Garden Grill Opinions

[iluvstitch]

My bf and I were thinking about doing the character dinner at the Garden Grill at Epcot this spring, has anyone here been there recently? How is the food and atmosphere, would it be o.k. for a couple w/out kids? What characters are there and can someone explain more about the restaurant rotates? Is there any pics of it online? Thanks!!! -Stephanie

 

[Woody13]

Check here for a few photo links and details:

http://allearsnet.com/din/cbchar.htm

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

The restaurant rotates slowly (usually completing just over 1 full revolution by the time your meal finishes). There are scenes of a rural nature to view as you eat - trees, rolling hills etc etc.
The characters are Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale - I would recommend - been twice in our last two visits.

 

[garyhoov]

I absolutely loved it for breakfast, but they're not doing them anymore. I've never tried it for dinner, but I'm betting the food's good, and the atmosphere should definitely make it worth it if you've never tried it before.

Have fun!!

:wave:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We've done the ice cream social there. Same characters as mentioned above. Mickey's very cute in his farmer clothes. Very expensive ice cream but cheaper then a character meal. Great character interaction.

 

[tiggerlover1971]

We went for lunch at 12:45 in October it was great the food was really good ( had two skillets ) and the character interaction was great they came around twice while we were there . We have no children but enjoyed getting pictures and just the atmosphere Plus we did the Rehitching ceremony ( it was our third anniversary ) trip and it was really cute what they did . Besides CRT I think this was one of our favorite meals that trip

 

[Becky]

Haven't been since they changed the menu

I have been there several times in the past always without children and if you chat with the CM server and smile at the characters you will have a great time

I suggest lunch and if I were going and wanted super service I would call the GG and ask if Rosey was working that day

 

[civileng68]

Garden Grill

Been there three times. It's good, not great. It all depends on what you're looking for.

Another poster was right that it usually completes one full rotation in the hour or so you use to eat.

Advantages, it is pretty cool the way you turn, MAKE SURE TO REQUEST AN OUTSIDE SEAT SO YOU ARE DIRECTLY FACING THE OUTSIDE SO YOU CAN SEE DOWN BELOW YOU BETTER WHILE TURNING.

There is a scene with a big wall with painted corn on it that you'll spend about 15 minutes in front of that is BORING! the rest is pretty cool

You will not have a true Disney atmosphere here. HOwever you will get time with Mickey, Pluto and the Chipmunks. Possibly you'll see them twice.

The downside? They are very polite but if you are observant you'll notice the push to get you in and out. Being an all you can eat, it became obvious to me that we were not wanted there any more than the time it took for one rotation. Also, it is all you can eat, but, it became frustrating because it's hard to get a full, good meal out of it. I wouldnt leave until I was full, but they start by giving you alot of bread, and then, they bring you a plate of Mashed potatoes (which you do get alot of), and then another plate with Prime Rib, Catfish, and other stuff, but, the problem is, there are two or more of you there and the plate portions of each thing are extremely small. The prime rib was extremely thin and really only one of us could eat it. Put it this way, we're not big people, but I do like to eat and the portions on each plate were small enough to where whenever she laid down a plate I asked for another immediately.

I felt like I was annoying them.

It is a good restaraunt and dont get me wrong. They're not rude and trying to get you out by pushing you. It's just natural for all the people they serve, and you'll notice the same thing at most restraunts. However, I just didnt like the trouble of asking for a new plate every couple of minutes. My wife won't go back anymore, so I just have to pay more and we go to San Angel Inn.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We really like GG and have been there many times over the past 10 trips. We like the food, and just ask for more, they bring it. Aug 2003 we did the rehiching, that was fun. We also went many times before we had kids and always found it fun with good food. Last trip we had 2 young kids (just under 3 years old) and they had a great time. We didn't even have any problem getting a table for 7 people.


BTW the sunflower background makes for great pictures.

We love it, so did our friends.

 

[murphy]

We dined there in 2000. The atmosphere was nice, the service was good, the charecters were very attentive, but this had to be the worst food I have ever tasted!!! I commented during dinner that I would rather Have a bologna sandwich and it would taste much better!! Then to top it off we all got sick that night!! Never again!!

 

[Becky]

Re: Garden Grill

Originally posted by civileng68

The downside? They are very polite but if you are observant you'll notice the push to get you in and out. Being an all you can eat, it became obvious to me that we were not wanted there any more than the time it took for one rotation. Also, it is all you can eat, but, it became frustrating because it's hard to get a full, good meal out of it. another plate with Prime Rib, Catfish, I felt like I was annoying them.

Prime Rib Been awhile huh? They now have flank steak. No more chicken either

Again, I haven't been since they changed the menu but I have eaten at the GG about a dozen times. I never felt rushed. Rosey always came by and tried to fatten us up with more food. I usually ended up doing at least one and a half rotations, often two. Why? Eating was slow as the characters seemed to enjoy sitting with us, drawing pictures of themselves etc.

Ask for Rosey and you will niether go hungry or feel rushed.

 

[civileng68]

Re: Re: Garden Grill

Originally posted by Becky
Prime Rib Been awhile huh? They now have flank steak. No more chicken either

Again, I haven't been since they changed the menu but I have eaten at the GG about a dozen times. I never felt rushed. Rosey always came by and tried to fatten us up with more food. I usually ended up doing at least one and a half rotations, often two. Why? Eating was slow as the characters seemed to enjoy sitting with us, drawing pictures of themselves etc.

Ask for Rosey and you will niether go hungry or feel rushed.

Well I meant Flank Steak, I just didnt remember since we've eaten at so many places. We just ate there not too long ago, several months back. Listen, the place isnt bad, but it's just an opinion. I just felt rushed and didnt like the small portions and I felt like I was probably annoying them asking for more and more and more plates as soon as they dropped one off. Its just that on a plate they'd leave 2 very thin slices of steak for two people? I didnt like that. We just go to normal restraraunts and get as much food even though it's not all you can eat. It pretty much all evens out since at the all you can eat you have to stay 2 hours to get the same amount.

Now Crystal Palace is another story! i love that place!

 

[meekoman]

I thought the restaraunt has a nice atmosphere, but in my opinion, it is the worst food available at the parks. The flank steak was tougher than my dad's old work shoes and the shoes probably tasted better too. I really don't think the price paid equalled the quality of the food.