Overall Rating: 4
A solid character breakfast choice! Food was the best of the breakfasts that week, and fun character interaction.
8:00am - 10:30am
COST: $18.99 (10+) and $10.99 (3-9)
Special Holiday Pricing May Apply
SAMPLE MENU
Assorted Cream Cheeses; Jams; Jellies, and Fruit Chutney; Yogurt Station
Fresh Fruit
Cereals
Milk
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Scrambled Eggs
Oven-roasted Yukon Gold Potato Wedges
Bacon and Sausage Patties
Vegetable Frittata
Ham and Cheese Frittata
Spiced Corned Beef Hash
Cheese Blintzes
Beef Bobtie Quiche
Yam Casserole
Carved Rotisserie Honey-glazed Ham
Oatmeal
Mealie Pap (Porridge)
Warm Cinnamon Rolls
Warm Banana-Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
Blueberry, Banana Nut and Apple Muffins
Whole-grain breads
Turnovers
Cheese-filled Danish
Apple Danish
Chocolate and Plain Croissants
Our 8:05 ADR was another good opportunity to enter the parks early and we had to hustle a little to make it through the park to Tusker House. One thing we noticed here was how much more controlled and strict the CMs were about people being in the park early. This was the only park where our names were checked prior to being allowed to enter. There were CMs dotting the trail to get to the restaurant, saying good morning, directing people, but also making sure no one strayed. It was nice, and fine, but interesting given how relaxed and deserted it seemed at MK and Epcot.
When we arrived to Tusker House it was pretty hectic
we checked in and were told to stand on the side and wait for our photograph, not photopass, one of those that they offer to sell you during your meal. (Funnily enough, we never saw any of our photos!).
We waited around 15 minutes total and were brought inside. The interior is very large, with what appeared to be two large seating areas, and the central, themed, food area. It was VERY busy already, and only about 8:20am. The five of us were seated (sis and her DH joined us this meal) and our server came up to say hello. Most of us ordered the special juice (orange, guava, and passion fruit I believe). I dont recall much about our serverI think she was good, but pretty busy. We did also ask for the check right away (another good idea!). I urged DH up to get food hoping he could get started while I waited with DD in case the characters came. It took quite awhile, and during this time when just DD and I were waiting, DD spilled her juice all over the table. No big deal, but the busy server didnt come by for some time again and I was trying to mop up the mess with the few napkins we had.
When my tablemates returned I got up to fill a plate for myself and DD (though, DH had of course gotten some things for her as well). The lines were quite long for food, and the way it was set up kept causing people to cut in the middle of lines
it was a little crazy. It took me an equally long time to fill a plate. There was one central island with treats, doughnuts, bread pudding, etc
The side lines included fresh fruit, cold cereals, pastries and breakfast breads, then kids selections (scrambled eggs, mickey waffles, etc
). The other side included carved ham, potatoes, various quiche and casseroles, other salads.
The characters were edging closer by the time I sat down and I do have to say, eating felt rushed because I needed to be ready with my camera. The thing I liked best was actually a Mickey waffleit was great. The pastries were just okay, fruit was fresh and ripe. The banana bread pudding was fabulous, infused with cinnamon and served with a rich creme anglaise sauce. I was told the ham was excellent! I did not try it because ham is often glazed with mustard. The potatoes would have been terrific if they were a bit more crisp. They had some nice spices on them. The quiche was horrible, tasted bland and bad at the same time
bacon not so good, not so crispy. But, all in all, we plan to return. Dh said the chocolate glazed Krispy Kreme type doughnut was disappointing and dry--I had grabbed a plain glazed one and thought the bite I tried was yummy, so handed mine over to him. He said it was much better.
There were plenty of good options and it was a fun experience! I confess, all these pictures are DSis and her DH's plates...somehow I forgot pictures of the food. I think I was too focused on the character photos.
I don't think they tried the ham, yams, potatoes, or bread pudding (the things Dh and I really liked). Sorry! The yams were very good too...
When the characters began to come to us it was very rushed, and at one point one of them paused right before our table, then another pause. One pause was something random that the character was trying to communicate to a handler, and the other was for the parade. This was a bummer because DD was confused, and actually was asking if they were going to skip her!
She was worried, but we assured her they would come back (she did NOT want to participate in the cute parade, and to be fair it was a little overwhelming). Mickey and Daisy seemed to take the most time, and good-naturedly allowed lots of photos (DD with them, some with us, some with DSis and her DH). We saw Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Goofy.
Here is one of DD hugging Daisy!
Once the characters were done, we left pretty quickly. The three of us were headed to meet the guide for the Wildlife Discovery Excursion (which was fantastic!) and all planned to meet up after that. We were out of there by about 9:20.
Tusker House has a boisterous, busy ambience which pairs really well with the excitement over seeing the famous charactersI could see how a tired, cranky group might find the experience overwhelming, but we truly enjoyed the meal.
Side note: when we left we had a little time to kill and wandered over across from Tusker House after we spotted King Louie and Baloo! There was no line and we had the most memorable and wonderful character interaction with them! DD was completely apprehensive and would not get out of her strollerwe didnt force her. After the adults took a photopass pic, King Louie and Baloo gently, and humorously approached DD and soon she was laughing and smiling, delighted with them! They were SO sweet and gentle, real pros who knew exactly how to make a little one comfortable and have fun.
King Louie was kissing her, Baloo was playing peek-a-boo, it was very special. AND, the great photopass photographer took some stealthy shots of all of this, which was off the side, out of line, and completely impromptu. This was a great memory for us all. By the time we left our 15 minute interaction with them, a small line had formed because people began spotting the super fun goings-on. They never rushed us out either, even when the line began to form.
We felt the same way about Le Cellier when we ate there in June 2008. It was good, DH liked it more than I did, and we will probably go back a some point. However, there are many other places we would chose to dine first.
Just wanted to say I'm here and really looking forward to reading. I'm in the midst of planning ADRs for June! Thanks for the link 
I promise - I've had some truly delicious, over-the-top cinnamon rolls there; try again next time!
It is a very special place, and so worth a visit if you enjoy food at all.
