Character meal with fearful toddler?

[Barb D]

Would I be foolish to try a character meal with a fearful 2yo? The last time I took a 2yo (now 8yo) to WDW we didn't do any character meals. She was trepidatious around the characters unless I was holding her and we kept a little distance.

I'd love to do the Pooh breakfast at the Wilderness Lodge this time, but would I be better off just seeing the characters (from a bit of a distance) in the parks? Will the characters at the WL keep their distance a bit if they see a fearful toddler?

My current 2yo saw a clown in a restaurant recently. She was willing to get to within about 10 feet of him and wave hi, but any closer and she'd start to tremble and try to get away.

 

[kalamazoo]

I would skip it. The character breakfasts are, in general, more expensive than a regular breakfast, just for the priviledge of interacting with the characters. If your 2 y.o. is going to be afraid then, not only will you all not enjoy meeting the characters, you probably won't have a chance to get much to eat. Definitely not worth your while.

If you think your toddler might warm up to the characters then make your PS but meet the characters at the parks first to see how it goes. If it really is not working out then just cancel your PS.

I think the characters at the breakfasts would try to keep their distance from your table if they saw that someone was afraid, but there is not that much room between tables and they do have to visit with your neighbors.

 

[CindyAnn]

Hi Barb D. Unfortunately the Pooh breakfast at WL has been cancelled. You can still see Pooh and friends 3 meals a day at the Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom, and Pooh now appears at a buffet character dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian.

I think that most of the characters are very sensitive to the reactions of little ones, and keep a distance if their reception looks a little negative. My (at the time) 2 1/2 yo DS was initially frightened of the characters, but had warmed up by the 3rd day or so of the trip. By then, he actually got in a line to hug Mickey, and laughed hysterically when Pluto "licked" him at the Cape May character breakfast. I agree with Kalamazoo's advice of waiting to see how some of the interactions in the parks work out first.

Have fun!

 

[melk]

I would recommend having breakfast at the castle as they are all face characters and they speak to your children. You do have to make the reservations far in advance and they're tough to get,however.

 

[disneyag]

When my daughter was 2 we took her for lunch at the Crystal Palace , since Pooh is her favorite. SHe loved Pooh, Piglet and Tigger and wanted NO part of Eeyore. Eeyore was very perceptive and just waved -- no trauma.

 

[SandraC]

I'd take a vote including the rest of your family. Is your 8 yo just DYING to have a character meal? Are you really really really really looking forward to a char meal?

If no one really cares, when you might postpone it. But if the rest of the family really wants a char meal, you might want to give it a shot!

I like the previous suggestion of the castle meal with Princess's! We've done it twice and it's wonderful!

Our ds was 15 months old and went to several char meals. We found that he warmed up quickly. The characters are great with kids and if you mention your 2 yo is fearful, they'll just give your 8 yo lots of attention and be on their way.

Our ds was a little fearful at first. Mickey Mouse wanted to hold ds for pix, but ds was happy just standing next to Mickey for the pix. By the third day ds was kissing and hugging the characters because they were gentle and respected ds's space.

I prepared my son ahead of time by spending lots of time at Chuck E. Cheese and letting him get used to Chuck E.

We also did character breakfasts a lot instead of dinners (Crystal Palace was a dinner, but by that time ds was thrilled with characters). We found that breakfasts were a happier time for the kids.

You can also book a char meal fully knowing that you and your partner might have to play tag team parenting walking around with 2 yo. But if you really really really want to char meal GO FOR IT!

 

[Barb D]

Here's a bit more info...

My older kids are 10 and 8. They LOVE character meals, and buffets are one of the few ways I can get my 5'2" 10yo bottomless pit filled up. Also, we want to do something fun with my sister and her 8 kids who live in Orlando. They don't do the parks, but they will do a character meal outside the parks. They also love Pooh, which is why the WL would have been perfect.

BTW, we loved the Crystal Palace last time, but were less impressed with the Castle. We may do that one when the baby is 5 or so, but not this time.

What we need is a character meal (preferably Pooh) outside the park. We could do a dinner the night we arrive or a breakfast the morning we leave. We'll only have two days in the parks, so we'll do fast food on those days so we have more time for rides.

 

[disneydebi]

Yes, she was afraid. But I still loved it. My 6 year old had a blast. We did 2 character meals. Breakfast at Chef Mickey's - really fun. The characters dance, and goof around. They are really good with the fearful little ones too! My 2 year old loved the characters from a distance, but once they got close... forget it. But I got a priceless picture... my DH was holding my DD and trying to get a picture with Goofy . My DD covered her face and buried her head in daddy's shoulder... to which goofy covered his eyes and turned in the opposite direction. The picture of the 2 of them shying away from EACH OTHER is wonderful! A really cute memory!. We also did Lunch with Pooh and Friends at the Crystal Palace. Again, although she loves Pooh (was jumping for joy outside the restaurant and calling his name through the windows). But once we got inside ... no way. But my 6 year old had fun, and the food at the Crystal Palace was great... so I think it was worth it. Even with the "panic", it is still something that adds a little magic to the trip.

 

[honeymom]

I think Old Key West offers a Pooh breakfast. I'm not sure that any other resort offers Pooh in the morning.

 

[Felicia]

Go ahead and try it. If your child is fearful, the characters will steer clear of her.

 

[Alyson]

and if you feel you simply have to have a character meal (for the sake of older children etc. etc.) book the meal for later on in the week and maybe by that time your little one will have "come around" a bit. My advice is - don't force it - the character meals are lots of fun (for all ages!!) but there's nothing worse than having a little one so distressed that she doesn't want to do or see anything at WDW!! As someone else suggested, perhaps the Princess breakfast at the castle would be better - all the princesses are very soft spoken (and normal size!!!) and would still be lots of fun for your little one to see.