tell me about character meals!

[collegejunkie]

i convinced dbf to go to one! i haven't been to one since i was little because my parents don't like them.

the ones i'd want to go to are chef mickey's, crystal palace, or 1900 park fare.

can you tell me which meal is best or just about these meals in general:
chef mickey's - breakfast or dinner
crystal palace - breakfast or lunch
1900 park fare - would only do breakfast (i only like the breakfast characters)
if we were to (magically) do 2, which breakfast would you choose out of chef mickey's and 1900 park fare (we would do CP for lunch)?

how is the character interaction for adults?
what if your reservation is near the end of the meal period (like a 11:15 ressie for breakfast and it says breakfast ends at 11:30)?
how long do they usually take?
how is the food?
do you pay for a drink separately or are they included?
do you have a server also, or is everything just a big buffet?

 

[bangzoom6877]

I have been to all 3 of these for breakfast and dinner, but never for lunch at CP.

1900 Park Fare was my favorite character breakfast at WDW. We were there last July with a party of 10. Everyone loved it, and we are returning there in July 2012 on our next trip. Everyone STILL talks about how great the food was!

Crystal Palace had an awesome breakfast too! My second favorite character breakfast at WDW. We were there last summer too, this time just DH, the boys and me. Tip: go there on a morning when the park DOES NOT open early...schedule your ADR for an hour before park opening, and you will enter an empty MK! Great photo ops, and you will be out before rope drop! Excellent food...puffed french toast!! It tastes a cross between french toast and a doughnut. Also...chocolate Mickey waffles! Beautiful restaurant too.

Chef Mickey's also does a very nice breakfast. Delicious food, and the classic 5 characters! We went there for breakfast in July 2008, and we loved it. We would definitely go back!



For dinner, we did not care much for 1900 Park Fare's food in July 2008. That was a while ago though, so food could have changed. Characters were hilarious though, as the step-family was very entertaining. It was very nice to meet Cinderella and Prince Charming as well. But, we enjoyed breakfast at 1900 much better than dinner!

Crystal Palace was excellent for dinner in 2008. Their salmon was one thing that stands out in my mind as being very tasty and fresh. Character interaction here is always terrific, both at breakfast and dinner!

We went to Chef Mickey's on our arrival night last July for dinner. I had read some terrible reviews, but the kids really wanted to go there for dinner, and it was a great place to see the classic 5 characters once again. We figured, we would find something to eat there. We were a party of 10 and we all loved it! The food at the buffet was fresh, hot and very good. The parmesan mashed potatoes were delicious, and so was the turkey tetrazzini. Desserts were awesome too. We had a lovely server who took very good care of us, and the character interaction was great. We had a 5pm ADR when they opened, don't know if that makes a difference. But we all loved it, and it's another restaurant everyone still talks about and says we have to go to again next July when we all go back!

So...if I had to pick just one...it would be breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. The food was just so delicious there, the GF is a beautiful resort, and it was just a very good experience. The Mad Hatter is very funny too! If I had to pick a second, it would be Chef Mickey's for dinner. Mainly for the character interaction (gotta meet Mickey!), but the food was great too!

Based on my experience, since you are only 2 people, you should be out of there within an hour or so. There is a server, even though it is a buffet, and I think that beverages are included in the price (soft drinks only of course!).

Enjoy whichever you decide...you will have a great time no matter what!

 

[KatMark]

First, we do not do lunches or dinner buffets at Disney after two horrible meals at Hollywood & Vine and a very mediocre (and that's being nice) dinner at Chef Mickey's.

We LOVE Crystal Palace for breakfast. It is a must do every trip. Love the atmosphere, the characters and the food.

Chef Mickey's is okay for breakfast (we actually prefer Cape May Cafe).

We have never done 1900 Park

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I have had dinner at the Crystal Palance and Chef Mickey's. I prefer Chef Mickey's, it seemed to have more food choices, and definitely more dessert choices. If you go to Chef Mickey's, stay for a "party break." You will know what it is when it happens. Chef Mickey's has great interactions, but the characters seem to spend more time with families with smaller children, then with the families with older children (just my opinion). If you go for dinner, it is a nice break from MK, so you can go back after to catch a parade at night or the fireworks.