Character Dining

[jklmw]

When we were planning our trip, we said we weren't going to spend alot of time with character meals and sit down service. The last couple of times we did, we weren't really that impressed Well, that was the plan, but with a little pixie dust, a change of heart and calling we got a couple of ressies. It was my dh, ds,5 and dd,3. We went to CP for Thanksgiving Lunch, our server Jay was wonderful, he made our lunch really enjoyable! The characters came by, but nothing out of the ordinary, they weren't super busy, but Pooh and Gang, just didn't seem that magical. Now to that night, we went to GF to see the Gingerbread house and my dh said, check 1900 Park and see if they could seat us, well much to our suprise they took us in 10 minutes. I really was disappointed, I don't even think Anastasia came to our table, now I know I could have told the server, but she seemed a little overwhelmed. GRANTED I KNOW IT IS THANKSGIVING, but this happened at 1900 Park this past January. A far cry from when we first went there a couple of years ago, the characters sat and talked with us, this time a total different experience. Then we went to Akershus Royal Banquet, same thing as 1900 Park Fare. I am not sure we will consider Character Dining the next time we go, which is such a bummer! You pay so much money and I think you could do better just walking around the parks at a character spot.

 

[tfoster]

I'm so sorry you had disappointing character dining experiences. Yours is a very timely post for me because we have three planned for our upcoming trip and I keep going back and forth about doing them. On the one hand, it's great for the kids to be able to meet the characters and parade around the room with them. I'd also much rather be eating while waiting to meet them rather than just standing in a line. On the other hand, if you don't have good interactions or worse yet have no interactions, the whole purpose is defeated.

We have ADRs at Ohana breakfast, Crystal Palace breakfast, and Cape May Cafe breakfast. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll have good character interaction experiences.

 

[jklmw]

Hey Tfoster, we had a better time at CP, and in January 2009 we went to Ohana and we had a good experience there, the parade..etc..
I think it all depends on the timing too. CP was better than 1900 park, which was dinner, I don't know we may have gotten REALLY spoiled with our original dining experience. You are right though, eating while waiting, good point! Good Luck, and let me know how it goes!!! I tried to get into Cape MAy and had no luck, hopefully you will!!

 

[KatMark]

I think a lot of it depends on the timing, how busy the place is and "the characters" (meaning who is in the costume). We were at the CP in September for breakfast and each character spent a great deal of time with every table, including ours (and we were just two adults), for pics and autographs, and Eeyore was playing with my 56+ year old hubby (hubby was wearing his Eeyore ears).

 

[jklmw]

KatMark, Thanks for the post, but more importantly, I am happy you survived Breast cancer!! YOU GO GIRL!!

 

[KatMark]

KatMark, Thanks for the post, but more importantly, I am happy you survived Breast cancer!! YOU GO GIRL!!

Thank you! You are very sweet to post that. It will be three years in February.