Non-park character meal on a non-WDW trip (MBYBBQ or other?)

[momof2n2]

We are heading out on a cruise and have decided to spend five nights in Orlando first. We are going to do a handful of the things we don't make time to do on our park-focused vacations.

We are planning on day at Blizzard Beach, but that likely won't feel very Disney-esque.
I'd like to do a character meal on one of our days to get a little taste of Disney, especially for my youngest kids.

(We also have a day at Aquatica planned, as well a time in Clearwater.)

We've done, and enjoyed, Chef Mickeys.
I've always wanted to do Back Yard BBQ, but it is as expensive as CRT! However, if you spring for level 1 it sounds like you get considerable interaction???

Kids are boys 17, 15 and girls 13, 12, 8, 5 at time of trip. Though boys and older, they cheerfully participate in character stuff for their sisters' sakes. All six are good-natured. It's mostly about feeling like we had fun interaction for the money and time invested. A good meal wouldn't hurt , but characters trump taste in this case.

TIA

 

[raddisneyfan]

My vote--Breakfast at Beach Club's Cape May Cafe--better chance of seeing Donald than at Ohana.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you want Mickey-type friends, Cape May breakfast is your best bet.

For face characters, consider 1900 Park Fare (breakfast or dinner; different character sets at each) or the Bon Voyage breakfast.

 

[karrit2000]

Besides Mickey's Back Yard BBQ & Cape May Breakfast there is also Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno @ the Boardwalk with Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Ariel & Prince Eric. Grand Floridian's 1900 Park Faire has two character meals, Breakfast with Alice & the Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh & Tigger or Dinner with Cinderella, Lady Tremaine & the stepsisters. 'Ohana has Stitch, Lilo, Mickey & Pluto. Garden Grove at the Swan a character breakfast on certain days and also a character dinner. Ravello at the Four Seasons has a character breakfast. So those are your choices outside the parks other than Chef Mickeys. Trattoria al Forno I enjoyed a lot. I liked 'Ohana because Stitch is my favorite but now that they are serving ham instead of bacon I won't be going back. The breakfast food there was just ok. I personally haven't done any of the others but I did a dinner at 1900 Park Faire when they had the Villians Dinner and it was one of the best character meals I've ever done.

 

[jillt2ph]

We did the weekend character breakfast at Garden Grove last September and had a great time. It doesn't seem to get a lot of love, but we loved that it was not too crowded and the characters had time for us. We saw Chip, Dale, Pluto and Goofy IIRC. I love any place where I can get a made to order Omelette, with the exception of Boma where that area seems so chaotic. For some reason Goofy never made it to our table, and I mentioned that to one of the character handlers as we were leaving. He asked us to wait up on the main floor and brought goofy over to us. Was nice to get breakfast pics without all the plaes and food in them! We had TIW, which put the price at around $20 per person. They also take AAA, I think.

We had breakfast around 10 and followed up with a round of golf at Fantasia Gardens.

 

[JZCubed]

If you want Mickey-type friends, Cape May breakfast is your best bet.

For face characters, consider 1900 Park Fare (breakfast or dinner; different character sets at each) or the Bon Voyage breakfast.

What she said.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I agree with Cape May for breakfast ( or for lunch/dinner for that matter ).

 

[momof2n2]

I hate it when someone starts a thread and then disappears....

Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

I don't see any glowing recommendations for BYBBQ, so I think I will walk away from that. It really is a lot of money.

Besides Mickey's Back Yard BBQ & Cape May Breakfast there is also Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno @ the Boardwalk with Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Ariel & Prince Eric. Grand Floridian's 1900 Park Faire has two character meals, Breakfast with Alice & the Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh & Tigger or Dinner with Cinderella, Lady Tremaine & the stepsisters. 'Ohana has Stitch, Lilo, Mickey & Pluto. Garden Grove at the Swan a character breakfast on certain days and also a character dinner. Ravello at the Four Seasons has a character breakfast. So those are your choices outside the parks other than Chef Mickeys. Trattoria al Forno I enjoyed a lot. I liked 'Ohana because Stitch is my favorite but now that they are serving ham instead of bacon I won't be going back. The breakfast food there was just ok. I personally haven't done any of the others but I did a dinner at 1900 Park Faire when they had the Villians Dinner and it was one of the best character meals I've ever done.

