Suggestions for Character/Buffet Dining

ParksPixar&Pizza

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Starting to plan my ADRs and am I trying to do one buffet/character dining, but was wondering what were some of the better/more consistent ones you have all experienced. I've read mixed things about pretty much all of them. Thanks everyone.
 
The reason you read mixed reviews is because they are a mixed bag. I like character meals and book them every tip, but I know that I am paying for the characters and the meal will be secondary. With that said:

DAK: Tusker House is consistantly well recieved
Epcot: Akershus and Garden Grill (I like Akershus breakfast)
MK: Cystal Palace has mixed reviews. I like it.
DHS: H&V Minnie's Seasonal Dine has been getting decent reviews
Beach Club: Cape May breakfast is consistantly good
CR: Chef Mickey gets horrific reviews, (I like it)
1900 Park Fair: Both breakfast and dinner get decent reviews
Poly: 'Ohana breakfast is good, and one of my favorites
 
The reason you read mixed reviews is because they are a mixed bag. I like character meals and book them every tip, but I know that I am paying for the characters and the meal will be secondary. With that said:

DAK: Tusker House is consistantly well recieved
Epcot: Akershus and Garden Grill (I like Akershus breakfast)
MK: Cystal Palace has mixed reviews. I like it.
DHS: H&V Minnie's Seasonal Dine has been getting decent reviews
Beach Club: Cape May breakfast is consistantly good
CR: Chef Mickey gets horrific reviews, (I like it)
1900 Park Fair: Both breakfast and dinner get decent reviews
Poly: 'Ohana breakfast is good, and one of my favorites

Tucker House and 'Ohana were on my short lists, I also was looking into Boma, I'm obsessed with anything AK/AKL. I don't necessarily need character dining, but it seems like most of the buffets are character dining, right?
 
I have Garden Grill and Tusker House booked for our upcoming 25th wedding anniversary...we live in Chicago and Im also a pretty good amateur chef, so I dont go to WDW expecting amazing meals. I chose Garden Grill to see Farmer Mickey and Tusker House because my husband loves breakfast buffets and juice. Its all about fun character interaction! But I have to say, ate at Chef Mickey way back in 2005 for my sons 8th birthday: our server was great and the cake I pre ordered was great, but the food was inedible. It was sooooo bad, we ate the cake and then split a meal at Pop Century later. Crystal Palace was good, though the characters sre not my faves. I also miss when Liberty Tree Tavern was a chracter meal. We had a great time there in 2006 before MNSSHP.
 

I have Garden Grill and Tusker House booked for our upcoming 25th wedding anniversary...we live in Chicago and Im also a pretty good amateur chef, so I dont go to WDW expecting amazing meals. I chose Garden Grill to see Farmer Mickey and Tusker House because my husband loves breakfast buffets and juice. Its all about fun character interaction! But I have to say, ate at Chef Mickey way back in 2005 for my sons 8th birthday: our server was great and the cake I pre ordered was great, but the food was inedible. It was sooooo bad, we ate the cake and then split a meal at Pop Century later. Crystal Palace was good, though the characters sre not my faves. I also miss when Liberty Tree Tavern was a chracter meal. We had a great time there in 2006 before MNSSHP.

I'm the same way! I cook 24/7 and I'm a huge foodie. I know most meals at WDW won't blow my mind, unless you're paying for a signature experience, but there are some good finds. Tusker House does look like one of the better ones and the Disney Food Blog Review of Crystal Palace also looked good. I'll look into Garden Grill, I love anything in Epcot. Chef Mickey's seems like it just gets VERY iffy reviews. I didn't know LTT was one, what characters were there?
 
We just ate at Crystal Palace, 'Ohana, and Garden Grill in July- all for breakfast. I would have to say that all were solid options- nothing over the top, but a solid bacon/sausage/egg meal. Crystal Palace has more variety as it is a buffet- the other 2 are family style- so maybe that would make it a little more interesting.

All 3 places had very good character interaction. I would probably give extra points for the interaction at Garden Grill for us since it was almost lunch time and the place was close to empty. So the characters came by often, and found some ways to entertain us. I'd say that the early breakfasts might not be as good in terms of interaction- I have seen the characters at Crystal Palace especially be a little rushed if it is too crowded.
 
