Help decide!

[mudpuppysmom]

I can't seem to decide a few of our meals.....so I would like some feedback as to what you all think....pros/cons (are there cons at disney???)

Cali Gril vs Artist Point for dinner

Cape May vs Ohana for breakfast, early ADR around 8 am.

Chef Mickey's vs Crystal Palace for breakfast; early ADR's....around 8 am again.

We are a party of four.....two adults and two boys ages 3 and 9. My 3 year old cannot have any meat, dairy, or soy, so he is quite a challenge to feed at times when on vaca, but if all else fails he will eat fruit and be a happy camper. We have been to WDW before and the chef's have been wonderful in helping us feed him. The ONLY place I will say that I had an issue was as Tusker House in the AK, but I pretty much knew what he could eat there, I just needed to know if things were cooked in water or stock and we were good.

[stitch34]

I haven't eaten at all of your choices, but here's our experiences that could help you decide.

Cape May v. O'hana - We ate a Cape May last year for the first time, since we were staying at Beach Club, and had a great time. Good service, character interaction, and food. We always like getting the characters in different outfits and here you see them in their beach gear. Also like to say the buffet had lots of choices and I know O'hana's is served family style, which is why we've never tried there for breakfast because some members in our party only like 1 or 2 items listed on the menu. When we were there they definitely had a lot of fruit options on the buffet.

Chef Mickey's v. Crystal Palace - Never been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast, but we have done Crystal Palace. With an early dining time, it is really neat to enter MK before the park opens. Being one of a few families walking down Main Street is neat experience and you can get good pics in front of the castle. As for the meal itself, we've never had any complaints about Crystal Palace. While we've never ate at Chef Mickey's for breakfast, we've been disappointed with our last few times there for dinner and won't be going here again this year. I may be in the minority, but character interaction here leaves something to be desired at least for us. We've had to wait a long time for characters to get to our table, and then when they get there it's very quick and rushed.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I've only eaten at one but based on menu:

California Grill over Artist Point
Ohanas over Cape May
Crystal Palace

[McLiberal8]

The only 2 I have been are Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys.
I loved both, but I think Crystal Palace was my favorite. I felt kind of 'lost in the crowd' at Chef Mickey's, and at Crystal Palace, my servers have always been amazing.
I am a vegetarian, and the chef at CP has never hesitated in coming to my table and asking if he can make anything special for me.
Plus, if you go early enough, you can walk around MK before it opens!

[joonyer]

The one and only time we ate at artist point the food and service were great. I'd go there again. But if I was choosing between AP and California Grill I'd choose CG for the overall experience. We've always had very good food there, once or twice the service was a little bit off (nothing worth complaining about), but the atmosphere is "top of the world". It's my favorite dining experience at WDW.

[SBETigg]

My choices would be California Grill, Cape May (though I also love 'Ohana), and Crystal Palace.

[Jared]

1. Definitely California Grill over Artist Point. Many people consider California Grill the best restaurant on property, besides perhaps Victoria & Albert's. The reputation is deserving.

2. I prefer the atmosphere and location of Cape May. It's brighter and airier and seems to set the mood better for a day at the park. I love the idea of a nice breakfast at the Beach Club before walking over to the International Gateway.

3. This one's a push, in my opinion. I don't particularly like either restaurant and have trouble distinguishing them. If you are planning an early-morning reservation, I'd pick Crystal Palace for the experience of entering the Magic Kingdom early and walking down an empty Main Street.

[mudpuppysmom]

I did fail to mention that we have eaten at all but Cape May and while "we" (which is usually code speak for the kid(s)) enjoyed them my DH is a bit put off by the noise and crowds that typically gather at the buffets....which is why we need to go early! He has told me that "if we go back there we need to go early again, before it gets like the mad house it is now!" (which is usually what it is when we leave around 9ish).

Imagine crowds and noise at Disney.....UGH!

Thanks for the input so far....keep it comin'! I wish we could eat at all of them, but we just can't....well, mom can't!

[EJS-Houston]

I can't seem to decide a few of our meals.....so I would like some feedback as to what you all think....pros/cons (are there cons at disney???)

Cali Gril vs Artist Point for dinner

Cape May vs Ohana for breakfast, early ADR around 8 am.

Chef Mickey's vs Crystal Palace for breakfast; early ADR's....around 8 am again.

We are a party of four.....two adults and two boys ages 3 and 9. My 3 year old cannot have any meat, dairy, or soy, so he is quite a challenge to feed at times when on vaca, but if all else fails he will eat fruit and be a happy camper. We have been to WDW before and the chef's have been wonderful in helping us feed him. The ONLY place I will say that I had an issue was as Tusker House in the AK, but I pretty much knew what he could eat there, I just needed to know if things were cooked in water or stock and we were good.

