Am I a horrible person?

[PrincessTrisha]

Okay, so here is the situation – I am taking my 11 year old God Daughter to WDW from Nov 27th to Dec 3rd (I am also bringing my Mom and Dad ages 52 and 57 respectively). She has never been and probably won’t be going back unless it’s with me. I am booking a MYW package which includes the dining plan.

Here’s the thing – I just can’t seem to bring myself to “waste” TS credits on a character meal.

We are already doing Ohana’s (AYCE) but when looking at the menus I would rather go to sit down restaurants than buffets or pre plated meals.

I was considering paying out of pocket for a character breakfast but it would be about $87.50 with tax and tip FOR BREAKFAST and that would just make me choke on my OJ!

So am I a horrible person for denying this 11 year old a chance to dine with Mickey or the Princesses?

 

[minkydog]

Nope, you are not horrible. If you don't tell her about it, she probably will not even know. Out of the last 4 trips to WDW, we have only done one character meal, only because my mom gave us the money for it and insisted we go. It was great, but i don't feel the burning need to eat overpriced food and see adults dressed up in costumes. And my kids really could care less. Oh, they're happy if we run into a character, but they wouldn't stand in line to see one.

Cathy--mom to John(18), Eleni (12), and Christian (10)

 

[Skylarr29]

I agree. If she wants to see characters there are many places to do so. You should do and eat where you feel comfortable with. Minkydog is right... if you don't tell her she will never even know... Your vacation will be so magical anyways that it wont matter. Have a great trip whatever you decide!!!

 

[choru]

You can not be a horrible person if you are taking her to DIsney!!!
Doing a character meal is your choice as It is your vacation too. Dont worry, she can have plenty of character interaction on the parks, just be sure to stop by some "meet and greet" places when touring around.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Beachangel]

On our big family trip, we all went to have breakfast with Pooh - for my niece who's five. My other nieces and nephews 15-23 obviously weren't interested, but its just one of many Disney experiences. I didn't consider the food bad at CP and although we spent alot of money on breakfast, we had a good time together, my 5 yo niece was in heaven and my 10 month niece had fun too. You said your niece may never go again - make it full of special memories and spring for the TS credits.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Can you swallow maybe just one character meal. Both Liberty Tree Tavern and 1900 Park Fare have good food and characters.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I think at 11, she's not going to have her heart broken if she doesn't do a character meal. I would do what you feel comfortable with. If you're sitting there resentful because you're not getting what you consider to be a good value, no one is going to have a good time. Being on a trip to Disney will be magical enough, in and of itself. For $87.50, she could pick out a souvenir that would last a lifetime, and probably mean more to her...

 

[Anewman]

I would NOT pay out of pocket for character meal, but I also dont see how you consider it a waste of TS credits. 7 days of TS credits, why would you pay for this out of pocket? Your plan will get you stuffed enough, if you pay out of pocket for one meal you may find that at the end of your stay you have left over credits. Unless you are doing many 2 TS credit signature meals you should still have enough.

 

[scrump]

I think she will live. Besides, it may not even be her thing. I think it's very nice of you to take her, though!

 

[MayButterfly]

I dont really have an answer but just wanted to say that we'll be there the exact same days!!!! we're staying at CSR

 

[shellybaxter]

I don't think you're a bad person, but I wouldn't deny myself the experience of seeing a child I love get to have a character meal. I think character meals are one of the most magical parts of WDW. Its really great to see your little loved one get excited about the princesses or mickey. That being said, if my little loved one was eleven I'd probably ask them if they'd enjoy a character meal, because you just don't know at that age. If they said no, or that they'd be embarrassed I wouldn't bother with the meal.

 

[tlbwriter]

I would NOT pay out of pocket for character meal, but I also dont see how you consider it a waste of TS credits. 7 days of TS credits, why would you pay for this out of pocket? Your plan will get you stuffed enough, if you pay out of pocket for one meal you may find that at the end of your stay you have left over credits. Unless you are doing many 2 TS credit signature meals you should still have enough.

I agree. I'd sit there at my character meal thinking "thank goodness I'm not paying full price for this!" Actually, the character meals we attended (CRT and Liberty Tree Tavern) were wonderful, and the food was excellent.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think some of the food truly is good - and worth the cost seeing that you don't have to stand in those lines in the heat to see the same characters later! I would NOT pay out of pocket for one, though.

