Swan's Garden Grove character dining ?

[roxazul]

Anybody has been there ?
There was supposedly a character meal with Timon & Rafiki on monday & friday ? Is that still happening ?

How is the food ?
How is the character interaction ?
How far is it from MK ? Does busses go there ?

I know it's not included in the dining plan, what is the price for dinner ?

Thanks

 

[roxazul]

Anyone ?

 

[strmtroopr96]

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

http://www.squidoo.com/disneyworldcharacterdining

I googled and found this info at the above website. I don't know how accurate it is. When we ate there, it was on M and F. This website refers to Sat./Sun. I would advise calling the ADR line and asking them about the dates and times. You still make reservations thru the Disney dining ADR line.

I ate there about two years ago. I was very unimpressed with the food and the atmosphere. The character interaction was okay. It was different, since there are only two characters there for the evening. You wait a lot longer for the two table visits.

It was my least favorite dining experience, but I would not tell a huge Lion King fan *not* to eat there. We have not bothered to do it again though.

As far as transportation, its like most resort dining - much easier to get to if you have a car. It is located on Crescent Lake which is adjacent to Epcot and not far from DHS. The Swan has its own bus system. You could take a bus from MK to the any of the Boardwalk hotels: Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club, or Beach Club and then walk to the Swan.

HTH

 

[carmiedog]

current menu and prices at their website
http://www.swandolphin.com/gardengrove/menu.html

transportation - bus to Epoct or DHS then take the boat or walk to Swan (someone will correct me if this is wrong!)

I was looking into Garden Grove awhile ago and don't remember many glowing reviews. Haven't eaten there myself so I don't know if the lack of enthusiasm is in comparison to other WDW restaurants or restaurants in general. http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=206&cat=51 - can't remember where else I looked.

just don't hear much about this place. don't if it's because it's at a resort and not on the ddp, or because it's really that bad. If you decide to do it, PLEASE POST A REVIEW

 

[Pirate Me]

The spread wasn't as good as the other Disney buffets (breakfast) but we had one of the best character interactions here. The characters sat down at the table next to us and all the children were sitting with them and eating. It was too funny!

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

The food is not that good compared to restaurants anywhere, not just Disney ones. It was overcooked and not very tasty. And I am not that picky. (I eat at Golden Corral.) I have nothing bad to say about any of the other Disney offerings. Its truly sub-standard food here. (I even love the Garden Grill!)

I would not recommend taking the bus to Epcot. It lets you out at the front, and you would have to have a entry ticket and walk to the back of the park and then take a boat over to the Swan. (or continue walking, as it is not that far of a walk from the World Showcase) You could take the bus to DHS and then the boat to the Swan.

The fastest way would be to take a bus to Boardwalk Inn or the Yacht Club and walk over from there, as these hotels are literally adjacent to one another around Crescent Lake. A short, 15 minute walk at most, takes you around the lake to each of the hotels. It would be minutes to walk from the BWI or the YC to the Swan or Dolphin hotels.

If you have a big Lion King fan, this is your only chance at interaction with these characters. I would not let the food put you off.

I believe it is offered on the DDP, as you make the reservations thru the ADR line.

 

[thehails]

We've booked to go here in February and the CM on ADR line told me that they do have the lion king characters at the meals at least on the Monday night when we are going.