WDW Character Buffet Options for First Timers?

[Nick6300]

If only picking 1 character dining, what do you suggest? We're taking my sis in laws kids, ages 4, 6, 9. Middle child is a girl. Our daughter will be 2.5.
1st thoughts were Chef Mickeys, Tusker house bfast, Akershus, Crystal Palace.

Considerations:
1) More preference if inside or easy to get to from a park (Hollywood Vine rather than Artist Pt.).
2) Me and father in law are it for adventurous eaters. Mostly meat and potatoes, American, Italian. I don't think something like the French options would be bad, but lunch rather than bfast at Tusker without a lot of "normal" options would be tougher.
3) Chef Mickeys/C Palace appeals character diversity wise vs. Royal Table/Akershus that might not appeal to the boys.
4) Most of us prefer real buffets rather than family style if they all haven't reverted.
5) Before park opens breakfast, or more likely, lunch/dinner would be preferred over losing early am park time. I suppose Donald's bfast late, something like 9:30 might be ok, since already done with FoP, NRJ, and maybe safari, at a slower park, and not rushed for bfast before opening.

For me, the food options at Topolino's or pricing at Cape May are intriguing vs. the boring American options. But this isn't for me. None of us have gone to any of them other than Chef Mickeys (just me), and Garden Grill (2 of 3 households).


Other dining we were thinking about included:
T-Rex over Rainforest because of the 2 boys. But I feel like TRex could be scary for our daughter? Sci Fi lunch. Maybe Roundup, even though no characters. Biergarten for a cheaper buffet (is that back to reg. buffet?).

 

[Karalee402]

For the diversity of your group, I think you're right about choosing between Chef Mickey's or CP. I think of the two, my preference would be CP. I love the Pooh characters, and generally with my kiddos, I like to dine in the parks if at all possible just to avoid extra transportation. I know CM's is super close, but there's something special, for us, about CP. If you do lunch there, too, it'll make for a nice mid-day break.
Also, Biergarten is a regular buffet, and it's one of my kids' favorites. Even without characters, they love the live music and the fun atmosphere.

 

[Nick6300]

For the diversity of your group, I think you're right about choosing between Chef Mickey's or CP. I think of the two, my preference would be CP. I love the Pooh characters, and generally with my kiddos, I like to dine in the parks if at all possible just to avoid extra transportation. I know CM's is super close, but there's something special, for us, about CP. If you do lunch there, too, it'll make for a nice mid-day break.
Also, Biergarten is a regular buffet, and it's one of my kids' favorites. Even without characters, they love the live music and the fun atmosphere.

Thank you so much. Do you prefer CP for lunch over bfast because of RD at MK, and as a break, like you stated? I do think Pooh and friends is sort of a unique offering at WDW. Is CP a full buffet too now rather than family style? And for lunch, it looked like there could be a soft serve machine which we'd get big time use out of, given that's like $5-6 for a cone ea. day/person.

I'm also trying to compile some reg. dining options that might be good to try such as Tonys or Libery Tree. There are a ton of QS for the large group to try and really we've historically stuck to mostly QS since my attitude was always I didn't want to spend a lot of time dining. So I have all of those QS options figured out.

 

[Karalee402]

Thank you so much. Do you prefer CP for lunch over bfast because of RD at MK, and as a break, like you stated? I do think Pooh and friends is sort of a unique offering at WDW. Is CP a full buffet too now rather than family style? And for lunch, it looked like there could be a soft serve machine which we'd get big time use out of, given that's like $5-6 for a cone ea. day/person.

I'm also trying to compile some reg. dining options that might be good to try such as Tonys or Libery Tree. There are a ton of QS for the large group to try and really we've historically stuck to mostly QS since my attitude was always I didn't want to spend a lot of time dining. So I have all of those QS options figured out.

The breakfast buffets are always our favorite just because everyone can find something they like. They're also less expensive, so we feel like we get the best bang for our buck. However, I absolutely do see the benefit of sitting down and cooling off in the AC by making a lunch reservation. That may work best with younger kiddos. The lunch is a traditional buffet, and the Hundred Acre Woods pals are seriously the cutest!

 

[Nick6300]

The breakfast buffets are always our favorite just because everyone can find something they like. They're also less expensive, so we feel like we get the best bang for our buck. However, I absolutely do see the benefit of sitting down and cooling off in the AC by making a lunch reservation. That may work best with younger kiddos. The lunch is a traditional buffet, and the Hundred Acre Woods pals are seriously the cutest!

