Character Meals Super Thread!!

[Kristina4109]

Really love Surf's Up. It's the best way to meet both Stitch and Daisy.

 

[MJAJmom]

Ariel's Grotto lists that it has 2 dining sections - Under The Sea and Dine By The Water. Is there a big difference in decor between these 2 sections? We are booked there for lunch in June. Just wondering what the differences were and if one was any better/prettier. I'll be there with my 2 boys.

 

[mom2rtk]

Ariel's Grotto lists that it has 2 dining sections - Under The Sea and Dine By The Water. Is there a big difference in decor between these 2 sections? We are booked there for lunch in June. Just wondering what the differences were and if one was any better/prettier. I'll be there with my 2 boys.

I imagine the "dine by the water" section is the outdoor seating, so the experience could be lovely or questionable depending on the weather. I would not have wanted to sit out there last December when we hit that cold streak.

 

[Kristina4109]

...or this past week with the triple digits!

 

[AmberStar]

Does Anyone know...

When I pay for vouchers on get away today does the date need to be the same as the day we plan to go to the character breakfast?

I am trying to pre-pay things and wanted to just buy my voucher/tickets now but we are not yet certain what day to go to the meal. Our trip is not until December and we will be there 5 days. I thought I would figure it out closer to the day I call to make reservations. Can I just put the first day we are in disney instead of the exact date?

 

[mummabear]

I would give almost anything to have Tinker Bell appear at one. :-( My kid is Tinker NUTS and we have to spend time waiting in line at Pixie Hollow every single trip.

I would love a Disney junior one like Hollywood and vine at wdw

 

[tatsmx]

hi! I am trying to fit our ariel's grotto breakfast. is it better to have the first sit down at 9 am? or 10 am will also work? i worry that at 10 am the place will be packed and messy (have read some bad reviews).
also, is 1 hour enough time? or do they let you stay for 1 and 1/2 hrs? have also read they really rush you out...

we are more character based than rides... trying to fit some kiddie rides early and basically we will stalk characters afterwards.
any experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!
TIA! tatiana

 

[sandysue]

hi! I am trying to fit our ariel's grotto breakfast. is it better to have the first sit down at 9 am? or 10 am will also work? i worry that at 10 am the place will be packed and messy (have read some bad reviews).
also, is 1 hour enough time? or do they let you stay for 1 and 1/2 hrs? have also read they really rush you out...

we are more character based than rides... trying to fit some kiddie rides early and basically we will stalk characters afterwards.
any experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!
TIA! tatiana

I would do it as early in your trip as possible. Then you won't spent time at royal hall or other places trying to.meet princesses since you'll have already gotten to meet them.
We're doing lunch so can't comment on break fast. I don't want to give up valuable touring time.

 

[tatsmx]

I would do it as early in your trip as possible. Then you won't spent time at royal hall or other places trying to.meet princesses since you'll have already gotten to meet them.
We're doing lunch so can't comment on break fast. I don't want to give up valuable touring time.

thanks! i am also thinking about lunch instead of breakfast... we could get more done in the morning... kind of hard trying to cram everything in one day (silly me i just considered one day for Ca Adv)

 

[td365]

Does anyone know where I can find an up to date price listing for the different character meals? I've found some widely different prices out there (some as different as $20 for the same meal). We'll be in DL this September and we're trying to make our plans.

 

[disney meema]

We don't live in California any longer but we did for 45 yeas and had AP so we've done all the character meals many times over ... Here's our favorites from most liked and so on.
***Also love the holiday buffets at the dis land hotel ballroom, we've done the Easter buffet and so wonderful. Highly recommend if your visiting during any of the holidays to check this out. Lots of characters and a lovely meal : )
1. Ariel's Grotto lunch
2. Goofy's kitchen lunch or dinner
3. PCH Grill Surfs up breakfast
4. Minnie and Friends breakfast
5. Storyteller's

 

[smiles33]

Bumping this thread! We are going one week from now and have reservations for dinner at Goofy's again and will try breakfast at Surf's Up for the first time. I'll be sure to return to update the thread with photos and our impressions.

 

[tatsmx]

Bumping this thread! We are going one week from now and have reservations for dinner at Goofy's again and will try breakfast at Surf's Up for the first time. I'll be sure to return to update the thread with photos and our impressions.

please do!!! if you could share the best table to sit (to get lots of interaction !!!) or any tips do make the experience more worthwhile... are you doing ariels grotto?? kinda worried about that one... tripadvisor has new awful reviews. we already have a res for july... and my dd is looking forward to it... hope you have a great time!!

 

[AmberStar]

I officially decided on surfs up. woot! Check that disney decision off the list.

 

[smiles33]

please do!!! if you could share the best table to sit (to get lots of interaction !!!) or any tips do make the experience more worthwhile... are you doing ariels grotto?? kinda worried about that one... tripadvisor has new awful reviews. we already have a res for july... and my dd is looking forward to it... hope you have a great time!!

