Character Meals Super Thread!!

[MICKEYFIL]

Phoned today to get my priority seating. I had e-mailed first but hadn't heard anything for a little bit so I decided to call in. When I got through and gave them my information they asked me if I had another reservation. I told them that I had e-mailed as well but had heard anything yet. She very nicely stated that my enthusiastic nature was neccesary for dining at DL. She made it sound like there is no mad rush to get the seating. She then told me that DW in Florida is whole other kettle of fish. She told me to go there you need to call 180 ahead of time and better be on the phone first thing in the morning.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Phoned today to get my priority seating. I had e-mailed first but hadn't heard anything for a little bit so I decided to call in. When I got through and gave them my information they asked me if I had another reservation. I told them that I had e-mailed as well but had heard anything yet. She very nicely stated that my enthusiastic nature was neccesary for dining at DL. She made it sound like there is no mad rush to get the seating. She then told me that DW in Florida is whole other kettle of fish. She told me to go there you need to call 180 ahead of time and better be on the phone first thing in the morning.

We've never had any problems getting a reservation at Disneyland......we've added stuff while we actually at the parks.

We just did our 180 day out on the WDW reservations. Dining is a different thing there & some of the very popular places are hard to get at times. The difference there is you can do ALL of your reservations on the 180 day mark (up to 10 days). So unlike Disneyland, where you need to call everyday until you have your entire trip covered, when you do your WDW ressies, there are already tons of reservations made because the 10 days prior, people were making their 180 + 10 days.

 

[ammeador2]

We've never had any problems getting a reservation at Disneyland......we've added stuff while we actually at the parks.

We just did our 180 day out on the WDW reservations. Dining is a different thing there & some of the very popular places are hard to get at times. The difference there is you can do ALL of your reservations on the 180 day mark (up to 10 days). So unlike Disneyland, where you need to call everyday until you have your entire trip covered, when you do your WDW ressies, there are already tons of reservations made because the 10 days prior, people were making their 180 + 10 days.

I was absolutely amazed when I called last week to make our reservations for DL, I asked the CM if there was any chance we could get any character breakfast lunch or dinner for our 3 days, the lady was kind of huffy and told me that I need to pick a date and time and we would go from there...so I did and she says ah, we have from 730-10 am available...lol...I apologized told her I wasn't trying to be difficult but I am so used to calling 180 out and still not getting what I wanted! I figured Cali would more difficult!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I was absolutely amazed when I called last week to make our reservations for DL, I asked the CM if there was any chance we could get any character breakfast lunch or dinner for our 3 days, the lady was kind of huffy and told me that I need to pick a date and time and we would go from there...so I did and she says ah, we have from 730-10 am available...lol...I apologized told her I wasn't trying to be difficult but I am so used to calling 180 out and still not getting what I wanted! I figured Cali would more difficult!

Yup, much easier to get those reservations at DL. The only ones that are a tad harder would be things like Napa Rose~Chef's Table & Carthay Circle (since it just opened). Otherwise, making your dining reservations right at 60 days isn't necessary. (unless you're very specific on time).

 

[ExcitedSam]

HI,

Just wanted to check about pricing, you have to add the tax to those prices, is the gratuity added already or you have to add that on top as well? Sorry, Aussie here and we do things a little differently, just want to know how much I should budget for!

 

[ammeador2]

HI,

Just wanted to check about pricing, you have to add the tax to those prices, is the gratuity added already or you have to add that on top as well? Sorry, Aussie here and we do things a little differently, just want to know how much I should budget for!

You have to add tax 7.75% and 18% gratuity, however, I know there is a site to order the premium dining vouchers to prepay for your meal...but I can't find it. It's $40 for adults and $21 for children and you don't have to pay additional tax and gratuity. I am hoping someone will post the link to purchase these as it will save us $30 or more...

 

[DizNee Luver]

HI,

Just wanted to check about pricing, you have to add the tax to those prices, is the gratuity added already or you have to add that on top as well? Sorry, Aussie here and we do things a little differently, just want to know how much I should budget for!

You have to add tax 7.75% and 18% gratuity, however, I know there is a site to order the premium dining vouchers to prepay for your meal...but I can't find it. It's $40 for adults and $21 for children and you don't have to pay additional tax and gratuity. I am hoping someone will post the link to purchase these as it will save us $30 or more...

This info is correct, you still need to figure tax & tip on top of the listed prices.

As for the character meal vouchers, I found this thread that lists a few different places you can look into them. Remember also to figure what time of year you're going.....the prices on the first page are thru about the 3rd week of August & then I believe are coming down. It's always best to call Disney Dining with specific dates to find out the price of the character meal you're interested in going to.

