Character Meals Super Thread!!

[VictoriaAndMatt]

Thanks!

Any opinions on breakfast? If we did breakfast, it would be on a non-park day, so no worries there.

We've done breakfast and dinner there and prefer breakfast. It's really good and DS can't get enough of their sausages lol.

 

[ten6mom]

This has been the PERFECT thread for me! I have been to Disneyland a LOT... but have NEVER done a character breakfast. We have a big family trip coming up and since my 8yo son is getting to "that age" I am afraid this is our last chance for all the kids to enjoy a character meal. We are going to check out the Minnie and Friends breakfast in October. Thanks to DizNee Luver for starting this awesome thread and keeping up with it!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

First off, THANK YOU to those that are keeping up & answering questions!!! I am still without my laptop, so computer time is very limited. Our hope was, this thread would take off and all the wonderful DISers would keep it jumping!!! Glad to see, I don't have to be here everyday!!

I didn't read all the way back, but if you asked a question and didn't get an answer, feel free to ask again.....somedays this thread is very active and then it hits a lull......we don't want anyone to think we're ignoring them!!

I hope to have my laptop back in the next week or so.....sure miss getting on here!!

 

[readytogotodisney]

I had asked about the earliest breakfast time for the Plaza Inn and I just wanted to share what info I was given.
For Plaza Inn the park is expected to be open at 9am, and the earliest seating time was 8:40 - with or without any Magic Morning or early entry.

 

[Pesky]

This thread always makes me want to add in Minnie's to the busy mix! I figured we will definitely do Ariel's, likely for lunch (princess lover in the fam). I also figured we would do Surf's Up on the morning we leave to drive back to the ILs' house, kind of a fun send-off. I am thinking about possibly doing Goofy's for dinner after we drive in as an intro. To put Minnie's in the mix will definitely be busy! At least I have time to decide....

 

[ams1201]

I had asked if any of the breakfasts offer eggs Benedict but never got an answer. Does anyone know?

 

[hollyshoffbrau]

I booked a 5:30pm Ariels Grotto meal on a Sun Late Oct and a 8:10am Minnie and friends on a Monday in Late Oct.

These will be our first character meals.

There will be a 1 yo and a 2 1/2 yo with us. My 2 1/2 yo is totally not into princess stuff yet but the food looked good at Ariel's sooo do you think we should skip Ariel's until at least one of the kiddos is into princesses or just do it?

We aren't big breakfast people but Minnie's has all the more mainstream characters our toddler knows and loves.

Last questions....our daughter is super tall and will only just be 2 1/2 when we go in October.

Should we bring something to prove her age? If so what should we bring? (passport,birth certificate...) People always think shes 3 or 4 since she is so tall. Also since the kiddos will be free at the character meals since they are both under 3 do they get any food at all or are we supposed to bring something for them?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rubygoose]

I booked a 5:30pm Ariels Grotto meal on a Sun Late Oct and a 8:10am Minnie and friends on a Monday in Late Oct.

These will be our first character meals.

There will be a 1 yo and a 2 1/2 yo with us. My 2 1/2 yo is totally not into princess stuff yet but the food looked good at Ariel's sooo do you think we should skip Ariel's until at least one of the kiddos is into princesses or just do it?

We aren't big breakfast people but Minnie's has all the more mainstream characters our toddler knows and loves.

Last questions....our daughter is super tall and will only just be 2 1/2 when we go in October.

Should we bring something to prove her age? If so what should we bring? (passport,birth certificate...) People always think shes 3 or 4 since she is so tall. Also since the kiddos will be free at the character meals since they are both under 3 do they get any food at all or are we supposed to bring something for them?

Thanks in advance!

I'm sure you'll have a great time at Ariel's, and your daughter will probably surprise you and be very excited about the orincesses. It's all in the atmosphere! At Ariel's, they bring a platter out with pickles, cheeses (and other things I can't remember) to share. I've read on here that kids under 3 are often offered mac n cheese for free, so you won't have to share your meal with them or order a child's meal. At Minnie's it's a buffet, so the kids will eat for free.

We're going the week before DS turns 3 (timed the trip perfectly!) and I'm going to carry his passport with me just in case anyone questions his age. He is quite tall, and since his sister's birthday in July, he keeps asking me if he's three now. So, if someone were to ask him his age, he might turn to me and ask "am I 3 yet?" and this would make me look like I'm lying about his age!

 

[Rubygoose]

I had asked if any of the breakfasts offer eggs Benedict but never got an answer. Does anyone know?

I know they don't at Minnie's. They only have an omlet station and no other eggs.

Goofy's does according to the menues listed here:

http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm#dl

 

[aluckyduck]

My kids were days from being 3 when we went to Storytellers. We told the host that they were 2 and the waiter. Because they were fussy, we ran and grabbed them a plate w/ a bit mac and cheese and 2 chicken nuggets. They really didn't eat much more, a couple nibbles off of our plates. But when we got the check, the waiter charged us for 2 kids meals. We explained again they were still 2, and he changed it. But he said since we got them plates, he was supposed to charge . . and it left me wondering. . . where we just supposed to put their food on the table?

