Character Meal buffet question

[KPaul]

We have 3 character buffets scheduled, 1900 Park Fare, Akershus, and Chef Mickey's. Obviously, the main point of going to these is the character interaction. So, how do you know when to go to the buffet so that you don't miss the characters stopping by your table? Does your waiter tell you when is a good time to go?

 

[achenator]

We have 3 character buffets scheduled, 1900 Park Fare, Akershus, and Chef Mickey's. Obviously, the main point of going to these is the character interaction. So, how do you know when to go to the buffet so that you don't miss the characters stopping by your table? Does your waiter tell you when is a good time to go?

We usually leave 1 person at the table and tell the character or the attendant when they come by that the kids are gone to the buffet, they will usually come back.

 

[caitlinsmom]

We did 3 character meals while we were there last week and at each one the waiter/waitress explained the order the characters would be coming and how soon the first would be there.

 

[MicRac]

Usually the waiter/waitress tells you when they are getting close or entering your area. For example at Chef Mickey's there are a few different sections so when the first character enters your section the waitress announces it and then they usually follow each other pretty closely. At least that's how it was in May when we were at Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fare for breakfast.

 

[jeffnpa]

based on past history, you will be seated and advised to go eat, then once you have started the "stars" come out and spend time with you at the tables, signing autographs and taking pics. Chef Mickeys is very good

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . kids are gone to the buffet, they will usually come back . . .

1) Characters seldom make a special trip.
2) It would keep them on-stage too long.
. . . they have their regular cycle
. . . a special trip adds time
. . . plus, during special trip other kids would stop them
3) Characters have specific lengths of time to be on-stage and off-stage
4) This is part of the union contract.
5) Before going to the buffet, ask the waitress the last cycle.
6) They should give you an idea when to get your food.

 

[sarmat1]

We have 3 character buffets scheduled, 1900 Park Fare, Akershus, and Chef Mickey's. Obviously, the main point of going to these is the character interaction. So, how do you know when to go to the buffet so that you don't miss the characters stopping by your table? Does your waiter tell you when is a good time to go?

When we were at 1900 Park Fare for dinner, they followed a set pattern for table visits. Given the large, open room, it was very easy there to see where the characters were and when they would be getting to our table to determine when to get food. When we were at Akershus for dinner, while I'm sure they did the same thing, it wasn't as obvious since the tables were very close together. At any of those buffets, just ask the server what table order the characters will follow and you won't have any problems.

 

[whitney37354]

DD was five at the time of our trip, so she would eat whatever I gave her! As soon as we were seated, I went to the buffet to get DD's meal & DH stayed at the table with her. As soon as I got back, I went back quickly for my plate, then DH went for his. I don't remember anything that I ate at our buffet meals, except for having cold cereal at H&V! I was more concerned with the characters & autographs than the food.

If I could only have a certain number of character meals, I would choose the family-style meals (CRT, Garden Grill, Ohana). You can catch most of the princesses & the fab five between those three, with a few other characters mixed in!

 

[ktlm]

I've lost track of how many character meals we have done in the last 4 years (DD (5) has always loved characters), and I will admit that this aspect of it always stresses me out somewhat. You have to keep an eye out. It also depends on when and where you are seated. The servers will not always let you know when you are good to go, although some of them are really good about that.

We got extremely lucky at CP last year. We were seated right as the 1st character was only 2 tables from us. The others were not far behind. We got to visit all the characters at the beginning and then go get our meals after that. I love it when it works out that way.

Based on our numerous experiences, you might get that lucky or you might not. You might have time to eat first and then the characters arrive, or you might get seated in the middle of the rotation and then you have to space out when you go to the buffet and try to get there between characters, or you may get to see the characters quickly when you first are seated and then just focus on food and eating. The worst is when the characters get spread out pretty far apart because then you are constantly trying to figure out when you can go grab food.

Last week we did Tusker House, Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, Akershus and CRT (no buffet so the most relaxing in my opinion!). Tusker House the waiter advised us that we had plenty of time to get our food before the characters came as they were across the restaurant and it would probably be 15 minutes before they hit our table. We were finished with our meal before the first character even arrived. That was nice!

Crystal Palace we were seated in the middle of the rotation (meaning a couple of characters had just finished in our area). The waiter told us not to move or we would miss the next character. We waited for Piglet and Eeyore and then went and got our food, as we had a break before Tigger and Pooh showed up. DH went back for seconds and missed Tigger though, as he started up right in our area while DH was gone.

1900 Park Fare was the most chaotic. We got there and Prince Charming was close by so we didn't move. The characters were very spread out, but not with enough time to trust making it all the way through the buffet before the next one hit the table. Each time one of us started to get up one would get close to us. Then we would wait and sure enough they would call for a dance or the stepsisters and stepmother would start putting on a little "show" out in the middle and we would have had time to get our food. We wound up waiting quite a while before hitting the buffet on that one. We have done that one before and I think that is where I get most stressed out, but the food is good and DD absolutely loves that one.

Don't worry about Akershus. We have eaten there several times. Every time we have been there they have had that rotation pattern pretty much down to a science. There is only a buffet for for your salad and appetizers. You order off the menu and entrees are brought to your table. They are really good about getting everyone in an area seated with time to hit the buffet before the princesses start around. In all the times we have eaten there, I don't think the princesses have ever come to our area before we have completely finished with the buffet, and usually not until we have our meal in front of us. Last week they all came to the table between our entrees and the dessert, which was nice. I think the servers were holding off bringing the desert platters around until the princesses made their way past each parties' tables.