What’s better than Mickey Waffles?

Mickey Waffles with our pal, farmer Mickey (And Pluto, Chip, and Dale)! Thankfully, breakfast has returned to one of our favorite character dining spots — Garden Grill. It’s been a few years since breakfast was offered here, and the menu has changed a little bit since we last visited, so I had to check it out!

Atmosphere

I snagged an early morning breakfast reservation and headed to the Land pavilion.

This pavilion is dedicated to human interaction with the Earth, and you’ll find all kinds of references to the natural world. Fun fact: There are four hot air balloons in the center of the pavilion that each represent a different season. If you look closely, you can spot a hidden Mickey in the snowflakes!

On the top floor of the building sits Garden Grill, where Cast Members greet you at check-in.

Dining at this spot is unique for two reasons. One: it ROTATES! Yes, this circular dining room spins (very slowly, don’t worry) while you chow down on your meal. Two: it’s directly above Living with the Land, and you get to see views of this attraction while you dine! Garden Grill even uses fresh produce that’s grown in the greenhouses down below.

There’s a mix of booths and tables within the dining room’s two rotating circles. If possible, you might want to try to ask for a table on the outer ring, where you’ll get a closer view of the scenes of Living with the Land.

I was seated at a booth on the outside, and was met with a Mickey table setting!

Speaking of Mickey, you’ll meet some of the best characters at this meal. First, Mickey looks adorable in his overalls! He is sure to let you know that he helped harvest the ingredients in the breakfast you are served.

Also, this is the only restaurant where you’ll find Chip and Dale! Here is Chip saying hello…

…and Dale visiting as well!

Lastly, Pluto is here to wag his tail and take a good look at the feast on your table.

Guests are welcome to get up from the table and get pictures, hugs, and autographs when the characters stop by.

Menu

Breakfast here is served family-style and costs $42 per adult (plus tax and gratuity) and $27 per child (plus tax and gratuity).

Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast includes a Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf, Smoked Bacon, Fruit, Eggs, Mickey-shaped Waffles, and more.

Alternatively,  the Plant-Based Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast is available as well.

There also is an allergy-friendly menu available.

Select non-alcoholic beverages are included with your meal, like coffee, tea, and fountain beverages. The Specialty Character Drink is available for an upcharge, or you could add on a Mimosa or Bloody Mary.

Let’s dig in!

Eats

After getting seated, I was promptly served a glass of water and a coffee, which were included with the meal.

I also ordered the Specialty Character Drink for $6.50. I was given a choice between The Little Mermaid and a Pixar cup and went with The Little Mermaid. The drink inside is the same for both: Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade with flavors of Cotton Candy.

The drink was a pretty blue color, and lemonade lovers will probably like this, but I didn’t taste much cotton candy. It is pretty kid-friendly, however, and you get to keep the cup!

The starters arrived quickly: Seasonal Fruit (which was watermelon on my visit), and the Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf.

In the past, one of our favorite items on the menu was Chip & Dale’s sticky buns, and they have since been replaced with the Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf.

Fortunately, the new loaf was delicious! When I first cut into it, I was a little concerned that it might be a bit dry, but the textures were actually perfect. Inside was a bit like a muffin — soft and fluffy…

…and the bottom was gooey and sticky, with an amazing caramelized flavor. On top was a nice, sweet crunch that I really loved. The combination of textures reminded me a little bit of a coffee cake, and I was really impressed.

Is this smothered in icing like the previous offering? No. If you’re an icing lover who was a fan of the sticky buns, you might be disappointed with this change, but I thought it was really delicious.

The watermelon was mostly fresh and sweet, with a few slices that were riper than others.

Shortly after, the breakfast skillet arrived.

The items on the skillet have changed a bit since breakfast was last offered as well. Previously, the meal had sausage and tater tots, but those are no longer on the menu. Instead, they have been replaced with the Grilled Flank Steak with Ranchero Sauce and the Cheesy Potato Casserole.

Personally, I loved the change to Cheesy Potato Casserole. The potatoes were seasoned well and soft but not mushy, and it was all held together with cheese. How can you go wrong?

I also enjoyed the Flank Steak, which I thought was tender and fresh, but it was on the rare side. I enjoy it that way, but keep that in mind if you prefer your meat to be more well done. The Ranchero Sauce was a bit mild and added a little bit of a tangy flavor to it.

The bacon was standard — a little bit crispy and on the smokey side. Nothing crazy, but it is bacon, so it was enjoyable.

The eggs were also good. They were simple, but soft and fluffy, without being dry.

And who can forget the Mickey Waffles?! Mickey himself shared that these are his favorite item on the menu, and who are we to argue with the mouse? These were delicious, as usual. Light and fluffy with a hint of vanilla. They were served with a side of butter and syrup.

Since this restaurant is family-style, it’s all-you-care-to-enjoy, so feel free to ask for more of anything!

The food here is pretty simple, but I thought it was solid. At the end of the meal, I was given a souvenir card.

On the back are all of the gangs’ signatures.

How adorable!

Nosh or Not

Say hello to Farmer Micker and the gang if…

• You’re looking for a fun character meal. The character interactions here are amazing. Mickey is adorable in his overalls, and Chip and Dale can only be found at this dining location. So fun!
• You love Living with the Land. Can’t get enough of the attraction? If you’ve already done the Behind the Seeds Tour, this is a great way to see more of this ride.
• You’re looking for a kid-friendly experience. There are a lot of options in EPCOT for great food, and some of them are a bit of an elevated experience. This is a great option for those looking for a fun meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

Grab breakfast elsewhere if…

• You’re looking for a more unique meal. The food here is good, but it’s your pretty standard breakfast offering.
• You are on a budget. You are paying for a character experience here, and $42 per person for breakfast is pricey! If you don’t mind skipping this character meal, you can find a much cheaper alternative in the park.
• You would rather eat your way around the World Showcase. This is all-you-care-to-enjoy, so you’ll likely leave full! If you’d rather have the room to try a bunch of little things around EPCOT, you might want to skip this spot.

Overall

Overall, I really enjoyed breakfast at this spot. Did the food blow me away? Not exactly. There wasn’t anything super unique about the food here, but it was still enjoyable! And, I did LOVE the Cinnamon Loaf. If you love traditional American breakfast and love Living with the Land, this is a great choice!

The character interactions here were also top-notch. It’s fun to see these pals “talk” about how they helped with the meal, and your time with them is pretty good compared to other character meals. If you have it in the budget for a character meal, this is a great one to try!

Click here to see our ultimate guide to the best Disney waffles!

 What is your favorite character meal in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!