We did character dining at Crystal Palace, Akershus, Tusker House, and 1900 Park Fare in July. They were all delicious.

1900 PF was my family's favorite. The character interaction was fantastic, and it was hilarious to watch the characters chat with other guests and stop to discuss things amongst themselves. All the food was very fresh, and the strawberry soup was a big hit.
 
I'm the same way! I cook 24/7 and I'm a huge foodie. I know most meals at WDW won't blow my mind, unless you're paying for a signature experience, but there are some good finds. Tusker House does look like one of the better ones and the Disney Food Blog Review of Crystal Palace also looked good. I'll look into Garden Grill, I love anything in Epcot. Chef Mickey's seems like it just gets VERY iffy reviews. I didn't know LTT was one, what characters were there?
They stopped character meals I think in 2007. But Pluto, Goofy, Donald and Minnie. They had colonial attire, but when I went, they added Halloween masks. It was fun.
 
For us food is the priority, not characters we can largely meet in the parks, so character meals and buffets aren't really for us. That said, the only one we've actually enjoyed and returned to is Tusker House. There are clearly characters there, but food is a hallmark here and not an afterthought and they offer a great mix of traditional food and unique African items.
 
Boma is awesome (no characters) and Tusker House is one of our favorites too!

'Ohana is awesome (characters at breakfast only) - WAAAAY better for dinner though!

Akershus is best for lunch in my opinion and we like 1900 Park Fare for dinner - mostly for the awesome character interaction!

have fun
 
We just ate at Crystal Palace, 'Ohana, and Garden Grill in July- all for breakfast. I would have to say that all were solid options- nothing over the top, but a solid bacon/sausage/egg meal. Crystal Palace has more variety as it is a buffet- the other 2 are family style- so maybe that would make it a little more interesting.

All 3 places had very good character interaction. I would probably give extra points for the interaction at Garden Grill for us since it was almost lunch time and the place was close to empty. So the characters came by often, and found some ways to entertain us. I'd say that the early breakfasts might not be as good in terms of interaction- I have seen the characters at Crystal Palace especially be a little rushed if it is too crowded.
Between crystal palace and garden grill which would you suggest? I'm not a very adventurous water and my husband likes to try new foods. I know neither of these are exciting for the palate, but love to get suggestions.
 
Garden Grill had a cinnamon roll bake, then eggs, ham, tater tots, Mickey waffles with Nutella syrup (you could also use regular- they provided both), and I cannot remember if it was bacon or sausage or both... It was good, and you could order more of anything you wanted. Like I said, the character interaction was good there as well (Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale all dressed as farmers).

Crystal Palace has some original dishes- the puffed french toast is in the kids section, the breakfast lasagna is near the desserts, and there are a few egg dishes on the line along with the usual waffles, pastry, and fruit. When we were there it was a Philly Cheesesteak egg dish. It is good, but I think I'd personally prefer Garden Grill.

At Garden Grill, you could not really mess it up- but I would not consider it really adventurous. The Nutella syrup is good, the cinnamon roll bake was just ok (though ours was not super hot, so that may be why), and I cannot think of anywhere else you can get tater tots at breakfast on WDW property. I also prefer all you care to eat over a buffet- at least at breakfast.

I will say that my favorite was 'Ohana. Bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, potato wedges, fruit, Mickey (and Stitch) waffles, and Hawaiian bread. Plus, if you like POG juice, they serve that along with coffee.
 
Garden Grill had a cinnamon roll bake, then eggs, ham, tater tots, Mickey waffles with Nutella syrup (you could also use regular- they provided both), and I cannot remember if it was bacon or sausage or both... It was good, and you could order more of anything you wanted. Like I said, the character interaction was good there as well (Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale all dressed as farmers).

Crystal Palace has some original dishes- the puffed french toast is in the kids section, the breakfast lasagna is near the desserts, and there are a few egg dishes on the line along with the usual waffles, pastry, and fruit. When we were there it was a Philly Cheesesteak egg dish. It is good, but I think I'd personally prefer Garden Grill.