Yes, very good points. And this group is definitely big on breakfast. But I do think the lunch break from the heat for kids makes sense. Plus we love our ice cream/desserts. Me in particular. An ice cream addict. Seriously. I took up running just so I can eat more ice cream! I hate running, it's so difficult. But I love my ice cream. My meal is not finished unless I have my ice cream. So now I run marathons (so I train year-round), even though I hate running.

 

[woodys_girl]

Yes, very good points. And this group is definitely big on breakfast. But I do think the lunch break from the heat for kids makes sense. Plus we love our ice cream/desserts. Me in particular. An ice cream addict. Seriously. I took up running just so I can eat more ice cream! I hate running, it's so difficult. But I love my ice cream. My meal is not finished unless I have my ice cream. So now I run marathons (so I train year-round), even though I hate running.

May I suggest doing a late breakfast at Crystal Palace? You'll get both breakfast and lunch foods if you are there during the change over, but you'll pay breakfast price. My kids enjoyed having both waffles and pizza and we always enjoy having dessert. If you are Pooh fans, this is the way.
My kids also bring up our lunch at Biergarten as one they really liked. They are buffet fans in general and liked the music (performance) and dancing (them). If you are just doing one, I probably wouldn't pick this because no characters, but it was still fun.
If you want to go lunch, we also like H&V. Classic characters and we enjoyed the food/atmosphere/AC as well.

 

[Nick6300]

May I suggest doing a late breakfast at Crystal Palace? You'll get both breakfast and lunch foods if you are there during the change over, but you'll pay breakfast price. My kids enjoyed having both waffles and pizza and we always enjoy having dessert. If you are Pooh fans, this is the way.
My kids also bring up our lunch at Biergarten as one they really liked. They are buffet fans in general and liked the music (performance) and dancing (them). If you are just doing one, I probably wouldn't pick this because no characters, but it was still fun.
If you want to go lunch, we also like H&V. Classic characters and we enjoyed the food/atmosphere/AC as well.

Thanks! When is the ideal time slot to target or changeover to lunch? Maybe 11am is the start of lunch offerings so get like a 10:15-10:45am ADR?

 

[woodys_girl]

Thanks! When is the ideal time slot to target or changeover to lunch? Maybe 11am is the start of lunch offerings so get like a 10:15-10:45am ADR?

I would pick 10:30/10:40. I think they change over the first side around 11ish.

 

[Nick6300]

I would pick 10:30/10:40. I think they change over the first side around 11ish.

Have you gone recently at this hybrid breakfast time? I tried to research it, and one person experienced to where they shut off half the buffet they were setting up for lunch and so everyone just fought over half the bfast buffet that was still open and couldn't get the lunch items.

Although I'd think if they waited long enough after 11, they'd have to open it up. It's not like they'd rush you out if you got there during late bfast.

 

[woodys_girl]

Have you gone recently at this hybrid breakfast time? I tried to research it, and one person experienced to where they shut off half the buffet they were setting up for lunch and so everyone just fought over half the bfast buffet that was still open and couldn't get the lunch items.

Although I'd think if they waited long enough after 11, they'd have to open it up. It's not like they'd rush you out if you got there during late bfast.

We were there April of 2023. During the transition only one side was open at a time-- first breakfast while they change the other side to lunch, and then only lunch is open while they change the second side to also be lunch. I don't remember this taking that long and I was certainly always able to get food (the whole thing was never closed at once). No one will rush you or kick you out at a particular time. Just be sure to get all the breakfast foods you want before they close the 2nd side.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I have 5 kids who’ve been to Disney every year of their lives and my youngest DS is currently in the age group of the kids you mentioned. Their top favorites are Rainforest Cafe, TRex (loud but they love it), Sci Fi, Coral Reef (for the fish), chef Mickeys (they love the monorail, food, characters and the chaos lol) Ohana breakfast, Garden Grill (for the frequent character visits and the rotation), and the newest my son loves is the Rodeo Roundup. Pretty much I don’t think you can go wrong with any of your options but just putting my two cents in as someone who’s been to Disney a million times with kids of all ages snd a current little guy that these were the stand out faves. Have fun!

 

[Nick6300]

We were there April of 2023. During the transition only one side was open at a time-- first breakfast while they change the other side to lunch, and then only lunch is open while they change the second side to also be lunch. I don't remember this taking that long and I was certainly always able to get food (the whole thing was never closed at once). No one will rush you or kick you out at a particular time. Just be sure to get all the breakfast foods you want before they close the 2nd side.

thank you. And I think your suggestion for end of breakfast 10:30/10:40 makes sense too since in case of still being on a RD ride - you can always arrive 10-15 min early if not caught up, rather than a 10/10:15 time that has less flexibility.

