Anyone feel that Character Meals are a scam?

[spacemtn1971]

Hello all,

we got back from a stay in january and my girls (twin 5yrs) wanted to eat with the princesses.

we had done crt in september with mixed reviews so we decided to try the princess dinner at norway.

we had a 6pm adr and arrived at 540 pm. we were old that it was dead so we would be seated quickly. finally at 615 pm we entered the castle to meet ariel. then we were ushered to our seat right by the buffet. right beside the plates. what a wonderful spot. dozens of hungry people herding by us to get to the salad bar.

i know they said that the schedule varies on who shows up but my daughters, even though they are not opposed to alice in wonderland, informed me that there are just so many disney princesses and alice is not one of them.

belle came by and amanda (dd#1) asked what she was reading and belle responded "hmmm?" did she not watch the movie?

regardless, the food was barely adequate by disney standards, and my daughters got to visit with the princesses for about 5 seconds. mulan didn't come back as we asked since we were reloading the camera when she came by the first time.

all for $100?

next time we'll get a hotdog and see the princesses in the parks.

but we still managed to have a great vacation.

 

[Littlemotherhaywood]

I don't think I'd go so far as to say that they're a scam, but we also had a disappointing experience there as well. Apparently, when you're seated you're supposed to get a photo opportunity with one of the princesses in the front. We were never even told about it and ushered to our seat. I don't think we saw any princess for more than a minute and none of them were social with our dd at all. They all just grabbed her and posed...never asked us if we wanted the background to be that table full of people behind them. Then, on our way out we saw people getting pics with Ariel by themselves so we wandered over to get a picture. We paid afterall....and then someone came by and got upset with us for being there and the photographer was trying to explain to them that we were on our way out...not just some people that wandered in. I was very displeased and I think we'll take our chances with just finding the princesses next time. We hustled to get to a meal that we were rushed through and barely saw the princesses anyway. Very disappointing.

 

[nliedel]

We always do the Crystal Palace and the food is consistantly good every time. My boys can eat a lot of food and it's always fresh and delicious. I am a serious foodie and super critical and cannot find one complaint. Of course Eyeore just might be clouding my vision!

 

[vicb]

In our experiences I wouldn't call them a scam but we really haven't enjoyed some of them. This will be our 4th trip and my kids (ages 10 and 13) have said "no more character meals". Frankly DH and I are relieved.

Here's ones we have done:

CP- first character meal, very nice, good character interaction our kids were 3 and 6.

GG- food just ok, character interaction good, kids were 6 and 9, they liked it

Cape May- very relaxing, good food, good character interaction

CM- this one did us in, not a good experience, food fair at best, character interaction minimal, kids were 8 and 11.

I think we always have really high expectations for these meals then they don't really live up. We have had way better character interactions in the regular theme park settings.

 

[mickeywho?]

In our experiences I wouldn't call them a scam but we really haven't enjoyed some of them. This will be our 4th trip and my kids (ages 10 and 13) have said "no more character meals". Frankly DH and I are relieved.

Here's ones we have done:

CP- first character meal, very nice, good character interaction our kids were 3 and 6.

GG- food just ok, character interaction good, kids were 6 and 9, they liked it

Cape May- very relaxing, good food, good character interaction

CM- this one did us in, not a good experience, food fair at best, character interaction minimal, kids were 8 and 11.

I think we always have really high expectations for these meals then they don't really live up. We have had way better character interactions in the regular theme park settings.

Our experience were similar to yours. Next time we'll do maybe one character meal.
Food was pretty good at both CP and GG and the characters spent a good deal of time with the kids. At both we managed to see the characters at least twice.
We haven't tried Cape May - that might be a good change for us.
We will never go back to Chef Mickey's again. 30 minute wait with an ADR, nasty nasty food, barely saw the characters after a long wait with hardly any interaction. Overall service was terrible.
Our kids were 4 and 8 on this trip and we will be going again next year. If they have a Toy Story character meal we may switch to that instead

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Here's what I've done

CRT - Breakfast - Okay food and service, good character interaction.
CRT - Lunch - Good to Very Good food, good character interaction, especially Belle. Great Service.
Akershus - Lunch - Fair to Very Good food, interesting selection, okay service, good character interaction, "same" Belle as CRT lunch.
CP - Breakfast - Great food, good service and character interaction.
1900 Park Fare - Good food and character interaction, but horrible service.

