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Garden Grill?
- Thread starter Figgy1
- Start date
Tinkerkelle
Well-Known Member
When we were there last they brought out platters to us, but there were 2 kinds of meat, potatoes, macaroni, veg and the like - some degree of choice but nothing like a buffet. Quality was good though. Pretty sure the kids were offered chicken drumsticks. They got cupcakey desserts rather than the dessert we were brought. Characters were great and we were seated in a booth on the lowest level so couldn't even see the other diners, felt very exclusive!! Good view of Living with the Land too.
belledream
Well-Known Member
In 2014, our offerings were fish, beef, and turkey. Sides of mashed potatoes and veggies, bread, salad, and cobbler in the skillet for dessert. So yes, everyone eats the same thing but there's lots to choose from, and we had so much fun overlooking Living with the Land and the characters, especially Chip and Dale, were hilarious! Good times.
CourtneyBags
Member
Just went for lunch in nov. We enjoyed it. I ate all the Mac and cheese I think. When I looked at the dinner menu it seemed like the only thing you didn't get at lunch was breadsticks. We enjoyed everything and my daughter saw each character a few times. I think our options were sausage, beef and turkey, no fish. But yes, it all comes on one platter but you can get unlimited refills on any part that you like!
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
I have found character interaction at the Garden Grill to be very good, on many occassions. They seem to be allotted more time per table than at other locations. I think the layout of the restaruant also helps. Being 2 circular tiers, it is a clear path from table to table. They do a table and then move to the next. They don't seem to be accosted by other tables out of turn.
As for the food, I find it to be 80/20. 80% of the time it is good to very good. 20% of the time they seem to have an off night, and it just OK to good. I can't figure it out. It is not just me who has noticed it. My family has as well, to the point where my younger kids (10 to 14) have sat down, ate for about 2 - 3 minutes, and then said "oh, its an off night tonight" - it especially happens with the flank steak. Sometimes it has almost no flavor. It's never bad, but it is missing most of the flavor of the marinade they use.
We enjoy it, and while it is not a "must do" it is a solid stand by for us. Nobody complains about going there, and everybody has plenty of things to eat that they like, even the picky ones (not just our klds, but friends and extended family as well)
-dave
As for the food, I find it to be 80/20. 80% of the time it is good to very good. 20% of the time they seem to have an off night, and it just OK to good. I can't figure it out. It is not just me who has noticed it. My family has as well, to the point where my younger kids (10 to 14) have sat down, ate for about 2 - 3 minutes, and then said "oh, its an off night tonight" - it especially happens with the flank steak. Sometimes it has almost no flavor. It's never bad, but it is missing most of the flavor of the marinade they use.
We enjoy it, and while it is not a "must do" it is a solid stand by for us. Nobody complains about going there, and everybody has plenty of things to eat that they like, even the picky ones (not just our klds, but friends and extended family as well)
-dave
ItlngrlBella
Well-Known Member
We like The Garden Grille at The Land and were there 2 years ago.
Food: Healthy food (they say they grow the veggies and raise the tilapia and catfish there - and they're always amazing). Served family style and all you can eat. If you google WDW menus you can find the current listings for the meals served there.
Bonus: You get great FaceTime with Mickey, Chip & Dale and Pluto. We feel it's the best bang for your buck dining wise at Epcot. Our kids got more FaceTime here than ANYWHERE we've been in the parks for M&G or other character meals.
Tips: Note that you'd like the lower level seating (better view and room to get pics with characters). We had heard they only seat larger groups of 4 or more or people only staying on property but we were able to note it on our ADR (2 families of 4 a staying off property) and we got the lower level, each family in their own booth. Do the earliest dinner sitting and it's always pleasant and keeps us full for the rest of the day. I understand they may have added lunch but we love the dinner.
Food: Healthy food (they say they grow the veggies and raise the tilapia and catfish there - and they're always amazing). Served family style and all you can eat. If you google WDW menus you can find the current listings for the meals served there.
