Character Meals for the Boys?

[SamanthaL]

Not all girls love the "girl things". My DD would love to have a meal with the Toy story characters. So far it has all been rumor though. Maybe on my next trip.
BTW I tried ,as well others, at calling WDW DINE to give opinion on this. I was told it would be passed on, but that was last year and no luck. It can't hurt to try but don't be too disappointed.

 

[TeamMom011]

I have been puzzled by the emphasis of "Princesses" for quite awhile. It's even evident in the Disney Catalog...pgs of Princess and girly things and maybe a page of jammies for boys. Disney does do research before they make these decisions. Did their studies show that parents don't buy as much for boys? We know boys eat as much (or more) than girls so why is it that there isn't an appropriate character meal at the parks? The many ideas tossed around on this thread seem like no brainers so why is it that Disney Corporate can't see the need?

 

[GONETODISNEY]

What a wonderful thread. As a mother of 2 boys I would love to see a Toy Story breakfast. Actually the options are there for more adventure type breakfasts. In December me and my boys did the Cinderella breakfast. My sons enjoyed it, but it just wasn't worth the costs for boys. Give us adventure, give us toy story. Especially give us Star Wars. Disney --- wise up, Boys need activities too.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Disney does do research before they make these decisions. Did their studies show that parents don't buy as much for boys?

What a fascinating question!
After the hole in my wallet that Yugioh cards, electronic games and Beyblades left this holiday, I say that parents do spend a lot on boys too.
I think it is because the core of the Disney fantasy is based on princess stories. Oh we all wanted to dress up as a princess with a happy ending for Halloween! And now, we are old enough to make money and want to share that with little girls.

You know, Mickey and Donald made us laugh but the princesses charmed up the girls, looking so beautiful and wearing glass slippers. Now it is those dazzled girls the ones who buy, and Disney knows it. Men will probably buy a pair of Goofy slippers or what have you, for the kick of it but they won't be charmed up by Disney's fantasy merchandise as easily.

Oh, the male fantasy spending territory is already dominated by X-Box and Playstation

 

[Minnie's Guy]

Our 10 yr. old still loves to see Pluto so if we would
go to a character breakfast it would need to include
Pluto - and 'mom and dad' still love to see the
characters too. Donald's at Animal Kingdom has
Pluto and we recently found the Hollywood & Vine
lunch/dinner at the Studios and loved that buffet too.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

He's a big Buzz fan. We just made a PS for Cindy's today though, and he'll be excited about that. He's also a big princess fan - he's only 4 and loves Cinderella, Belle, and especially Jasmine.

But I just know a meal with Buzz & Woody (and especially Zurg!) would put him on Cloud Nine. I know it's impossible - but just think if Barbie could appear at the Toy Story meal! That'd be a boon for boys and girls too! Actually, my DD likes Buzz & Woody, so she might like it even without Barbie.

 

[nkjzmom]

I think the characters from Emperor's New Groove would be HILARIOUS for boys and girls. I know it would probably be really hard....but we die laughing every time we watch it...STILL. Can you imagine Yzma!?!?!?! Coming to your table trying to put something in your drink....or trying to talk you into helping her poison the Emperor???? And Kronk....

I've had this thought about having lots of dinners based solely around certain movies. Hercules, Megara, Hades, Zeus, Phil.... Peter Pan, Captain Hook, lost boys, Wendy......Toy Story.....Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Little John, Prince John......kind of what they're trying to go for at the GF with Cinderella...but more interesting.

I like the Heros/Heroines idea!!!!! Me, personally, I'd love to go to a villains dinner.....in a dark, old castle type place.....

 

[DisneyHumbug]

We did the Villains dinner several years back. My kids are older, but boy did we enjoy that! I understand that the villains are scary to some of the younger kids. But enough with the princesses! Even my teenagers would love a dinner with Buzz and the gang. And I personally would like those cute green army men!

 

[Alice28]

"Now it is those dazzled girls the ones who buy, and Disney knows it. Men will probably buy a pair of Goofy slippers or what have you, for the kick of it but they won't be charmed up by Disney's fantasy merchandise as easily."


Oh if you only knew what I have spent on Toy Story stuff over the last 2-3 years---it definitely refutes the thought that it's the girls who dream of being a character. We have been to both Toy STory on Ice shows, gone through several editions of both movies (played so much the tape broke-now we have the DVD's), every single little Toy Story Action figure, the talking Woody and Buzz dolls, birthday party themes...I could go on and on. The point is, if Disney provides the right stuff for us parents of little boys to buy, we go just as crazy over it as parents of girls do over the princess stuff. Another case in point----my son's gift for learning to go on the toilet was the Captain Hook sword set the Disney Store had a couple of years back. And he still plays with it! I have already e-mailed Disney about requesting a Toy Story breakfast, or even a Peter Pan or Pinocchio or Hercules!! I got back a very generic "We thank you for your input, but we are not planning anything like that right now.." They didn't even mention what my idea was..then days later the other Cinderella meal was announces. It gripes me because I spend a lot on Disney "stuff" and I would love to "share the magic" of a more boy or even unisex character meal with my sons. We are going to Chef Mickey's which will be great, and perhaps Crystal Palace, but I am hoping that the rumors of the Toy Story/Buzz breakfast at Epcot come true before we leave!

