Character Meals Super Thread!!

Hey ya'll I do have a question, sometime soon my friend and I are probably be going to one of the character meals (I love them, she likes them too) but my friend has a severe fear of characters that can actually talk (so like the Princesses, etc..I also get uneasy about them, but I can somewhat handle it lol) which leads me to a few questions:

1. My friend is really interested in eating at Ariel's Grotto, and from what I read it's a Princess type meal is there a way I can ask if we can skip all the Princess stuff and have them not come to our table? I don't want to be rude to any of the Princesses, and I am sure just avoiding the restaurant is an option but she thinks the food looks good.

2. When is the least busy time at Surf's Up, Storyteller's and Goofy's kitchen? We're interested in the breakfast, and want to eat as early as possible so we don't have a lot of people there and it doesn't become to overwhelming for the both of us.
 
Is there a consensus favorite meal for character variety and interaction? My five-year-old son really enjoys the "extras" ... Games, dance, etc.

I think we only want to do one. Was looking at Storytellers, since we decided to stay at Grand Californian, and potentially Minnie, since I always think the in-park meals can be the most exciting.

Goofy's Kitchen also seems to get a lot of good mention here. What makes that one special?

No consensus. People like Goofy's for various reasons. We don't like it because we find it dark and there was no show when we were there. We like Mickey's Surf's Up because of the show. We like Storytellers for the food. They also do a walk around the restaurant, it isn't a show like at Surf's Up, but it was cute and my kids liked it. Minnie's has the most characters and great interaction with them (although we've never felt rushed any of the other places either).
 
Hey ya'll I do have a question, sometime soon my friend and I are probably be going to one of the character meals (I love them, she likes them too) but my friend has a severe fear of characters that can actually talk (so like the Princesses, etc..I also get uneasy about them, but I can somewhat handle it lol) which leads me to a few questions:

1. My friend is really interested in eating at Ariel's Grotto, and from what I read it's a Princess type meal is there a way I can ask if we can skip all the Princess stuff and have them not come to our table? I don't want to be rude to any of the Princesses, and I am sure just avoiding the restaurant is an option but she thinks the food looks good.

2. When is the least busy time at Surf's Up, Storyteller's and Goofy's kitchen? We're interested in the breakfast, and want to eat as early as possible so we don't have a lot of people there and it doesn't become to overwhelming for the both of us.

You can always request that the characters (furries/face) pass your table. They probably even have a few tables, more out of the way, that will make it easier for them to skip you. Just mention when making your reservation, remind them at the check-in desk & then let your server know as well.

I'd say the first seating at the 3 hotels would probably be the quietest. The first seating at the 2 in the park would be busier, as people love to get into the parks prior to opening.
 
AddictedtoDoleWhip said:
1. My friend is really interested in eating at Ariel's Grotto, and from what I read it's a Princess type meal is there a way I can ask if we can skip all the Princess stuff and have them not come to our table? I don't want to be rude to any of the Princesses, and I am sure just avoiding the restaurant is an option but she thinks the food looks good.

Does a character meal without characters make any sense?! I don't think so! There are so many other good restaurants without characters you can go to!
 


Does a character meal without characters make any sense?! I don't think so! There are so many other good restaurants without characters you can go to!

But if they want to pay the character meal price for their meal, they surely have the option of eating there. Sometimes people have a fear of characters up close, but from a far, it's ok. We really enjoyed the dinners when it was with the WoC dining packages.....so kinda sad that meal isn't offered with out the princesses.....the food was that good!! (I don't mind the princesses showing up, but not sure my grown sons would be as thrilled....lol)
 
My friend is not afraid of the furry characters (Mickey, Chip, Dale, Donald Duck, etc) she's afraid of the Princesses or any ones where you can actually see a persons face who you have to converse with verbally.

I am well aware that you know we pay for hte price of a character meal, and we're okay with that since she is okay with Mickey & Friends and Stitch and all of them. She just doesn't like the characters like... Princesses, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Tinkerbell, etc.
 
My friend is not afraid of the furry characters (Mickey, Chip, Dale, Donald Duck, etc) she's afraid of the Princesses or any ones where you can actually see a persons face who you have to converse with verbally.

I am well aware that you know we pay for hte price of a character meal, and we're okay with that since she is okay with Mickey & Friends and Stitch and all of them. She just doesn't like the characters like... Princesses, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Tinkerbell, etc.

