Character Lunch at Tusker House

[robandkelly13]

Has anyone done the character lunch at Tusker House since it began on 12/4? If so, how was the character interaction? the food?

 

[TDC Nala]

On the reviews board you can find a post that is titled something like "Tusker House...Mad House" although I can't recall anything that was said about the food.

 

[figment1988]

On the reviews board you can find a post that is titled something like "Tusker House...Mad House" although I can't recall anything that was said about the food.

the food was good, but the character interaction was way too rushed, not to mention that the photographers try to push you into taking the photo with donald only to be suckered with being charged $32 for the entire photo package, as for the service, it was straight out horrendous because from the moment i checked in, the staff was just rude, and uncaring, and when i tried to address my grievances, i was practically ignored until i demanded to speak with a manager who was just as conceited as the coordinator who tried to page her. I don't think i'll ever waste my time at tusker house again until this lunch is phased out and they bring back the nemo package.

 

[bjakmom]

So is the only way to get a pic with Donald to have it done on the way in and be charged for a group picture? Does Donald make the rotation around the room so the kids can get his autograph and individual pictures? If not, I think I'm going to go ahead and cancel this one - meeting Donald was the big draw for my gang.

 

[figment1988]

So is the only way to get a pic with Donald to have it done on the way in and be charged for a group picture? Does Donald make the rotation around the room so the kids can get his autograph and individual pictures? If not, I think I'm going to go ahead and cancel this one - meeting Donald was the big draw for my gang.

it's possible to use a personal camera for the photo op, as for donald, not only does he not make the rotation (except when it rains), but he doesn't sign any autographs, and i have heard from some irate parents that their kids were disappointed when the photographers and some of the TH staff told them at the last minute.

 

[robandkelly13]

the food was good, but the character interaction was way too rushed, not to mention that the photographers try to push you into taking the photo with donald only to be suckered with being charged $32 for the entire photo package, as for the service, it was straight out horrendous because from the moment i checked in, the staff was just rude, and uncaring, and when i tried to address my grievances, i was practically ignored until i demanded to speak with a manager who was just as conceited as the coordinator who tried to page her. I don't think i'll ever waste my time at tusker house again until this lunch is phased out and they bring back the nemo package.

This sounds like our last experience with the breakfast there...

Was the food good at least?

 

[BebopBaloo]

If you're going just for Donald's autograph, I would head to Camp Minnie Mickey. You can meet him there for autographs along with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy.

 

[figment1988]

This sounds like our last experience with the breakfast there...

Was the food good at least?

despite the horrible service, the food was the only positive thing from the lunch, but aside from that, i wouldn't recommend wasting money on this disorganized mess of a lunch.

 

[MSSANDRA]

How disappointing.....We had done and loved the breakfast when my older DS was little. Was going to change my ADR's to include this one week after next but won't bother.

At one point this was out favorite meal. We had the BEST waitress we had anywhere, the characters were the BEST, and the food was better and more varied than most places.

 

[mariethecat]

We did the lunch at Tusker House last week. The food was a hit with everyone in our group of eleven. There was a good variety of main dishes and desserts. We thought the food was much better than other character meals we have done in the past.
We knew that Donald was only outside before we went so we were not disappointed about that. We didn't purchase any of the photos with him.
The other characters did interact with the two children enough for our satisfaction. They also did a congo line a couple of times while we were there but our children didn't want to participate.
We had good service at our tables and it was a good experience for us as the food was much better than we expected. It was noisy at times but again that seemed normal for a character meal.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Tusker House Dinner Buffet:
. . . food price value: B
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: A
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: D
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: D

NOTE: The lunch buffets is reasonably priced for Disney
park eatery. Although the selection could be more varied, there
are menu items for most tastes. Although highly Americanized,
the dishes do have an African flair. However, every review has
said the character interaction is almost non-existent. And,
Donald does not circulate or sign autographs. Do dinner
or breakfast, and skip the lunch offering.

 

[CupcakeLisa]

hmm was hoping the lunch would be getting good reviews, hopefully it has improved by the time we go in october

 

[figment1988]

hmm was hoping the lunch would be getting good reviews, hopefully it has improved by the time we go in october

if i remember well, i heard that this was a trial until february.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Food at Tusker House was delicious! Had the character lunch in December. One of the best meals ever at WDW. We were there at 11am during the switch to lunch so DS got Mickey waffles... the salmon was delicious, the carved meats, and seafood stew too. I had a small sampling of nearly everything... all very tasty, not over spiced. Desserts (like I had any room...) all looked excellent. I had a bite of the bread pudding (incredible...).

