Character Breakfast questions...disinterest from family

[cinnaminny]

I've gone to Disneyland multiple times for shorter stays with our family and we always passed on the character breakfasts. This time we are going to be in Disney World for 9 days and thought maybe this time we should try one out. But out of the three of us, my husband, our almost 13 year old son and me, I seem to be the only one really interested in doing this.

Is this one of those events they will be glad they did it later? As I said earlier, I've never done one so I don't want to skip it if its going to add to the magical moments checkbox list.

Or maybe I should just drop it. After all they are expensive and the food reviews are mixed. And trying to decide this with having no experience has been kind of hard.

The ones I am considering is Tusker House for a late breakfast (or early breakfast) or Garden Grill for an early open the park experience. We are also staying at the Contemporary so Chef Mickey would be the easiest for us, but I'm worried the food at this one will be the worst of the three. (but maybes its not so bad if you go early?)

 

[powellrj]

If your DS was younger, I would say go, but at 13, I would pass if he doesn’t want to go.

 

[cinnaminny]

If your DS was younger, I would say go, but at 13, I would pass if he doesn’t want to go.

He just said, he doesn't really care either way. So he is sitting on the fence. So part of me thinks he would love it. Part of me thinks he would loathe it lol 13 is a funny age.

41 is a funny age too.

 

[unrequited23]

If your family would appreciate the unique food choices at Tusker House and see a value in the Rivers of Light dining package, I would say go for the latest breakfast seating. Otherwise, I would skip it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Magical interactions can happen at a character meal. Or not. I wouldn't go just for potential magic since it's rather hit or miss.

Do you like characters? Will your son think it will be cute to see Donald in safari gear? Do you want photos for a scrapook when you get home? Is your son typically playful around characters? Do they bring out his childish side? Those are the reasons to go at this age.

 

[randumb0]

I would pass

 

[chris benton]

I'd vote for a Chef Mickey's since you are staying at the Contemp. IMO, the food's bad rep is exaggerated. If you know how to navigate a buffet, you'll eat well. Go for the entertainment, and photo ops. Take the pictures for memories, even if it seems awkward. Have a laugh. Usually the characters put on some silly impromptu skit with random patrons. You'll get a laugh, a few good pics, and edible food for the price. You won't be happy if you go just for the food. The food itself is DEFINITELY not worth the price. The pics, memories, silly laughs, AND the food, are worth the price to try it once.

Not sure I'd do it for breakfast unless it would be a very chill am day. I'd prefer it for a lunch break, or a dinner - only because I have a tendency to eat myself silly, and I wouldn't wanna be hardcore touring after eating there.

 

[cinnaminny]

If your family would appreciate the unique food choices at Tusker House and see a value in the Rivers of Light dining package, I would say go for the latest breakfast seating. Otherwise, I would skip it.

I thought about that! My husband is on the fence about Rivers of Light too lol If I can get him on board for going to the RIvers of light, I think this would be a no brainer.

Magical interactions can happen at a character meal. Or not. I wouldn't go just for potential magic since it's rather hit or miss.

Do you like characters? Will your son think it will be cute to see Donald in safari gear? Do you want photos for a scrapook when you get home? Is your son typically playful around characters? Do they bring out his childish side? Those are the reasons to go at this age.

My son does like Characters but is a little shy too. But when he is at home, he is still a kid who has stuffed animals and plays fantasy games with his friends. But he is starting to get to that age...

 

[cinnaminny]

I'd vote for a Chef Mickey's since you are staying at the Contemp. IMO, the food's bad rep is exaggerated. If you know how to navigate a buffet, you'll eat well. Go for the entertainment, and photo ops. Take the pictures for memories, even if it seems awkward. Have a laugh. Usually the characters put on some silly impromptu skit with random patrons. You'll get a laugh, a few good pics, and edible food for the price. You won't be happy if you go just for the food. The food itself is DEFINITELY not worth the price. The pics, memories, silly laughs, AND the food, are worth the price to try it once.

Not sure I'd do it for breakfast unless it would be a very chill am day. I'd prefer it for a lunch break, or a dinner - only because I have a tendency to eat myself silly, and I wouldn't wanna be hardcore touring after eating there.

Well that is good to know. THis for sure would be the easiest considering we are right there. Thanks!

 

[Pumbaa_]

It is your vacation too. If you want to go, GO!
Tell the fam you want to do this. They can suck it up for mom

TH is one of my favorites. I love the characters and the food. If you get the last seating they will switch over to lunch while you are there, the best of both worlds

 

[cinnaminny]

It is your vacation too. If you want to go, GO!
Tell the fam you want to do this. They can suck it up for mom

Ya! You’re right! I want to have breakfast with Mickey and Donald damn it! Lol

 

[Pumbaa_]

Exactly! How many things have you sat through or planned for Them! Take this one and enjoy every freakin moment. And make them take pics of you w every single character too

 

[married2mm]

Our last trip with Dd-she was not keen on going to character dining meals at all...
As it happened the longest wait We had be seated was at tusker house..
The food was lovely-but nothing else was.

Dd decided that was it...no more unless whole family in attendance-
Which was not the case as ds & Dd1 were not on vacation with us.
So; Dd stayed in bed!

I love sofia the first & doc mstuffins-went backwards and forwards many times to decide meet & greet or h&v.
Finally found a ppo and decided to stick with it.
That day was one of the highlights of our trip-food was fantastic,characters were wonderful and server was a star.
Dh then went to meet Chewbacca (another thing Dd was not keen on)

 

[TwinkleKS]

I'd go. The character meals are fun Ohana is our personal favorite. We like the food and the character interaction with Stitch. We do Chef Mickey every year on Christmas Day - I don't think the food is horrible there. Tusker House has good character interaction, I personally don't like some of their food selections, but I know I'm the odd one out there.

 

[danikoski]

Love Tusker House. My mom and I, both adults, did breakfast in February. Great time, great food. If I had to do it again, I'd get a later breakfast so we could do both breakfast and lunch. That's the only thing of change.

 

[bumbershoot]

If the teen is a big eater and the food appeals, do it. It’s lively to actually fill up my incredibly active 13 year old boy!!! Even if it only lasts half an hour.

But tusker’s breakfast is pretty boring imo. I would do some other buffet. Or if the lunch/dinner foods appeal at Tusker I would do that. Literally, I’d do lunch or dinner at Tusker bc the food is unique and tasty and my family likes it.

In my case I’m the one that dislikes character meals. I have booked them for hubby and son. I end up being the photographer. So even if you’re the only one who wants characters, if the food is worth it to the family, do it and have the husband man the camera for you.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Of the 3, I would do Tusker House. Definitely the better food of the 3. Even my WDW hating DH likes it!

I would do one. They may or may not like it, but you want to go and they might end up enjoying it!

On our last trip DS10 declared he was done with character meals, until we walked into the Land pavilion in EP. He then declared he wanted eat with Mickey for old times sake. Luckily, Garden Grill took us as a walk up. It was cute!

It’s WDW! Do a character meal!

 

[PPFlight75]

You should definitely go. This is your trip too
We always go to Ohana for BF so I can see Stitch and my kids just laugh at me.
Have fun!!

 

[Elle23]

I booked 3 character meals for our last trip, and it’s the thing my kids enjoyed least (13 and 14 year olds). It was just awkward for them.

This time we are going character meal free and I am totally fine with that. There are tons of other restaurants I am excited to try.

 

[MainMom]

I would book one with some classic characters and the rest of the family can suck it up!