. The shrimp are not deveined. Especially with young children -- I really think Ohana is a waste of time. There simply are better places to eat.

Garden Grill - You picked a winner! Great character interaction, we enjoyed the food too.

Try some different restaurants instead of repeating.

Another character dinner is 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. We liked the food, not the best but still good (I ate plenty!). You get Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and the crazy stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella.

Never been to Akershus but a co-worker, and my nephew went there with girls and liked it very much. I just have boys....

 

[ConniegB]

Crystal Palace, and Chef Mickey are "GREAT" choices for the ages of your children, we also enjoyed Liberty Tavern they also have characters. Best of luck and have a great trip!

 

[ConniegB]

Oops, I forgot Character meal at 1900 Park Fare at GF Awesome, our DD loved it!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Crystal Palace, and Chef Mickey are "GREAT" choices for the ages of your children, we also enjoyed Liberty Tavern they also have characters. Best of luck and have a great trip!

Not any more.... but I wish they did. The colonial costumed characters would be fun. Characters were stopped at Liberty Tree sometime in 2009, then reappeared briefly in early 2010 while Crystal Palace was being refurbished.

Our DS5 has been to WDW at age 3, 4, and 5. He likes all the character meals but some favorites are Garden Grill Dinner, Hollywood and Vine Breakfast, and Crystal Palace for lunch or dinner. Ohana (breakfast only) and Tusker House (breakfast only) are winners too. We try to see different characters at the meals.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Love Crystal Palace for dinner and breakfast, Akershus is a wonderful meal again for either. Would not recommend ohanas for dinner but love it at breakfast. If you are happy to travel to AKL would highly recommend Boma, lots of adult choice buffet but also plenty for the pickiest kids and lots to look at with the animal viewing areas.

 

[anjalee6]

I would swap out a Chef Mickey for 1900 Park Fare. We don't mind Chef Mickey's for breakfast, but are not a big fan of the dinner at all. The step sister interaction alone is enough reason to visit 1900 Park Fare. We love it and the kids had a blast.