What is the best Character Dining for us?

[mommypenguin29]

I am looking to book a character dining for me and my husband and 2 kids - 5 and 3 years old... We will not be on the dining plan, so cost is a factor which is why i have decided against even trying the one at the castle...We will be staying most likely at CBR and not have a car...so it needs to be somewhere we can easily get to and hopefully has good character interaction and decent food... Since my kids are picky eaters, I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money...Any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[lsulindy]

Who are your kids favorite characters? Do you "have" to see Mickey? Or is there another favorite your kids would like to see?

 

[3pletprincesses]

Crystal Palace would be goodas you will see Pooh and company

 

[NewsiesGoil]

I enjoyed the breakfast at the Crystal Palace a lot and I think that, in general, breakfast is going to be more affordable than lunch or dinner. Think maybe $2 to $10 cheaper, which adds up quick! Crystal Palace has Pooh & friends and they were amazing and friendly, even to me and my sister (22 and 27 at the time).

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I agree with pp. Would go for Character breakfasts because it is a little cheaper. For transportation purposes, it would be easier if you did a meal within a park - plus if you can land a character breakfast before opening park opening time, you get to roam through an empty park and get some great pictures! It all depends on what characters are most important for you and your kids. I would recommend Crystal Palace in MK for Pooh and Friends, Akershus in Epcot for the princesses, or Tusker House in AK for Donald and gang.

 

[princess aleya]

I would do breakfast because it is cheaper. My family really enjoyed Chef Mickeys, the character interaction is great.

 

[mommypenguin29]

Thanks everyone so far... I do have one boy and one girl,...so I don't think my son would enjoy seeing the princesses They would like to see Mickey... and aren't big pooh fans... they do like other characters from Disney shows though

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Thanks everyone so far... I do have one boy and one girl,...so I don't think my son would enjoy seeing the princesses They would like to see Mickey... and aren't big pooh fans... they do like other characters from Disney shows though

Then Chef Mickey's would be your best bet for breakfast - Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto are there. It's in the Contemporary Resort which you can walk or take the monorail from MK.

 

[tambam500]

You can do the playhouse disney breakfast at Hollywood and Vine in DHS. It has Handy Manny, Oso and Leo and June.

 

[mommystieg]

The Garden Grill in Epcot might be a good choice. It has Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale. We have eaten here a couple of times and the character interaction is pretty good -- they usually make it by your table 2 or 3 times.

 

[mdelano4]

All good ideas.

Breakfast is best bargain, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickeys, Askerhus (princesses) or Donald's Breakfast at Tuskar House.

After that, Crystal Palace or Garden Grill for dinner are good choices.

 

[amy-momofthree]

We loved Tusker House breakfast! There were lots of choices and dd6 and ds8 enjoyed the character interaction. We saw Donald, daisy, Mickey and goofy.

We weren't on the dining plan and I do remember it was very reasonable for a buffet.

 

[lsulindy]

Based on that I'd say Tusker House (Donald, Mickey, Daisy, Goofy) in AK or Hollywood & Vine (Handy Manny and Little Einsteins) in DHS. Get a time before park open and you can get great pics in front of the tree or hat without the crowds behind you.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

Another vote for Tusker House breakfast with Donald, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. I thought the food selection was very good.

 

[juliebug1997]

There's also Cape May character breakfast. Minnie, Goofy and Donald. We enjoyed it very much!

 

[baler31]

Honestly, we don't do Chef Mickey's even when staying at the Contemporary, just awful food quality.

Our favorites in order: note all are breakfast as we cannot eat lunch or dinner buffet food

Crystal Palace
Tusker House
Cape May

 

[PrincessDuck]

My 8 year old girl and 5 year old son want Chef Mickey's for every trip. I tried to change it up for the trip coming up. It was a no go. I was informed that only Chef Mickey's has both Mickey and Minnie. No Minnie at Tusker House and no Mickey at Cape May. I will only do breakfast because it is cheaper and I know that my kids will find lots to eat. Both love the Mickey waffles!

 

[Tgtown]

Breakfast is definitely the cheapest. We are doing O'hana when we go in March. Checked Chef Mickey's and Tusker House, but they were booked already. I can say book as soon as you decide or you may not get the character meal you want.

 

[ratlenhum]

CP with Pooh and Friends and Donald's Safari Breakfast are our 2 favorites. Both have good food and good atmosphere.

 

[kari B.]

Tusker House Breakfast! Easy to get to... It's one of the better buffets... Or Ohana with Mickey and Lilo and Stitch which is family style. I'd avoid Chef Mickey's, IMHO.