Overall, I'll definatly be returning to CP, and possibly CRT, maybe 1900 Park Fare, depends on which characters are there.

 

[kidsluvmickey]

I disagree. I would much rather pay and have a meal, even when it is not that great, to meet and greet characters. We have always had adequate interaction with them. Not to mention we are getting alot more interaction with them at the restaurant then waiting in line in the heat just to finally get up to the front and have the character leave for a 15 minute break and when we do see them it is for the picture ONLY. Thanks goodbye, no conversation, that is it. We have done Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tavern, Royal Table, Norway Princess breakfast and Aloha breakfast at the poly. True some of the food is great and some not so great. Norway is my least favorite. But I don't think it is a scam. Are they pricely? Yes, but when I weigh the alternative of meeting the characters by waiting in line I pick the meal every time. Now if the new lunch with at MGM would ever open for reservations we will do that one too.

 

[patsal]

Here's what I have done and what I learned:

CM great character interaction can be rushed depending on the time, I choose early or late--I try to stay away formt eh "traditional meal hours". We ahve done this at Breakfast and at Dinner and learned the trick here is all in the timing. Personally until they refurbish I won't return as the place looks too well worn for me. (9/96. 6/00. 4/01, 6/01, 6/02)

CP I have never had a bad experience here. The characters have always been very good and the food plentiful and fresh. (9/96,and every year since 2000 in July)

CRT Breakfast--once is enough for this one even when I didn't need to mortgage my palace to go! Rushed characters, mediocre food, and very ungracious hostess--heck even the 6YO noticed.

Donald's Breakfastassaurus- great on any am early so long as there is not AM EMH. The characters are fun, the camp counselors are fun and the staff is very nice and helpful. (pretty much every year at least once).

GG--food is hit or miss, the character interaction is always stellar. Had an issue with the hostess and doubt I will return for a while. I have tried various times and this experience just isn't what we used to love.

Cinderella's Gala Feast--Can't say enough about this one. Great character interaction, wonderful photo ops. and great food. I have found that this is best very early in the evening.

Various resort character breakfasts, never had an issue at any of htem, never felt rushed, but we always do an early seating.

After looking through what I've shared, I guess the idea is that early is usually less crowded and you may not feel as rushed withthe characters. I don't think they are a scam, but for many the alternative is to wait in line ot see characters. Not a bad thing, just different. We only wait to see those we know we won't be able to dine with--Villians, etc. It really does cut down onthe time we spend waiting and gives us uninterrupted time with the characters. JMHO

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

For us, they're a good value, because DD is under 3 and can still eat free. We eat one big meal, and snack the rest of the day.

Cape May 6/05––*We think Chip was in love with our DD (it was definitely a female in there. She kept coming by and picking up DD and holding her on her hip, much to DD's delight). We saw Goofy TWICE, and Minnie once. Breakfast was OK, nothing special, but the character interaction there was GREAT.

CP 6/05–– Fantastic breakfast. Even DH was impressed with the puffed French toast and the breakfast lasagna. The character interaction was pretty good. Pooh took a lot of time with DD (maybe it was because she launched herself at him and wouldn't let go, kinda like a Velcro-baby. Even the CMs were laughing). She thought they were all stuffed animals and wasn't scared of them at all. Tigger and Piglet each came by twice. We didn't get to see Eyore ––*he was working the other side of the room.

9/05–– Same. Took my parents and brother, DD and DH. Everyone was really impressed, and no one was even remotely hungry for lunch. Character interaction was just as good, and we saw Pooh twice this time. Piglet was working the center of the buffet. A small line forms there, but the CMs keep it moving and will take your picture with your camera if you want the whole family in the shot. It was the first seating, so the dining room wasn't as crowded.

