Character Dining Worth it for 4 year old

[pmd1117]

I was wondering if the expense and time involved for a character dining (we were thinking of going to Akershus Royal Banquent Hall)? I'm a first time visitor and I know meals at disney are expensive but I'm not sure the difference between a counter meal and character dining sit down meal is worth the experience for the food and character (since you can see the characters at certain parts of the park anyway)??

 

[pmd1117]

I forgot to ask if you book a character meal can you cancel it if you decide when you are there that you're not up for it?

 

[TDC Nala]

Akershus requires a credit card hold to keep your reservation. If you don't show up for the meal, your credit card would be charged a no show fee of $10 per person.

They also include a photo package - it's part of the price you pay for the meal.

To avoid the no-show fee, you must cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your reservation. So if you anticipate perhaps having to cancel within two days of the reservation, you may not want to book this meal.

Cinderella's Royal Table requires payment in full at the time of booking OR a credit card hold for guests on the dining plan.

Any other character meal can be booked without payment in advance or a credit card hold and cancelled at any time without penalty.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We thought Akershus was totally worth it for our 4 yr old princess and 6 yr old princess! The food was good and having the princesses come to your table to talk was a great experience for the girls. No - the girls didn't eat much at this meal, so most of the cost is for the entertainment value of the characters. To us, this was worth it.

Most of the characters you can find throughout the parks - seeing them at the meal was way easier and less stressful.

 

[tinkandpan]

For me- the cost is absolutely worth it. The food is not- but the interaction with the children and the characters is, if you have a child who is into them. The lines for characters in the parks (if you can even set yourself up right) can be upwards of 30 minutes for the main characters (like Mickey, Princesses etc). It is a very expensive meal so try and pick one that would be very special to your child's interests if money is an issue.

 

[The Sweetness]

It was always worth it for me and mine (CMs, Crystal Palace, LTT, Garden Grill... Norway, though, the food may be a little different for me, though... I am ~not~ Adventurous

 

[Brian Noble]

The four year old might or might not care that much. The four year old's parents usually have a great time.

 

[Kaler131]

100%!! My kids all LOVED it at that age....and they STILL do!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Oh yes I think it is totally worth it. We took our almost 4 year old niece to the Princess Breakfast and to see the look on her face when Ariel came out and my niece was so excited she was shaking! She showed Ariel her Ariel tee shirt, her pins and if I didnt stop her quick enough her Ariel panties!

 

[Tricia1972]

I think it is worth the cost. I agree with the PP who said the food isn't necessarily worth it. The experience with the characters is totally worth it. Some of my best memories of our October 2007 trip were watching DS2 with the characters at Chef Mickey's.

I agree completely that you can meet the characters and get pictures in the parks. That's totally true. What I don't see in the parks is much real interaction. You always feel rushed with the characters in the parks because there is a line of 100 impatient parents, uh I mean kids, behind you.

The best place to get more interaction/acting with the characters is at character meals (unfortunately as they are costly and the food just isn't that good).

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Yes, 4 is a PERFECTage to do this. WE love character meals, do several a visit, I can't comment on Akerhaus as this November will be our first time there, but the interaction you get at character meals is priceless!!! I wish I still had a four year old to take, they just eat it all up!!! Another great one is Chef Mickey's. We love it there and do a breakfast and a dinner every visit. Yes, they cost a bit more, but then you don't have to waste precious time waiting in line to see the characters later. I say go for it, you are already paying a fortune for this trip, pay a little more and enjoy a unique meal and create memories for you and your family that you will cherish forever!!!!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Yes it is so worth it

 

[DisneyMomx7]

It is sooo worth it. I always thought of it as killing two birds with one stone. You got to eat and no wasting time in the parks waiting in line for characters. My kids have been doing character meals since they were 2, 4 and 5 (5 years ago).

I think if you want to do the character meals you can't go wrong with the Disney Dining Plan. All the character meals are 1 ts credit, except Cinderella's Royal Table is 2. The Princess Storybook meal in Norway also includes a photo package.

 

[alldiz]

Don't miss it.....Akershus is the best princess meal...IMO. Brought DD for the 1st time when she was 4 and her face was PRICELESS
Kerri

 

[eventamy]

4 is the perfect age! My oldest DD was 4 during our last/first trip.
Last time we did CRT at dinner and only got to meet Cindy in the foyer and then did Play 'n Dine at DHS. We had so much fun with the characters at Play 'n Dine and with Cindy that this time we're doing more!
For next February we're doing CRT at lunch (DD requested more princesses!), Chef Mickey (DD also requested Mickey, Minnie and Donald), and Tusker House (also with the classic characters!). I'm also excited for my little DD now. She was only 9 months last time and will be 22 months next time. Last time she did ok with the characters, but I know this time she'll be really into it. Especially Mickey and Minnie! She loved Playhouse Disney, especially Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!
I've enjoyed the food at the ones I've done so far! Can't wait until February!

 

[tinkrbells]

In my own opinion, I think character dining is a must for anyone at any age going to WDW. We've found it to be fun and enjoyable. Our DS (tuns 21 today!) loves character dining as does our DD (will be 2 in 2 weeks). To us it's an expense well worth the atmosphere. I will not say that for all character dining, but we do like 1900 Park Fair, Cape May Cafe, and Chef Mickey's is a must! We did do H&V last year and we were disappointed. The food was ok, but the customer service was absolutely absurd...thank goodness characters were there or it would have been a complete waste!

 

[avamadison]

Absolutely worth it!!!! My twins are a little over 2 and they love it! We will be there again April 09 and we plan to do character breakfasts more than once! Enjoy!

 

[maraki527]

We took my 4 yrs old nephew to Chef Mickey's and he loved it. In fact he still talks about how pluto licked his face.

 

[princesscate]

OMG! 4 is perfect! My DD4 never went upto any character wherever we went . . . . Sesame, SixFlags, etc. Once she met the characters three weeks ago she came alive! No freaking out, just smiles and she got into dancing with Pluto and Chip and Dale, and couldn't stop talking to Mickey and Minnie! She ate somewhat, but she was so excited that it was hard for her to eat!
Enjoy!