Where for breakfast

[scrappychar]

When we go to WDW we have ressies for all our food, but we also have the dining plan. My son has Asperger Syndrome as well as a myriad of other sensativities to sounds, crowds, etc. He however LOVES meeting characters (the lines to meet them are just hard), so we like to book meals. So this trip I am thinking one or two breakfasts - what are the faves that have characters at them?

Char

 

[mrsxsparrow]

When we go to WDW we have ressies for all our food, but we also have the dining plan. My son has Asperger Syndrome as well as a myriad of other sensativities to sounds, crowds, etc. He however LOVES meeting characters (the lines to meet them are just hard), so we like to book meals. So this trip I am thinking one or two breakfasts - what are the faves that have characters at them?

Char

What character does he like? Where are you staying?

The DL hotel has Goofy's Kitchen... I'm not sure exactly what characters are there, but I know Goofy is!

Paradise Pier has Surf's UP! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends. I haven't been there since they changed it (it used to be Lilo and Stitch themed), but I always enjoyed it.

The Grand Californian has a breakfast with Chip and Dale. This would probably be my personal favorite. The food is good and it seems a little quieter to me than the others (especially if you ask for a table on the side or in a corner... you won't be right in the middle but the characters will still come over to you).

In the parks, there is a breakfast with Minnie in DL and with the princesses in DCA. I've never been to either of these so I can't really give opinion.

I'd for sure try Chip and Dale's breakfast at the Storyteller's Cafe in the Grand Californian though. I'm not even a big fan of characters and I love this breakfast!

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

Minnies Breakfast would be my recomendation. Lots of characters and its quiet. Where as Goofys Kitchen they play a sort of game and it can become loud.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We were just at Minnie's last week and the character interaction was great! We saw 9 characters in about one hour. I agree with the previous poster, it was very quiet and relaxed. (We were inside at 10:00) The food was just ok IMO - although the Mickey waffles were really good!

 

[Sherry E]

I would definitely avoid Goofy's Kitchen and Surf's Up with Mickey on this trip because of the potential issues with sounds. Even though Goofy's is my favorite and I don't personally find the noise to be too overpowering, there is a little dance that Goofy does with the kids and he also 'drops some pans' at one point when he is trying to 'bake.' The sounds might be alarming to your son. I have not done Surf's Up, but I've heard it is pretty lively in there too and from the photos I've seen it seems pretty rollicking.

I think you should stick with the more laid back character meal in this case, which would be Storytellers Critter Breakfast. Maybe Minnie & Friends, but definitely the Critter Breakfast.

 

[Momrow]

If you get there early, say before 8 am, it is likely that Storyteller's (critter breakfast) will be almost empty. My 4 year old loved it, and she got lots of attention and whenever my dh went to get more food one of them would sit down and read his paper . The restaurant is large but there were only half a dozen or so tables at 7:30.

 

[caimakale]

We've eaten at Storytellers (in the Grand Californian), Minnie and Friends, and Goofy's Kitchen. Minnie and Friends was great and the food was good. There's a lot more food to choose from at Goofy's Kitchen but all of my favorite food staples were at Minnie and Friends.

We had some fun interaction with Chip and Dale and M&F's. Chip gave my wife a flower as a present and then picked up the bottle of ketchup and gave it to me as a present. The characters usually only interact with our kids so this was a fun surprise for all of us. The character interaction was MUCH better at M&F's, there was more of them and they stayed at our tables longer than at Goofy's Kitchen.

 

[rmom]

My daughter has a number of issues including noise, sounds, physical space, and lighting. If your son can handle some noise and likes to watch other children or be involved with them, try Goofy's. My daughter loves it. We do the first seating before it gets crowded and while the place is quieter. We usually see the characters at least once (if not more) and she gets to play with Goofy during his first group interaction.

 

[Fire Ohana]

My daughter has a number of issues including noise, sounds, physical space, and lighting. If your son can handle some noise and likes to watch other children or be involved with them, try Goofy's. My daughter loves it. We do the first seating before it gets crowded and while the place is quieter. We usually see the characters at least once (if not more) and she gets to play with Goofy during his first group interaction.

