Whats a good character dinner?

BuzzLightyear · 03-31-2003

Hi

Looking for advice on a character dinner to do, something around 5:30 pm. We already have a PS for Crystal Palace at lunch time one day, and I'm sure we'll do a breakfast.
Anything that stands out in particular ?

Thanks in advance!!!!

ArielBelle · 03-31-2003

Hi Buzz!

I just spent all day Sunday planning my PS. (because I am a planning fool) I think your boys are similar ages to my children, so let me tell you what I got.;)

Chef Mickey's sounded the best as far as food selection and characters. The dinner buffet has great choices for grown-ups and kids.

Also, Mickey's Backyard BBQ has music, dancing and characters. That sounds like a blast. I think it may be seasonal, so check it out.

We are also doing Crystal palace for the 1.5 year old. I am holding out for a Toy Story breakfast...August????

We chose mostly dinners because my kids are cereal eaters, so breakfast won't thrill them.
Hope I helped...loks like I rambled.:D

Willbegone · 03-31-2003

We did 1900 Park Fare at that time and it was WONDERFUL! I would definetly recommed that plus we got to check out the GF. Also, after you done you can take the monorail to MK and catch the fireworks. (I wish we had done that!) The prime rib was wonderful along with the spinach!!

ArielBelle · 03-31-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Willbegone
We did 1900 Park Fare at that time and it was WONDERFUL! I would definetly recommed that plus we got to check out the GF. Also, after you done you can take the monorail to MK and catch the fireworks. (I wish we had done that!) The prime rib was wonderful along with the spinach!!

Oh Willbegone, I am so glad you mentioned 1900 Park Fare. I have a dinner planned for my DD.What characters did you run into? I am trying to plan one dinner for geared toward each child's favorites.

Crystal palace for the "baby", Chef Mickey for my DS 3, and 1900for my DD 5. Does that sound good?

Willbegone · 03-31-2003

That sounds great! Cinderella, Prince Charming, Suzie and Perla all came around to the tables and Fairy Godmother was in the hallway. A PS around 5:30 is perfect because it isn't crowded yet and the characters spend alot of time with you. When we left at around 6:30 it was getting packed and the characters were not spending as much time at each individual table. I can't tell you enough how great the spinach is!!!!

BuzzLightyear · 03-31-2003

Thanks Arielbelle & Willbegone. Think I have at least narrowed it down between Chef Mickeys (forgot all about that place) and 1900 park Fare.
Hey! Maybe we'll do both!!
Thanks again for the replies!

dab · 03-31-2003

Chef Mickey's is our favoite character dinner hands down!! We did the GF Cinderella's Gala Feast in Jan and weren't impressed with it. The food was good but we were very disappointed in the character experience. At that time Cinderella & Prince Charming were in the hallway (along with a long line to see them) and the only characters that visited tables were Suzy, Perla and Fairy Godmother. I've heard they were changing it around a bit with Cinderella and PC visiting tables so perhaps what Willbegone reported is what you could expect. If you are driving your own car, parking at GF is difficult. You have to park really far away as all the spaces in front of the hotel are valet. We got there close to our PS time and didn't have the time to park and walk a long distance so we had to valet which added to our already expensive dinner experience! ArielBelle mentioned Mickey's Backyard BBQ. We did that in Oct. 2001 and it was a blast. My DD was then almost 3 and she still talks about it! I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but there were plenty of other side items and the live music and dancing with the characters (Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale & Goofy) was a blast!

ArielBelle · 03-31-2003

I keep reading great experiances with the Hoop Dee Doo and the Backyard BBQ. I really cannot decide which to do. I am wondering if doing both (over a 7 day stay) may be a bit much. As I previously posted, we are doing three other character dinners.
Will I be overloading and planning too much???

BuzzLightyear · 03-31-2003

I missed the boat on Chef Mickeys. Can't get a dinner PS there earlier than 8pm during the whole week we are going to be there. Guess I'll check for cancellations when we are in Disney. But Hey! Gives me a reson to go back in 2004!!!

ArielBelle · 03-31-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by BuzzLightyear
I missed the boat on Chef Mickeys. Can't get a dinner PS there earlier than 8pm during the whole week we are going to be there. Guess I'll check for cancellations when we are in Disney. But Hey! Gives me a reson to go back in 2004!!!

