Two part question from a Disney Rookie on Restraunts

[DKM]

My family and I are Disney rookies. I have a two part question if people can help me out..

First, We have reservations for Cinderellas castle for Breakfast and Chef Mickeys for a dinner. Would anyone have a suggestion for another themed dinner, breakfast or lunch that might be fairly reasonable yet fun for the kids. Something priced more along the lines of the Chef Mickey's dining. By the way, my two daughters will be 3 1/2 and 6 when we go. We are staying on site (All Star Music Suites). If that makes any difference.

Second, We are going in Mid January. Do you all make reservations for other restaurant such as the 50's prime time, Sci Fi diner, etc. Or, do you just kind of show up, give the hostess how many people you have, and eat like you would any other restaurant you would eat at in a city or whatever.

Sorry for the crazy questions but thanks in advance for any advise someone gives. This site has been a wealth of knowledge for us "newbies". Thanks to everyone for that!

 

[yearbook50]

Crystal Palace is a good place for young kids.

I would make your ADRs asap. Sadly with the introduction of the dining plan, you can no longer walk up to places to get a meal without being turned away or expecting a long wait.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I agree with Crystal Palace, DH and I love the place for dinner and are taking our 2 nieces for breakfast in October.

The food for dinner is very good and the characters spend alot of time with everyone, even us adults.

 

[DKM]

Thanks for the replies!!! If anyone else has any character dining experiences suggestions that would be great!

I have heard that Crystal Palace is a good place..

 

[emma'smom]

I agree with Crystal Palace...this way you'll see the princesses, the classic mickey characters, and the pooh characters. My dd4 liked the Alice and Wonderland breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (and the food was very good), but she also has a wierd obsession with Alice.

Make your ADR's now...especially with two young children. You'll want to make your ressies for earlier seatings (maybe 5:30ish) so that you won't have to wait as long to actually get a table when you arrive. Also, we have young children too and have foudn that an earlier dinner allows us enough time after dinner to do more before the kids wear out.

 

[SnoweyWhite]

I really like the Crystal Palace and would recommend it to anyone. However, since you already have a character meal in the Magic Kingdom you may want to go to another park for a character meal. Then again, you may be fine with Magic Kingdom again. Here is a link from the Disney site with all of the character meals to choose from: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ining&cuisine=&submit=submit&x=12&y=10&page=1

Also, as yearbook50 mentioned, you do need to make reservations for any table service restaurants before you leave to guarantee you get to eat at those particular restaurants. I would suggest to you make them as soon as you can to make sure you get those you want.

Hope this helps. Happy Planning!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nanu57v]

For character meals I also liked Liberty Tree Tavern and Garden Grill.

Definately make your ADR's. During my last trip (during a non-free dining period) in early December, I saw all these people walking up for dinner frustrated because there was no availability. I was able to get reservations in advance the week of my trip, but I had to keep calling, and its much easier to do it well in advance.

 

[2kidsnutsfordisney]

I would highly recommend either 1900 Park Fare or Crystal Palace for breakfast. Both locations have very good buffets and characters that will you not have already seen at the other character meals. At Crystal Palace you will see Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet. At 1900 Park Fare you get Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Pooh and Tigger. Hope this helps!

 

[WAHMto5]

Make sure that you make your ADRs!! I hate to see soo many people turned away from someplace they really want to eat. 50's and Sci~fi actually fill up pretty fast.

 

[bctripp]

I agree with the others... Pooh and Friends at Crystal Palace or Alice in Wonderland & friends for Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. Both are good in my opinion.

 

[Grumpy92]

The Princesses at Akershus might be another possiblity.

The ADR Rule of thumb is,
You dont really need ADRs unless you fall into the following:

* You want to dine at one of the character meals.
* You want to dine at one of the popular restaurants. ( Sci Fi, Le Cellier, 50s PT, Cal Grill, Narcoossees)
* You vist falls within a school holiday.
* You like to dine for dinner between the time of 6:15-7:30pm.
* You have a large party.