Garden Grill or Chef Mickey's

[noname70]

We're taking our toddler (almost 2) for her first character meal and she's already a BIG Mickey fan. Will some experts out there give us some insight on deciding between Garden Grill and Chef Mickey's?

:slurp:

 

[scorp111]

Sorry, I can't give much advice.

My DD (just turned 2) has been to Chef Mickey's 3 times and loved it.
Our next trip in September, will be the 1st time we do the GG character meal.

For her, the experience will likely not be that different, so I would base your decision on location (where you will be) and meal type preference.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

While the character interaction at GG is very good, there are reports that the meal quality has suffered since the refurb of The Land and Garden Grill. While I didn't particularly enjoy Chef Mickeys I would suggest that the menu and set up of the place is more suitable for a 2 yr old

 

[Jason21783]

I would have to recommend CM, due to the recent menu change at GG. Both have great character interaction. GG spins and the characters make their rounds to every table about every 45 min. But CM is more wide open and a little more small child friendly. The last time I went, Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, and Chip and Dale walked to each table, while Donald stood at the front of the place greeting people and interacting. There was really no one around Donald and he spend a lot of time with each kid.

 

[PixyDust]

We loved GG and went there many times, but due to the multitude of absolutely lousey reviews since the "refurb", we won't be going back.

CM is very loud. My son enjoys it. He is 7. My daughter was overwhelmed and kind of scared when she was really small. She enjoys it now that she's been a couple of times though.

Have you thought about 1900 Park Fare? The food is a step above the other buffets, and the characters may be more young-kid friendly. For breakfast it's Pooh and friends, Mary Poppins and friends, Alice and friends. We've also met Pinocchio there. Dinner will have you meeting Cinderella and friends. More face characters at this meal which is normally easier for the young children.

Of course, if you are set on Mickey, (which is of course always a good choice!), CM is the better of your two choices. Don't forget about Donald's Breakfastosaurus at the AK. Mickey, Donald, Pluto and Goofy hang out there too. They have a really "meaty" buffet there for breakfast. They also have a lot of fruits, yogurt, oatmeal, waffles, etc, but with my carb-hating hubby, we found this buffet to his liking.

A quick glance of all character meals and who appears at each one can be found on the Allears site: http://www.allearsnet.com/din/chglance.htm

 

[Laura]

I don't know if any of you knew this, but the Garden Grill menu has gone back to almost the original menu (with a few slight changes), so most people can eat there again. I still do not like the menu (I prefer chicken, and they have pork loin now), but it's a lot less ritzy and back to a family style skillet again.

I would definitely prefer the Garden Grill experience to Chef Mickeys. You get a lot more personalized interaction with the characters because there's less tables. You can't even go 5 minutes without a character stopping by, unlike Chef Mickeys where you are usually WAITING for the characters to come. Also, the fact that the whole restaurant rotates is another big seller! I just wish they'd add chicken to the menu so I can make it my favorite restaurant again!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I think that Chef Mickeys has more options in the way of food and at the same time gives you the real character party type dining experience.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

GG spins

:hurl:

GG rotates slowly

 

[Hakunamatata]

Chef Mickeys. Its more open, so the characters are more visible throughout the evening. The food is more child friendly as well.

But be prepared. They have the typical photo stop before you are called in and then a CM comes around and hounds you about buying a photo..