Just proves that each child is different . My Aspie daughter does horribly at Goofy's Kitchen - especially with the group interaction. The banging of the pots and pans is way too much for her to handle. In fact, when Goofy comes out, it is an excuse for us to leave early.

We've done Storytellers with great success, it is one breakfast we are doing this upcoming trip. We are also going to give the Minnie and Friend's meal at the Plaza Inn a try this year as well.

Good luck with your choices!

 

[scrappychar]

Thanks for all the help. I am thinking of storytellers and one other, I just gotta decide and actually book!

Char

 

[MaiynaMouse]

We love Storyteller's and Minnie and Friends. They both have fun character interaction and decent food. I don't go to a theme park expecting amazing food, so take that with a grain of salt.

As a teacher, I've had an Asperger's kiddo every year for the last three. I ADORE them. They certainly have their special needs and issues but I truly loved all three of the ones I've had. Kudos to you for raising such amazing children. They made my days brighter for sure!!!!! Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Panonim]

We have only done the Minnie & Friends breakfast, so I can't compare to others, but it was wonderful - better than I expected. Not loud or boisterous at all. LOTS of characters, I can't even remember all of them. Food was pretty good. We were there at 8 am (this past Saturday), and the restaurant was probably 2/3 full, but it still seemed pretty quiet and relaxed in there. Would definitely recommend this one!

 

[ScooterL]

I would also recommend Minnie's breakfast - and get seating right after park opening if you can. There are way more characters there than I've seen at the other locations (except maybe Goofy's), but if you go first thing they aren't busy, and they can spend a lot of time with you. Plus they are a lot more playful with each other, too! We saw Gepetto and Hook comparing their mustaches, and at one point a few others were engaged some mischief than Minnie had to break up - it was really a lot of fun. The food was not as good there as Storytellers, but it had all of the typical breakfast stuff, and the character interaction was a lot better.

 

[skiingfast]

I would definitely avoid Goofy's Kitchen and Surf's Up with Mickey on this trip because of the potential issues with sounds. Even though Goofy's is my favorite and I don't personally find the noise to be too overpowering, there is a little dance that Goofy does with the kids and he also 'drops some pans' at one point when he is trying to 'bake.' The sounds might be alarming to your son. I have not done Surf's Up, but I've heard it is pretty lively in there too and from the photos I've seen it seems pretty rollicking.


For the OP, if they have been to Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary you will find the above similar.


I think you should stick with the more laid back character meal in this case, which would be Storytellers Critter Breakfast. Maybe Minnie & Friends, but definitely the Critter Breakfast.

Minnie & Friends is equivilent to the Crystal palace breakfasts in MK.

I bolded in some comments. Hope you have done those and can make a decision based on WDW experience.

 

[Minuet888]

Hi there,
my son is autistic as well. He isn't sensitive to sounds but deinfately to crowds. Character meals are a great way for him to meet characters beause you don't have to wait in line for them and there isn't a crowd around them as the characters come right up to your table. We have done every character meal and here are my thoughts

Minnie Breakfast at Plaza Inn - by far the best, the best food and the best area for our son. If he is feeling claustophobic inside they have an outdoor seating area that the characters also visit too, maybe it might be better for your son. The characters also seem to spend the most time with people here.

Ariel's Grotto - Love the food but it is just the princesses. Not sure if your son is into them. my son liked to flirt with them but thats about it.

Goofy's Kitchen - Not bad food, and they have a dance segment where the kids play kitchen instruments, if your son is sensitive to sounds, might not be the best.

Storyteller's Cafe at California Grand Hotel - I personally didn't like the selection of food. The only characters that were there were ones from brother bear and my son didn't know them. He now will go to characters he doesn't know, but he wasn't always that way. Not sure how your son is.

Surf's Up Buffet at Paradise Pier Hotel - I really liked it, great food, familiar characters, you get to meet a character one on one besides them coming to your table. They also have a hula hoop and jump rope contest for the kids.

I think that's everything. I know no two autistic kids are the same, but I tried to put it in terms of what there is that he might be sensitive to and stuff as well as food for him and mom and dad.

 

[scrappychar]

Thank you so much for all the help!!

Char