I've seen other people come in to the character meals and not do any interacting with the characters at Goofy's & at Surf's Up. They come in for the food on the buffets. It's totally up to the diner if they want to pay the higher prices for a character meal & not have characters visit them. :goodvibes
 


id say dont do gk or plaza inn but at mickeys surfs up your friend should be fine not seeing any regulare ppl looking chrs. but goffys may have peter pan or princess and some at minnies plaza inn may too
 
id say dont do gk or plaza inn but at mickeys surfs up your friend should be fine not seeing any regulare ppl looking chrs. but goffys may have peter pan or princess and some at minnies plaza inn may too

Probably Surf's Up & Storytellers would be safe for no face characters. But her friend wanted to eat at Ariel's Grotto, so knowing that there will be 5 princesses (Ariel when you first go downstairs & 4 during the meal), they should be able to request that the princesses skip their table but still enjoy the food here.
 
On our recent trip to Minnie's, we didn't see any characters that had real "faces." Minnie, Chip and Dale, Capt. Hook, Tigger, Eeyore, Max, Rafiki, and Daisy were the characters we saw. I know the characters rotate so I guess it is possible to encounter a real-faced character.
 
On our recent trip to Minnie's, we didn't see any characters that had real "faces." Minnie, Chip and Dale, Capt. Hook, Tigger, Eeyore, Max, Rafiki, and Daisy were the characters we saw. I know the characters rotate so I guess it is possible to encounter a real-faced character.

The one that comes to mind is the Fairy Godmother has been at this meal. (forgot to mention that on the front page....guess I'll go fix that!!) I've also seen Peter Pan & Alice.
 
The one that comes to mind is the Fairy Godmother has been at this meal. (forgot to mention that on the front page....guess I'll go fix that!!) I've also seen Peter Pan & Alice.

Yes, I remember seeing some pictures of the Fairy Godmother! I forgot the pictures were from Minnie's b-fast. lol
 
Yes, I remember seeing some pictures of the Fairy Godmother! I forgot the pictures were from Minnie's b-fast. lol

:goodvibes She used to be there every time we went (and I loved it was always the same lady)....but I haven't seen her the last couple times.
 
From her pictures, she looks to have the sweetest face!

036a-1.jpg


She was always amazing!!!
 
DizNee Luver,

Thank you so much for this information! I've only read through your initial posts so far, but this has been very helpful!

I'm trying to talk DH into one of the Pixar cruises and arriving a day early and visit DL and do one of the character meals.

Also, I think you're making a big mistake by dropping Garden Grill. It is hands down the best character interaction at a meal in WDW, hands down. I know it's only four characters (and I'm trying to get them to add Donald--I mention it every time we go), but Chip and Dale are worth it and it's the only restaurant they appear at in all of WDW. Go. Please.

Finally, which nine character meals are you doing at WDW?
 
DizNee Luver,

Thank you so much for this information! I've only read through your initial posts so far, but this has been very helpful!

I'm trying to talk DH into one of the Pixar cruises and arriving a day early and visit DL and do one of the character meals.

Also, I think you're making a big mistake by dropping Garden Grill. It is hands down the best character interaction at a meal in WDW, hands down. I know it's only four characters (and I'm trying to get them to add Donald--I mention it every time we go), but Chip and Dale are worth it and it's the only restaurant they appear at in all of WDW. Go. Please.

Finally, which nine character meals are you doing at WDW?

You're very welcome!! How fun, the Pixar Cruise!!!! :hyper: I hope you're able to come in early & enjoy a day at Disneyland & a meal!

WDW related:
We get to see Chip & Dale a lot at Disneyland. We wanted to do this meal....but we're only doing 2 days in Epcot (and not doing park hoppers).....so we're a little limited on how many meals we can do. I just need more days!!! :bitelip:

Ok, lets see, the character meals at WDW we have ADR's for:
Cinderella's Royal Table~dinner, Crystal Palace~breakfast, Tusker House~breakfast & lunch, Akershus~breakfast, Cape May~breakfast, Ohana~breakfast, Chef Mickey~breakfast, 1900 Park Fare~breakfast & dinner. So 10 meals, 8 different restaurants.

If we add another day, I'll make sure to add in Garden Grill!!!
 
Just starting planning DD's first trip to DL (WDW vets) and this is SO helpful! Is there a similar thread for non-character dining?
 
Just starting planning DD's first trip to DL (WDW vets) and this is SO helpful! Is there a similar thread for non-character dining?

I'm glad this could help!!! Unfortunately, as far as I know...there's isn't another dining thread (for table or counter service).

Looking at menus & then coming on and asking for opinions of places that sound good to you will probably be the best advice I can give you.

We have a few favorites: Cafe Orleans~New Orleans inspired cuisine with indoor & patio seating. Blue Bayou~Located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, dark, expensive but fun to do at least once!! Carnation Cafe for breakfast....delicious!! Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe.....new place that has some delicious treats & sandwiches!! PCH Grill (dinners only at the Paradise Pier Hotel)~~California cuisine in a laid back setting.

Everyone will have differing opinions......so knowing what the restaurants offer will help you narrow it down.
 

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