character dining

[sseely40851]

So out kids are 15 and 19. We booked some character meals. I know we're all kids at DWD, but will our table get the attention that younger families get? We still want pictures, of course, and hopefully will not be ignored. Its the first visit for our kids, so we're new at this.

 

[shannonstar]

You will get all the attention you want. Have them wear a 1st visit button. Have an autograph book.
I have seen solo dining old men get attention from Tigger like you wouldn't believe.
It's all about how you act when they approach you.

 

[starrysky]

DH and I have been to Crystal Palace and Tusker House for breakfast and had a great time with the characters. Plenty kisses from Donald and Goofy for me DH is taller than Goofy so that always causes a laugh as well. Pooh and friends as well were also really sweet.

Its just the two of us and never noticed a lack of experince with the characters its just different than if we did have kids.

We also had a lovely interaction with Princess Tiana (SP) she was really sweet asked if DH was my frog and if we could get her some haggis on our next visit as we are from scotland for her restaurant.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Yes you will get plenty of attention

I recall how much I adored the characters at Chef Mickey's our trip when DS was turning 12. I knew he was looking forward to going but feeling a bit pre-teen I could tell he was feeling a smidge self conscious about it. Thankfully we were seated by a family of 4 - their DD mustve been about 15 but their DS, will never forget "John" had to be close to 20 & over 6 feet tall.

EVERY character heading our way, the mother would chirp, "Come on JOHN, get up & pose with Mickey" or whoever & being the good sport, John would get up for the photo with his sister. It became so comical to my son seeing this obviously grown young man willing submitting to pic's with Mickey & friends to make his mama happy. We were all grinning ear to ear.

ANd happily, he didn't worry about not being too grown up anymore & ever since that meal, he's been completely coorperative every character meal we go to, which is good because I digress to childhood every time we go to WDW and get around characters

You will have so much fun - little ones are adorable with characters but there's something special about seeing your almost adult children posing for a picture with their favorite disney character

 

[Sweettears]

My kids are now in their 20s and they get the same amount of attention as they did on their first trip.

 

[Sagginit]

yes! but if you want attention you need to give them a reason to interact. talk to them, take photos, bring an autograph book (i buy these scrapbook books that are the same size as an autograph book so the signature can go next to photo in my trip scrapbooks). i kinda prefer the face characters as opposed to the mask ones because they can hold a conversation, but both are great. the characters love to have fun so as long as you are cheerful and friendly they will hang around.

 

[dimndgal1]

Since kids can run hot or cold I think characters are actually more easy going with older guests. Anyone over 13 who wants to see Mickey is probably going to be in a fun mood vs. Young kids who can be shy/cranky/unsure/awestruck. Don't get me wrong - kids love characters.... but I get the feeling characters love kids-at-heart.

I loved the characters as a kid but my memorable interactions really started when I was a teenager. I was 'too cool' for Disney at 15 and some of the characters fed off of that - making faces or 'consoling' my mom. Captain hook made a big deal of inviting me to join his crew because he liked my style... and that was with me being a moody teen.

I did Disney for my college graduation present with my sister who was 18 at the time. We had a blast and some great times with the characters... they were animated and entertaining. When DH and I did CRT for our honeymoon, the princesses were great - asking him if he was Charming or not, comparing jobs of their princes with his... very personable. At Garden Grill, Chip and dale had a food fight with our rolls, Mickey tried to swap shirts with DH, and Pluto danced with me.

While I love seeing DD respond to the characters, I still enjoy the time they spend with me, too


DH also wants to add this: best interaction we saw was a group of young, droopy-pants, backwards hat wearing guys going nuts over Minnie. They waited (very patiently) to meet Mr and Mrs Mouse and acted like 7 year old when. They were next to her.... so funny and great to see

 

[Mousemommy1]

You'll get plenty of attention!!!! They don't care what age you are!!! Even my DH gets all giddy when the princesses come around, and I've noticed them giving him some extra time because he totally plays into it!!! Quite fun to watch actually...