Orlando Travel Forum

I want to make a reservation for a character breakfast and lunch for my trip to Disneyworld in May. I wondered if anybody could recommend a breakfast/lunch. I have two boys aged 6 and 8 and an 11 year old girl. We are not too bothered about which characters we dine with (obviously nothing too girly). If you have had a good experience somewhere, I would be grateful for your comments. We are vegetarian but I guess Disney will cater for this. Many thanks...

It was some years ago, but we did Breakfast with Mickey at the Disney Hotel that we were staying at - we had all ages from my grandmother who was 89 down to Barb's baby. It was some years ago as that baby is now 8. I think the oldest child (other than my oldest daughter who was 16) was about 7 or 8 years old. A mix of sexes. Anyway, Mickey was there, and so were Chip and Dale and Minnie and some other characters. I didn't remember that we could pick the characters. It was just Breakfast with Mickey.

The breakfast was a buffet, so you could get what you wanted. I think they brought you something to drink.

We had lunch with Winnie the Pooh many years ago, and although it sounds like it's for "babies" my grandsons enjoyed it. They had a great selection in the buffet so they "should" have something vegetarian. To be sure I checked their page and they will make arrangements, but it's a good idea to advise them first - scroll down on the page to see the 'special dietary needs':
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/dining/the-crystal-palace/

Hi - we've had breakfast/dinner at about 4-5 of the resorts. Characters change (and menu also). Some are definitely "girly". Check online for the specific resorts and menus. We've always liked breakfast at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. They also offer breakfast at the Magic Kingdom if you want to check that out. Since you're vegetarians you might want to stick with breakfast - I think you'll have more options. Have a great time!

I can highly recommend the character breakfasts at Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom or Tusker House at Animal Kingdom. Both serve wonderful buffet style meals which should give you plenty of tasty vegetarian options. We also had a character dinner at the Liberty Tree Restaurant in Magic Kingdom which was very good. Check out their menus at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/
Hope you have a great time.

I can highly recommend the character breakfasts at Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom or Tusker House at Animal Kingdom. Both serve wonderful buffet style meals which should give you plenty of tasty vegetarian options. We also had a character dinner at the Liberty Tree Restaurant in Magic Kingdom which was very good. Check out their menus at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/
Hope you have a great time.

I can highly recommend the character breakfasts at Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom or Tusker House at Animal Kingdom. Both serve wonderful buffet style meals which should give you plenty of tasty vegetarian options. We also had a character dinner at the Liberty Tree Restaurant in Magic Kingdom which was very good. Check out their menus at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/
Hope you have a great time.

Thanks for your help everyone. I can't wait to go...

Thanks for your help everyone. I can't wait to go...

If you are coming between now and October, prepare for hot and humid. Coming from the UK it will be easy to be at the park first thing in the morning when the weather is more forgiving. The character lunch is a good idea, and will give you time to cool off during the day - good to take a bit of an extended lunch maybe from 12 to 2 PM which is the hottest part of the day.

Bring light cotton clothing, but realize inside buildings the air conditioning sometimes is quite cold (not always) - so maybe have a light shirt in your backpack. Also make use of the "express" rides - sign up for the express line as much as possible.

Not to spoil your trip, just to make sure you're prepared for heat!

Ok, here is a real cheat. Years ago we went to the breakfast with our children. We were just going to the breakfast and then heading to another location for the day. As we were leaving the park was just opening to the general public and all of the characters, including Mickey came out to open the park. As we were in the right side of the fence, we got to mingle with all of the characters and I remember doing a polka with several of them.

So there is a choice here. You can get into the short lines early in the morning afforded by the breakfast or you can create a real memory with the characters at the gates first thing in the morning.

Right now it's raining and very grey here so I will look forward to some Florida sunshine. Hope we all cope with the humididty ok. I love the "cheat" idea for breakfast. I would never have thought of that so thanks for sharing it!!!

I prefer the Crystal Palace. It's a Tiger, Pooh and friends theme but not overly girly. The food is the best out of the character buffet meals and the location is light and open.

In my personal experience I have enjoyed The Crystal Palace Character Buffet and the Chef Mickey Buffet. Crystal Palace is in Magic Kingdom and has a Tigger and Pooh theme to it. Chef Mickey is located in the Contemporary Resort on Disney Property and has the Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and pals theme.

Chef Mickey is a bit wild and less organized. The varity of food here is larger than Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace is a more calm atmosphere and I liked the bright and airy feel to the place. The food is of a superior quality to Chef Mickey's though. We also received better service here from the wait staff.

If you have dietary issues you can call ahead to DIsney and they will tell you what restaurants and venues are best suited for a vegetarian family. The staff is always accomodating.

Hope you have a great trip!

we were in disney this past august and had dinner at the crystal palace with tigger, pooh, eyeore and piglet. my son loved it and thought it so cool to hug the characters.

Thanks everyone for all of your advice and help. I have now booked and we are having lunch with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace. Disney recommended the Cape May restaurant at the Yacht and Beach Club hotel for veggies as it is a buffet so we have a reservation for that too. Can't wait!!!

Have fun and enjoy!