Recommendations for a character meal

zurgandfriend

zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hello All,

My DS and I have another Father/Son trip coming up in 81 days. For some reason, whether it’s nostalgia, or possibly senility I want to go to a character meal. Let me say that I’m in my 70’s and my DS in his late 20’s. During our last trip in October, we had lunch with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace and really enjoyed it. At first, we were both a little sheepish about having our picture taken with Winnie and Tigger. The cast members attending the characters however were great in helping us get over our self-consciousness. All that said, what’s a good character meal for a couple of grown men? I am considering dinner at Chef Mickey’s. For reference, we are staying in the EPCOT resort area this time but are willing to travel.

Thanks in Advance

Z
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
My favorite character meal that has always been consistently good both performance and food wise over the years is ‘Tusker House’ over at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
If you book a little later in the day for dinner, you can sometimes have all the characters attention to yourself since the Park typically closes earlier then the others.

Food has always been tasty, environment is roomy, and the Safari Friends do a excellent job of making you feel very welcome.

Recommended.

🙂

Chef Mickey’s is okay, but can be overwhelmed with ‘screaming’ toddlers and their high strung soccer moms.
The dining area can feel cramped depending on where you are seated as a lot of the tables are small and placed close together.
Food is often good, but Tusker House food is a step up in quality for sure.

-
 
Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
zurgandfriend said:
Hello All,

My DS and I have another Father/Son trip coming up in 81 days. For some reason, whether it’s nostalgia, or possibly senility I want to go to a character meal. Let me say that I’m in my 70’s and my DS in his late 20’s. During our last trip in October, we had lunch with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace and really enjoyed it. At first, we were both a little sheepish about having our picture taken with Winnie and Tigger. The cast members attending the characters however were great in helping us get over our self-consciousness. All that said, what’s a good character meal for a couple of grown men? I am considering dinner at Chef Mickey’s. For reference, we are staying in the EPCOT resort area this time but are willing to travel.

Thanks in Advance

Z
Click to expand...
Another vote for Tusker House in AK. It's great for kids of all ages and as far as food goes it's the best for a character meal. Every time we've gone lots of times with the characters, good food and fun. There's plenty for carnivores and lighter eaters;) Bonus for those not in love with the heat it gets you out of it for a bit in the "hottest" park
 
Mireille

Mireille

Well-Known Member
I will throw another recommendation for Tusker House. It's not particularly adventurous food but it's got a lot of unique offerings and there's plenty of time to meet all the characters (Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy, I believe, in safari garb). The other I would recommend would be Garden Grill, the rotating restaurant in The Land in EPCOT. There it's Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale in overalls, but it's a family-style service instead of a buffet like at Tusker House, mostly "American" food like meatloaf and mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. Food is also good and the atmosphere when you rotate around to the Living with the Land areas is enjoyable. Those are my two favs.
 
wdwmagic

wdwmagic

Administrator
Moderator
Premium Member
zurgandfriend said:
Hello All,

My DS and I have another Father/Son trip coming up in 81 days. For some reason, whether it’s nostalgia, or possibly senility I want to go to a character meal. Let me say that I’m in my 70’s and my DS in his late 20’s. During our last trip in October, we had lunch with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace and really enjoyed it. At first, we were both a little sheepish about having our picture taken with Winnie and Tigger. The cast members attending the characters however were great in helping us get over our self-consciousness. All that said, what’s a good character meal for a couple of grown men? I am considering dinner at Chef Mickey’s. For reference, we are staying in the EPCOT resort area this time but are willing to travel.

Thanks in Advance

Z
Click to expand...
I would suggest Toplino's Terrace at Riviera. You could get on the Skyliner from EPCOT, and head up to the rooftop. It's got some great views, decent food, and a good character mix. I think it would work really with your party mix.
 
mattpeto

mattpeto

Well-Known Member
zurgandfriend said:
Hello All,

My DS and I have another Father/Son trip coming up in 81 days. For some reason, whether it’s nostalgia, or possibly senility I want to go to a character meal. Let me say that I’m in my 70’s and my DS in his late 20’s. During our last trip in October, we had lunch with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace and really enjoyed it. At first, we were both a little sheepish about having our picture taken with Winnie and Tigger. The cast members attending the characters however were great in helping us get over our self-consciousness. All that said, what’s a good character meal for a couple of grown men? I am considering dinner at Chef Mickey’s. For reference, we are staying in the EPCOT resort area this time but are willing to travel.

Thanks in Advance

Z
Click to expand...
I think my top 4 would be:
1) Artist Point
2) Topolino's
3) Tusker House
4) Crystal Palace

For a Father/Son combo - I'd probably do 2 or 3.
 
Tiggerish

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
I had a similar great experience at Crystal Palace the last time I took my mom to WDW. For her 80th bday.

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The other character meal that we enjoyed as much was breakfast at Cape May Cafe at Beach Club. Somehow, it seems like breakfasts are more welcoming of "older groups" ;) than dinners. JMO.

1738820924758.png


EDIT: OK, those were from 2014. Things may have changed over the past 10 years!!
 
AkiraRaptor

AkiraRaptor

Meega, nala kwishta!
I'd say Topolino's for breakfast. The tables are more spread out, so it's not at much a screaming kids thing like Chef Mickey's is. Plus, you get a better breakfast there than the normal staple foods.

We are trying the new 1900 Park Fare on our next trip. I've heard good things for that one too.
 
WorldExplorer

WorldExplorer

Well-Known Member
Topolino's Terrace (breakfast only). The character performers there are normally very good, and I say that as someone whose gone there with only adults. It's also one of only two character meals that isn't a buffet, which is nice.

It's also on the skyliner loop, so easy access from the Epcot resorts.
 
Tom P.

Tom P.

Well-Known Member
Are you wanting a restaurant that is in a park or one that is outside the parks?

For inside the parks, I would have said Crystal Palace, which is my wife's favorite, but you did that one last time. Assuming you want something new, I'd suggest Garden Grill at Epcot. It's a nice atmosphere and not as raucous as some, but it has good character interaction, good food, and will be fine for two adults.

If you're looking for a place outside the parks, I would personally go with Chef Mickey's. I know others might steer you away from it because it can be very wild and kid-heavy. For me, though, there is something absolutely unbeatably iconic about taking the monorail right into the middle of the Contemporary and stepping out onto that concourse. You have the classic Fab 5 characters and, personally, I've always found the food to be good. It's not fine dining, but it's decent quality.
 

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