ependydad...Doug

My wife are bringing out kids down to the Orlando area this summer- either late June or sometime in July. We're staying at the Thousand Trails park in Clermont in our camper. We have a 10 year old daughter and a son who will be 2 years old by the time that we go. We are planning on doing mostly Sea World and some of the surrounding attractions (going up to Crystal River for swimming with the manatees, going to Port Canaveral, etc).

But, here's the reason for my post- we would like to do some kind of dining/character experience for my son. He *loves* Mickey, Minney, Goofy, Toodles (the whole Clubhouse gang), Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Doc McStuffins. The two things that we've found that seem like they would be decent fits are:

1) Mickey's Backyard BBQ

    PROS: get to dance and play with the characters

    CONS: seems like a big place and overbearing parents block views; outside venue in the summer; will my 2 year old be overwhelmed with the crowd + characters

2) Chef Mickey's

    PROS: the characters come to your table for a quick meet/greet and photo

    CONS: not much "play" with the characters (like the dancing w/ the BBQ); less than great food (we were there a couple of years ago and weren't wowed; worse that we really dislike buffets)

Are there other options? I think we did a meal in the Grand Floridian a couple of years ago when we stayed there. But it was really princess/prince geared. Great for my then 8 year old. Thinking my 2 year old won't be too into it.

As for taking your own tiara - we have taken entire dresses and tiaras in. My wife (and daughter) had very specific looks each time (to the point, she found someone from Brazil through Etsy to make a look-alike Belle dress fairly inexpensively!).

We have never had a need to change the hair or makeup. We've always been pleased.

We went from Port Orleans/French Quarter by taxi to Universal. If I recall correctly, to get 5 or 6 of us there was about $50 (I don't recall if that was each way or roundtrip). If I were going from FW to SeaWorld, I'd definitely opt for the taxi for the convenience of it (even if it is more expensive than the alternatives).

Thanks everyone! I ended up checking on CL and found a few folks who had firewood. I'm not looking for a ton, but I'm definitely looking for more than we'd pay in the bundles at the hardware or grocery store. I found a few places that essentially sold "by the piece" in bigger bundles. I'm guessing we'll want 50-60 pieces.

We're staying at the Thousand Trails park in Clermont. Should get there a week from today (in fact, right around this time of day!).

I'll admit, I'm cheating a little - I'm not actually staying at FW, but we are camping in Orlando for a Disney trip in mid-December. Maryland is under an emerald ash borer quarantine so I can't bring firewood with me. I'd love to find someone local to deliver a bit of firewood for a 2-week stay.

Can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!