Character Dining with Adults

[addiemon]

Hey guys, I've chanced into a trip to DLR with my mother and future sister-in-law before Thanksgiving this year. We're really excited!

I'm tentatively offering to host a character meal for the three of us, but my mother expressed concerns that we might be the only table without kids if we do one. I haven't done a character meal at Disneyland since I was a tot myself, but we didn't have that problem (or at least, I didn't notice it...but maybe I was just too distracted) when I was at WDW in October.

Still, I know the character of DLR is rather different from WDW, so I thought I'd ask the experts! Is my mom right to be concerned about the character dining specifically? Is there a particular character dining experience you'd recommend for an adults-only group? (I'm leaning towards princesses at Ariel's Grotto, but haven't had a chance to get my SiL's character interests yet.)

Thank you!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Don't worry about this! There will be other tables with only grown ups. (A friend of mine did her bridesmaids brunch at a character meal!) We do this fairly regularly with friends (just grown up time to catch up with each other) and have a blast. Make sure that the CMs know that you want interaction with the characters. (And if you think you aren't getting enough interaction, speak up!) Which meal you choose depends on which characters you want to see. Stitch is only at Surf's Up. Goofy's is the only meal that serves dinner. Minnie's has the most characters. Storyteller's has more rare characters (think woodland creatures). If you want princesses, then Ariel's is the place. If this will be a celebration meal, note it on the reservation and with your server. Also wear "I'm Celebrating" buttons so that the CMs and princesses know when they meet you. Get lots of photos and have a great time!

 

[Winnowill]

Oh, heck no! Do it! There are plenty of character diners without kids. I've seen boisterous parties of only adults at Minnie's Breakfast, certainly. And, really, even if you WERE the only table without kids (you won't be), why would that matter?

 

[ParkHopper1]

We do it all the time...my Fav is Mickey's Surfs Up at PCH Grill for the adult trips. The characters adjust their interaction accordingly to the group that is at the table and it can be a lot of fun. That is where I usually take folks that you would think are too "cool" for a character meal but they always leave having had a great time.

Goofy's Kitchen and Minnie's are a bit more overrun with kids and Storytellers is just kinda lame in the character dept IMO.

 

[peachiepie]

We've done Goofy's kitchen and have got it booked again for the end of the month. We are two adults, no kids. There were other adult groups there and we didn't feel out of place. As it was a buffet they were lots of people milling around, getting up and down, so no one seemed to be really paying attention to anyone else's table.

 

[addiemon]

Thanks guys- I thought that'd be the case, but as mentioned, I haven't done one at DLR in forever. <3 And especially thanks for all the specific tips!