Crystal Palace or Akershus Experiences with Toddler

We are going to Disney World with our toddler (will be 17 months, so yes, very early toddler stage) and would like to do a character dining experience. I have done Crystal Palace, as have my parents who will be with us, a couple times in the past. I am concerned Winnie the Pooh and friends could be too frightening for my toddler (or, possibly not, it's really a tossup). My hunch is that she will be more freaked out by the larger characters than face characters like Disney princesses.

I know that 17 months is very young for Disney princess dining, but I still think the adults would enjoy. If you've done either, or both, with children this age, what were your experiences like?