So no, I'm pretty sure you don't have to prove your child's age in any way. . . unless they are CLEARLY over the age. Tall 2 year olds still act like 2 year olds! My kids (b/g twins) are not tall, though and we have never been questioned.

Jill

 

[Jkpark]

I was at Goofy's last month and they did have Eggs Benedict.

I've never had my childrens age questioned but they aren't big. We were at Ariel's when my oldest was almost 4. I told the waiter her age and he says "she doesn't look like a big eater. If you are okay with getting her a small toddler meal, I don't have to charge you for her" how nice! She didn't finish even that.

I overheard two CMs sharing a funny story. A family was coming through the gate and the child in the stroller was ticketless. The CM asked her age and the child replied "I'm 3!". The mom "no honey - you are almost 3". Child "no mom I am 3. I had a party and cake and presents and I'm 3" I was cracking up. I never had that issue. DD was ticketed for 2 years before she even hit 40" on her 5th birthday trip...

 

[rebeccadunham]

Thank you so much for this thread, it's awesome! We're staying at the Grand Californian and my daughter is obsessed with Goofy so we would like to go to Goofy's Kitchen for a character meal. Is it going to be a long walk with 2 adults and a 4 year old? How long should it take? We have the option of going on Sunday the 9th or Monday the 10th, we'll probably go for brunch since it sounds like that is our best bet for character interactions. Any suggestions on a day and time? Is there a trend for days that particular characters are there? We really want Goofy and Mulan... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ArchOwl]

Thank you so much for this thread, it's awesome! We're staying at the Grand Californian and my daughter is obsessed with Goofy so we would like to go to Goofy's Kitchen for a character meal. Is it going to be a long walk with 2 adults and a 4 year old? How long should it take? We have the option of going on Sunday the 9th or Monday the 10th, we'll probably go for brunch since it sounds like that is our best bet for character interactions. Any suggestions on a day and time? Is there a trend for days that particular characters are there? We really want Goofy and Mulan... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I would say it is roughly a quarter of a mile from GCH to DLH. I am not sure how fast your family walks, but it is a nice stroll in Downtown Disney. Your biggest problem is going to be making it past all the shops without your kids wanting to go in all of them!

I don't know if there really is a trend to the characters. I haven't really noticed one. I think it is more like the luck of the draw. Sunday will probably be more busier than Monday as far as how many people are there eating.

 

[larina]

I had asked if any of the breakfasts offer eggs Benedict but never got an answer. Does anyone know?

Storytellers offers (very good) eggs benedict. They are on the buffet, or you can order them off the menu.

 

[Ride Junkie]

Last questions....our daughter is super tall and will only just be 2 1/2 when we go in October.

Should we bring something to prove her age? If so what should we bring? (passport,birth certificate...) People always think shes 3 or 4 since she is so tall. Also since the kiddos will be free at the character meals since they are both under 3 do they get any food at all or are we supposed to bring something for them?

Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't worry about proving your child's age. My DD turned 3 in July, so we bought her a park hopper ticket when we went last month (she is tall for her age as well). When we were going between the parks, they usually didn't even check her hand stamp, so they probably don't pay much attention when kids are that young. Oh well. She loved having her own ticket, and it got us one extra fast pass.

 

[mrsw94]

Thanks so much for this thread! It's great!! However now I am TORN!! We are headed down in Oct. We are going to the Halloween party on Monday, so I figured that would be a good day to do the character meal since we've decided to save the PH for our last day and just go in at 3pm with our party tickets. I'm currently leaning towards Micky's since the kiddos 3&1/2 and 10 would probably like the characters the best. I REALLY want to do Minnie's but I don't know if I want to sacrifice ride time for it. DD wants to do Ariel, but I'm hoping she can convince her Grandma to take her!

 

[disneykiwi]

Hi

I would just like to add my thanks to everyone for providing this thread and the great information. We are coming over from New Zealand next year and it is so helpful in deciding on what character meals to do.

Trouble is now I want to do them all

Oh well - it may be a long time until we get the chance to come again - so why not eh?

Thanks again

 

[hollyshoffbrau]

Thanks everyone for easing my worrywarts!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Great thread! I am a WDW veteran but new to DL.

Question (just that I understand).... If DL opens at 9am and it is a NON MM day, then Minnies at the Plaza would have it's first seating around 8ish am. So effectviely you are entering the park before the park opens... right?

Kinda like Crystal Palace at WDW.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Great thread! I am a WDW veteran but new to DL.

Question (just that I understand).... If DL opens at 9am and it is a NON MM day, then Minnies at the Plaza would have it's first seating around 8ish am. So effectviely you are entering the park before the park opens... right?

Kinda like Crystal Palace at WDW.

I think that would only be if it was an MM day, and likely the first reservation they would give you is 8:10. If it's a non-MM day with 9 AM opening, I think earliest seating at Minnie's might by 8:40 if Main Street opens at 8:30 AM.

To be honest, the only times I've ever eaten at Minnie's were when I had a 7:10 AM reservation for an 8 AM opening. I was only allowed to book this on an early entry day though and was told that the earliest available for the non-early entry days that week was 8:10.