Which character dining for 2-1/2 & 5 year old daughters?

[Zekanoid]

Which character dining would you recommend for my 2-1/2 and 5 year old daughters? They are both very familiar with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisey, Goofy & Pluto. My 5 y/o is somewhat into the princesses, but the younger one could care less. I am leaning toward Donald's Safari Breakfast at AK. I hate to spend a fortune on the food because they'll be so excited to see the characters, they won't eat. We will be at WDW 12/7-12. Any suggestions? Thanks for your advice!!

 

[belleatheart]

I am guessing that is a no on the DDP? I would recommend Chef Mickey's actually. the 2 1/2 yr old eats free, so that is ok, then the 5 yr old is kids price, and i dunno, I just feel like Chef's is a better interaction place over Safari Breakfast, unless you are planning to park AKL that day, it is just that chef mickey's has been a disney classic, i am just partial to it

 

[Kaler131]

Ohana breakfast with Lilo & Stitch! Mickey & Pluto are there too.

 

[Babsydoodle]

Chef Mickey's seems to be your best bet. Characters are plentiful and dressed as they should be (not in "digging clothes") and they interact sooooo much with the children, bring your camera!

 

[Pixiedust34]

Ohana breakfast with Lilo & Stitch! Mickey & Pluto are there too.

This gets my vote. A family style meal where they bring the food to your table is more relaxing than a buffet with little ones. Plus they do a cute parade with the kids through the restaurant which is fun. The Garden Grill dinner is also a good option, though if you're not on the DDP then that would cost more than the breakfast.

 

[perriwinkleblue]

What nice ages to visit WDW. I love that everything is still so magical to little ones!

My vote would be for Crystal Palace. Good food and fun with Pooh and friends. I imagine these characters might be familiar to both kids and, at any rate, they are cute and furry. My son loved it here when he was two. An early reservation will get you in the park before the crowds and it's really neat to walk down Main Street when it's empty.

My second choice would be Chef Mickey's. They have good food selections and are truly classic Disney. The monorail ride to the Contemporary "to see Mickey" adds to the fun.

Good luck with your adr's and have a nice trip.

 

[jcemom]

Chef Mickey's

 

[goofygal531]

Another vote for Crystal Palace! My kids are around the same ages as yours. My DS1 could careless about the characters. They come to the table to play with him and he pushes them away so he can play with his matchbox cars

My DS4 is totally into the characters and the autographs! He loves every encounter!

Another suggestion would be 1900 Park Fare for breakfast since they have Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Pooh and Tigger or for dinner when it's Cinderella, the Prince and the step sisters. Actually, my DS4 wants to do the dinner this trip. We've avoided princess meals since they're boys, but he passed by the restaurant at the GF so many times last visit and now wants to go there. So our first meal this trip will be at 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella for my little Prince

I usually plan for one character meal per day and basis it where we'll be, not really which characters will be there.

 

[MMmomto5]

I liked Ohana breakfast for the food and meeting Stitch, but my favorite character interaction was at the 1900 Park Fare Dinner. Even the adults loved the step sisters antics, and of course meeting Cinderella was the highlight for my 5 and 6 y.o. dd's and secretly my 9 y.o son loved it too.

 

[Mom2gymnasts]

We really enjoyed Crystal Palace for breakfast this year. The character interaction was really good & the kids have a little parade. Pooh, Piglet, Tigger & Eeyore.

 

[Knittingqueen]

Definitely Ohana breakfast would be the best for little guys! HAVE FUN

 

[Honeystar120608]

I have a 2.5 and 3.5 yr old. Granted one is a boy and one is a girl...the girl is obsessed with princesses so it was easy to please both.
I would go to youtube and type in AK's breakfsast and CM and see what they are about. I am very excited for breakfast at CM! It looks really neat and we get to go on the MonoRail. As pp said, I am equally excited to do Ohanas. Again mono rail and the food is served not buffet. Nice change of pace.

 

[haley123]

I would do the Crystal Palace or 1900 Park Fare.

 

[Zekanoid]

Thank you all so much for the information. I LOVE DISboards!!!!!!!!

 

[Tink901]

1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian breakfast has Pooh and Tigger or Eeyore, Alice and the Mad Hatter -good variety of food or Cape May Cafe at the Beach club - Goofy, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck(new this week) all in swimwear. I have gotten great pictures in both and the enviroments are a bit quieter and more relaxed than Chef Mickey's IMO.

Have a great time whereever you decide!!

Don't forget autograph books and fat pens - character meals are a great time for signatures and pictures!!

 

[tigger_03]

We have a 1 year old (DS) and 3 year old (DD). We ate at Chef Mickey's (breakfast and dinner), 1900 Park Fare (dinner), and Crystal Palace (lunch). We want to eat at Ohana for breakfast. DD wasn't "in" to Stitch when we made our decisions where to eat but just after that it was all Stitch. So that's a given when we go back.

 

[shmedly123]

another vote for Crystal Palace. We have two DDs (4 1/2 and 2 1/2) and they loved it. The food was also good too and if you go during lunch the price isn't bad either.