Chef Mickey's 9/05–– Food was better than I'd anticipated here. DH and my dad tore into the peel and eat shrimp. I liked the baked fish, and DD loved her "princess ice cream" (vanilla with pastel Mickey non-parels). The character interactions here weren't as great. We only saw Minnie and Mickey once, but Chip and Dale worked the room a couple of times. DD was in a high chair, making it harder to get her out quick enough for a good picture. Donald was working the center of the room, and kidded around with DD (I honestly don't think she knew who he was).

This year, I think we're going to try to do 1900 Park Fare and the Princess Storybook Lunch at Akershus. DD is princess crazed.


I'd recommend the character meals simply because they're family friendly. Maybe my mind will change after our trip this fall, but I hope not.

 

[Jennifer_Jayhawk]

I wouldn't call it a scam--but I can see your point. My children are now 12 and 9--they probably are getting too old for the princesses but not for, say, the Pooh characters or Mickey, Minnie etc. If I was at home there is no way I am paying anything near the prices I will pay for the food I get at Disney. I consider the price I'm paying is for the food AND the characters. I'm hoping to trade out the heroes lunch (if that should ever materialize) with the castle in May, but might just keep it and pay OOP with the heroes one.

Never have I felt rushed to get out of a restaurant. And if I felt rushed, I would ignore it. I've never had a problem with getting a character to come back to the table after I missed their visit--I simply tell the server that and he/she gets him to come back over.

To each his own on this topic, I'm afraid.

 

[paula70]

We just got back and had an excellent meal at CRT! The interaction was great! We thought Snow White was kind of quiet, but very sweet and polite. All the princesses (Cinderella, Snow white, Aurora, Fairy godmother and Mary poppins, our favorite)talked to my girls and asked questions. Not sure if we'd do it again only because my girls are 8 and 5 and kind-of outgrowing it, but would highly reccomend it!

 

[crisi]

We did two the last trip. Ohana with the family, and my daughter and I did PSB.

Personally, I think its about expectations. We go expecting bad food, and our expectations are met. If I wanted a real breakfast we'd eat at Spoodles or Kona. (I liked Norway's breakfast better than Ohana - loved the potatos - which is a recipe my mom makes). We go expecting character interaction to be sign an autograph and pose for a photo - if any of the princesses had spent an entire minute with my daughter they would have exceeded my expectations three fold. Character meals are like wedding receiving lines. You shake the grooms hand and say congratulations, give the bride a hug and one of them says "we are so happy you could come" and you move on.

But, for our money, we don't waste park time (we schedule before parks open) standing in line to see characters, take home some wonderful photos, and delight my daughter, who thought our mommy daughter character meal to be the highlight of her trip.

Since I get what I expect, and am willing to pay for it, I don't think its a scam.

 

[auwoo]

If it allows us to see Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Donald and not wait in hours upon hours of lines it's great to me. I think the Character breakfasts are a great escape to those who don't want to wait for the characters while hopeing that the character doesn't leave before you get to see them. They are expensive yes, but time is money.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

OF course it is a scam, look how much they increased the prices at CRT! They say it is because they are giving you a photo package, but come on. It will cost me over $40.00 more for my breakfast with Cinderella due to a phto package!!! Give me a break. Why couldnt it be optional? They do realize that people are there with camera's to begin with. They do not need to increase that much. How much does it really cost for photo paper!!! They know that people will pay because they want to eat at the castle. Believe me, if i didn't promise my daughters that we would eat at the castle there is no way i would pay that amount. It is outrageously disgusting that they increased that much. What they are giving in return costs them pennies!! What a shame and a scam!!!
The only meal that i found to be worth is was Donald's Breakfastasaurus. I didn't even care about the characters. It was a great selection and price.

 

[jwfla422]

As far as the new CRT set up goes. YOU BET!!! SCAM ALL THE WAY!! I've been saying this on many of my posts recently because I'm extremely disappointed that Disney has gone to this length to rip off their guests!! And, I thought it was overpriced and over rated before they changed it!

