Character Dining Catered To Boys, Why Not???

[Colleen27]

I like the Neverland idea. That would be a great gender-neutral character meal that I'm sure would be in high demand.

I think the Playhouse Disney meal at Hollywood & Vine is a missed opportunity, especially right now. Handy Manny is recognizable but the others haven't actually been on PHD in a while and my preschooler has no idea who they are. Really, Mickey and Pooh are the "headliners" of PHD programming these days and they're already represented in character meals elsewhere. And from the ease of getting ADRs (pop over to the website right now, there's availability for breakfast & lunch tomorrow even though we're smack in the middle of free dining) I can't imagine they're keeping the place that busy. Seems like that would be a perfect venue for a Toy Story/Pixar meal.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out why there is no Character Dinning that caters to boys

1) Simple.
2) Parents splurge and dolt on girls, but not on boys.
3) All you have to do is look at the high spending for
. . . princess breakfasts (CRT, PSD, 1900)
. . . hair (BBB x2)
. . . princess outfits in stores
. . . fairy meet-and-greet
4) Need I go on?

 

[Colleen27]

1) Simple.
2) Parents splurge and dolt on girls, but not on boys.
3) All you have to do is look at the high spending for
. . . princess breakfasts (CRT, PSD, 1900)
. . . hair (BBB x2)
. . . princess outfits in stores
. . . fairy meet-and-greet
4) Need I go on?

That's kind of a chicken-and-egg topic right now, though, because Disney offers all of those things for girls and comparatively little in terms of the same sorts of experiences for boys. And the thing about "boy" experiences is that they'll appeal to far more girls than "girl" experiences will draw in boys.

We've done Princess meals for our girls, but we'd drop the same money on a Pixar or Pirate meal for our son if there was one to spend it on. BBB got us to spend on a makeover for our DD; the Pirates League had us shelling out for both DS & DD. And we waited much longer in line for Jack Sparrow's meet-and-greet than we ever would for the Fairies because both kids wanted to meet Capt Jack.

I agree that there's some difference when it comes to merchandising because boys aren't as eager to dress up like their favorite characters or even wear gear with characters on it, especially as they get older, but when it comes to experiences I'm sure I'm not the only mother of a son who is perfectly willing to open my wallet if only there was something more up his alley to spend my money on.

 

[tinacaplan]

I have one child and he is a three year-old BOY. If Disney gave me the option, I would gladly indulge him more than I already plan to when we go in February. Yes, he is only three, but he LOVES Toy Story, Cars, Finding Nemo and even enjoyed Monsters, Inc. Haven't even showed him A Bug's Life, yet.

I really agree with all of the PPs posters who have echoed the same sentiments: Disney needs to leverage their involvement with Pixar a lot more, especially if they want to compete with Universal and Legoland. Now, personally, I have no desire to ever leave Disney property when I'm there, but I'm sure not everyone feels that way.

Yes, there are things for preschool age boys, particuarly those that are fans of Pooh and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, as my son is. But how much longer will that be the case?

I'm sure that by then, he'll be hooked anyway. But a Toy Story meal would be excellent, as would a "Cars" ride. Cars is five years old and still wildly popular!

 

[tigerdragon]

My DS would absolutely love to have a Star Wars meal, so would my DH. We would all love to see a Phineas and Ferb or Pixar meal. I don't know why Phineas and Ferb doesn't appear anywhere yet since they are such a huge hit.

For our trip next March, my DS has requested Chef Mickey's. We'll also be going to Garden Grill and Sci-Fi Dine-In for him and 1900 Park Fare and Crystal Palace for DD.

 

[JenniJ]

1) Simple.
2) Parents splurge and dolt on girls, but not on boys.
3) All you have to do is look at the high spending for
. . . princess breakfasts (CRT, PSD, 1900)
. . . hair (BBB x2)
. . . princess outfits in stores
. . . fairy meet-and-greet
4) Need I go on?

Not so convinced on this train of thought.
I think many with boys would agree. Boys are simple to cater to. Maybe more so than girls. If my son was 3 when we travel, I would be signing him up for the pirate league and I know my DD would want to do this too or feel left out. But there is NO WAY my DS would go near the BBB.
My son is insisting on us buying him a Buzz costume in order for him to wear it when he meets Buzz. Just like the girls want to do when they meet there fav princess.
My DS wants to meet the fairies... He thinks Tinker Bell is cute.

I know this trip I will be spending just as much on this trip as I have done with DD on previous ones.