 

[Nick6300]

I have 5 kids who’ve been to Disney every year of their lives and my youngest DS is currently in the age group of the kids you mentioned. Their top favorites are Rainforest Cafe, TRex (loud but they love it), Sci Fi, Coral Reef (for the fish), chef Mickeys (they love the monorail, food, characters and the chaos lol) Ohana breakfast, Garden Grill (for the frequent character visits and the rotation), and the newest my son loves is the Rodeo Roundup. Pretty much I don’t think you can go wrong with any of your options but just putting my two cents in as someone who’s been to Disney a million times with kids of all ages snd a current little guy that these were the stand out faves. Have fun!

Thanks for this! I know my wife is interested in Roundup since this group is really into BBQ. Despite not a character dining (but easily could have been), loud (naturally) according to reviews. I don't think we've ever gone to TRex but I've heard from others that it's loud. My initial thought was my daughter could be afraid of the dino's if they move/roar. We have an ADR rainforest for the upcoming trip before this one with 10, and go to Rainforest or Yak every trip with the landry's club.

I didn't know that Garden Grill has more frequent visits then normal. We did go in Dec. 2022. Did not think of Coral Reef... that is a great idea. Haven't been to Sci Fi in a while, but I have a friend who used to go on every trip and won't with the last menu changes. I still feel the unique setup would be good for the kids even if you just get some fried pickles and a shake, a breather from the heat.

Crystal Palace with the character lineup would be tough to top for us as my mother in law/wife are huge pooh fans. But Ohana would be neat with the unique atmosphere, monorail hop. I think Ohana or snow white/dwarfs Artist Pt would pair well with going to MK during a party day, leave before 6pm for a boat ride or monorail for dinner. If going to Artist Pt., maybe we could even pair that with a campfire sing a long movie at FW. Haven't done that in a long time. We did go to Hoop Dee Doo 2 trips ago at the reopening.

Topolino's food sounds so much more appealing to me than the CP or CM type food, but less convenient. I'd think that Tusker House breakfast might be a consideration. AK is everyone (but me) favorite park, so more AK visits, and the safari outfits would be cool.

 

[Specter]

DW and I are not huge buffet people in general. We don't dislike them so much as, for the money, we would rather order individual meals and the waited on experience. But, that said, we have done a few in the past on family trips and a few more since DD was born 5 years ago.

I do think that Chef Mickey is a classic, but my last memory of it was just so loud and a bit chaotic, plus there was a family that let their kids serve themselves and they made a mess of the food. And while we got to meet all of the characters I also remember it feeling a little more rushed. This is a sample size of one, so take that for what it's worth. But there is also the undeniable novelty for a kid of seeing the monorail go through the hotel and I remember that experience from a trip when I was a kid.

Crystal Palace was ok, nothing great or terrible about it. I do remember the character interactions being better here, but it was a dinner buffet so the food was not bad but just very standard.

Both of those experiences were nearly 15 years ago when we went on a multi family trip and our niece was little so again, very dated.

A little more recently, about 4 years ago when DD was 1, we went to Tusker House for dinner and we really enjoyed that one. The characters seemed to come around pretty regularly and it felt like maybe the restaurant was less busy so we got to see each of them more than once. That and the fact that there was some more variety to the food made that one pretty enjoyable.

And then in November 2022 we went to Hollywood and Vine. The fun thing about that one is that the character costumes are seasonal so they were dressed for Christmas then. We didn't get to see all of the characters twice but a few, and while the food was more standard it was pretty well done for buffet food.

Now it could be the fact that the two most recent trips were just that, more recent or it could be that as much as I love my niece, it just hits different when it's your own kid but I do feel like we enjoyed Tusker and Hollywood and Vine more.

Since you mention it in your most recent reply, OP, we also did Artist's Point in November 2022. DD loved the food and the interactions with Snow White, the Evil Queen, as well as Grumpy and Dopey. One of our favorite pictures of the entire trip is DD, then 3 and a half, posing with Grumpy and making her own Grumpy face. I will add that DD is also an adventurous eater and enjoyed all of the dishes that were served there. Definitely got lucky with that one. This was also a multi family trip with my SIL and her family. One of our nieces on that side of the family is a very picky eater and even she found something to enjoy there.

