Eating with the Characters
 

We are planning a trip to WDW this May and my kids ages 4 & 8 want to eat with Mickey--Anyone ever been to Chef Mickey's prime rib buffet dinner at the Contemporary resort??

<BR>try www.wdwig.com for info.....

While I'm not familiar w/ that particular one we've eaten at several and the kids love them all

We did Chef Mickey's 4 years ago in Florida and just this past June in Anaheim. It is a must with young kids, The food is fine but the multitude of characters who visit during the meal will delight your children. Don't forget to take autograph books for each child and a camera.

We have been to practically all the character meals and this is what I've found:....best character breakfasts are in the on-sight hotels (ie Polynesian, Grand Floridian) We have done the meals at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kindgom twice and both times were a bust. They overbook and the wait is awful, especially with young children. Best bet is to make a reservation at one of the above hotels for an early breakfast and hop on the monorail and head into the parks. If you eat in the park, you will waste a lot of valuable park time that you have invested a lot of money in. The hotel meals do a better job and are not near as crowded.

We have been to several character breakfasts. We go to WDW very often. The food at the parks is very expensive, so we find that if we eat breakfast at our hotel we can do a very late lunch at one of the Character spots. <BR> <BR>We have always found it best to get one of the last seatings, 2:45 or 3:00. Lunch is cheaper than dinner, but food is practically the same. By taking the late seatings most people have left and your kids gets more attention from the characters. <BR> <BR>Our favorites are Breakfast at Cinderella's castle, it has the Princesses. Lunch at the Garden Grill in Epcot, it has Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale in Farm outfits and the restaurant revolves. <BR> <BR>What ever you choose to do, I find it least crowded at the last seating. By the time you eat desert, there may only be one or two other tables with guests.

My kids also liked the Garden Grill, even the 11-year-old. Characters did a lot of interacting, maybe because we sat on lower level and ate early. Here's how we handle WDW feedings: grab a muffin and juice in the room, get to an early-entry park, eat lunch at 11 and dinner around 4:30. I find that when we are the first ones there, both the food and the servers are fresh (in a good way!) <BR>You might enjoy checking out your choices at this site; it's all Disney restaurant reviews: <BR>http://members.aol.com/eatwdw/eatwdw.html

We have eaten at Chef Mickey's several times and have always enjoyed it. The food is well prepared as far as buffets go. They have a wide variety of salads, peel your own shrimp, hot dishes and choices that appeal to younger children.

Hi Andrea, <BR> <BR>Everyone has legit responses but I think it really depends on what your looking for. Chif Mickey's was our favorite. There wasn't much for food choices at the Garden Grill. The Crystal Palace was nice but very crowded. Not much room to enjoy since the tables were so close. We grabbed a muffin at the hotel and hit the parks early, planned a midmorning buffet at one of the character breakfasts (check times some stop serving breakfast earlier)we chose breakfast because this is what our kids preferred. (10, 3,& 1 1/2) Then had an early dinner as well. At MGM they used to have a restaurant called Sound Stage Studio. I think they have changed their name but they were quite good as well. Wouldn't give up the breakfast idea. They will definitely enjoy it. Also before I go don't forget to check which Character will be at your breakfast. Some are repeats. This way you can cover them all. We were also very fortunate and hit a huge amount of characters just mulling around the crowds in the parks. Have fun!

Chef Mickey's is a must for our family. We have celebrated our grandson's last two birthdays (5th & 6th) there & he had a ball. You will have lots of fun & the food is great. Don't forget to take a camera/camcorder & autograph book. Make a reservation ASAP - they book up fast.