I think this area is one Disney is not tapping into as much as it should. I kinda feel bad for my DS. DD has done all the girlie stuff that Disney offers but there is so few for him.... DD's Disney photo book is full of stuff she did when she was his age, but I can't help but think his will be smaller.

Not fair..

 

[lamb616]

I am a somewhat new Disney fanatic as I'm planning our first family trip for Feb. (been there years ago pre-kids). I have a 7 year old DS and 3 y.o. DD. I've been saying since I first started planning this trip a year ago -- where are the boy's character meals!?!?!? I have Askerhus and CRT booked for DD of course....... DS is already all "awwww, I don't WANT to eat with Princesses!" Thankfully (hopefully) there is the Universal character breakfast with Spiderman, Scooby Doo, etc. He has really latched onto that. Every time DD talks about the princess meals he pipes in "Don't forget Spiderman and Scooby doo..."

IMO they could make one of the meals at Hollywood & Vine feature some Disney XD characters for the older kids... P & F, Kick BUttowski, etc. I mean -- do they really need 2 meals a day for Playhouse Disney characters???

 

[Disney Commando]

1) Simple.
2) Parents splurge and dolt on girls, but not on boys.
3) All you have to do is look at the high spending for
. . . princess breakfasts (CRT, PSD, 1900)
. . . hair (BBB x2)
. . . princess outfits in stores
. . . fairy meet-and-greet
4) Need I go on?

I only know from the boy side on this, I have 1 son I splurge on him all the time,

I know parents with DD's get nickeled & dimed with all the extra's at BBB

I would think if they did a Toy Story meal they could dress & make the kids up as Buzz, Woody, and they could have Jessie for the girls. (Wow a dinner that everyone is included in, go figure)

 

[jcjen519]

I agree with you. I have a two year old boy who will be almost 3 on our next trip in May. We're doing two different character dining experiences with Mickey but I'd love to see something with toy story or really any of the stuff you've mentioned. Even a Beauty and the Beast with more than just belle or the little mermaid...more then just the princesses would make my kid happy.

I would also add that we have no problem at all spending a great deal of money on our son. In fact I'm LOOKING for more extra special stuff for him. He is an only child as well. I think Disney has missed an opportunity here. Just my opinion.

 

[jcjen519]

I agree with you. I have a two year old boy who will be almost on our next trip in May. We're doing two different character dining experiences with Mickey but I'd love to see something with toy story or really any of the stuff you've mentioned. Even a Beauty and the Beast with more than just belle or the little mermaid...more then just the princesses would make my kid happy.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I'm a mom of 2 boys, and I spend plenty on them, especially for vacations and special occasions. On our last WDW trip, they were 3 and 5 and we went to CRT for dinner and Akershus for lunch (with my nieces). The boys loved the princess meals then. Now they will be 5 and 7 when we go back in the summer, and they specifically requested no princesses.

While I would still love to see a character meal involving Pixar characters or Phineas & Ferb, I am very happy that we booked the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage for one evening of our trip this coming July. My boys LOVE Peter Pan, and playing "pirates" with each other all the time. DH and I decided not to tell them about this until we are there and we just take them on the voyage! There are still some nice things to do for boys, just maybe takes a little more searching to find them.

 

[GatorMommy2007]

Personally, I think the current Play and Dine should stay, but a Toy Story character meal should definitely be implemented SOMEWHERE! To be honest, Chef Mickey's hasn't really impressed me, it feels so rushed, but it's a staple and will NEVER go away. Pixar, Pirate, and Star Wars would bing in some serious cash!

 

[cymbaldiva]

Heck of a thread bump here....

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Not so convinced on this train of thought.
I think many with boys would agree.

1) I understand your point of view.
2) But, you are not the typical parent of boys.
3) However, let's face some facts. Disney . . .
. . . has tons of statistical data
. . . has tons of surveys (going on every day, in every park)
. . . has a profit-driven motive
. . . takes any advantage to make more money
. . . would make a boy's-themed meal if profits were there
. . . has decided not to do a boy's-themed meal
. . . had a Toy Story meal scheduled for DHS
. . . canceled the plan in the middle of character tryouts/casting
4) If there was good profit potential, would Disney pass the opportunity?
5) Thoughts, anyone?

 

[jupers]

I'm in on this too...I don't know why DIs doesn't capitalize more on the Pirate/Toy Story/Star Wars/Cars with the boys...I would absolutely love a meal that involved these characters. As much as I love Mickey I would choose these meals over CM every time!!!

I also would love to see more done at HS....I find that I only spend about an hour in this park.