 

[wdwphanatic]

Disney should really listen to us if they want to improve their amusement park returns -- and we know that they're ALWAYS trying to do that!!

nkjzmom -- I LOVE the idea of an Emperor's New Groove meal!!!!! That is one of the funniest and most underrated Disney movies -- cannot understand it! The characters are so quirky and unique! Hercules is another of my personal favorites... They could have a field day with that one too! And it's not like it would be that tough to pull off -- just replace one of many princess meals with one of these and just as many (if not more!) people would be waiting in line for PS resssies...

I also agree that the bias in the catalogs is ridiculous -- pages and pages of pink frilly stuff and barely a nod to the boy merchandise. All in all, though, I think this is a pretty pervasive problem. People assume that boys only want to play with soldiers or cars and wear dark colors... There's soooooo much that Disney -- and other corporations -- could do to show that this stereotype just isn't accurate. My kids really like adventure stories -- whether they involve girls, boys, animals or other creatures -- and instead of catering to just the kids who like the more traditional princess-type characters, they ought to open their eyes to who their REAL audience is today!!!

Ok, I'm getting off my soapbox and back to work now...

Thanks for listening,
Sarah

 

[Reminisce71]

What a great thread! Especially with our having 4 boys. lol I have been trying to find a good character meal to go to and having to balance that with my 10 and 9 year olds saying that they don't want to see a princess. lol

We are going for either Chef Mickey's or Cape May.

 

[eeyore0062]

I have been puzzled by the emphasis of "Princesses" for quite awhile.

Princess SELLS! The reason behind a different Cinderella meal is based on the popularity of the breakfast in the castle, the limited seating capacity of the castle, and the fact that Disney Dining has to turn away so many disappointed guests everyday when they try to make PS. No other character meal has quite the draw as Cinderella. There are now 3 princess meals... 2 breakfast and 1 dinner.

Lets compare that with Pooh... breakfast, lunch and dinner at CP, and they also appear at the breakfast in 1900 Park Faire.

Mickey???-- Chef Mickey's--breakfast and dinner, the Poly--- breakfast, Garden Grille-- lunch and dinner.

Goofy-- he appears at Hollywood and Vine, Cape May Cafe, and Chef Mickey's

Donald-- Chef Mickey's and Breakfastosaurus

Minnie--- Hollywood and Vine (they took her Polynesian breakfast away and gave it to Mickey a few years back).

Yes, there may be more need for more diverse character meals, and I agree that Toy Story would be ideal. They just need the proper venue in which to have it. Too bad Playhouse Disney took over the Soundstage restaurant in MGM, because that would have been ideal!

As for the Villain's dinner... I heard that they did away with it because not many people went... they have to have the characters that draw all age groups, and unfortunately, the villains just didn't do it for the little ones.

 

[ZachnElli]

I have a 7 year old boy and we will be heading to Disney again this May, his 3rd trip. He loves Mickey, but really could do without Buzz and Woody, he's way too OLD for that now, lol. Disney will lose some of the boys to US/IOA. We will split our time between the two different parks. I wish Disney would come up with something for boys. I know my son would get into the villains if they brought that back. He really loves Stitch. Just posting my opinion in case Disney is reading!

PS Also have a 4 year old dd who can't get enough of the Princesses!

 

[DVC-LEROY]

Great thread! Having a 4 yr old son - I agree that it's time for at least one male oriented character meal! I can understand building on the Princess theme since it's been proven to be such a hit. I just don't understand how Disney doesn't go after the male market as well. Villians - Star Wars - Buzz & Woody - something must be viable. Here I am still spending money left and right on some new Buzz Lightyear item at the Disney Store, going on endless Space Ranger Spin rides and standing in line forever to get a photo of my son and his favority duo - and I know I'm not alone.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

I have both- boy and girls. I was feeling the same way and my son is only 5yrs old!!!!
He was non-too thrilled with the princesses at the storybook princess. The only one he cared about at ALL was Mary Poppins and only because she interacted so much & played the "part" so well that he truly believed she was THE Mary Poppins. He still talks about how he met her.
But he talks MORE about how he met Spiderman at IOA.

Mickey did nothing for him. BLASPHEMY FROM MY OWN SON! (I love Mickey btw... have since I was very young. LOL) The only characters at WDW that interested him in the least was the Monsters,Inc. characters we just happened to see at MGM (oh man... I can't remember their names. LOL I can't believe that! You know- the big tall main character monster that is with Boo the majority of the show and the big round eyeball guy. LOL)

What someone else said about IOA/US taking all the families with boys $$ is right on. We already know after one trip that we will NEVER (unless WDW does some changing with the characters thing for boys) visit Orlando without also visiting IOA/US. My son had a blast with MANY characters there- but ofcourse Spiderman was the best. I hear every day (still) about how he met the REAL Spiderman. He shared wallet sized photos with his friends in preschool but had to make SURE mom still had some of those pics at home just for him. LOL Yes, he's a spiderman freak. But he also loves Toy Story (saw green soldier at US) and many other things.. WDW would, IMO, have a wide range of characters they could go with. They need to! Even my older DAUGHTER seemed to enjoy the characters at US/IOA more than at WDW.

