All character dining is overpriced for the food. I’ve never been to one (and I’ve been to MANY) that I considered the food to be worth the price. At Garden Grill, the food was simple but edible fare. There are some picky eaters in our group, and the basic nature of the food actually played well with our needs. They even brought out some gluten free items for us! So no complaints about any of the food.
That being said, I LOVE the character interaction at Garden Grill! It is so much less hectic, so much more intimate. You don’t have to deal with the mobbing and photobombing and high decibel level of the other venues. If you have shy ones in your party, it is a much more relaxed introduction.
So if you enjoy high-level, high-excitement, loud dance party interactions, I’d choose another venue. But for a soothing, happy atmosphere, interesting changing views, and very edible food, and the coolest characters, I wouldn’t hesitate to book Garden Grill.
We generally stick to a fairly strict budget when we go. If any at all, we maybe do 1 or 2 TS meals/trip MAX. So, we really appreciate these experiences when we do have them.
LWTL is DBF’s absolute favorite ride. So, for 1 trip, I planned a day primarily around that pavilion. We did the Behind the Seeds Tour(BIG hit for him), then had lunch at Garden Grill, then rode LWTL. Such a relaxing afternoon!
We actually loved all the food, with I think one exception if I’m remembering right and it was some sort of spoon bread. The salad was fresh, delicious, and it was so fun knowing we got to eat produce grown right there. Everything else was lovely. The character interactions were fun, private, and they made their rounds more than once.
As everything is expensive in WDW, we were prepared for our one time splurge that trip and felt it was completely worth it. However, there are only 2 of us. If I was going with a group and paying for everyone, I’d take into consideration if they were likely to appreciate the food and experience and skip it if not.
After reading all this, I am considering switching my Akerhus breakfast for a Garden Grill lunch.
When I went 10 years ago, it was the only food my daughter ate every thing on her plate!!! She’s a picky eater, so it was nice to see her enjoy the platter of food they brought. Seems like the menu is slightly different currently, but fairly similar. It was worth it for us!
Our family really enjoyed it for the “sensory break” as Morespreadsheets perfectly described. We enjoyed the characters and I have only a hazy memory of the food, which means it was fine. I don’t think any of the food at WDW is “worth it” compared to the real world; it has to be measured by other metrics such as what does your family need at that point in time, how does the character interaction compare to other options, what park are you in etc. This is not fine dining food, but I am a foodie and would definitely remember if the food was in any way subpar. I recall it as relaxing, the boys (young then) really enjoyed the Chipmunk fun, and we were happy to have some wholesome food. We were refreshed and ready for more attraction seeking, line standing, and walking!!
For food, we prefer Tusker House for the greater variety, and “fine” character interactions. This year we are going to try Storybook Dining in Artist Point even though we have been told the food is not “worth it.” I am hoping the atmosphere and chance to see Snow White, Dwarves and Evil Queen, will complement food that is “fine.” It will be worth it to me.
I surprised my sister with a supper here (thanks to a Liner making our reservations ). Also I got my sister a t-shirt that says Queen with her crown because I was pretty sure the Queen didn’t think she was evil.
The food is fine. Some things were more what I like than others but it was “fine”.
The characters were fine. Grumpy was grumpy enough, etc.
And then our Queen arrived (after dessert of course). Wow. She was beyond regal. She didn’t merely walk through the dining area. She was imposing as she promenaded across her realm to her audience position to greet her subjects.
Hopefully, on the day of your visit, she’s feeling equally regal.
Adding: we love Tusker House also especially with an ADR as near to park close as possible.
I would not do dinner again but I would consider breakfast. Character interaction is great, but honestly if you want Chip and Dale they are frequently floating around tomorrowland and frontierland. I would save the money unless the menu was really appealing. Sometimes it is nice to sit inside air conditioning though. We typically hop over the Odyssey building if we need a break.
I think WDW is recognizing people want more character interactions that aren’t behind an ADR pricewall. With the summer and resort interactions I think they are pulling that lever. I actually saw a couple characters out at various locations this weekend which I was surprised about.
That being said, if your goal is quality interactions with characters, WDW is the wrong place compared to Disneyland. Your not going to end up on teacups with Alice at WDW.
). Also I got my sister a t-shirt that says Queen with her crown because I was pretty sure the Queen didn’t think she was evil.
