Just thought I would see what everyone thought was their best character experience. I am taking my Grandson, age 5, in August and am hoping for some great ideas!
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Best Character experience out there? Your opinions wanted!
- Thread starter bsmartin2000
- Start date
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
Over the years, the best character experience for us was at Chef Mickey's. (both breakfast and dinner) We've always enjoyed Crystal Palace, Ohana for breakfast, etc etc... but for some reason, Chef Mickey's stands out as our absolute fav!! Have a wonderful trip!!!!
materbuddy
Active Member
I think the best character experience is Akershus. However your Grandson may not like the princesses. My other favorites are Crystal Palace and 'Ohana. The parade at 'Ohana is really cute.
crispy
Well-Known Member
I agree with Chef Mickey's. It just seems to really capture the fun and magic of WDW.
My new favorite character experience was at Garden Grill. It has Farmer Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale. The characters spend a lot of time at the table and were really fun and playful. Plus, the food was good and the rotating restaurant is a fun experience in and of itself. It was a definite winner for us!
My new favorite character experience was at Garden Grill. It has Farmer Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale. The characters spend a lot of time at the table and were really fun and playful. Plus, the food was good and the rotating restaurant is a fun experience in and of itself. It was a definite winner for us!
Figgy1
Well-Known Member
We just love the Crystal Palace good inrtaction, cool conga line, good food excellent time. We never felt rushed! Lots of pictures one with Piglet hanging at our house and the grandmas.
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
IMHO if this is a first time for your GS do Chef Mickeys you get all the major characters.
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
We have done every single character meal experience with the exception of Garden Grove and 1900 PF Dinner with the stepsisters (have done breakfast there though- different experience)...but out of everything else, we have one very clear winner....
Garden Grill Dinner
Food was very good, service was excellent, it's an interesting view (try and request a table on the lower level so that you can easily look into Living with the Land), and the character interaction was exceptional. We got 5 visits from each character and the interactions went beyond your basic pose and take a picture. My faves...1. Mickey had a "talk" with my younger one about them having birthdays right around the same time 2. Mickey helped both of my girls with their word searches 3.Dale was very upset that my younger one wouldn't eat- so he sat down with us and helped feed her. And ultimately, it's a Mickey meal without any characters that might be considered more girly... so it's a good option for a boy.
If you do go for Chef Mickey's as others have suggested, we have found the food at breakfast to be significantly better than dinner. Dinner was pretty gross when we went...but as with anything...experiences can vary (sometimes greatly).
Garden Grill Dinner
Food was very good, service was excellent, it's an interesting view (try and request a table on the lower level so that you can easily look into Living with the Land), and the character interaction was exceptional. We got 5 visits from each character and the interactions went beyond your basic pose and take a picture. My faves...1. Mickey had a "talk" with my younger one about them having birthdays right around the same time 2. Mickey helped both of my girls with their word searches 3.Dale was very upset that my younger one wouldn't eat- so he sat down with us and helped feed her. And ultimately, it's a Mickey meal without any characters that might be considered more girly... so it's a good option for a boy.
If you do go for Chef Mickey's as others have suggested, we have found the food at breakfast to be significantly better than dinner. Dinner was pretty gross when we went...but as with anything...experiences can vary (sometimes greatly).
plaz10
Well-Known Member
My favorite was Garden Grill.
We saw all the characters before the food came out and they came around at least 2 or 3 more times throughout the meal so if you wanted an extra pic or forgot to do some cool pose you were thinking of - you'll get your chance. Sometimes it's fun to just wave to Mickey while chowing down on some good food
We saw all the characters before the food came out and they came around at least 2 or 3 more times throughout the meal so if you wanted an extra pic or forgot to do some cool pose you were thinking of - you'll get your chance. Sometimes it's fun to just wave to Mickey while chowing down on some good food
Crystal Palace is probably still the favorite, although I think the kids will grow old of my friends from the Hundred Acre Wood as they continue to get older. 1900 Park Fare is a real hoot. Lady Tremaine really hams it up as do the stepsisters. I have nice pictures of my son's lipstick laden cheek where the eligible bachelor of 9 years old was kissed by Anastasia 
hiptwinmama
Well-Known Member
Chef Mickeys is my vote. We go there every year, I have tried to talk my girls (both 7) out of it but they insist on Chef Mickey's every year. It is super fun, I have to admit I LOVE IT. My husband on the other hand gets nauseous because of the excessive cheesiness. Which, is what the kids and I love.
This year we are also checking out Ohana Breakfast, I've heard wonderful reviews.
This year we are also checking out Ohana Breakfast, I've heard wonderful reviews.
Dad 2 M & M
Well-Known Member
Tusker House Breakfast would probably be a hit!
Mrs Potato Head
Member
I second Tusker House!
popcenturylover
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with you! We ate here for breakfast on our last trip in September & it was great! We also had Chef Mickey's for dinner but, the all around experience was not as good as Akershus.
RoyWalley
Well-Known Member
Wow, this a tough one. They are all good. We started going to some for lunch just to mix it up.
To be honest we have not had a bad experience in 11 years going to any of them.
1900 Park Fare is every other year for us. Akershus was awesome last time for lunch. Crystal Palace is great, went for lunch last year.
Chef Mickey's always has been our favorite, as we have never missed each time we go.
To be honest we have not had a bad experience in 11 years going to any of them.
1900 Park Fare is every other year for us. Akershus was awesome last time for lunch. Crystal Palace is great, went for lunch last year.
Chef Mickey's always has been our favorite, as we have never missed each time we go.
brentl1127
New Member
This past November, just after Thanksgiving, we took our son who is 6 to Tusker House and Chef Mickey's for the breakfasts. I think both were wonderful, but he really liked the Character interaction at Chef Mickey's but liked the aspect of being in the park of Tusker House. Also, we saw 5 characters at Chef Mickey, while Donald never visited tables, so only three at Tusker.
As a parent, I liked both, but I enjoyed the food at Tusker better.
As a parent, I liked both, but I enjoyed the food at Tusker better.
MightyMouse
Well-Known Member
We took our four year old daughter to Akershus, Cindy's Royal Table, Crystal Palace, Tuskers, and Garden Grill. While she loved seeing the princesses and doing the parades, the best interaction was at Garden Grill. At the other restaurants the characters will pose for a quick photo, an autograph, and a quick chat but at Garden Grill you are in your own private booth and the characters seem to be more belonging to you and you alone if that makes sense.