 

[TDC Nala]

It would be really difficult for Cars characters to appear at a meal...that's likely not going to happen.

Rusty's right about Disney actually entering the casting phase for a Toy Story meal at Hollywood & Vine in DHS, but scrapped that to feature characters from their preschool shows. There had to be some distinct reason why they went in that direction and still have preschool characters at that restaurant.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

1) I understand your point of view.
2) But, you are not the typical parent of boys.
3) However, let's face some facts. Disney . . .
. . . has tons of statistical data
. . . has tons of surveys (going on every day, in every park)
. . . has a profit-driven motive
. . . takes any advantage to make more money
. . . would make a boy's-themed meal if profits were there
. . . has decided not to do a boy's-themed meal
. . . had a Toy Story meal scheduled for DHS
. . . canceled the plan in the middle of character tryouts/casting
4) If there was good profit potential, would Disney pass the opportunity?
5) Thoughts, anyone?

This can depend greatly on each individual family. In my experience, moms tend to spend equally on their kids. Dads are more likely to spend more on girls. This isn't always true, but I've definitely noticed a difference in the amount some men spend on their kids. I'm not a man, but I tend to think most men think little boys don't need to play dress up. Give them a ball & they're good. They don't need anything else. They don't see a need to cater to & pamper little boys. If mom has equal control of their funds, boys get as much as girls. If dad is more controlling, more is spent on the girls. My DH has no control over how much I spend. We have an only child, which is a boy (now a man). Let's just say he didn't do without. I would have spent much more money at WDW, if there were more special things for him to take part in. It seems like WDW has too many men making decisions like these. No offense to men, but they tend to think differently from women. If more moms of boys were making decisions, I bet things would be more equal.

 

[ElizabethG]

I think a villian character meal would be great too. And if you thought it was going to be too scary for your kids then don't eat there. I am not sure why people would go to a "villian" meal and then be upset and complain because it was too scary. Hello, don't eat there if your kids are going to be scared. Duh! haha!

There was a villian character meal. With bad feedback and people not going, it was scrapped. It is now Cinderella and family (1900 Park Fare dinner).

 

[kmedina]

My son is still young, so he loves Mickey, Manny, Oso, Pooh, The Mad Hatter, etc. When he gets older, I hope there are more boy themed meals. I still take him to CRT. It seems like he likes it less each trip.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

1) I understand your point of view.
2) But, you are not the typical parent of boys.
3) However, let's face some facts. Disney . . .
. . . has tons of statistical data
. . . has tons of surveys (going on every day, in every park)
. . . has a profit-driven motive
. . . takes any advantage to make more money
. . . would make a boy's-themed meal if profits were there
. . . has decided not to do a boy's-themed meal
. . . had a Toy Story meal scheduled for DHS
. . . canceled the plan in the middle of character tryouts/casting
4) If there was good profit potential, would Disney pass the opportunity?
5) Thoughts, anyone?

I think that parents spend a ton of money on boys, just like they do girls. The idea that parents spend less on boys simply because they're less fun to dote on is, I think, an arguement that most parents wouldn't agree with, and historically speaking it's certainly not true. And as a parent to boys, I have to say that the toys are not cheaper, nor is it a simple case of "here's a ball, here's a bat, have fun." It seems like most toys out there are either gender-neutral or aimed at boys, and that most boys toys are collection-driven which requires more of an investment. Other than the typical Barbie doll/doll stuff, "homemaking toys" (though those toys are not as female-aimed as was the case when I was a kid), and the pet/animal toys and stuffed animals, there's just not much of a franchise that's aimed at girls. Boys... There's Mario, Sonic, Skylander, Thomas the Train, Chuggington, Hot Wheels, Pokemon, DragonBallZ, Nerf, sports/athletic toys, action figures, even things like Legos which are clearly more marketed to boys or are gender-neutral with a slant to boys.

Parents are obviously willing to spend money on boys, toy marketing shows that.

What I think is more the case is that the things that are girl-aimed at Disney are more readily obvious just because they are themed after something that is central to the park. But in truth, I think most of their dining experiences are gender-neutral. The various Mickey dining, the Agent Oso/Jake dining, Pooh and friends, Stitch, Chip and Dale... All of that is gender-neutral and perfect for boys. Then there's Pirate Leauge, Jedi Training, both which appeal to boys...

And let's be honest... If they were to do a Toy Story dining experience, it'd attract just as many girls as boys. If they did a Pirates one, they'd attract just as many girls and adult women as boys. LoL!