Life with Mrs C

If you are in Epcot and looking for a fantastic character dining experience, Garden Grill is your spot! It’s a family friendly, served to your table character dining experience with 4 of your favourite Disney pals.

Where is it?

The restaurant is located in the Land pavilion, once you get to Epcot you head under the iconic ball and stick to the right. Head past The Seas pavilion on your right, and keep going you will find The Land. You automatically enter on the 1st level and the restaurant is straight ahead of you, with Soarin and The Land attractions on the ground floor underneath the restaurant area. The check in desk is just to the left and you will usually find a couple of cast members there to greet you and take your booking information

Who can you meet there?

This character dining experience allows you to meet 4 Disney favourites – the two cheeky chipmonks Chip and Dale, Pluto and the main man Mickey Mouse. Micky and Pluto are donned in their farming best, and the four friends rotate around thr restaurant. Other cast members check in to ensure each group has the chance to meet all 4 characters. They spend a decent amount of time with each table to allow for autographs, group and individual photos as well as selfies if you just ask – they love a good selfie

What’s the menu?

Both times I have eaten here I have been for breakfast – you get an option of juices, including the infamous jungle juice, as well as options of tea or coffee. Or if you wish you can order a breakfast cocktail.

Food wise for breakfast you get Chips sticky cinnamon bun, and a bowl of mixed fruits to start off with before a cast member brings you a skillet of breakfast foods – bacon, sausage, eggs, mini potato hashes and waffles. You also get chocolate sauce and syrup for the waffles and a salsa for the potato hashes. The food here is served ‘family style’ where it is brought to your table to share and you are offered a top up when you appear to be running low.

Lunch and dinner you have options of meats, mash, veg and salads. Drinks include juices, cocktails and other alcoholic options as well as your usual soft drinks.

Do you need a reservation?

I personally haven’t eaten here without one, but I know alot of Disney restaurants will keep spaces for walk ins – how this may have a changed during Covid I’m not sure but best to check. I would always work on the basis if you know you want to eat somewhere factor that into your plans and make a reservation. These can be tweaked and even cancelled up to 24 hours before with no cost.

What’s the price like?

On the Walt Disney World app the prices are set between $35 – $60 depending on the time of day you eat. For those in the UK that is £25 – £45 each. Character meals across the parks tend to run at similar prices, breakfast will be the cheaper option, lunch middle of the road and dinner the most expensive options. For those on the Disney Dining Plan (when it returns) this would cost you 1 table credit per person.

Final thoughts…

This has to be on my list of must do meals on each trip – the food has always been fabulous, the character interactions are brilliant and it’s it’s good way to meet some of your favourite characters away from the crowds and in some different outfits than you would usually find them in. The novelty of the rotating restaurant floor is fabulous for children as well and at certain points you can see down into The Land ride.

Rating…

As I’ve said I would visit this restaurant on every trip, happily. I would also pay out of pocket if I wasn’t using the DDP, as the quality of food is worth it as is the amount of food you get. 100% 5 stars for me!