character meals--not all that

[Marci]

So we did our first character meals this trip. I guess I just had it in my mind that they were a "must do". Maybe it was that attitude but I just wasn't wowed. I'm not trying to be negative, but I just wanted to throw some other opinions into the mix so other families can make the best choice for them.

Although we had reservations, we never waited for less than 20 minutes to be seated (except at Garden Grove at 5:30). We ate at Garden Grove, Play and Dine, O'hana's, and Crystal Palace. In 3 of the 4 experiences the character visit were very ill timed for when we were getting our food. It was particularly bad for Play and Dine. The Mickey at O'hana's was the worst character we have every encountered. No energy at all!
The food quality at CP was good, and breakfast is pretty hard to screw up. The food at GG was pretty poor, but the restaurant was so empty the characters spent a lot of time with my son.

The other "downside" that I hadn't really considered is that there are other people, 1/2 eaten food, and just ugly background in most of our pictures. Most of the characters didn't have handlers (or if so they were not near by) and there were not photopass photographers there. We were bummed because we wanted some family pics with all 3 of us. I just felt badly asking other families to take our picture. The lack of handlers was also a bummer because some parents allowed their kids to run up to the characters at any time. All kids there are excited to see characters! But it is the parents responsibility to make sure their kids don't interrupt another families turn. If parents are unwilling to do this, it is nice to have a handler step in.

I had wanted to book character meals to do double duty so we wouldn't have to wait in those long lines in toon town. But the backgrounds, and individual nature of the pictures really makes a difference to me.

Overall we had fun! But in future visits I wont spend so much time making sure we have character meals. Maybe one, but if it doesn't work out no big deal.

 

[eliza61]

This has happen to me a time or 2. Cinderellas Royal Table for one (that was a collosal waste of money to me)
I think one side effect to disney as a whole is "big let down effect". some times we build up an experience or place based on what we read here or what we see on TV. I always laugh at the commercial where the little girl runs up to Mickey (who is waiting with open arms) and hugs him, in a empty park.
They generally don't have handlers at character meals because they are contained, it is unfortunate that some times we parents have what I call my brain farts.
I've been known to chop the heads off of people in my pictures so you can imagine I've never notice the background thing.
Glad you had fun and we only do 1 or maybe 2 character meals.

 

[JSweetman]

We've done 2 character meals and both were worth it to us. The first was the Princess breakfast at Akershaus. Since the princess costumes are less intrusive, you get more of a personal interaction with the CMs. Each visit is brief, but in our experience not rushed. Our next trip was not planned far in advance, so we didn't have any ADRs. We called the morning of my DD's b-day and the only character meal we could get was the breakfast at Cape May with Goofy, Minnie, Chip & Dale. Chip and Dale were greeting guests as they arrived, and a CM was there to assist with pictures (using your camera). We got a great family shot. Goofy later brought a chocolate muffin with a candle for DD. Maybe it was because it was at a resort instead of in a park, but Cape May was pretty low key.

Now, from what I read here, things are generally more crowded now than four years ago, so maybe it's changed. I'll let you know in a month when I get back (We're doing Akershaus again for DD's b-day).

 

[emmabemmainc]

We did 4 on our last trip and were happy with all of them. I'm sorry you weren't.
Just curious-did you hear somewhere that the Photopass people were going to be walking around the tables with the characters? I never thought that there would be other people taking our pictures w/ the characters during our meal.
The good thing is that at WDW, there are so many restaurants to choose from--next time you can stay away from character meals!

 

[KKB]

and the kids (12, 9 & 7) said "been there, done that" when I asked if they wanted to do one at WDW. They seem to me to be generally overpriced for average food, and rather chaotic.

If you had kids that were totally into characters, I'd say to do 1. Or if you or your family are Disney nuts, they certainly should be a must do. Just realize you are paying for experience, not high quality food, and that of course it will be filled with children (who are likely paying more attention to characters than food)

 

[JoePa4Ever]

We've always done character meals when we visit WDW & usually quite a few. For the most part, we find them enjoyable. Some seem better than others IMO. We always schedule Crystal Palace for breakfast. On our past trip we ate at Chef Mickey's for breakfast & loved it. I will say that Donald's Rest. @ AK seems quite rushed & chaotic. We also always eat at Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner & like it as well.

 

[Took]

We've always done character meals when we visit WDW & usually quite a few. For the most part, we find them enjoyable. Some seem better than others IMO. We always schedule Crystal Palace for breakfast. On our past trip we ate at Chef Mickey's for breakfast & loved it. I will say that Donald's Rest. @ AK seems quite rushed & chaotic. We also always eat at Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner & like it as well.

I agree that Liberty Tree for dinner is quite good and a lot of fun. We always enjoy that one. We aren't terribly "wowed" either by most of the others. Maybe the buffet thing just isn't us, but I hate worrying that we'll miss a character while I trying to get my food. Sometimes the characters are great, and sometimes they spend very little time with each person.

 

[willis37862]

The other "downside" that I hadn't really considered is that there are other people, 1/2 eaten food, and just ugly background in most of our pictures. Most of the characters didn't have handlers (or if so they were not near by) and there were not photopass photographers there. We were bummed because we wanted some family pics with all 3 of us. I just felt badly asking other families to take our picture. The lack of handlers was also a bummer because some parents allowed their kids to run up to the characters at any time.

First I am sorry to hear that you didn't have a much success at character dining. For us it is a must do every trip. It's just me and DH but to me if I am going to Disney I am going to get in on all the character interaction I can But to each their own.

I am not sure if you read that there would be photopass photographers at the restaurant but thats not how it works. It is a nice thought but can you imagine the amount of space that would take having characters and a photopass photographer with each character. That would make a cramped and often chaotic situation worse. I know that at Cinderella's Royal table, Akershus in EPCOT and 1900 Park Fare they often have a character set-up before you are seated that you can have your photo taken with. You might want to try a place like that next time where it would be easy to get a CM to take a family picture for you.

 

[Mkrop]

We LOVED character dining. There is no way DH would stand in line to meet characters so this was they way to go for my family. We never missed a character. We especially like the food at Crystal Palace, very good for a lunch buffet. And we were surprised how much we liked Garden Grill at Epcot, very laid back and family style so we never risked missing anyone bc they brought the food to you . I have more pictures of us with characters from dining then the parks. Oh yeah and Chef Mickey does a family portrait thing when you first get there.

Sorry to hear you didnt enjoy it

 

[Joanna71985]

Actually, anywhere there is a character there will be an attendant. However, in the large resturants like CP you might not see them because they have to go around the whole place.

 

[jessica52877]

On the cruise line there is a photographer at the breakfast and I enjoy that the their photos turn out great! So if you had never been to DW but on a cruise you might expect that there would be photopass.

It is hit or miss to me with the character dining. I don't rank it high on our to do list though. This past time at play and dine, we were there for over an hour and a half waiting for JoJo and never saw her, yet Goliath came twice. We let our server know, as he asked, and still never came in the next 20 minutes. It was a big disappointment for me as their food has gone downhill in my opinion.

I do find them extremely chaotic and not relaxing. Always sitting waiting to take the picture before you can grab some food. And like the OP said, half eaten food in alot of pictures.

The first time we did Chef Mickey's we loved it, next time it was the worst ever, this time was an okay experience.