Artists Point is very good...but I find that restaurants in hotels in which you aren't staying are logistically more difficult to get to. I'd go with California Grill just because it's in a hotel on the monorail and will be easier and faster to get to when your reservation time rolls around.

[crazygoalie39]

California Grill is probably a better restaurant so I would recommend that for you, but for my taste I prefer Artist Point. As for the other two, I would go with Cape May and Chef Mickey's.

[ElenitaB]

Here's my , for what it's worth:

Cali Gril vs Artist Point for dinner — I'd vote for Cali Grill, but be absolutely sure to note your son's dietary restrictions on your ADR. As he basically eats a vegan diet, both restaurants have been known to be hit or miss. Giving them advance notice will help a lot.

Cape May vs Ohana for breakfast, early ADR around 8 am. — Again, you will do better at 'Ohana to meet the needs of your son's diet. It's been a while since we've been at Cape May for breakfast but I've looked at it again recently since I changed my diet and it really doesn't offer much.

Chef Mickey's vs Crystal Palace for breakfast; early ADR's....around 8 am again — Either restaurant will be able to provide vegan-friendly breakfast foods (specially made waffles and/or pancakes, fruit, breads, etc.) but since you've mentioned that your DH was not a fan of Cape May, I don't think he'd like CM very much at all (I know I don't and I can handle Cape May but really do not like Chef Mickey... I tried, I really did ). We do like Crystal Palace. And since it's a buffet, you'll be able to eat what you want and your DS will be able to eat what suits him best.

[nfrustaci]

BE SURE TO NOTE YOUR SONS ISSUES WITH FOOD ON THE ADRS..... VERY IMPORTANT !!! DISNEY IN MY EXPERIENCE IS WONDERFUL WHEN IT COMES TO THESE THINGS. THEY WILL MAKE ANYTHING THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO EAT AND I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH YOU MUST NOTE IT ON YOUR ADRS. CALL IN ADVANCE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF YOUR SONS ISSUES. AND CALL THE DAY OF YOUR RESE. THE CHEF WILL APPRECIATE AN ADVANCE NOTICE . THEY WILL BE PREPARED FOR YOUR ARRIVAL. IT IS ALWAYS FRUSTRATING WHILE ON VACATION TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOUR CHILD CAN EAT. AND IF IT WILL HARM HIM. THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN HAVING A SICK CHILD ON VACATION . GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A MAGICAL VACATION .

[cjdami]

Cali Gril vs Artist Point for dinner we have eaten at Cali before ans as much as everyone love this one I do not. If given this choice I would want artist Pointe, we have ot eaten there before.

Cape May vs Ohana for breakfast, early ADR around 8 am. We have eaten at both places and enjoyed both, food is good. If DH doesn't like Cape May then I would go for Ohana's.

Chef Mickey's vs Crystal Palace for breakfast; early ADR's....around 8 am again. we have eaten at both places. Chef Mickey's does get loud when they do the napkin twirl. You might do better at Crystal Palace. Plus walking down Main Street when it's still empty is just so cool!!

I do agree with the other posters, make sure you note your son's allergies on the ADR's. It will help the chef out!!

Whatever you choose enjoy!!

[brownie]

We love going to Cape May Cafe for breakfast. The food has always been good and we like the atmosphere. It's not real crowded if you go first thing in the morning. I think 7:30am is when it opens; I'd get an advance dining reservation for then, or as early as you can.

Chef Mickey's was an experience. It was loud and crowded the one time we went for breakfast. We enjoyed it but I'd much rather go to Cape May Cafe.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. We've only had dinner at 'Ohana, breakfast at Artist Point when they had the Winnie the Pooh character breakfast, and breakfast at the Crystal Palace back in 1994, which I believe was a la carte. We've never eaten at California Grill.

[KAT1811]

If it were me:

California Grill - We did not care for our meal at Artist Point and cannot say that we would return. One of the few meals we have really not liked. California Grill IMHO is an experience in itself. The view alone is wort it.

'Ohana - We have done both meals. Can't say that I would go out of my way for either (hate to waste park time ) But . . . if I had to choose between the two of them . . . it would depend on where I was planning on going after. If I were heading to the MK then 'Ohana, if I were heading to Epcot or DHS then Cape May.

Crystal Palace - HANDS DOWN!!! The food is amazing (the only breakfast we have to do every trip). The walk down an empty Main Street early in the morning is one of the most magical moments ever. No random strangers in your castle pictures, no crazy crowds. It's just perfect early in the morning.

Have a fabulous trip and I hope all goes well with your son's dietary needs!