What time are you looking for? I have been told if 5:30 is not available, try 5:40 or 5:50. Did you try that??

BuzzLightyear · 03-31-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by ArielBelle
What time are you looking for? I have been told if 5:30 is not available, try 5:40 or 5:50. Did you try that??

I told them to check for anytime between 5:00 and 6:30. Should I call back and be more specific - like tell them to check 5:40 - 5:45 etc.. ?
Thanks!!

Willbegone · 03-31-2003

I know the feeling Buzz same thing happened to me with Chef Mickey's actually I couldn't get a good PS for breakfast or dinner. So that is a MUST DO for us in 2005.

ArielBelle · 03-31-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by BuzzLightyear
I told them to check for anytime between 5:00 and 6:30. Should I call back and be more specific - like tell them to check 5:40 - 5:45 etc.. ?
Thanks!!

I don't know how that works...sounds like you covered it. BUT, I never take no for an answer. I would try again and again and again. Maybe someone will cancel. Or when you arrive you could try again.

We couldn't get a PS for Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel before we left. When we arrived, we got the exact time I was looking for.:)

I hope it works out for you!

goofygal1975 · 03-31-2003

It wouldn't hurt to try calling Chef Mickeys again, to ask for more specific times, such as 5:20, 5:35,5:50. Good luck!! This is are family favorite (even grandma and great grandma likes it!!)

dab · 04-01-2003

You could also try showing up for dinner right at 5:00 (or whatever the first dinner seating time is) without a PS. Sometimes you can get in because they have no shows or late arrivals and want to keep the restaurant full... especially at the earlier seatings! If you can't get in it will still be early enough and you are only a quick monorail stop away from MK to go back and grab a bite there.

03-31-2003	#1 (permalink)
BuzzLightyear MB Cast Member ® Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Space Mountain Posts: 3,917	Whats a good character dinner? Hi Looking for advice on a character dinner to do, something around 5:30 pm. We already have a PS for Crystal Palace at lunch time one day, and I'm sure we'll do a breakfast. Anything that stands out in particular ? Thanks in advance!!!! __________________ 86,92,96 Offsite * 2002 AKL * 2003 BCV * 2004 Contemporary * 2005 WL * 2006 BWV* 2008 CSR * My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 107 days 7 hours 13 minutes

03-31-2003	#2 (permalink)
ArielBelle Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Saratoga Springs Posts: 802	Hi Buzz! I just spent all day Sunday planning my PS. (because I am a planning fool) I think your boys are similar ages to my children, so let me tell you what I got.;) Chef Mickey's sounded the best as far as food selection and characters. The dinner buffet has great choices for grown-ups and kids. Also, Mickey's Backyard BBQ has music, dancing and characters. That sounds like a blast. I think it may be seasonal, so check it out. We are also doing Crystal palace for the 1.5 year old. I am holding out for a Toy Story breakfast...August???? We chose mostly dinners because my kids are cereal eaters, so breakfast won't thrill them. Hope I helped...loks like I rambled.:D __________________ WDW 1984 WDW1991 May-June 2001 Disneyland Hotel August 2003 Wilderness Lodge May 2007 Riverside

03-31-2003	#6 (permalink)
BuzzLightyear MB Cast Member ® Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Space Mountain Posts: 3,917	Thanks Arielbelle & Willbegone. Think I have at least narrowed it down between Chef Mickeys (forgot all about that place) and 1900 park Fare. Hey! Maybe we'll do both!! Thanks again for the replies! __________________ 86,92,96 Offsite * 2002 AKL * 2003 BCV * 2004 Contemporary * 2005 WL * 2006 BWV* 2008 CSR * My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 107 days 7 hours 13 minutes