Bonus: You get great FaceTime with Mickey, Chip & Dale and Pluto. We feel it's the best bang for your buck dining wise at Epcot. Our kids got more FaceTime here than ANYWHERE we've been in the parks for M&G or other character meals.
Tips: Note that you'd like the lower level seating (better view and room to get pics with characters). We had heard they only seat larger groups of 4 or more or people only staying on property but we were able to note it on our ADR (2 families of 4 a staying off property) and we got the lower level, each family in their own booth. Do the earliest dinner sitting and it's always pleasant and keeps us full for the rest of the day. I understand they may have added lunch but we love the dinner.
CourtneyBags
Member
When we were there in Nov, the menus for lunch and dinner were virtually the same. The only difference I noticed on the menu was that we weren't getting breadsticks. I don't remember fish either, but I was also in my first trimester and avoiding all fish related items so I didn't barf. 
I didn't think the breadsticks would make up for the price difference and we were stuffed!
I didn't think the breadsticks would make up for the price difference and we were stuffed!
mf1972
Well-Known Member
my wife & I ate there last October. no kids, we were the kids. food was good & character interaction was very fun.
previous post mentioned an "off night." I did get sick a few years ago by something I ate there. was a long night, lol.
despite that, we did go back & enjoyed it. it's a lot of food, & we were stuffed. enjoy.
previous post mentioned an "off night." I did get sick a few years ago by something I ate there. was a long night, lol.
despite that, we did go back & enjoyed it. it's a lot of food, & we were stuffed. enjoy.
yedliW
Well-Known Member
We were there for breakfast on our last trip, and were on the upper level. I also had the bad luck of sitting with my back to the outside.. so I was staring at the green wall as it moved by.. with the occasional view of the kitchen/prep area.. so, yea.. I would recommend trying to get the lower level if possible.. it also seemed less crowded down there than up top..
CourtneyBags
Member
We sat on the upper level in an outer booth and it was great! ( I guess I didn't even realize there was another floor)
ItlngrlBella
Well-Known Member
We prefer the lower level because it's booth seating facing out to the ride/scenes and it's easier/roomier if the kids want to get out for character pics/interactions.
CourtneyBags
Member
We must have been on the lower level because we could see the ride from our booth. Is the lower level where right when you enter the restaurant?
ItlngrlBella
Well-Known Member
Yes, the 2nd level is only one or two steps up towards the axis/center of the "wheel" where the kitchen is.
yedliW
Well-Known Member
Yes, you walk in on the lower level, up a few stairs to the upper level.
P_Radden
Well-Known Member
Hold on a sec..
I thought it was like this:
You enter the land pavilion on the Second floor (main level). Living with the land, Sunshine Seasons and Soarin are downstairs on the lower First floor. Garden Grill is on the Second floor (main level) and you can look down on the ride as you dine. The Third floor above garden grill is offices, changing area for CM characters, hallway and used to house the Kraft Lounge.
@ItlngrlBella
Am I wrong? Is there restaurant seating above the main Garden Grill area you see on the Second (main level) floor of Land Pavilion?
I thought it was like this:
You enter the land pavilion on the Second floor (main level). Living with the land, Sunshine Seasons and Soarin are downstairs on the lower First floor. Garden Grill is on the Second floor (main level) and you can look down on the ride as you dine. The Third floor above garden grill is offices, changing area for CM characters, hallway and used to house the Kraft Lounge.
@ItlngrlBella
Am I wrong? Is there restaurant seating above the main Garden Grill area you see on the Second (main level) floor of Land Pavilion?
Last edited:
Tuvalu
Premium Member
There is "upper" seating behind the booths that face outward. I found a picture here:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...d=0ahUKEwjZuK3qmrvKAhWGgj4KHU98BM0QMwgcKAAwAA
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
You are correct. It is not as if it is anoter floor. Teh GG siting is two concentric rings, and so the inner ring can see over the outer ring, it is about 2 feet higher - thats all.
I never really cared what area I sat in. It is cool to see into Living With the Land, but I guess I have seen it enough that the thrill has worn off. Plus I am tall, so I can see pretty well from the inner ring as well.
-dave