Thank you for this input! I am really intrigued by Trattoria al Forno. We've never met a Rapunzel or an Ariel that were not extremely engaging. Historically they have been some of the best interactions we've had. And I like that it is Italian. The menu looked decent, too.

We did the weekend character breakfast at Garden Grove last September and had a great time. It doesn't seem to get a lot of love, but we loved that it was not too crowded and the characters had time for us. We saw Chip, Dale, Pluto and Goofy IIRC. I love any place where I can get a made to order Omelette, with the exception of Boma where that area seems so chaotic. For some reason Goofy never made it to our table, and I mentioned that to one of the character handlers as we were leaving. He asked us to wait up on the main floor and brought goofy over to us. Was nice to get breakfast pics without all the plaes and food in them! We had TIW, which put the price at around $20 per person. They also take AAA, I think.

We had breakfast around 10 and followed up with a round of golf at Fantasia Gardens.

A friend IRL also mentioned Garden Grove. I don't think I have ever noticed that one as I was getting it mixed up with Garden Grill. Being less busy is an awesome feature.

THANK YOU for the idea of mini-golf. I know it's crazy expensive there, but my kids love mini-golf and that would totally bless them.

I'm not big on Alice/Mad Hatter, and I'm afraid the Cinderella/Tremaine might be too much of a hype and then not deliver??? Had a sorry experience at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with Cape May for breakfast ( or for lunch/dinner for that matter ).

A point of clarification so others don't get confused. Cape May does not serve lunch and it is not a character meal at dinner

 

[momof2n2]

A point of clarification so others don't get confused. Cape May does not serve lunch and it is not a character meal at dinner

Oooo. I'm glad you posted this. I looked at Cape May menus today and wondered about these other meals.
Breakfast sounds like Crystal Palace?

 

[ElizaDoesDisney]

We did the weekend character breakfast at Garden Grove last September and had a great time. It doesn't seem to get a lot of love, but we loved that it was not too crowded and the characters had time for us. We saw Chip, Dale, Pluto and Goofy IIRC. I love any place where I can get a made to order Omelette, with the exception of Boma where that area seems so chaotic. For some reason Goofy never made it to our table, and I mentioned that to one of the character handlers as we were leaving. He asked us to wait up on the main floor and brought goofy over to us. Was nice to get breakfast pics without all the plaes and food in them! We had TIW, which put the price at around $20 per person. They also take AAA, I think.

We had breakfast around 10 and followed up with a round of golf at Fantasia Gardens.

I agree. We normally stay at Swan/Dolphin and I have SPG Plat status and get free breakfast at Garden Grove. I don't like characters (ducks flames) --- something about the characters in full costume really freaks me out (even though I know that's stupid). And every breakfast at Garden Grove we've gotten enough character interaction to make me truly uncomfortable. And we don't engage --- we've seen the characters spend a lot of quality time with other tables that are engaging them.

Plus, it's way cheaper than other character dining -- which is a huge plus in my books.

 

[AntJulie]

I don't see any glowing recommendations for BYBBQ, so I think I will walk away from that. It really is a lot of money.

We did Mickey's BYBBQ...I thought it was a little pricey but my grandson loves Mickey...unfortunately my daughter and granddaughter had some kind of stomach "bug" so they really did not each much...the character interaction is good though...they dance with the kids...sign autographs and take pictures...characters are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale...there's also other entertainment that will amuse the kids.

 

[heart]

My son is a huge character fan. He really, really liked the character breakfast at the Four Seasons. I wasn't there but he reported a lot of character interaction.

 

[momof2n2]

We did Mickey's BYBBQ...I thought it was a little pricey but my grandson loves Mickey...unfortunately my daughter and granddaughter had some kind of stomach "bug" so they really did not each much...the character interaction is good though...they dance with the kids...sign autographs and take pictures...characters are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale...there's also other entertainment that will amuse the kids.

Did you pay for the higher-tier seating and greeting?

 

[AntJulie]

Did you pay for the higher-tier seating and greeting?

No...we did not but they moved us because we needed to be under the fans due to my daughter and granddaughter not feeling well.