Character meals for Older Adults

[granmaz]

Hi
This will be our 3rd visit eating onsite and I like to try different restaurants. We have stayed away from the Characted Meals previously, but wonder if we should give some a try!! I think my husband will find it hard though!
Anyway, do some of you older adults with no grandchildren in tow enjoy these meals, and what reaction do you find best when the characters come around? I have actually booked CP before MVMCP and was wondering about Garden Grill for lunch one day.

 

[tednvon]

Hello, the characters are all pros...they will have a ball with a table full of adults...in fact, I got the feeling it was kind of special for them to pose with a bunch of 50 somethings for pictures...

We went to Chef Mickey's with 8 of us...all over 50. We were seated at a neat round table next to the buffet...Bring your cameras and take a bunch of pics...all the characters gave us all the time we needed to do couple shots and a group shot...

My only advice is to remember the characters have seen it all...so someone in the group trying to be a "funny" by teasing the characters, getting them to talk, asking them to get out of character is rude and absolutely not funny.
That is only thing that will drive them away or get them to exit stage left asap...
So, yes, do it and I recommend Chef Mickey's because they have so many characters (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale)

I recommend breakfast about 10 or 10:30 to miss the morning crowd...

All the best, Ted

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I'm not sure what you consider as "older" but my husband and I are both in our 50s. We haven't eaten at the Crystal Palace, but have eaten at Cape May Cafe (character breakfast), Liberty Tree Tavern, Chef Mickey's, and Donald's Breakfastosaurus.

If your husband is apprehensive, Liberty Tree Tavern is a little more sedated. My suggestion is when you see a character walking around, try and think of things to say to them. Minnie always appreciates compliments about what she's wearing. I did a Pooh character breakfast in Disneyland and asked Tigger why he wasn't bouncing. If Pooh comes up to you tell him you had a jar of hunny for him, but left it in the room. Just think if the background of the character and create some sort of comment.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I love doing the character breakfasts. Last time I did the Cape May, my favorite. I not only had no grandchildren in tow, I had no one with me. But I loved watching the characters interact with the little ones. When they came around to me, they would have gladly had their picture taken and do autographs, but I just wanted to watch them. So each time they came by after that, they'd just give me a quick hug. I've also done CP, LTT, and CRT with others and enjoyed each one. But Cape May's my favorite. Great food, too!

 

[granmaz]

Thanks for the replies, they have been very helpful.

We are actually 58 and 59, and of course don't feel anything like that there - or even here at home for that matter. I do know my hubby will be embarrassed hugging the characters, but i have told him I am going to get at least one picture!

We have a great time in Disney and Universal just the two of us - the trip is too far and too expensive for the children and grandchildren to do as yet, but we are encouraging them! Then we can really enjoy some character meals.

Marilyn

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

Marilyn

GO...and enjoy. My kids usually take off by themselves, leaving my DH and I to fend for ourselves. At least we have the characters to keep us company. They don't abandon us

Seriously, the characters are awesome and they don't care about your age. They will make you feel like Peter Pan and that you've never grown up. I've seen them turn even the most sourpuss frowns upsidedown. They're pros at what they do. Let them entertain you and have fun!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We are actually 58 and 59, and of course don't feel anything like that there - or even here at home for that matter. I do know my hubby will be embarrassed hugging the characters, but i have told him I am going to get at least one picture!

I don't think my husband has ever hugged a character, but I think a few princess have hugged him.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of my husband. Just look at the big smile on his face.

 

[granmaz]

He's loving it!!! If I ever get a photo of John with a character I will post it!!

 

[Krissalee]

He's loving it!!! If I ever get a photo of John with a character I will post it!!

Getting a photo with a character at a character meal is the best way to get them, IMO! The characters come to YOU, so no waiting in lines at the park, just for a photo. Enjoy your character meal experience - I can't wait for you to post the photos!

 

[indigoxtreme]

Here is my DH and I at CP this past Feb. This was our first Character meal without children. We were celebrating our 30th anniv and they made a heart on our table. The characters came by, pointed and clapped at the heart. It made our first evening at the world wonderful for this 1st adult trip.

I had a great time with them too.

I also got him with his favorite princess.

 

[indigoxtreme]

He's loving it!!! If I ever get a photo of John with a character I will post it!!

Hey granmaz I have a photo of your John with a lovely character.

We met up with John and Marilyn on our trip this past Feb and they are wonderful people.

 

[granmaz]

Hey Lynn - those are great pics!! Hehe, like your comment about the photo of John with a great character!!!!
Wish I was going at the same time as you again!
Our friends are going to think we have completely lost it going to character meals and having photos taken with them!!!

I would love to see some more photos of your all your hubbies with characters please.

 

[signtalker]

There is no such things as adults in WDw, its Big kids and Little kids LOL!!!!!

Ive done Character meals and breakfast's, and ive got another planned for my trip in September(im 38), im taking my brother who's 25 and a mens hockey player!!!!, who cares LOL, cant beat it i say, I had my birthday at a character breakfast once and the characters were brilliant with me.

Youre never too old in my book

Jules

 

[Tink901]

Hi, We are a very diverse family and friends group of women. We go to WDW between 2-5 times a year. We MUST have a character meal a couple of times our ages range from 36-86. The characters are just great with adults!! They give you all the time you need for autographs and photos. We love 1900 Park Fare both breakfast and dinner and Cape May the character interaction is great. We have done every character meal on property except for the new one at MGM. Those 2 restaurants just seem to have become our favorites.

Have a great time!!!! Why grow up, you can always be a kid at Disney!!

 

[deekaypee]

Go, go, go! No matter how old we are, I think we all get a little more youthful at Character Breakfasts. You'll love it.

I've been to several. CP and Cinderella's Royal Table are very active and filled with little ones; if you like to watch people, those are the places to be. I do admit, I did feel a little guilty scoring a reservation at Cindy's as I felt I might be taking the spot of some group with children. I quickly got over the feeling when I was there, not only because I had a good time but because there were plenty of other adults-only tables (of all ages). I also liked Donald's Prehistoric in AK, and touring that park after is quite pleasant.

If you prefer things a bit more sedate, you might try a resort Character Breakfast, especially one a little more removed from a parks. My favorite for quite a while was the Polynesian/Menehune breakfast. I also liked the GF Mary Poppins. Both do get a bit busy, being so close to the MK and all. I've never been to Cape May, but I hear good things about it (see above posts, too). Again, in all cases, I saw plenty of adults-only parties.

Side note: DH and I have to go to these character breakfasts! I hate having my picture taken, irrationally I know, and the only time I have a natural smile is when I'm being hugged by a character!

 

[drcorey]

I love Piglet for breakfast! good with juice too.

 

[indigoxtreme]

Hey Lynn - those are great pics!! Hehe, like your comment about the photo of John with a great character!!!!
Wish I was going at the same time as you again!
Our friends are going to think we have completely lost it going to character meals and having photos taken with them!!!

I would love to see some more photos of your all your hubbies with characters please.

Marilyn the only other one I can offer is cinderella. The CP was the only character meal we did this time. Why don't you and John try LTT, Goofy Minie etc. We are going to do this one in Sept. Garden Grill at Epcot would be good,as it has Chip and Dale. Wish you were down in Sept again as well. We will plan another trip where we can meet agin.