Character meals or skip and see characters elsewhere? Opinions

[nugov2]

We love character meals!! I hate the lines for the Character meet and greets so if we can avoid some that is a plus! I try to plan one at least every other day. I usually do breakfast b/c then we are free the rest of the day. I would do at least one.

 

[kelseyjoxo]

We are NOT on the DP and will be limiting to one character meal since it's out of pocket. I'd love to do several, but the DP is not in the cards this time. I'd say do one if everyone can swing it, and try to do breakfast. It's usually cheaper and if it's in a park, try to get it before park hours! Have fun! =]

 

[ICF]

pass...save the $$$'s and put them to better use in the parks.

 

[North of Mouse]

August my family is having it's mini reunion in Disney. so far 18 people booked but that number will probably drop closer to the final payment date.

Anyhoo, it's been over 15 years since I've done a character meal but Oy Vey I just went on line to look at a few and whew, the prices are insane. Seriously 45 bucks per person to have breakfast with a character?
I know a couple of my younger cousins would enjoy getting pictures with the characters especially since they have youngins.

I'm not sure if any are on the DDP, we have a TA making the reservations (no way was I going to do that much work) but they know I'm the crazy disney addict so I've been explaining ADR's, Fp's and other stuff.

Not sure if I have a real question but I'm thinking about not suggesting a character meal and instead suggesting seeing the characters in Epcot or some thing similar.

Am I out of touch with the prices? think from the view point of young parents with small kids

Where did you get your info?? Character Breakfasts are no where near $45!!! More like $21-28 depending on time of year, holiday, etc.

I love the character breakfasts and I am far from a kid - just like watching them interact with the families while we are dining.

 

[mco65]

We typically will do 2 or 3 each trip. I like Ohana breakfast as well as Askershus. Tusker House is good for breakfast or lunch. We have done the Castle a couple times and the Crystal Palace plus 1900 Park Fare. I don't recall ever spending $200 for the 5 of us but many of those were on the DDP so I didn't really pay attention. The character meal does knock out 2 birds with one stone... especially if your want to meet characters. I don't recall the last time we met Mickey outside of a character meal...

I wanted to cut down on ADRs this trip and so far only have 2 but both are characters meals.. my daughter made sure we booked an ADR for the Princess' (Askershus). The Boys could care less...

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Some pluses: With some (Crystal Palace, Akershus, etc.) you can get into the park early if you book for breakfast and be ready to ride as soon as the park opens. The characters are just a bonus!
If your kids are really keen to meet the characters, it allows you to see quite a few at one time. If you are going to do a table service meal anyway, you might as well have five or six characters come to your table while you are eating. This gives you more time for doing rides in the park, compared to lining up for each character (and some little kids don't have the patience for that).
Sometimes the character interaction - such as the stepsisters at 1910 Park Fare - is a lot of fun for all ages.
And for me, Tusker House is my favourite place to eat in AK. I'd go there with or without characters.

 

[JasonMouse]

My wife and I did Tusker House for lunch and I'd much rather sit around there sipping on a drink, gulp down amazing desserts and wait for 5 or 6 characters to come to me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Breakfast will always be cheaper, so breakfast might be the way to go. BUT, if you want dinner, book one of the latest lunch times and get your dinner for the price of lunch. Plus, they usually remove the lunch offerings at the end of the lunch time and bring out the dinner offerings. So you can get a big variety of food.