Tusker house. Or garden grill for breakfast at 8. To be in line for soarin at 9 wo fast pass

I'll give another pitch for Crystal Palace. We do love Tusker House and have been there five times (yikes), but at least one of my kids likes Crystal Palace even more. The breakfast food there is really good -- there's a bread pudding thing that I dream about (they call it lasagna -- it's not) -- plus all the regular brunch standards. It's very open and airy and you get time with the characters.

Hated Chef Mickey's -- very loud and crowded, food was lousy, half the characters didn't even come by and the ones that did seemed like we were a major imposition on their busy days.

The princess ones always feel awkward. I just feel bad for those women. I'm sure they love their jobs, but I just am wincing inside watching all the creepy grown men taking pictures with them and how they flinch a little every time the flash goes off in their faces.

Anonymous wrote:Lunch at Tusker House was GREAT. I am slightly biased as I was early pg at the time and had a hard time eating much at all, but wolfed down a lot at TH. DD enjoyed the characters and was intrigued by their safari-style costumes (she was 4 at the time).
If you are looking for a character but not Disney character meal, the hoop de doo revue is great. It was super cheesy in a really fun, well done way, everyone including grandparents really enjoyed it. and the food was pretty good, too.

OMG, Hoop Dee Doo. We went last year, and I hadn't been since I was a kid. DH rolled his eyes a lot when I was describing it to him ahead of the trip, but he went along for the ride and LOVED it. Great food and a lot of fun for all ages. It's expensive though (but what at WDW isn't?)

We did the outdoor safarii ride at Animal Kingdom at opening and the train ride. then had an early lunch at Tusker House which was awesome. Then went over and watched the Lion King during the height of the mid-day sun/heat. It was a really good combo.

Lunch at Tusker House was GREAT. I am slightly biased as I was early pg at the time and had a hard time eating much at all, but wolfed down a lot at TH. DD enjoyed the characters and was intrigued by their safari-style costumes (she was 4 at the time).
If you are looking for a character but not Disney character meal, the hoop de doo revue is great. It was super cheesy in a really fun, well done way, everyone including grandparents really enjoyed it. and the food was pretty good, too.

I would recommend the Four Seasons, especially if you can do it on day off from the parks. http://www.fourseasons.com/orlando/services_and_amenities/disney_experiences/character-breakfast/ It's not offered every day but it's great food and I honestly almost had to ask the characters to leave because they were spending so much time at our table and I needed DS to eat! We've also done the Cape May Café which was fine but the more typical 2-3 minutes with each character as they made their rounds.

I haven't had breakfast there, but I can't imagine it's as good as the lunch. The lunch food was SO good!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP--Looks like your answer is Tusker House!

OP here - thanks. I agree that the results are more than I anticipated. Tusker House does look like the best option. I guess from our resort we would just take the bus to Animal Kingdom, do the breakfast, and then plan half a day to a day at that park? The Garden Grill may be an option, too, as we can do the monorail to Epcot for that one (and take advantage of beating the lines for Soarin' like someone else said).

We like to do the last breakfast seating (10:30 or 10:45) so we can hit the main attractions from 9-10:30 and then basically treat the "breakfast" as our early lunch.

We did Garden Grill for dinner with our 2 boys and they both enjoyed it; we (the parents) did to. It was low key, not super loud, and the food was actually decent. It is family style and you don't get a choice for dinner, they just bring the food out. But it was your typical meat/starch/salad/dessert.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP--Looks like your answer is Tusker House!

OP here - thanks. I agree that the results are more than I anticipated. Tusker House does look like the best option. I guess from our resort we would just take the bus to Animal Kingdom, do the breakfast, and then plan half a day to a day at that park? The Garden Grill may be an option, too, as we can do the monorail to Epcot for that one (and take advantage of beating the lines for Soarin' like someone else said).

You could try to get a Pre Park Opening breakfast reservation for Tusker House as well, so you can head to the busier attractions like Kilamanjaro safari or Expedition Everest early. Also, if you are interested in watching "Rivers of Light" show, they have special packages where if you eat at Tusker House or Tiffins, you get the special seating. You have to book that package though--you can't just make a regular reservation to get it. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/rivers-of-light-dining-package/

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP--Looks like your answer is Tusker House!

OP here - thanks. I agree that the results are more than I anticipated. Tusker House does look like the best option. I guess from our resort we would just take the bus to Animal Kingdom, do the breakfast, and then plan half a day to a day at that park? The Garden Grill may be an option, too, as we can do the monorail to Epcot for that one (and take advantage of beating the lines for Soarin' like someone else said).

I know you said you have a boy but for any girl parents:

We ate at the 1900 Park Faire Cinderella Dinner with DD last fall. Much cheaper the princess meals in the parks and a chance to met the Tremains and the Prince. Food was decent.

Great thread-- we're going with a 6- and 3-year-old and are trying to maximize our own character experiences. Just added a reservation for Tusker House!

Wow OP--Looks like your answer is Tusker House!

Agree Tusker House is the best. Garden Grill 2nd.