Character meals. Only for kids?

[50sjayne]

My sis in law mentioned no one will go to the character meals because they are too expensive when they go. You think they're for kids only? She has a young daughter who would love Ariels Grotto but she has cerebral palsy so she wouldn't eat much on the menu. Her favorite character is Ariel though. Bummer. Anyway. Are there any character meals that are relatively a good bargain that are more lunch or dinner oriented (I'm not gonna waste a morning) that just she and I could do? I've heard people talk about a cove bar too- is that in Ariels Grotto?

 

[Vala]

Ariel's is the only character meal doing lunch. Goofy does have a brunch option, but I think the restaurant closes at 1 AM or so. For dinner it's the same, only Goofy's Kitchen and Ariel's. And those are the two most expensive character meals I am afraid.

Cove Bar is in the same building as Ariel's Grotto, but it does not have characters.

I think if you say character meals are for kids only you can as well say Disneyland is for kids only.

With one exception I've only ever done all adult character meals and no one ever found anything odd about it. I love my character interaction though, and part of the fun for my friends is according to a very reliable source to enjoy seeing me so happy.

 

[Katiebell]

You said that your SIL has a young daughter -- how young? If she is under 10, then she'd only pay the child's price.

The character meals are pricey (though not any more than many of the restaurants), and the food is usually good, but what you are paying for more than the food is the experience, the chance to meet the characters one on one, uninterrupted -- even if it's just for a few minutes at a time. So even if your niece wouldn't eat anything at all, the experience of taking her there and her getting to meet all of the princesses -- especially Ariel, who is always hosting because it's HER place -- is priceless. She'll get pictures with each of the princesses, and autographs (make sure to bring a book!), and they'll chat with her one on one.

We took my DGD when she was three and I think she ate 2 grapes and a breadstick Doesn't matter -- we had a lovely dinner, and she had an amazing time! We got adorable pics of her with Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White, and Belle. She was in heaven!

You did mention your niece's disability. I admit, I don't know a lot about the limitations of CP -- did you mean that she isn't able to eat a lot of food on the menu? If so, you might talk to the restaurant to see if they have any sort of modified menu that would have food more appropriate for her -- like if she needs very soft food that is easy to chew, etc. But like I said, even if she didn't really eat anything there, if she loves the princesses, it's well worth going.

Oh, and if either of you has AAA, they offer a small discount, I think 10%, for character meals -- you just have to let them know when you reserve and when you pay.

Also, the fairy meet and greet at DL is well worth the wait -- Tink and her friends are very sweet

 

[LavenderPeach]

You could explain to the CMs at Ariel's about your niece's situation and see if they will let her in for a discounted price (or possibly free). It probably wouldn't do any good to ask someone on the phone at disney dining, it would have to be at the restaurant. So maybe make a PS for Ariel's and then talk to a CM before going in and being seated. We ate at the Celebration Round-Up with our DS who has a feeding tube and is just now learning how to eat. He eats purreed food (not on their menu) and he eats such a tiny amount that it wouldn't be worth the price even if they did have something he could eat. We explained the situation to the CMs and they let DS in for free. They might not be willing to give a discount for your niece but it would be worth asking about.

 

[50sjayne]

I just noticed my title read only for adults? Lol. I had had a glass of wine and was really tired. Devon is 12 and just will only eat certain foods- it's not like she actually can't eat normal food so we probably wouldn't ask. I'll tell her about the ARES and Getway cheaper pricing-- going to the sites I didn't really understand their pricing and see if they have triple A. We don't. Is Ariels a buffet?