03-31-2003	#7 (permalink)
dab Perpetual Trip Planner Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,604	Chef Mickey's is our favoite character dinner hands down!! We did the GF Cinderella's Gala Feast in Jan and weren't impressed with it. The food was good but we were very disappointed in the character experience. At that time Cinderella & Prince Charming were in the hallway (along with a long line to see them) and the only characters that visited tables were Suzy, Perla and Fairy Godmother. I've heard they were changing it around a bit with Cinderella and PC visiting tables so perhaps what Willbegone reported is what you could expect. If you are driving your own car, parking at GF is difficult. You have to park really far away as all the spaces in front of the hotel are valet. We got there close to our PS time and didn't have the time to park and walk a long distance so we had to valet which added to our already expensive dinner experience! ArielBelle mentioned Mickey's Backyard BBQ. We did that in Oct. 2001 and it was a blast. My DD was then almost 3 and she still talks about it! I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but there were plenty of other side items and the live music and dancing with the characters (Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale & Goofy) was a blast! __________________ http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timer...8lwbwx9enz.png

03-31-2003	#8 (permalink)
ArielBelle Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Saratoga Springs Posts: 802	I keep reading great experiances with the Hoop Dee Doo and the Backyard BBQ. I really cannot decide which to do. I am wondering if doing both (over a 7 day stay) may be a bit much. As I previously posted, we are doing three other character dinners. Will I be overloading and planning too much??? __________________ WDW 1984 WDW1991 May-June 2001 Disneyland Hotel August 2003 Wilderness Lodge May 2007 Riverside

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Whats a good character dinner?

03-31-2003	#3 (permalink)
Willbegone Southern Princess Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Too far from WDW! Posts: 2,658	We did 1900 Park Fare at that time and it was WONDERFUL! I would definetly recommed that plus we got to check out the GF. Also, after you done you can take the monorail to MK and catch the fireworks. (I wish we had done that!) The prime rib was wonderful along with the spinach!!

03-31-2003	#5 (permalink)
Willbegone Southern Princess Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Too far from WDW! Posts: 2,658	That sounds great! Cinderella, Prince Charming, Suzie and Perla all came around to the tables and Fairy Godmother was in the hallway. A PS around 5:30 is perfect because it isn't crowded yet and the characters spend alot of time with you. When we left at around 6:30 it was getting packed and the characters were not spending as much time at each individual table. I can't tell you enough how great the spinach is!!!!

03-31-2003	#9 (permalink)
BuzzLightyear MB Cast Member ® Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Space Mountain Posts: 3,917	I missed the boat on Chef Mickeys. Can't get a dinner PS there earlier than 8pm during the whole week we are going to be there. Guess I'll check for cancellations when we are in Disney. But Hey! Gives me a reson to go back in 2004!!! __________________ 86,92,96 Offsite * 2002 AKL * 2003 BCV * 2004 Contemporary * 2005 WL * 2006 BWV* 2008 CSR * My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 107 days 7 hours 13 minutes

03-31-2003	#12 (permalink)
Willbegone Southern Princess Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Too far from WDW! Posts: 2,658	I know the feeling Buzz same thing happened to me with Chef Mickey's actually I couldn't get a good PS for breakfast or dinner. So that is a MUST DO for us in 2005.

03-31-2003	#14 (permalink)
goofygal1975 Goofy For Disney Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: AL Posts: 1,735	It wouldn't hurt to try calling Chef Mickeys again, to ask for more specific times, such as 5:20, 5:35,5:50. Good luck!! This is are family favorite (even grandma and great grandma likes it!!) __________________ goofygal1975.com see my disney pictures and trip reports, and Disney Cruise Info! ~~Heather~~ ~~A Dream is a wish your heart makes~~ All-Star Movies 12/02 All-Star Movies 2/03 All-Star Sports 10/02, 06/03 , 07/03,12/03(MVMCP 12/5/03) Pop Century 2/04, 5/05, 7/05 CBR 12/04, 5/05 Disney Wonder Cruise 5/15/05-5/19/05 WL 8/05 Many trips 2005-2006 ~~Engaged at Disney, CRT 8/19/06~~ Sept 2007 DisneyMoon Dec 2008 AKV May 2009 7 night Disney Cruise

04-01-2003	#15 (permalink)
dab Perpetual Trip Planner Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,604	You could also try showing up for dinner right at 5:00 (or whatever the first dinner seating time is) without a PS. Sometimes you can get in because they have no shows or late arrivals and want to keep the restaurant full... especially at the earlier seatings! If you can't get in it will still be early enough and you are only a quick monorail stop away from MK to go back and grab a bite there. __________________ http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timer...8lwbwx9enz.png

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