Service was top notch... drinks refilled and plates cleared promptly. I noticed our server and another have been there every time we have been to Tusker House.

Same routine with characters as with breakfast (been here every trip)... so yes Donald is outside and you can take pictures with your camera for free... the photopass photographer will use your camera so your whole group is in the photo. We bought the $30 something package before... you do get a very nice group picture of the characters together in safari outfits. I think it's worth it. And you can add the photos to your photopass if you buy it.

I prefer pictures with characters in the park -- makes for better pictures without other diners in the background. Camp Minnie is perfect... and they usually have similar safari outfits on.

 

[disindec11]

We went last week and thought the food was fabulous. Freshly carved pork and beef, salmon, roasted chicken, lots of different salads, garlic mashed potatoes and probably 10 desserts to choose from. The character interaction was about the same as Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace in our opinion, but our DD was happy because she got to meet Daisy. They did the conga line and that was cute. Our server was okay - not great, not awful. The photopass person took a picture with my camera of our whole group with Donald, so we didn't purchase the picture package and weren't pressed to do so. We'd go again.

 

[suzannem]

We were there on December 18, 2011 for a 2PM lunch. As we were called in, a woman told us to put our things down and to hurry. I looked around and figured out it was for a photo with Donald. I didn't know about this portion of our meal. Our group of 5 had already begun walking towards the dining room. I called everyone back and told them that we were to get our photo taken. Everyone was hungry and not interested. I just pleaded and said "let's just do it." A CM seemed very put out that we were not moving faster. My son is on the autism spectrum and asked to not be in it.The CM told us to hurry. My mother who has dementia stopped and asked what she was to do. The CM barked at her to put her things on the table (coat, tote etc). We finally posed with Donald. The photographer was so rude. He kept yelling for us to push together. We were. He yelled at my mother that she was still not in the photo. I pulled her closer. She was very confused. He yelled "get behind the little fellow"- meaning my 10 year old nephew who took offense to the description. My mother thought he meant Donald. The photographer used the most sarcastic voice and shouted that he could not see her behind Donald. I asked her calmly to step back to the right again. She moved. The photographer said to me "She's done it again!". So mean and insensitive. Finally, the photo was taken. The CM yelled for us to hurry and pick up our things because our table was waiting. I was so flustered and annoyed.
Lunch was fine. Some tasty items. Friendly server named Veronica. Some dishes had gotten cold but every one found something they liked.
I don't know if I would go back. Character dining can feel so chaotic and rushed. The noise level is high. Daisy and Goofy were very sweet when they came by our table.

 

[figment1988]

We were there on December 18, 2011 for a 2PM lunch. As we were called in, a woman told us to put our things down and to hurry. I looked around and figured out it was for a photo with Donald. I didn't know about this portion of our meal. Our group of 5 had already begun walking towards the dining room. I called everyone back and told them that we were to get our photo taken. Everyone was hungry and not interested. I just pleaded and said "let's just do it." A CM seemed very put out that we were not moving faster. My son is on the autism spectrum and asked to not be in it.The CM told us to hurry. My mother who has dementia stopped and asked what she was to do. The CM barked at her to put her things on the table (coat, tote etc). We finally posed with Donald. The photographer was so rude. He kept yelling for us to push together. We were. He yelled at my mother that she was still not in the photo. I pulled her closer. She was very confused. He yelled "get behind the little fellow"- meaning my 10 year old nephew who took offense to the description. My mother thought he meant Donald. The photographer used the most sarcastic voice and shouted that he could not see her behind Donald. I asked her calmly to step back to the right again. She moved. The photographer said to me "She's done it again!". So mean and insensitive. Finally, the photo was taken. The CM yelled for us to hurry and pick up our things because our table was waiting. I was so flustered and annoyed.
Lunch was fine. Some tasty items. Friendly server named Veronica. Some dishes had gotten cold but every one found something they liked.
I don't know if I would go back. Character dining can feel so chaotic and rushed. The noise level is high. Daisy and Goofy were very sweet when they came by our table.

as much as i liked the breakfast, the main thing i disliked was how brash the CMs can be, but like many experiences, this is usually a "hit or miss" case which could have been avoided if the staff were to be taught to be more courteous with traffic control rather than forcibly making the guests keep the line moving. When i had the misfortune of trying out the lunch last year, the constant push to keep the line moving made it feel almost, dare i say, prison-like or even being at the recieving end of a bank robbery where one of the robbers is assigned to keep the bystanders at bay.