At Garden Grill, you could not really mess it up- but I would not consider it really adventurous. The Nutella syrup is good, the cinnamon roll bake was just ok (though ours was not super hot, so that may be why), and I cannot think of anywhere else you can get tater tots at breakfast on WDW property. I also prefer all you care to eat over a buffet- at least at breakfast.

I will say that my favorite was 'Ohana. Bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, potato wedges, fruit, Mickey (and Stitch) waffles, and Hawaiian bread. Plus, if you like POG juice, they serve that along with coffee.
We have Ohana dinner and I keep searching for breakfast (which I will definitely keep doing)! Thanks for the info.
 
We just ate at Crystal Palace, 'Ohana, and Garden Grill in July- all for breakfast. I would have to say that all were solid options- nothing over the top, but a solid bacon/sausage/egg meal. Crystal Palace has more variety as it is a buffet- the other 2 are family style- so maybe that would make it a little more interesting.

All 3 places had very good character interaction. I would probably give extra points for the interaction at Garden Grill for us since it was almost lunch time and the place was close to empty. So the characters came by often, and found some ways to entertain us. I'd say that the early breakfasts might not be as good in terms of interaction- I have seen the characters at Crystal Palace especially be a little rushed if it is too crowded.

Good to here, thank you! Good to here about your Garden Grill experience and overall solid food. It's so hard to hear that the food sucks and you pay that much for the characters.
 
Garden Grill had a cinnamon roll bake, then eggs, ham, tater tots, Mickey waffles with Nutella syrup (you could also use regular- they provided both), and I cannot remember if it was bacon or sausage or both... It was good, and you could order more of anything you wanted. Like I said, the character interaction was good there as well (Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale all dressed as farmers).

Crystal Palace has some original dishes- the puffed french toast is in the kids section, the breakfast lasagna is near the desserts, and there are a few egg dishes on the line along with the usual waffles, pastry, and fruit. When we were there it was a Philly Cheesesteak egg dish. It is good, but I think I'd personally prefer Garden Grill.

At Garden Grill, you could not really mess it up- but I would not consider it really adventurous. The Nutella syrup is good, the cinnamon roll bake was just ok (though ours was not super hot, so that may be why), and I cannot think of anywhere else you can get tater tots at breakfast on WDW property. I also prefer all you care to eat over a buffet- at least at breakfast.

I will say that my favorite was 'Ohana. Bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, potato wedges, fruit, Mickey (and Stitch) waffles, and Hawaiian bread. Plus, if you like POG juice, they serve that along with coffee.

Thank you the specifics! I like anything in the Poly, so 'Ohana just sounds incredible. Never been, I could never get a reservation.
 
We did character dining at Crystal Palace, Akershus, Tusker House, and 1900 Park Fare in July. They were all delicious.

1900 PF was my family's favorite. The character interaction was fantastic, and it was hilarious to watch the characters chat with other guests and stop to discuss things amongst themselves. All the food was very fresh, and the strawberry soup was a big hit.

Akershus isn't a full buffet correct? You pick an entree and the rest is a buffet? Glad you had a good 1900PF experience! I love the Mad Hatter
 
Boma is awesome (no characters) and Tusker House is one of our favorites too!

'Ohana is awesome (characters at breakfast only) - WAAAAY better for dinner though!

Akershus is best for lunch in my opinion and we like 1900 Park Fare for dinner - mostly for the awesome character interaction!

have fun

I think i'd rather have a better food experience than character=BOMA. Boma looks SO good! What were some of your favorites there?
 
For us food is the priority, not characters we can largely meet in the parks, so character meals and buffets aren't really for us. That said, the only one we've actually enjoyed and returned to is Tusker House. There are clearly characters there, but food is a hallmark here and not an afterthought and they offer a great mix of traditional food and unique African items.

100% agree, Food>Characters. I also like unique things and not the same typical buffet items.
 
Akershus isn't a full buffet correct? You pick an entree and the rest is a buffet? Glad you had a good 1900PF experience! I love the Mad Hatter
We did breakfast at Akershus and dinner at Park Fare (stepsisters, not Mad Hatter...but I love him too!). At Akershus breakfast, the hot items (eggs, meat, potatoes) are brought to the table and cold items (croissants, bagels, fruit, yogurt, etc) are on a buffet. I know they do plated meals for lunch and dinner, but I don't know how the sideboard works.
 

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