Character dining and dining in general post covid

[robl45]

Hello all!

Have to make reservations in a week or so. Are they doing character dining and what is it like post covid?. I am skipping if its just take a look at the characters from far away but trying to figure out if something might be worth it. Anyone know if dining plans will be available anytime soon? My thought this time was that this would be one of those times when I don't really make reservations and just go as I don't think I would do character dining without the dining plan, but I don't want the kiddos to miss out either so trying to figure the best of both worlds here.

Thanks in advance

 

[FCDub]

Character dining that’s open is “look at them from afar”

There’s been no indication of when or if the dining plan will be returning.

 

[robl45]

Character dining that’s open is “look at them from afar”

There’s been no indication of when or if the dining plan will be returning.

So not really worth it then? Another issue I have is the ones that are open are still same price character dining or not. I guess this will likely be the first time that we just eat mostly quick service.

 

[MomOTwins]

So not really worth it then? Another issue I have is the ones that are open are still same price character dining or not. I guess this will likely be the first time that we just eat mostly quick service.

We did two post-Covid character meals (breakfast at Topolinos with mickey and friends, dinner at Be Our Guest with the Beast) and I expected to feel ripped off, but ended up loving it. The experience is a little different at each place but generally the characters come out several times while you eat and tour and wave around the dining room. The beast stopped a couple of times about 15 feet away from us and "communicated" with our kids through gestures, and the Topolino's breakfast included a fun little sequence with music and dance. Prices are same or only slightly lower than pre-Covid, depending on the restaurant. We all had a good time and I would do it at least once or twice a trip, though not as much as we used to pre-Covid where we had the dining plan and did a character meal every day.

I cannot recommend eating only quick service now, given they are all mobile order, frequently with long waits unless you order hours ahead or eat at non-peak times, and have limited seating due to spacing. But there are a lot of TS restaurants without characters that are reasonably priced.

 

[disneygirlsng]

We did two post-Covid character meals (breakfast at Topolinos with mickey and friends, dinner at Be Our Guest with the Beast) and I expected to feel ripped off, but ended up loving it. The experience is a little different at each place but generally the characters come out several times while you eat and tour and wave around the dining room. The beast stopped a couple of times about 15 feet away from us and "communicated" with our kids through gestures, and the Topolino's breakfast included a fun little sequence with music and dance. Prices are same or only slightly lower than pre-Covid, depending on the restaurant. We all had a good time and I would do it at least once or twice a trip, though not as much as we used to pre-Covid where we had the dining plan and did a character meal every day.

I cannot recommend eating only quick service now, given they are all mobile order, frequently with long waits unless you order hours ahead or eat at non-peak times, and have limited seating due to spacing. But there are a lot of TS restaurants without characters that are reasonably priced.

Just want to add that there are lots of QS in each park that are not mobile order. It's mostly just the bigger restaurants that have it.

 

[MomOTwins]

Just want to add that there are lots of QS in each park that are not mobile order. It's mostly just the bigger restaurants that have it.

If you say so.... I guess we just weren't lucky then. When we went in October, they wouldn't let us get dole whips in MK or anything at our hotel QS (Grand Floridian) without mobile order. I wouldn't call either of those places bigger restaurants.

 

[disneygirlsng]

If you say so.... I guess we just weren't lucky then. When we went in October, they wouldn't let us get dole whips in MK or anything at our hotel QS (Grand Floridian) without mobile order. I wouldn't call either of those places bigger restaurants.

Key word being mostly. The main QS in each resort have MO, like they always have. While some of the places are the more snack like places (Sleepy Hollow, Friars Nook, Trilo Bites, etc) I've made plenty of meals out of those places. But also like Yak and Yeti QS, pretty much all the QS in World Showcase except Regal Eagle (La Cantina, Katsura Grill, Yorkshire fish, among several others). Its pretty much the places that were doing MO before Covid are the ones that are still doing it. The app is great at showing which places do and do not do mobile ordering.

 

[robl45]

Any strategies for dining reservations? I'm going in March and MK is closing at 6pm, and I think the rest aren't open much past 7pm. Does dining stop then too? are we better to just eat at the resorts or something? I've never been when things close so early.

 

[sethschroeder]

Any strategies for dining reservations?

Resort restaurants probably are open to 9 or 10 but you would have to look. Park restaurants will normally only have seatings during park hours, they let you stay after park closure time though.

 

[robl45]

So do they typically book up to the close? Like 7pm close you could do 7pm dining reservation? This is the first time we aren't going all out on dining so its a new experience, its also the first time we are going when we aren't going back to the parks at night.

 

[kimmar067]

....how about a late lunch at H&V?

 

[sapphirerose915]

I did post covid character doing at Hollywood and Vine and it was Beyond incredible.. I highly recommend it!!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

So do they typically book up to the close? Like 7pm close you could do 7pm dining reservation? This is the first time we aren't going all out on dining so its a new experience, its also the first time we are going when we aren't going back to the parks at night.

It seems like they do. Keep in mind though that as time gets closer they may change park hours to being open later especially at MK. This just occurred for our upcoming Jan/Feb trip.

 

[Handykapper]

A little different but once you get used to the new format very much enjoyable.

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

So I've booked the H & V dinner for us (7 year old son will be with me) and wondering how the interactions there have been? I know you can't get close but are they coming around close enough that the kid could stand and have them in the background? Are they stopping to interact somewhat or just waving and walking on?

 

[sapphirerose915]

So I've booked the H & V dinner for us (7 year old son will be with me) and wondering how the interactions there have been? I know you can't get close but are they coming around close enough that the kid could stand and have them in the background? Are they stopping to interact somewhat or just waving and walking on?

We were there in September.. 1st off, the food was fantastic!! And the characters were great.. they did walk around a.. interacted with everyone.. and plenty of posing for pictures.. then they did a dance around with everyone.. we had the best time!!