One of the restaurants open with a modified character experience at Walt Disney World right now can be found in EPCOT’s Land Pavilion at The Garden Grill. Always one of our families’ favorite restaurants, I did not feel the modified experience disappointing at all! Here is what you can expect on your next visit.
When you are near the restaurant and closing in on your reservation time you’ll be able to check-in virtually via your My Disney Experience app. When you get a notification that your table is ready, you’ll head to the hostess stand where a cast member will take you to your reserved table.
Once seated at your table you’re allowed to remove your mask and soak in this cool experience! The entire restaurant is set on a 360-degree moving platform which slowly circles around giving you views of the Land Pavilion, different backgrounds, and my favorite - an overview of the Living With The Land ride below! A usual dining experience will have you do a complete circle allowing you to see everything. It moves so slowly, unless you know you’re moving, you probably won’t even notice.
Disney has done away with the traditional menus and instead will have a queue code on the table. Scanning it will bring up not only the prix fix menu served family-style but drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic available for purchase.
As mentioned, this meal is served family-style and all portions of the meal are all you can eat. Once you’ve finished a portion, your cast member will refill to your heart’s desire. Currently, only lunch and dinner options are available for reservations and both will offer the same items.
You’ll begin your meal with a light, refreshing salad and rolls with sweet butter. Fun fact - all of the greens and vegetables in the salad is grown and harvested right downstairs in the Living with The Land greenhouse!
Your main course is next and a large cast-iron skillet is brought out filled to the brim with roast beef topped with chimichurri sauce, turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, and green beans. You will also receive a large side of macaroni and cheese; my kids always love the Goldfish topping on them! If your children are picky eaters, ask the chef to help accommodate their tastes. They always, at a minimum, will have chicken fingers and french fries to offer, but can usually work with even the pickiest of eaters.
Make sure to leave room for dessert! You’ll be served one of the most delicious berry shortcakes you’ve ever had. Angel food cakes topped with a berry compote and whipped topping. Again, all the berries have been grown and harvested on Disney property!
Of course, one of the best aspects of this restaurant is the characters' interactions. You will normally have encounters with Mickey and gang, all dressed in their farmer’s best as they stop by your table for hugs and autographs. In this modified experience you will still get to see your favorite characters, but they will circle behind your table. Guests can stand up and take selfies or pictures with the characters standing behind them. You’ll find Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale making the rounds!
Normally guests can have the characters sign their autograph books; instead, Disney is giving all guests pre-signed postcards with a pretty picture and character signatures. I thought it was a great souvenir from a fun dining experience!
While it is a bit different than usual, I feel the experience overall was a great one. Guests still have the opportunity to interact with the characters, albeit at a distance and you still leave with those coveted character signatures and pictures!
| Jade Monzo is the owner of Rope Drop Travel, a full-service travel agency specializing in Disney destinations. She lives with her husband and seven little ones ages ten and under. She enjoys helping with her children’s school PTO’s and all things Disney. |
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