would my kids be disappointed?

[luvsTink]

Hi all,
Last visit my youngest girls (5,7) loved chef mickeys. Next trip I am considering the Garden Grill instead. What is your expert advice? Will they miss Chef Mickey's?? Can Garden Grill makeup for it? If not, what would you suggest as the most family friendly dining at Epcot?

Anne

 

[tci1212]

While the Garden Grill is a character meal, it is not as loud and noisy as Chef Mickeys. The characters walk around to each table and thats it. At Chef Mickeys my kids always got a kick out of the singing and napkin twirling, so if they like that excitement then I think they would miss Chef Mickeys. The menu at Garden grill is also limited. They bring a pan of flank steak and catfish with vegetables to your table. There is also the childrens menu with the normal mac and cheese and chicken strips. My sons are older now but they still prefer Chef Mickeys.

 

[mom2cinderella]

but it sure looks like fun! Good things about the Garden Grill: excellent character interaction and the restaurant rotates. Not so good thing? None of us (2 adults, 2 small children) were thrilled with the food selection. DS really wants to go back to GG on our next trip so I made a PS for the Ice Cream Social. Would that be a good option for you?

 

[vicb]

We have done both and frankly my children (and us adults) enjoyed the Garden Grill more than Chef Mickeys.

We had better character interaction at GG, it was more personal. We had a nice booth on the lower level, characters came around several times. We like the family style serving vs. buffet, you don't have to worry about missing a character while you are up getting food.

We will not go to CM again, but I would revisit GG.

 

[Lisa D]

My kids always preferred Chef Mickeys. We never had much luck with character interaction at GG. I guess it depends on which CM are working where. My boys are now 12 and 9 and they still ask to go to CM.

Lisa

 

[lwestwise]

If you have never tried Crystal Palace in MK, that is a great experience. No dancing and napkin twirling though. Ohana's does have dancing around and such for kids and mine love that as well.

 

[Cameo]

Our family also enjoyed Garden Grill more than Chef Mickey's. Our kids were DD-6 and DS-3 and the atmosphere at Chef Mickey's was just overwhelming. Personally, I also enjoyed being served rather than running back and forth to the buffet. With the little ones I never feel like I get to eat everything I would like to at a buffet because of waiting on them and them being done eating and ready to go before the adults. Who knows, maybe when the kids are older the wild and crazy atmosphere at CM will appeal to them more.

 

[princesscrazydaughte]

We did 8 character meals last trip. My kids absolute favorite was Garden Grille. I don't think it will be a let down.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Which 8 did you do? We're also planning on doing 8, so I'm curious!