I was somewhat disappointed with 1900 Pk Fare's dinner (I know others will disagree), but I thought it was overpriced and it wasn't thrilled with the food. The characters zipped by us. And, also disappointed with Restaurant Akershus's princess breakfast (which we tried more than once).

Chef Mickey's doesn't thrill us as far as the food goes but we do enjoy the character interaction and the amount of them that are there is nice.

Didn't think these were scams, just poor meals. If they're going to charge more for character meals they need to keep the food up to par and make it a decent value. They manage to do this at some of the other restaurants, they can make an attempt to do this at mostly all of them I think.

Other those mentioned, the rest are pretty good. Love CP, Gulliver's (relaxing, Cape May's breakfast and LTT was pretty good.

BUT... CRT's NOW THAT IS A SCAM!!!

 

[maggs]

I totally disagree. IMO the food is excellent at Akershus. As far as the princesses go, I cant say. It isnt hotdogs or anything like it at Akershus. We always go for the wonderful fish and salads and nothing else. My experiences at CP and 1900 Park Fare have been great too.

Maggs

 

[Puffy2]

OF course it is a scam, look how much they increased the prices at CRT! They say it is because they are giving you a photo package, but come on. It will cost me over $40.00 more for my breakfast with Cinderella due to a phto package!!! Give me a break. Why couldnt it be optional? They do realize that people are there with camera's to begin with. They do not need to increase that much. How much does it really cost for photo paper!!! They know that people will pay because they want to eat at the castle. Believe me, if i didn't promise my daughters that we would eat at the castle there is no way i would pay that amount. It is outrageously disgusting that they increased that much. What they are giving in return costs them pennies!! What a shame and a scam!!!

I can just hear them now in the board room, "How can we justify raising the prices on the Cinderella breakfast by 30%?"
"Oh, I know, tell them they get a "photo package" for "free" ...and it will only cost us a few pennies per pic, GREAT IDEA!"

 

[MOMOFMNM]

We did CRT lunch in Sept...

it was not great food and pretty rushed...our server was horrible and rude to me when I spilled my diet coke on accident good thing we were on the plan and it was only 1 credit back then, it was a once in a lifetime thing...we won't be going back

We also did CM for our first ever WDW EXPERIENCE and it was great...as far as the fun and dancing...we got good pics too...I think about 30 sec per character is enough for us...we liked the fun around us...the food was good and kids loved the sundae bar!! Our server was good there too...smoothie was icky and thin...

I asked my dd9 about this OP post...she said "Are they crazy???) no offense....

I asked would she rather eat a hot dog and meet the characters in a line in the park somewhere...
she gave me a look of take it that meant NO WAY...

I can see someone's point of not waiting in lines at parks, those lines were bigger than any attraction line during the slow season...seriously!! We could just GLIDE by Mickey and Minnie because we had already seen them...think if you had to wait in line for a princess!!!

I think we will do more...they were kind of fun and our kids had a good time there. I will just know what to expect next time..

seems to me that it is waaaay more justified using "credits" than actual cash to pay for these things....I mean plunking down 125 on a buffet??????? Somehow easier to swallow when using the dining plan....had it not been for that we may have always been a CS family with maybe ONE special meal...

 

[spacemtn1971]

i realize that you can find yourself standing in line to meet characters but there are also some instances where you can walk right up to characters.

my dd#2 loves mickey and we saw him often at the character pavilion at epcot, walk right up and spend some quality time.

at mgm the characters are often ready and willing for the attention. we saw mulan at mgm and then she even remembered dd#1 from earlier in the day when we saw her in the parade.

we did all that and then got a decent meal at the land food court for about $35.00 and still had time to ride soarin.

when we did the princess storybook at norway i lost money, time and my daughters still didn't get any quality time with the princesses.

and the food was better before they turned it into a character meal.

but each to their own...


hakuna matata

 

[abaldacci]

my take on the c meals
crt dinner= hate it poor service, will never eat at the castle again.
cm b-fast great food good interaction
cp=good food and interaction
1900 park fare= b-fast and dinner=great service good interaction
go at off time for more interaction
garden grill= great interaction but havn't been since new menu