 

[jtopp]

Our preference is Chef Mickeys and Crystal palace. I think its a federal law that all disney visitors must visit Chef Mickeys at least once in their lifetime.

 

[Nick6300]

Our preference is Chef Mickeys and Crystal palace. I think its a federal law that all disney visitors must visit Chef Mickeys at least once in their lifetime.

I like your federal law mandate! made me smile.

 

[Nick6300]

DW and I are not huge buffet people in general. We don't dislike them so much as, for the money, we would rather order individual meals and the waited on experience. But, that said, we have done a few in the past on family trips and a few more since DD was born 5 years ago.

I do think that Chef Mickey is a classic, but my last memory of it was just so loud and a bit chaotic, plus there was a family that let their kids serve themselves and they made a mess of the food. And while we got to meet all of the characters I also remember it feeling a little more rushed. This is a sample size of one, so take that for what it's worth. But there is also the undeniable novelty for a kid of seeing the monorail go through the hotel and I remember that experience from a trip when I was a kid.

Crystal Palace was ok, nothing great or terrible about it. I do remember the character interactions being better here, but it was a dinner buffet so the food was not bad but just very standard.

Both of those experiences were nearly 15 years ago when we went on a multi family trip and our niece was little so again, very dated.

A little more recently, about 4 years ago when DD was 1, we went to Tusker House for dinner and we really enjoyed that one. The characters seemed to come around pretty regularly and it felt like maybe the restaurant was less busy so we got to see each of them more than once. That and the fact that there was some more variety to the food made that one pretty enjoyable.

And then in November 2022 we went to Hollywood and Vine. The fun thing about that one is that the character costumes are seasonal so they were dressed for Christmas then. We didn't get to see all of the characters twice but a few, and while the food was more standard it was pretty well done for buffet food.

Now it could be the fact that the two most recent trips were just that, more recent or it could be that as much as I love my niece, it just hits different when it's your own kid but I do feel like we enjoyed Tusker and Hollywood and Vine more.

Since you mention it in your most recent reply, OP, we also did Artist's Point in November 2022. DD loved the food and the interactions with Snow White, the Evil Queen, as well as Grumpy and Dopey. One of our favorite pictures of the entire trip is DD, then 3 and a half, posing with Grumpy and making her own Grumpy face. I will add that DD is also an adventurous eater and enjoyed all of the dishes that were served there. Definitely got lucky with that one. This was also a multi family trip with my SIL and her family. One of our nieces on that side of the family is a very picky eater and even she found something to enjoy there.

Thanks for this! I understand why people wouldn't prefer buffets, especially aspects such as coughing and people making a mess. Our extended family are the stereotypical big eaters that fit the mold of the people who nearly closed down the Red Lobsters (they recently cited that the Endless Shrimp promos lead to their downfall). I'm the odd one of the bunch who typically weighs 160s/170s at 6'1'' and yet eats everything in sight. Everyone hates me for it, but I do actually work hard to keep my metabolism high. I get nicknames like "24" for the 24 slices of pizza eaten at a lunch buffet with coworkers or "hummingbird" for all of the sugary stuff I consume.

I've always wanted to go to Artist Pt. but my wife is an extremely picky eater, to the point where she's never eaten many many foods, and doesn't appreciate fancy dishes. Like this weekend, we cut up a cantaloupe for our baby to try for the 1st time. I asked my wife if she tried any, and she said that she hates it, so no. I did my usual routine and asked "have you ever tried it?" And of course the answer is no. Which is nuts, and the same with countless other foods.

Snow White and friends would be a unique offering too. Without actually experiencing myself, I agree that CP & CM seem to be more like an upgraded version of Golden Corral rather than something more in line with spending $63+tax+tip that you can get for an individual meal. But that's kind of the price you pay for character dining that caters towards families. And my family seem to favor that type of no frills fare.

Our family is the opposite of me in terms of being very slow and not needing to soak up park time and such, so I feel like a day where we go to MK on a party day, and rather than PH to EP like many, we could take boat ride to FW. And even if they're too picky for Artist Pt., there are still some other options, and we could go for a chip/dale campfire sing a long & movie for the kids.

 

[pterp]

We are thinking of doing a dining experience during our upcoming trip so the little ones can meet multiple characters in a single go. I like the idea others have mentioned regarding CP and getting a late breakfast seating to utilize both meals.

We are a group of vegetarians. Everyone is ok with eggs baked in items, but some won't eat prepared eggs. I looked at the menu online, and I was wondering what everyone has experienced in terms of actual vegetarian options at the buffet. Thanks!