How do character breakfasts work?

[xenole]

Ok, I make an ADR for say Chef Mickey and pop along a few minutes before my alloted time.
Then what?

Do you have to do the character photo in the entrance and buy it then and there, or is there a photopass option? Do the characters vary for this photo?

Does someone show you to a table?

What about the food? Is it a case of helping yourself to as much as you want as many times as you want, or you get a plate and request from a CM (queueing at a counter or at the table) what you want, or pick from a menu etc? Is it all inclusive?

Billing. Assuming you're not on the DDP, do you go to a desk and pay or request the check at the table and leave cash + tip there?

Is there a limitation on how long you can spend there? i.e. 2 hours which would be more than enough.

When are the busiest periods? Various reports say it's quieter around 10am onwards but do people queue from the time it's opens?

Do hotel guests get any priority? i.e If I were staying at the contemporary, would I have to book the same as anyone else who isn't staying there

[Princess Disney Mom]

I'll answer on Chef Mickey. There is no preference to where you are staying as of getting an ADR.

It is recommended to get there 5 minutes or so before your time. You tell the check-in persons you have arrived and will get a buzzer.

When the buzzer goes off you will get in line for a photo with the CM plate. (Not real characters). This photo will be printed and brought to your table for on the spot purchase. I don't think this goes on your photopass unless they changed the rules.

You will be seated and the server will get your drink order. You are free to go to the buffet as many times as you wish. There is no time limit but a rough estimate will be 1 hour is plenty of time. The characters come by your table 1 at a time. Have your camera ready and your kids sitting on the outside. Have autograph book and pens ready to if you so wish.

Your server will tell you the path the characters take so if you see Mickey at the table before yours get ready.

CM celebrates with a song every 45 minutes with napkin waves. It's fun.
Hope that answers all your questions.

[Hootch]

styles of character meals. What PDM says about CM is true and holds for most buffet style character meals. (At one time the pre meal picture was with Goofy. These things, like the characters themselves occasionally, change.)

Ohana, Garden Grill and Cinderella's Royal Table are family style (and I suppose Liberty Tree Tavern for a couple of months in 2010). Ohana, Garden Grill and CRT breakfast are all you can eat. Lunch and dinner at CRT are not.

Some character meals do not have photographers. At CRT and Askerhus, the photo package is part of the price of the meal

[xenole]

What's the CM plate supposed to be anyway?

Found a few snippets of information but the best ones seem to be from 3 years ago so no idea if much has changed since then.
Definite lack of photos etc on a various aspects. Plenty of kids with the characters but not of the buffet etc.

[henry72]

Originally Posted by xenole

Ok, I make an ADR for say Chef Mickey and pop along a few minutes before my alloted time.
Then what?

Do you have to do the character photo in the entrance and buy it then and there, or is there a photopass option? Do the characters vary for this photo?

Does someone show you to a table?

What about the food? Is it a case of helping yourself to as much as you want as many times as you want, or you get a plate and request from a CM (queueing at a counter or at the table) what you want, or pick from a menu etc? Is it all inclusive?

Billing. Assuming you're not on the DDP, do you go to a desk and pay or request the check at the table and leave cash + tip there?

Is there a limitation on how long you can spend there? i.e. 2 hours which would be more than enough.

When are the busiest periods? Various reports say it's quieter around 10am onwards but do people queue from the time it's opens?

Do hotel guests get any priority? i.e If I were staying at the contemporary, would I have to book the same as anyone else who isn't staying there

I think the answers to these questions will depend on which meal you are going to. I have been to Liberty Tree, 1900 Fare and Garden Grill. Most often with an ADR, they ask you to show up 15 minutes early. You go to the podium and check in. They will give you a buzzer if your table isn't ready. When your table is ready, they take you there. None of the 3 I have been to have had photographers or have taken your photo at the entrance.

All food and drink is included with your meal. If it is family style (Garden Grill) they will bring your food out and keep bringing out more. If it is a buffet (1900 Fare) then you will go to the buffet and grab a plate to fill.

As you eat, characters will come by your table, joke around and pose for pictures. I have never seen them make anyone leave. We hung around once to see Mickey at Garden Grill but I don't think we were ther 2 hours. As for the bill, it is always delivered to your table and your server is your cashier.

No, hotel guests don't get priority seating or anything. Just call or go online and make your reservation. The busiest times are the traditional meals times. So go late for breakfast, early to lunch and dinner if you are looking for less crowded times.

[Bitsmommy]

Originally Posted by xenole

Ok, I make an ADR for say Chef Mickey and pop along a few minutes before my alloted time.
Then what?

Do you have to do the character photo in the entrance and buy it then and there, or is there a photopass option? Do the characters vary for this photo?

Does someone show you to a table?

I think that everyone has covered all of your questions with the exception of this one. IF you PURCHASE the photo, then you can add it to your photo pass. There is a code on the edge of the photo that gives you access to add it to your photo pass.

I don't think that you take any pics with the actual characters for the "souvenir pic" The only exception may be the Princess Meals, but I don't know about them cause I have a BOY who would kill me if I drug him to one of those!

Yes, you are shown to your table.