If you’re searching for the best character dining at Disney World, trust me: You don’t want to overlook Garden Grill at EPCOT.
It’s easy to overlook one of EPCOT’s best restaurants. There are a lot of dining options in this particular Disney World theme park – but if you’re a parent, you’re going to want to make sure to plan a meal at Garden Grill.
Until recently, I hadn’t been to Garden Grill in years. The first time I dined there, my son was just a baby, and we went for breakfast. I enjoyed the experience, but afterwards, Garden Grill slipped my mind and fell off my radar during all my other trips to Disney World. Fast forward to my most recent visit to EPCOT, and with a last-minute change of plans for my day, I wound up booking a lunch at Garden Grill on a whim.
But I’m glad those plans changed, because that meal at Garden Grill ended up being one of my favorite dining experiences.
Garden Grill Serves Great Family-Style Food
It might sound obvious, but taking your family to one of Disney World’s family-style restaurants – like Garden Grill – is a great way to feed everyone. I didn’t think I’d enjoy family-style dining as much as I do; they didn’t initially impress me as someone who would choose a Disney World buffet any day. However, the family dining experience at Garden Grill is fantastic. The food is surprisingly delicious. In fact, I honestly wasn’t expecting the food to be so great, and I’d absolutely dine here again.
In some ways, the family-style meal at Garden Grill is nicer than a buffet; you might not have as many food choices, but you do get unlimited servings, brought right to your table! The Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast includes a delicious salad, mouth-watering cornbread, steak, turkey, mashed potatoes, farm-fresh vegetables, macaroni and cheese, as well as super-fresh green beans. A plant-based variation is also available.
As an added bonus, some of the produce served at Garden Grill is grown in the greenhouses from Living with the Land. It’s a rare opportunity to dine on food from one of EPCOT’s iconic attractions.
Garden Grill is Dining and an Attraction All in One
Photo by Danny Shuster
Garden Grill is no average restaurant. It’s different in way that’s both big and subtle: The dining room rotates as you eat. You may not notice the movement once you sit down, but the room does circle around the Living with the Land attraction and the interior of The Land Pavilion within the World Nature neighborhood.
While you take in the sights during your meal, I love how private the dining tables feel at Garden Grill. One of the most unique features of this restaurant is its layout; all the booths are arranged in a circle, which allows you to dine without being visible to other guests. It feels very intimate, and when your booth is rotating through the different scenes — rainforest, prairie, and farmhouse — it’s pretty tranquil.
You’ll even get some restaurant-exclusive POVs that you’d never get while riding Living with the Land. Garden Grill allows you to view the Farmhouse from Living with the Land from a new viewpoint and sneak a peek inside the secret bedroom, a glimpse you’ll only get to see here.
You’ll Get to Meet Disney Characters in Their Farm Day Best
Of course, I can’t forget to mention the most obvious draw of Garden Grill: It’s a character dining experience.
But in my opinion, one of the best aspects of dining at Garden Grill is that unlike character buffets such as Chef Mickey’s, where you might only see the characters once or twice — if you’re lucky — you have the chance to see Pluto, Mickey, and Chip ‘n’ Dale multiple times during your visit. This allows plenty of time with each character and numerous picture opportunities.
Oh, and that’s not to mention that Mickey is adorable in his farmer outfit!
Garden Grill Isn’t Cheap, But It’s Worth Splurging On
Photo by Danny Shuster
Like all character dining experiences, there is one obvious drawback of dining at Garden Grill: The cost is pricey. Here, breakfast costs around $33.00 per child (ages 3-9) and $49 per adult. Lunch and dinner will cost $42 per child (ages 3-9) and $62 per adult.
However, I think the blend of character experiences and one-of-a-kind views you’ll get here paired with the unlimited family plates of whatever you run out of really allow you to get your money’s worth. Don’t skip Garden Grill – odds are it’ll become a favorite of yours, just like it is for my family.
