Character Dining vs. Medieval Times vs. Pirates Dinner Show

[Gianna559]

Hi guys!

I've already paid for my hotel and tickets. Now I've got room to budget for other things. I've considered doing either Disney Character Dining, Medieval Times, or Pirates Dinner Show.

Which would you prefer? Which is a better deal, price wise?

Note: This is for my 5 year old son.

 

[Twinkle Lights]

Hi! We have done all of the character dining for boys at DL and CA and also Medieval Times (but not Pirates Adventure). I would say, its whatever your kiddo is into....if he really likes knights, jousting, horses, etc. he might really like Medieval Times, if not, I would go with a Disney character dining experience. Its right there, and not as expensive.

I would say for a typical 5 year old boy, the character dining would be great. We really like the Minnie and Friends breakfast at the Plaza, especially if you can get an early reservation that will allow you to enter the park before it opens. It is absolutely magical to get some photos on Main Street, and especially in front of the castle with no one behind you! A good variety of characters can be found there. Once we had a memorable photo with Captain Hook swordfighting my son when he was dressed as Peter Pan. :

We also liked Storytellers Cafe breakfast with Chip n Dale, and the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier hotel...it is now changed to a Surfs Up breakfast with Mickey and friends, no more Lilo/Stitch. Both of those had fun "parades" around the restaurant every so often, where the kids could join in, play instruments, etc. Its a bit of a walk to Paradise Pier, but the Grand Californian (Storytellers Cafe) is just beside California Adventure so not too bad.

I can't recommend Goofys Kitchen for dinner. It was expensive and the food was NOT good, IMO. Especially the desserts. They looked like this incredible variety of yumminess, and every single one tasted the same: bland and yuk.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I would say for a typical 5 year old boy, the character dining would be great. We really like the Minnie and Friends breakfast at the Plaza, especially if you can get an early reservation that will allow you to enter the park before it opens.

the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier hotel...it is now changed to a Surfs Up breakfast with Mickey and friends, no more Lilo/Stitch.

i, like twinkle lights have done all the character dining and MT but not the pirates...personally, I didnt like MT and would rather have stayed at the park...my 2 favorites are same as above..Minnie and Friends and Surfs Up! with mickey and friends...even though its not the L&S show anymore, they still come, at least they did the last time we went...and the food is still exactly the same...which i love....

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i love MT and we are doing it again this time with my parents and we will get the pic they have, they also have cool stuff at the gift shop my son found a cool dragon last time we were there.

 

[WDWRookie2009]

I am hoping MT is a great hit ! We booked a birthday celebration for our soon to be 11 and soon to be 6 year old ! We have a party of 18 and we are all really excited ! Both boys love knights and horses. We have done character dining at Disney World and the kids LOVED it !

I think whatever you chose will end up being fun and memorable !

 

[Twinkle Lights]

I am hoping MT is a great hit ! We booked a birthday celebration for our soon to be 11 and soon to be 6 year old ! We have a party of 18 and we are all really excited ! Both boys love knights and horses. We have done character dining at Disney World and the kids LOVED it !

I think whatever you chose will end up being fun and memorable !

My 9 year old LOVED MT, but I am not so sure he would have liked it as much at 5. He was asking the week afterward when we could go again! LOL I think the show is kind of long and you can't always hear/understand the dialogue between the characters...thats why I'm not sure it would be as good for a 5 year old, but there is plenty to entertain, true. Its fun to cheer for your knight and if you get a seat in the front, its an awesome view. We bought the mid level tickets and got a free upgrade to front row which was really nice. I've gone three times and always get the green knight. What is up with that?

 

[cmwade77]

Just an FYI, for Medieval Times and Pirates, be sure to check Gold Star Events at http://www.goldstar.com for half priced tickets, it can save a lot of money.