VOUCHER THREAD

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Bump. Seeing questions on page 1 again, and this thread had fallen to page 3.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Bump. Seeing questions on page 1 again, and this thread had fallen to page 3.

Thank You!! Been buried under kids lately.....

 

[interstate70s]

I have a question about Surf 's up. I saw on another thread that Stitch is hit or miss now that its Mickey and friends. I know only the title character is guaranteed, but has anyone had experiences at this breakfast when Stitch wasn't there?

 

[DizNee Luver]

I have a question about Surf 's up. I saw on another thread that Stitch is hit or miss now that its Mickey and friends. I know only the title character is guaranteed, but has anyone had experiences at this breakfast when Stitch wasn't there?

Oh, I hadn't heard that, so I'll be interested to hear from people that have gone lately. Stitch has been there every time I've gone, but I haven't been since February.

 

[interstate70s]

Oh, I hadn't heard that, so I'll be interested to hear from people that have gone lately. Stitch has been there every time I've gone, but I haven't been since February.

Hmm... I 've searched tripadvisor reviews, many seem to list Stitch, if they list any of the characters at all. I guess it never occurred to me that Stitch wouldn't be there. I suppose if nobody weighs in, maybe its a pretty rare occurrence that he's absent from Surf's Up.

 

[Ride Junkie]

We did the Surf's Up breakfast in March, and it was Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Stitch. Not sure if the character lineup has changed recently?

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hmm... I 've searched tripadvisor reviews, many seem to list Stitch, if they list any of the characters at all. I guess it never occurred to me that Stitch wouldn't be there. I suppose if nobody weighs in, maybe its a pretty rare occurrence that he's absent from Surf's Up.

We did the Surf's Up breakfast in March, and it was Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Stitch. Not sure if the character lineup has changed recently?

With this being the meal that used to be hosted by Lilo & Stitch, leaving Stitch was a nice touch......it stays with that laid back, beach theme they have going. I'm thinking that Mickey (being the host) and Stitch are almost always there......but I also imagine on that rare occasion, something can happen and one of them not be there. Disney always states that none of the characters are guaranteed.

 

[Babybears]

This info is correct, you still need to figure tax & tip on top of the listed prices.

As for the character meal vouchers, I found this thread that lists a few different places you can look into them. Remember also to figure what time of year you're going.....the prices on the first page are thru about the 3rd week of August & then I believe are coming down. It's always best to call Disney Dining with specific dates to find out the price of the character meal you're interested in going to.

VOUCHER THREAD

I know I saw the answer to this a while back, but can't seem to find it. The information notified everyone of the "seasonal price increase" and had specific dates of the upcharge, as well as when we could expect the prices to return to their "off season" prices. Can anyone please confirm these dates, as that will be a factor for us in our upcoming trip in late August???? TIA

 

[DizNee Luver]

I know I saw the answer to this a while back, but can't seem to find it. The information notified everyone of the "seasonal price increase" and had specific dates of the upcharge, as well as when we could expect the prices to return to their "off season" prices. Can anyone please confirm these dates, as that will be a factor for us in our upcoming trip in late August???? TIA

I wish I could give you a definite on this.....but when I called Disney Dining to inquire about prices, I guess I didn't note the date. All I can advise you to do, is call Disney Dining directly at 714-781-3463, Option #4 and inquire about the dates you'll be there & the character meals that you're planning on going to.

I still think it was about the 3rd week of August, which actually surprised me.....I figured the prices would hold thru Labor Day Weekend......but I guess not.

 

[Sherry E]

I just had to pop in and comment on the topic of whether or not a character (like Stitch at Surf's Up) is at a certain meal all the time.

About 2 or 3 years back, I remember that there was a thread where the question of which characters were at Goofy's Kitchen popped up. Now, in all of my years at Goofy's Kitchen - and I think it's fair to say that I have a lot of experience with that character meal - I don't think there has ever been a time when I've eaten there and Chip and Dale were not there. In my Goofy's experience, which spans 20 years, Chip and Dale have always been there, and continue to be there. It never occurred to me that they wouldn't be there all the time, simply because they are always there when I'm there. So if I were to answer a question of whether or not Chip and Dale are always at Goofy's, I would say yes - because that's what I know to be the case.

