Which Character Dining is a must-do for first timers?

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Breakfast: 1900 Park Fare (GF resort)
excellent food, exciting atmosphere, good character interaction

Lunch: The Garden Grill (Epcot)
served family style, (so for families with small children that means Mom & Dad can sit and eat, not be up and down with junior 20 times), fantastic environment, great service, good character interaction, (plus I enjoy the AP discount)

Dinner: The Crystal Palce (MK)
excellent food, phenominal service, great character interaction. I have to tell you that on our last visit, my sister who is very picky had numerous special requests. The wait staff along with the chef provided service above and beyond! (We also like breakfast here, too).

I will admit to never having dinner at Chef Mickey's. However, we have tried breakfast there twice. Both times food, service and character interaction was sub-par.

 

[ahutton]

I may be an exception here, but I am not a fan of buffet meals, especially with small kids. I really prefer that family style meals they bring to your table, otherwise I end up having a hectic meal experience, as it seems I'm constantly getting up to get one of the kids (or myself) something, or waiting to do it because a character is coming close. In the end I'm usually still hungry and exhausted.

We loved the Garden Grill meal in EPCOT, we way Mickey, Chip, Dale and Plute there. Dinner was outstanding and a much better deal than a table service dinner. Similarly we love Liberty Tree Tavern in MK (saw Minnie, Chip, Dale & Meeko) for dinner for the same reasons. The princess breakfast in the castle fits this too, but is very difficult to get a PS for, we're planning to try the one in Norway in March and hopefully we'll get in.

Another meal that is not a character one that we've enjoyed with a larger group that included smaller kids was 'Ohana at the Poly. They have all kinds of singing, fun and games including hula hoops, coconut races (chase a coconut with a small broom in a circle/track type configuration) and other activities.

 

[lap3]

Originally posted by ahutton
I may be an exception here, but I am not a fan of buffet meals, especially with small kids. I really prefer that family style meals they bring to your table, otherwise I end up having a hectic meal experience, as it seems I'm constantly getting up to get one of the kids (or myself) something, or waiting to do it because a character is coming close. In the end I'm usually still hungry and exhausted.

We loved the Garden Grill meal in EPCOT, we way Mickey, Chip, Dale and Plute there. Dinner was outstanding and a much better deal than a table service dinner. Similarly we love Liberty Tree Tavern in MK (saw Minnie, Chip, Dale & Meeko) for dinner for the same reasons. The princess breakfast in the castle fits this too, but is very difficult to get a PS for, we're planning to try the one in Norway in March and hopefully we'll get in.

Another meal that is not a character one that we've enjoyed with a larger group that included smaller kids was 'Ohana at the Poly. They have all kinds of singing, fun and games including hula hoops, coconut races (chase a coconut with a small broom in a circle/track type configuration) and other activities.

So, your reason for not liking the buffet meals is not so much the service, food or interaction but more of tending to the family and not being able to enjoy the experience, correct? My DS6 and DD4 can be tough to handle as well. But, when we go to the Character Dining at nearby Disneyland, they actually eat and behave pretty well. It helps that the Characters come by because they love it when they see them coming towards them! It helps my wife and I enjoy our meal much more, too! Thanks for your input...