Character meals- how much interaction is there really?

[alyssa810]

In all our trips we've never eaten at a character meal restaurant (unless you count Ohana & whispering canyon) but now that our DS is getting a little older, and we're running out of new restaurants to try, we're thinking of maybe doing some character meals. How much interaction is there? My DH isn't that big on too much action, especially while he's eating, but what's it like? I thought I had heard it was as much or as little as you made of it...any suggestions and input would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

In all our trips we've never eaten at a character meal restaurant (unless you count Ohana & whispering canyon) but now that our DS is getting a little older, and we're running out of new restaurants to try, we're thinking of maybe doing some character meals. How much interaction is there? My DH isn't that big on too much action, especially while he's eating, but what's it like? I thought I had heard it was as much or as little as you made of it...any suggestions and input would be greatly appreciated!!

We will be in WDW for 8 nights and we have 5 character meals planned - Garden Grill, Liberty Tree Tavern, 1900 Park Fare, Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's. It's a great way to get personal character interaction for your kids and not have to wait in so many lines in the parks to get pictures and autographs.

 

[Freyja]

I agree with those who say it´s just as much or little as you want it to be. If you´re cheerful and engage into conversation or other activity when the characters come around, they usually will "play along". If you just wave hi or ask for a quick autograph and picture then that´s just what they´ll do.

Sometimes our kids want individual pictures with the characters and are in the mood to show them there costumes (if they´re wearing any) or their plush´s they just bought, etc. and the characters have always been great with them. Sometimes they´d rather just wave and get a quick family pic and then keep eating, lol. Especially if there are "face" characters since our kids don´t speak English. The characters have always been great at "reading" each situation.

 

[pumba]

We have been to Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys and Donalds Breakfastasaurus with and without the kiddos.......we have always enjoyed the meals and the characters......If we are busy eating and just wave and nod with the characters then they do that.....they may hug the female in the group and then walk on...But if your SO wants to get in on the act then the photos come out and the characters really ham it up for you.....Like the previous poster said....it is how the characters perceive you and will do what you want.....we have enjoyed all our experiences with them

 

[Lynn5700]

A ton of interaction. Every character meal we have been to has been great.

 

[storzo]

I think it depends on where you go.

For example Play n Dine at HS has a lot of interaction - the characters dance and "march" around and all the kids get up.

The others I've been to are Ohana, Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace - the characters come to your table one at a time. Then you pretty much get what you want. You can take a quick pick and they'll be on their way or you can let your child interact a little more.

 

[webb06]

We went to chef Mickeys for breakfast. Interaction was perfect.You gotta try it. As far as DH I think he'll be fine it really is what you make it. The great cast members seem to have a sense of how much to give each guest. Go for it!!!

 

[Clarice]

I have been to countless character meals and have never been dissappointed with the interaction. I will say though that they will definitely pick up your cues on if you want to play around or not.

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

ITA- it will be what you make of it.
We always do character meals so we don't have to hunt characters down in the parks. The food is always great and we have a good time as well. We really love, Chef Mickeys, 1900 Park Faire, and Crystal Palace particularly.

 

[onelilspark]

If you're unsure, I'd book one on your upcoming trip and see how you like it! If you decide they're not for you, hey! No harm, no foul, right? My family loves them, and my brother is the youngest at 20. However, we usually only do 1 per trip because we find that's plenty for us...then again, we're all adults

 

[Pumbaa_]

the best part is that you get to pics of your little one (and/or big kids ) with the characters without standing in line!!!

I love the characters. We don't have any kids, but we go to the character meals so I can see them and get pictures with them.

Try one, Crystal Palace and Pooh is always a good one, and see if they are for you.

Have a great time with Joel's first trip!

 

[alyssa810]

Thanks for all the info! We decided on CP, and we got our ADR for the time we wanted too!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Depends on how busy the place is. We have done breakfast and dinners that are packed so the characters rush to us, have a pic op and then skedaddle and other times where it is slow and the characters spend more time with you. At a very early Cape May breakfast Goofy sat down with us to play tic tac toe on our tablecloth and write notes back and forth for like 5 minutes, it was awesome

 

[abc999]

I think it also depends on if the character "clicks" with your child and how much your child likes the character.

 

[Hibernians]

We have been to lots of character meals over the past 4 years; here are some that stick out in my mind from recent visits -

We have always found the Cape May breakfast to be one of the best as far as having plenty of time to hang out with the characters and the atmosphere is really low key and its a relatively small restaurant; always a good experience here.

Crystal Palace - we have gone there 4 years in a row and its been the same experience every time. Its crowded; the tables are right on top of each other; there has always been a 15 - 20 minute wait to be seated, despite arriving ahead of the reservation time. Not as much character interaction, this is becaus its a big place and they have a lot of tables to get too. They do have a fun parade throught the restaurant that my kids always enjoy.

The 1900 Park Fare Dinner with Cinderella was pretty good- the characters were "human" and spoke to us and spent a good amount of time at the table; there is also some fun random audience participation here. I think its the best of the Princess meals.

Chef Mickey - this is a good one; its crowed like CP but the tables are not quite so close together, so you can at least have some space. Who can resist this chance to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy - definitely a must do.