But then one of our wise DIS'ers - aussietravellers - mentioned that Chip and Dale are not "always there" at Goofy's, because when she has been there it has been hit or miss. Sometimes they were there; sometimes they were not there. Sometimes only one of them was in the restaurant and the other one was missing. So based on her particular experience, if she were to answer a question about whether or not Chip and Dale were there, she would have to say not always. She was very correct - I have no idea what happens in that restaurant when I'm not there (other than reviews I've read), just as she had no idea what happened at Goofy's when she wasn't there.

When I was reading the posts about Stitch being at Surf's Up or not being there, I had to chuckle because I was reminded of the Chip & Dale at Goofy's debate.

I guess the profound moral of the story is that these characters are always there...until they're not there! Stitch will be at Surf's Up...until he is not there...and the times that he is not there may not be when you are there!




...A continued great job with the thread, Laurie!! I knew you'd do a bang-up job of handling it!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I just had to pop in and comment on the topic of whether or not a character (like Stitch at Surf's Up) is at a certain meal all the time.

About 2 or 3 years back, I remember that there was a thread where the question of which characters were at Goofy's Kitchen popped up. Now, in all of my years at Goofy's Kitchen - and I think it's fair to say that I have a lot of experience with that character meal - I don't think there has ever been a time when I've eaten there and Chip and Dale were not there. In my Goofy's experience, which spans 20 years, Chip and Dale have always been there, and continue to be there. It never occurred to me that they wouldn't be there all the time, simply because they are always there when I'm there. So if I were to answer a question of whether or not Chip and Dale are always at Goofy's, I would say yes - because that's what I know to be the case.

But then one of our wise DIS'ers - aussietravellers - mentioned that Chip and Dale are not "always there" at Goofy's, because when she has been there it has been hit or miss. Sometimes they were there; sometimes they were not there. Sometimes only one of them was in the restaurant and the other one was missing. So based on her particular experience, if she were to answer a question about whether or not Chip and Dale were there, she would have to say not always. She was very correct - I have no idea what happens in that restaurant when I'm not there (other than reviews I've read), just as she had no idea what happened at Goofy's when she wasn't there.

When I was reading the posts about Stitch being at Surf's Up or not being there, I had to chuckle because I was reminded of the Chip & Dale at Goofy's debate.

I guess the profound moral of the story is that these characters are always there...until they're not there! Stitch will be at Surf's Up...until he is not there...and the times that he is not there may not be when you are there!




...A continued great job with the thread, Laurie!! I knew you'd do a bang-up job of handling it!

Thanx Sherry!! I'm trying my best!!!

 

[FireflyJar]

deleted

 

[interstate70s]

I just had to pop in and comment on the topic of whether or not a character (like Stitch at Surf's Up) is at a certain meal all the time.

About 2 or 3 years back, I remember that there was a thread where the question of which characters were at Goofy's Kitchen popped up. Now, in all of my years at Goofy's Kitchen - and I think it's fair to say that I have a lot of experience with that character meal - I don't think there has ever been a time when I've eaten there and Chip and Dale were not there. In my Goofy's experience, which spans 20 years, Chip and Dale have always been there, and continue to be there. It never occurred to me that they wouldn't be there all the time, simply because they are always there when I'm there. So if I were to answer a question of whether or not Chip and Dale are always at Goofy's, I would say yes - because that's what I know to be the case.

But then one of our wise DIS'ers - aussietravellers - mentioned that Chip and Dale are not "always there" at Goofy's, because when she has been there it has been hit or miss. Sometimes they were there; sometimes they were not there. Sometimes only one of them was in the restaurant and the other one was missing. So based on her particular experience, if she were to answer a question about whether or not Chip and Dale were there, she would have to say not always. She was very correct - I have no idea what happens in that restaurant when I'm not there (other than reviews I've read), just as she had no idea what happened at Goofy's when she wasn't there.

When I was reading the posts about Stitch being at Surf's Up or not being there, I had to chuckle because I was reminded of the Chip & Dale at Goofy's debate.

I guess the profound moral of the story is that these characters are always there...until they're not there! Stitch will be at Surf's Up...until he is not there...and the times that he is not there may not be when you are there!




...A continued great job with the thread, Laurie!! I knew you'd do a bang-up job of handling it!

Yeah I know nobody's guaranteed, my DH and I were actually comparing it to Chip and Dale at Goofy's too, although not from a previous thread, just from our experience at Goofy's from the 90s on. I was just curious about other's experiences when I saw that other thread about Stitch with "hit or miss" BTW that poster never had an experience at Surf's Up without Stitch anyway, just thought he might not be there because of the name change. My DS and DD discussed the gamble and decided we should go to Surf's Up anyway on the next trip, and play the odds that he's there, either way character meals are lots of fun!