WDW is MOSTLY catering to not just the girls... but the GIRLY girls. My oldest daughter never has and probably never will be a "princess" type girl. She doesn't relate to them at all and they don't interest her all that much.

 

[SheDaisy0088]

I have never had a problem with my son getting plenty of attention at the character meals. We have done quite a few in the past 2 years. We have been going to Disney since my son was 3. He is going to be 6 in March.


1. The Garden Grill- Excellent Atmosphere. Great service. Characters there are Mickey, Pluto and Chip and Dale. Once even Minnie was there.

2. The Crystal Palace. This is actually the only place that I was not too happy with. at all the other places the characters spent time with you. Here they come to the table take a quick picture and then leave.

3. Donald Restauransaurus- This one is in Animal Kingdom. Donald, Goofy, Mickey and Pluto. An all you can eat buffet. Good food, service and character interaction.

Although the fact that they spend so much time with my son could be that he is not at all shy. He spends time talking to them. Showing him the things that he has gotten and bascially making them want to stay. I think if a child is shy and doesn't really say much they won't stay too long.

All in all though I have never had a problem.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

I don't understand why Disney don't utilise the character meals as more of a promotional ploy. Think about it- they almost never use their new characters in their meals.

I'm thinking about having one or two locations that guaranteed the appearance of whoever is in their new movie (imagine a Pirate breakfast with Peter Pan and Co, but throw in some of the Treasure Planet characters for a time, the regular Polynesian character meal, but with Lilo and Stitch for a time). I imagine it would make great financial sense- these characters are fresh in the kids' minds, they're not easy to find (unless you count in the parade), and would be a great draw.


Joanna

 

[zulaya]

Yes the popularity of CInderella's breakfast in the castle is overwhelming but that shouldn't automatically mean, "Let's have another Cinderella meal."

The draw for that breakfast is that it's breakfast IN THE CASTLE and with characters. Just moving Cindy to the GF doesn't mean that people are going to autmatically say, "Oh, she's at the GF at this meal, let's go there." There's a major "special" thing with doing the meal IN THE CASTLE with the characters. For my DD, if she couldn't get the castle, she wouldn't jump for joy at seeing Cindy at the GF. It's just not the same. Not to mention that at the GF, it's a dinner and even more expensive than breakfast.



Disney just isn't considering the fact that even though the castle breakfast is popular there are families who don't even try to go
because they have boys or girls who could care less about princesses.
Who was the smart one who missed the doing the market research there? Just because I or anyone else has a child who doesn't care about princesses, doesn't mean I don't have money to spend on what my child does like.

I can tell you the best thing about our Dec trip was that we saw Peter Pan and Captain Hook having a mock battle around the castle. Just cool! Both my kids loved it! It's not a meal thing, but that type of stuff is really what you want to see.

And truthfully, the characters are everywhere now! We shouldn't be having Cindy at more meals when she can be out and about with the other characters. We need what everyone else has said, and that's more variety, make it more special by showing us more characters.

 

[eeyore0062]

The draw for that breakfast is that it's breakfast IN THE CASTLE and with characters. Just moving Cindy to the GF doesn't mean that people are going to autmatically say, "Oh, she's at the GF at this meal, let's go there." There's a major "special" thing with doing the meal IN THE CASTLE with the characters. For my DD, if she couldn't get the castle, she wouldn't jump for joy at seeing Cindy at the GF. It's just not the same. Not to mention that at the GF, it's a dinner and even more expensive than breakfast.

Unfortunately I have to beg to differ... my DD and most of her friends wouldn't care if they got to eat in the castle, as long as they got to eat with the princesses, dress in their princess costumes, etc.

We have done both the Storybook Princess breakfast, and the 1900 Park Faire breakfast, and DD dressed up for both, and had a blast. She never even mentions eating in the castle anymore!

 

[eeyore0062]

The draw for that breakfast is that it's breakfast IN THE CASTLE and with characters. Just moving Cindy to the GF doesn't mean that people are going to autmatically say, "Oh, she's at the GF at this meal, let's go there." There's a major "special" thing with doing the meal IN THE CASTLE with the characters. For my DD, if she couldn't get the castle, she wouldn't jump for joy at seeing Cindy at the GF. It's just not the same. Not to mention that at the GF, it's a dinner and even more expensive than breakfast.

Unfortunately I have to beg to differ... my DD and most of her friends wouldn't care if they got to eat in the castle, as long as they got to eat with the princesses, dress in their princess costumes, etc.

We have done both the Storybook Princess breakfast, and the 1900 Park Faire breakfast, and DD dressed up for both, and had a blast. She never even mentions eating in the castle anymore!