You're certainly NOT horrible, and she will never know such a thing exists more than likely, but I DO think some character meals have good food and are worth the exp.

Heck, as adults we try to do at least one!!

 

[ducklite]

I do'nt think you are horrible, and don't think she'll realize she's "missing" anything. There are plenty of character meet oppotunities outside of the restaurants.

That said, I think I'd offer it to her and see what she says, maybe give her an either or choice with something else?

My guess is that she won't be all that interested at her age.

Anne

 

[Dorisk3]

Don't worry-there are so many characters in the parks that she could see, meet, take pics, autographs, etc. It will be fine-you are a wonderful person for taking her and I'm sure you will have an excellent time even without going to a character breakfast, lunch or dinner!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Nope, not a horrible person. We only basically do the character meals for our youngest (just turned 5) anyway. If we only had our oldest daughter 11 and son 7... we wouldn't do character meals either! (unless they came up with some boy themed character meals- he'd like that) But my oldest daughter could really care less about the characters. She's old enough that she has "figured out" (LOL) that they aren't the real characters and so it wouldn't be worth it to spend on a character meal just for her. She's already outgrown the autograph thing (although for the life of me I can't figure out why- *I* still like to get autographs if it's a character I haven't gotten an autograph from yet! LOL)

Point is- if I was going only with my 11yr old daughter... I wouldn't do character meals. It wouldn't be worth it because you're basically paying for the characters and she doesn't eat diddly either. So it would be a waste of money for us. Also at that age- they are more likely to be able to withstand lines to see characters if they want to. Trying to do that with a young child is hard sometimes.

 

[jenrose66]

I guess the answer to that question would depend on how your 11 year old god daughter feels.

Has she expressed interest in eating at a character meal, or does she have certain Disney characters that she really likes that you could book a character meal with? If the answer is yes, than I think that it may be a bit unfair to not book a character meal. The thing is, you aren't "wasting credits" you're getting a meal. I don't remember how many days you said you are going (or if you said at all), but going to *one* character meal isn't a huge deal if you are going for a few days.

On the other hand, if she knows nothing of character dining, I guess she wouldn't know what she's missing. In that case it's not as big of a deal.

I know a lot of people probably go to Disney and don't do character meals so that's not really the point. From reading your post, it just seems like you're being a little cheap from the tone you portray. If paying $87.50 for a meal for 4 is going to make you choke on your OJ....

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

It would make me choke on my OJ too if my child wasn't going for the EXPERIENCE of the characters. I mean if it was just for the food alone. That's what I gathered from her post- that it was the price for food alone. Ofcourse those of us with younger and/or children that are really into the characters- we realize we aren't paying that price for the food alone...

 

[bellarella]

What caught me about your post is that it sounds like you think that a character meal is something your DD would enjoy, but you are wanting to "save" your TS credits for fine dining. In your shoes, I would research all of the Character meals for the one that sounds like it has the best food and atmosphere (and like I said, your choices are pretty good) and allocate one of them to a character meal. Go in with the expectation that you are there for the entertainment of watching your child do something she really enjoys and then you won't be disappointed by the food (and will likely be pleasantly surprised).

BUT, if you don't think your DD will enjoy the character dining, then don't feel that a character meal is a "must" do at Disney. There are all sorts of experiences at Disney World and not all of them will float all people's boat. Don't go along with doing something just because it's supposedly "the thing to do" when it doesn't sound appealing to you.

Why not just ask your DD if that is something she is interested in?

 

[Jen D]

I don't think you are a horrible person! You're treating your goddaughter to a great Disney vacation.

But.... I might reconsider. Character meals are fun. I disagree with the above poster though, I would do breakfast... because I think the meals at lunch and dinner are pretty mediocre but breakfast is hard to screw up. I'd just pay cash instead of table credits.

Anyway, as for the cost, which is admittedly ridiculous, it's time to get yourself in that zen Disney state where you sign the receipts like a zombie and tell yourself the numbers don't mean anything...

A character meal is a great experience for first-timers of any age, including your parents. People who may feel too old or too cool to stand in line can still meet the characters in a corny way and get pictures. For first-timers it can be a highlight of the trip.

So I would consider doing it!