 

[hootey]

We have attended all the shows mentioned, the Pirates dinner Show is the clear winner. The show was non stop action, great acting, singing, and performed right in front of you. Comfortable seating, great food, great service, great show, what more could you want. The Medievil times show was basically a big get drunk party the night we were there. Cheap uncomfortable seating, lousey cold food, but, they had lots of huge drinks. The sound system was terrible, as well as the acting. I sent in a complaint about the show and of course never recieved a reply. I was not impressed and will not go back.
The disney character dining options are usualloy quite nice. Be sure to call disney dining and confirm which show to attend at what time to see and interact with your favorite characters. Good food, good service, and disney characters make for a happy experience.

 

[Keurigirl]

MT is seriously bad. If you like to eat crappy food with your fingers and NO refills, seconds or otherwise... go ahead. We thought it was horrible.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thanks for the review of Pirates. Maybe when our grandson (10 mos) is older he'll enjoy it.

Several years ago when DD was sweet 16 we took her to Medieval Times. The display of various medieval torture devices near the entrance was quite a change of scene from Disneyland. As well as a bit of a drive to get there.

As part of the show, one of the medieval knights presented DD a flower (I think it was a carnation), and she was smitten. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything spectacular either.

If OP's 5-yr old isn't afraid of over-size Disney characters, I would go with a character meal and save Pirates and MT for when he's older.

 

[disneylandette]

We are leaving tomorrow night and still up in the air about booking the Pirate show for my son. He loves Pirates and thinking of going for his birthday. Does anyone know about transportation from a good neighbor hotel (Carousel Inn)? How far and how much?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

when we went to MT they refiled our drinks anytime we needed it and the food was good too.

 

[perlster]

http://socalfun.biz.ht/dlr2bp.html

 

[disneylandette]

Thank you so much perlster! That helps alot

 

[medievaldave]

Medieval times for sure.. character dining just buy a bucket of popcorn and find the characters around the park...Thers more out there than just Disney. Pirates is great too but will always love MT

 

[bakerudall]

My 9 year old LOVED MT, but I am not so sure he would have liked it as much at 5. He was asking the week afterward when we could go again! LOL I think the show is kind of long and you can't always hear/understand the dialogue between the characters...thats why I'm not sure it would be as good for a 5 year old, but there is plenty to entertain, true. Its fun to cheer for your knight and if you get a seat in the front, its an awesome view. We bought the mid level tickets and got a free upgrade to front row which was really nice. I've gone three times and always get the green knight. What is up with that?

Twinkle Lights, am I misreading your ticker, or is your entire summer set up to be a Disney tour de force?

I am quite jealous of your Star Wars Weekends.

 

[Gianna559]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like Character Dining is probably the best option for us. I was really hoping to experience Medieval Times or Pirates but it doesn't really sound worth it.

So.... which Character Dining is the best?

Note: We have hoppers and we have never done character dining before.

 

[Twinkle Lights]

Twinkle Lights, am I misreading your ticker, or is your entire summer set up to be a Disney tour de force?

I am quite jealous of your Star Wars Weekends.

Well, I am a teacher and can only manage limited time off for my Disney obsession during the school year (WDW in October is it for 2012-2013), so I gotta pack it all in during the summer. Its sorta like Disney fuel... keeps me charged for the whole next year!

To stay on topic everyone sounds like they have their own favorites as far as themed dining experiences... One other thing about MT or PDA, on their website they have a "club" you sign up for with your email address, and they will send you discount coupons/codes for buying tix...you probably saw that, the buy one get one free deals are pretty good. We always use that one if we go to MT. We might try Pirates Dinner Adventure the next time we are there...I keep picturing the cheezy show outside Treasure Island in Las Vegas though!! Hope its better than that!

 

[Twinkle Lights]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like Character Dining is probably the best option for us. I was really hoping to experience Medieval Times or Pirates but it doesn't really sound worth it.

So.... which Character Dining is the best?

Note: We have hoppers and we have never done character dining before.

Your best bets are either "Minnie and Friends", in Disneyland or "Surfs Up with Mickey and Friends" at Paradise Pier, IMO. If you don't do MT or PDA, theres always another time when your son is older and will probably get more out of it. They've been there for ages, I doubt they are going anywhere!