Character Dining with no kids & dining packages for shows

[Lauren8889]

We are 3 adults travelling from Australia to Disneyland in September 2018. Two of us have been to Disneyland twice before, one as kids and then again in 2015 but have never had a character meal before. The other has been to Disneyland once before for one part day but has never met any characters, watched parade or fireworks (I hardly call this going to Disneyland but we will fix that this trip).
I'm thinking about organising a character meal for us this trip as it will be a great way to meet some characters without having to line up a lot, but I have a few questions and would love your opinions:
- I'm leaning towards doing breakfast at the Plaza Inn within Disneyland as I have heard it has the most characters but am undecided if I should go with really early breakfast hopefully before the park opens as it would be amazing to enter the park and get a few pictures before the crowds arrive, or would this be a waste of the early quiet time in the park when we can get a bunch of rides in and we would be better with a breakfast around 10:30am which would also benefit that we can skip lunch?
- Has anyone been to character dining without kids before? I'm worried with just adults the characters might skip our table?

Also we are looking into doing a dining package for shows such as World of Color etc. We have never done any before and have very limited knowledge on what is available.
- Is World of Color the only show that offers this kind of package?
- Is it worth the money to do the package? Is the food and viewing for the shows good?
- Any information or tips on this would be great.

Thanks in advance, your help is much appreciated.

 

[JanJan324]

I've done the Plaza twice with no kids. Once for my 40th birthday solo, and not even two weeks ago with a group of other adult women. On my solo trip I did the 7:10AM on an 8AM park open(7AM Magic Morning - which I did NOT have a ticket for), and the more recent trip was 10:20AM. If you have a Magic Morning, do not waste that early park time with a character breakfast. It worked out great for me since I could still get in early since I had the reservation for breakfast. Character wise - both trips had a few oddities that kind of bugged me. First, Fairy Godmother was NOT in character at all. It was like talking to a grandma. She talked to us about the weather at home and things like that. Second, Max didn't come to the table at all. Thankfully that wasn't a big issue for any of us, but it's something to be aware of. Both of those happened on both trips. Other than that, it was lots of fun and great character interaction. I really recommend the later breakfast time, it gives you a break when the park is starting to get busier, and like you said - you won't really need lunch.

I've never done the World of Color dining package, but the do offer a dining package for Frozen and for Fantasmic. We've done the Blue Bayou Fantasmic package and it was worth it to us.

 

[GenGen22]

We (me & DD21) have done Ariel's Grotto (which is no longer) and Storytellers cafe. The characters will interact with you for sure as that's what your paying for. I've heard the breakfast at the Plaza inn isn't that great so be aware of this. They do have the most characters though. We absolutely love Storytellers! The food is delicious and they have the most delicious salted caramel French toast! The characters are Chip & Dale and Brother Bear. Chip & Dale are great! Always making jokes and playing around and keeping you laughing the entire time.

We have done the WOC dessert party and loved it! You get the best seats and no pushing or shoving or over crowding while watching the show and you can have a cocktail or two and relax in a seated spot instead of a standing spot. To me it's well worth it.

 

[MonocularVision]

I've heard the breakfast at the Plaza inn isn't that great so be aware of this. They do have the most characters though.

My family and kids especially really enjoy the breakfast at Plaza Inn. They have made to order omelettes that are really good and tons of other options.

 

[GenGen22]

My family and kids especially really enjoy the breakfast at Plaza Inn. They have made to order omelettes that are really good and tons of other options.

I don't have personal experience. I'm only stating that's what I've read and what some people I know that have gone there have experienced. I'm glad you had a good experience.