We will be arriving around 1:00pm and would like to do a character meal that evening at one of the resorts. I don't think we are going to attempt a park that day, just swim at the resort and then go to dinner. Trying to decide between 1900 Park Fare or Chef Mickey's. I've heard Chef Mickeys can really run behind and I'm not sure we want to deal with that on our arrival day, as the kids will probably be starting to get tired. Thoughts??
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Best arrival night character meal
- Thread starter gracie1
- Start date
FitzherbertFreak
Well-Known Member
It depends... If your kids like the princesses and our girls, go with Park Fare. Chef Mickey can work for either girls or boys. It's really fun for the kids to dance with Goofy and Mickey. Chef Mickey's does get crowded, but it's worth it. What time of year are you going? That would help
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
This is an excellent suggestion. Before you make your final decisions, I would explore these options
We went to Cinderella's Royal Table our last visit, so would like to try restaurants we haven't been to yet. That is a great suggestion, though.
NiarrNDisney
Well-Known Member
How about Mickey's Backyard Barbecue at Fort Wilderness?
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
It used to be Liberty Tree tavern sigh... Now as we always stay at amonorail resort we hit Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare. Of the two I like Chef Mickey's best.
Dad 2 M & M
Well-Known Member
I would lean to Chef Mickey's
ImagineerDude
Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey's (OOP or Dining Plan, what resort are you staying at?)
We will have the dining plan and we are staying at POR. I've heard such fun things about the step sister dinner, yet starting the trip out w/ Mickey and friends would be fun too! We are doing the Tusker House breakfast on our Animal Kdm day, so we will get to see Mickey there if we don't do Chef Mickey's.
GeoDonJac34
Well-Known Member
I will go with 1900. We went there for our first meal a few years ago. I absolutely love the characters. This is my favorite character meal.
Tinkerfan4ever
Well-Known Member
Another vote for 1900 Park Fare. The stepsisters put an entirely different spin on 'princess meal'. The character interaction can't be beat. IMHO... the buffet at 1900 is way better than CM too.
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
We were actually in a very similar situation back in 2010...we flew in around 11am...checked in to our hotel after DME and were ready to go by 1:30pm. We opted to spend some time at MK before dinner, but went for Chef Mickey's that night since it was my girls' first trip and I wanted their first character meal ever to be with Micky.
We had a 7:20p ADR, but we checked in just after 7 and were seated immediately. So, no wait there. In fact, my friend who went this past December did something similar...except w/a 5pm slot and was seated immediately as well. So...no crazy wait times for either of us.
My only real complaint here was the food...the food was awful. While reviews are mixed for the 1900 PF dinner food (everywhere from glowing to nasty), they are better than Chef Mickey's. And while we had very good character interaction at Chef Mickey's, I think the dynamic with the stepsisters at 1900 PF gives you an opportunity for more unique funny interaction.
We had a 7:20p ADR, but we checked in just after 7 and were seated immediately. So, no wait there. In fact, my friend who went this past December did something similar...except w/a 5pm slot and was seated immediately as well. So...no crazy wait times for either of us.
My only real complaint here was the food...the food was awful. While reviews are mixed for the 1900 PF dinner food (everywhere from glowing to nasty), they are better than Chef Mickey's. And while we had very good character interaction at Chef Mickey's, I think the dynamic with the stepsisters at 1900 PF gives you an opportunity for more unique funny interaction.
I'm so glad you posted this, because that's around the same time we will be getting into Orlando (11:00). Were your kids exhausted going to a park the same day as arriving? I've thought about going to MK when we get there. We will arrive on a Sat. Not sure what the parks are like on Sat evenings. Did you eat lunch at your resort before going to MK or eat at the park?
Disneydreamer23
Well-Known Member
chef mickeys ALL the way or Crystal Palace soo good!
DisneyGirl3820
Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey's could be good IF you don't get that 9:40pm reservation!
DisneyPrincess5
Well-Known Member
Crystal Palace! But Chef Mickeys is great too.
stlbobby
Well-Known Member
I'd suggest something more low key for the first night. Do something casual, so if you end up running behind you don't feel you're missing anything important, and you don't get stuck with a no-show charge.
Instead, do Crystal Palace on your first morning. It is the best way to start a trip. Pooh and friends right in the heart of the MK. I love it.
But if I had to choose between 1900 and CM for dinner, I'd go with CM because it has an amazing dessert bar.
Instead, do Crystal Palace on your first morning. It is the best way to start a trip. Pooh and friends right in the heart of the MK. I love it.
But if I had to choose between 1900 and CM for dinner, I'd go with CM because it has an amazing dessert bar.