Character Dining for Dinner?! Or other ideas welcome please

[motor58]

Hey Guys,

Another question about our arrival day. Our flight got pushed back another hour so I am even less inclined to do a park day on arrival. Getting to hotel probably around 4pm.

But I was thinking it sure would be nice to do a character dinner-but the ones at the hotels are all breakfast right? I have been looking and looking and I should just call and ask but I already called with questions and she wasn't very nice or helpful. Still-I know I can call again.

Should I just give up and do downtown disney (which is a great idea) but I was hoping for more a fun and special first night.

Any ideas? Any thoughts?

So thankful for your help,

 

[larina]

Goofy's (in DLH) does dinner

 

[motor58]

Yes, true-but here is where it gets tricky. And it's always tricky right?

I had planned on doing Goofy's our last day for breakfast before our plane goes out.

I'd love to do Goofy's the first night and maybe do the one at Paradise Pier Hotel for breakfast on our leaving day, but I bought that Photo Pass+ and I am not certain I can go get it before the character meal. The lady on the phone said no, but I hear on these boards people are doing it. Seems chancy to me.

I was thinking if there was some other neato thing to do that evening that you all knew about?

Or maybe I should just chance it and try to get that PP+ that first day?

Is planning a vacation supposed to be this hard?

 

[skiingfast]

Disney Photopass said you could redeem the voucher at any character meal, but for some reason this isn't working at DLR. You can buy the package and get recredited for the purchase when you go into the park to pick up your PP Plus Card the next day.


This is a link to the Character Meal Superthread, which has lots of information.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2959483

 

[motor58]

Thanks Skiingfast,

So I could just buy the photo package at Goofy's and they will reimburse me at the Photopass place the next day? Is this for sure? That would be great!

 

[Girimama33]

People have reported that they were able to enter the park on a day they did not have admission in order to obtain their Photopas + card. They get some sort of pass that is good for one hour.

 

[Started With a Mouse]

Goofy's Kitchen will be a memorable dining experience for your first night!

 

[Girimama33]

Thanks Skiingfast,

So I could just buy the photo package at Goofy's and they will reimburse me at the Photopass place the next day? Is this for sure? That would be great!

Yes...Just save your receipt when you purchase the portrait package.

 

[laurasvwee]

the last 2 trips to DL we had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe the night we flew in. My sons loved it. Last time we got this volcano brownie thing that had sparkles on it. It was so big the 4 of us couldn't eat it all

 

[pixiewings71]

the last 2 trips to DL we had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe the night we flew in. My sons loved it. Last time we got this volcano brownie thing that had sparkles on it. It was so big the 4 of us couldn't eat it all

VOOOOOOLLLLCAAAAAAAAAAANOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sorry couldn't resist, love me some volcano! LOL

 

[IBLarsen]

We always tend to do Goofy's Dinner on our arrival evening...it has become a family tradition and the kids love to start off seeing so many characters. If you can work around your photopass issue, I think your new plan would be great!

I do have to say my kids LOVE the Rainforest Cafe as well! We don't do this at DLR because we have one 30 minutes from us here in Texas, so we tend to do that once a year anyways as a special treat. However, if we didn't have one close by, I think I would fit this in at some point as well

Minnie's Breakfast is always a good Character Meal as well. We tend to like this for Breakfast and Goofy's for dinner... Haven't ever tried the PPH though!

Have fun!!

 

[Hoku]

I agree with doing Rainforest Cafe. Aside from being a truly fun place to eat, it's at a part of DTD that has lots of entertainment and is alive with people having a great time. Dinner at the hotel is nice, too, but it's definitely quieter and more "hotel-ish", if that makes sense. DTD is a great way to really celebrate being at the resort if you can't get into the parks yet. Not sure why you think DTD is "giving up". ????

 

[motor58]

Thanks everybody, I appreciate all of it! Glad to hear getting reimbursed is easy to do, I think that is what I will do and just switch around my character meals on my arriving and leaving days.

Hoku-I am sure downtown disney is awesome-but from what I can gather online (and please know I have never been there so I know I am ignorant) it looks like a mall. A fun, disney themed mall. I am sure I sound terrible! I am sure we will love it!

 

[motor58]

oh! and as far as rainforest cafe, we have one where we are and did happen to go last month. I am good for a while

 

[DarthMole]

You should be able to go to the gate and have a CM escort you to the Photo shop so you can trade in your voucher. That's been reported multiple times in the massive PP+ thread.

I can see how dining in DTD is giving up if you have your sights set on a character meal. There's really nothing special or Disney about any of the options in DTD in my opinion. There are some good places (and some bad ones) but really no different than you could get back home for most people.

 

[Hoku]

Indeed, if you have a rainforest cafe near you, it's not as special or needed at the resort.

Yes, DTD is similar to an outdoor mall and has some Disney theming, but that is all background to me and my family. What we really love is all of the live music by phenomenal artists - guitarists, keyboardists, violinists - all truly great, scattered throughout. There are fountains and sometimes dancers around. For us, it's just a whole lot of good vibe - especially at night. That's one reason we like staying on property.

Glad you're comfortable with your decision. I know you'll have a great time!

 

[ammeador2]

We are going to DLR very very soon and I was considering Goofy's Kitchen for dinner! However, my kids and husband are pretty picky. I was wondering if anyone knows if chicken nuggets are on the buffet! We have only been to WDW and I know chicken nuggets are everywhere! =D

Was also considering a character breakfast..decisions decisions!

 

[hootey]

we prefer goofies for dinner over breakfast, better food selection and character interaction for us. Great way to start your disney vacation and ending with a character breakfast is nice as well...