Birthday Character Meal or Pat E Cake?

[haydeecm]

Which would be better for my soon to be 4 year old birthday? I have read about Pat E Cake, and it sounds more "birthday", the price seems kind of high in comparison to a character breakfast, where at least they would also feed us, right? Well be there on a Monday. Where would the characters be more likely to interact with him?

Also, can we just take in a candle into the character meal and stick it on a cupcake, is that too cheap? LOL!

 

[goofycathy]

I would just go for the characted meal and make sure they all know its his birthday, Im pretty sure they do something special if you tell them in advanced its his birthday....and its more personal than if you do the Pat E cake thing....but thats just my opinion!

 

[Ross3half]

On our last trip we took my turning-4 DD to Pat E Cake, lunch at Ariel's Grotto, and the Aloha breakfast at PCH Grill. We told them when we made our reservations that it was her birthday and they said they'd do something special for her...but all she got was a little generic flimsy bday card when we checked in to the Aloha breakfast and nothing at Ariel's. I've heard others who get a free cupcake with a candle and they sing happy birthday but that may just be at Goofy's (we haven't been there yet so I can't confirm)??

As for the Pat E Cake thing, I thought it was pretty lame and way overpriced but the kids talk about it still as being quite fun and you do get a souvenir cup that you can take home with you which they love. The cake tastes awful and everyone in your party is required to pay for one, including parents, so take those extra souvenir cups too - you paid for them! Mickey and Minnie come out briefly at the end for photos and a dance, but they don't do autographs. It is outside though, so keep that in mind if you're going on a hot day - we melted out there right along with our messy dark frosting!!! Oh, and the cups were filled with warm lemonade...yucko! You may want to bring some wipes or an extra shirt in case your child ends up with that frosting everywhere but the cake, like some of the kiddos there.

Having done both, my vote would be for the character meal, because like you said - at least they feed you! And, our kids loooooove character meals and talk about them as the highlight of their trip. We've had great character interaction each time with fun photos and great memories!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Character meal.

Used to be that the Pat E Cake thing was the only way to meet Mickey while eating. But now he has his own character meal at PCH Grill, so IMO the Pat E Cake party has no appeal.

DS celebrated his 4th by eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream at Blue Bayou. He refused the food there, as it's gross to him, but loved that vanilla ice cream and watching the boats for Pirates go by!

And his 5th was celebrated with ice cream at Haagen Dasz.

I'm just sayin'...being at Disneyland can be big enough. Might not *have to* do a big thing while at a big place, to mark the b'day.

 

[Belle Ella]

On our last trip we took my turning-4 DD to Pat E Cake, lunch at Ariel's Grotto, and the Aloha breakfast at PCH Grill. We told them when we made our reservations that it was her birthday and they said they'd do something special for her...but all she got was a little generic flimsy bday card when we checked in to the Aloha breakfast and nothing at Ariel's. I've heard others who get a free cupcake with a candle and they sing happy birthday but that may just be at Goofy's (we haven't been there yet so I can't confirm)??

At every meal that we made a PS for and mentioned we were celebrating a birthday CM's sang happy birthday and I received a free cupcake or brownie or ice cream - minus Minnie & Friends, which I left early for reasons that had o do with my company who was irking me to no end. I even have video of them singing at at both Ariel's and Goofy's.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Character Meal would be the way to go in my opinion. We've done both & I can tell you that I rarely have anything to complain about but I did write a complaint regarding the Pat E. Cake party.
Totally overpriced, you don't get any one on one time with the host & see Mickey & Minnie long enough for a quick picture (photopass)....do not bring out an autograph book because they won't sign during this party.
The frosting is super bright....lots of color dye that stains EVERYTHING!! My 4 yr old left last year with a red eyebrow. The cake was dry...... nothing special.

But keep in mind, this was our experience with it.....others have enjoyed it. But the bottom line for us, that after paying close to the cost of a character meal.....the kids should have gotten more character time.

The character meals, just let them know at check-in you're celebrating a birthday & they'll bring out a special dessert & a character or two will come & sing happy birthday. Plus you get tons of one on one time when the characters come to your table. Worth every penny!!!

 

[kimis]

We take our grandkids as they turn four and we usually do both. Mr Pat E Cake is a different expierence and they will always remember doing their own cake. Also Mickey and Minnie are usually there. The character meals are great for birthdays because the characters make such a big deal out of the birthdays. Make sure the birthday child is wearing a birthday pin. The characters look for pins.

 

[doclegler]

We just recently did the Character dinner at Goofy's Kitchen and I ordered the treasure chest cake for my 9 year old. Wasn't the best tasting cake ever, but it sure was cute and my son loved the attention (they sing too!). And make sure he gets the bday button so everyone tells him Happy Birthday throughout his trip. My oldest actually took it off due to all the attention!

 

[jobo]

I took my now 10 year to Pat-E-Cake for his 5th Birthday. He LOVED it. He thought everyone was there for his birthday party. Yes it was overpriced, yes the cupcakes has blue frosting that will never come off, but at the end of the day it wasn’t for me it was for my son and he had the best time. Five years later and we still have the souvenir “Happy Birthday” cups