We have been to Ariel's Grotto twice now on past trips (April 2013 and Sept 2011). My reviews are linked on the first page of this thread. We have been disappointed both times because it's the most expensive character meal, you "only" get brief moments with the 5 princesses, and the food is average (if I were paying $10/person, I'd think it was pretty good, but not at $40/person). For $30/person extra, I want more than a hug, a pose, and an autograph. The princesses don't seem to have time to linger and chat with your child, so it really is just a quick "Hello," hug, and a pose for photo on my camera. I've subsequently read that other parents prompt their kid to ask questions of the princesses (e.g., "What's your favorite book, Belle?") so that may be the way to go to encourage them to linger a little longer.

Back in 2011, we did it because I didn't want to be tied down to wasting more than an hour at the old Princess Fantasy Faire. We did it again in 2013 because my in-laws called while we were at the BBB and said they wanted to treat us to a special meal. Now that the Royal Hall has faster lines (and has double the princesses in two separate sections!), I don't think there's as much pressure to do AG.

For about the same price, we think Goofy's is far better. We only saw 2 princesses there (Aurora and Mulan), but there were many more characters, better interaction (I felt like they asked my kids questions rather than rushing off!), and better food.

 

[tatsmx]

We have been to Ariel's Grotto twice now on past trips (April 2013 and Sept 2011). My reviews are linked on the first page of this thread. We have been disappointed both times because it's the most expensive character meal, you "only" get brief moments with the 5 princesses, and the food is average (if I were paying $10/person, I'd think it was pretty good, but not at $40/person). For $30/person extra, I want more than a hug, a pose, and an autograph. The princesses don't seem to have time to linger and chat with your child, so it really is just a quick "Hello," hug, and a pose for photo on my camera. I've subsequently read that other parents prompt their kid to ask questions of the princesses (e.g., "What's your favorite book, Belle?") so that may be the way to go to encourage them to linger a little longer.

Back in 2011, we did it because I didn't want to be tied down to wasting more than an hour at the old Princess Fantasy Faire. We did it again in 2013 because my in-laws called while we were at the BBB and said they wanted to treat us to a special meal. Now that the Royal Hall has faster lines (and has double the princesses in two separate sections!), I don't think there's as much pressure to do AG.

For about the same price, we think Goofy's is far better. We only saw 2 princesses there (Aurora and Mulan), but there were many more characters, better interaction (I felt like they asked my kids questions rather than rushing off!), and better food.

thanks! been tempted to cancel AG, but dont want to regret not doing it!!! :/ well at least my expectations will be low! my dd4 will be excited anyway

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We have been to Ariel's Grotto twice now on past trips (April 2013 and Sept 2011). My reviews are linked on the first page of this thread. We have been disappointed both times because it's the most expensive character meal, you "only" get brief moments with the 5 princesses, and the food is average (if I were paying $10/person, I'd think it was pretty good, but not at $40/person). For $30/person extra, I want more than a hug, a pose, and an autograph. The princesses don't seem to have time to linger and chat with your child, so it really is just a quick "Hello," hug, and a pose for photo on my camera. I've subsequently read that other parents prompt their kid to ask questions of the princesses (e.g., "What's your favorite book, Belle?") so that may be the way to go to encourage them to linger a little longer. Back in 2011, we did it because I didn't want to be tied down to wasting more than an hour at the old Princess Fantasy Faire. We did it again in 2013 because my in-laws called while we were at the BBB and said they wanted to treat us to a special meal. Now that the Royal Hall has faster lines (and has double the princesses in two separate sections!), I don't think there's as much pressure to do AG. For about the same price, we think Goofy's is far better. We only saw 2 princesses there (Aurora and Mulan), but there were many more characters, better interaction (I felt like they asked my kids questions rather than rushing off!), and better food.

I have said it before, but I agree 100% with this. We did it years ago (2006 & 2007) and then skipped for many years. Tried again last Nov and was sorely disappointed. The description of interaction is spot on - hello, hug, sign, picture, move on. We didn't even see Ariel at the entrance, it was Cinderella! Which isn't horrible, but we went because my 3 yr old is in love with Ariel (she did come around to the tables but it wasn't the same). The food was lackluster and the service was horrible.

 

[tatsmx]

I have said it before, but I agree 100% with this. We did it years ago (2006 & 2007) and then skipped for many years. Tried again last Nov and was sorely disappointed. The description of interaction is spot on - hello, hug, sign, picture, move on. We didn't even see Ariel at the entrance, it was Cinderella! Which isn't horrible, but we went because my 3 yr old is in love with Ariel (she did come around to the tables but it wasn't the same). The food was lackluster and the service was horrible.

yeah.. i am kind of scared of the food to be honest... and i get upset with bad service. really dont mind the short interaction since dd4 only speaks spanish and is on the shy side (but i would get furious if they skip our table!)
we still have time to decide... hoping to hear more experiences!!!

 

[smiles33]

yeah.. i am kind of scared of the food to be honest... and i get upset with bad service. really dont mind the short interaction since dd4 only speaks spanish and is on the shy side (but i would get furious if they skip our table!)
we still have time to decide... hoping to hear more experiences!!!

Don't be scared. If you go in with realistic expectations, you won't be disappointed. I was most disappointed on our first visit, as I expected so much more. When my in-laws offered to pay for a special treat and we went to Ariel's Grotto the second time, I went in with very low expectations. Both my DDs enjoyed themselves, they liked the kids' meals, and ultimately, that's what counts. I just don't plan to go back unless it's free again.

 

[mme125]

We went to ariel's for lunch and goofy's for brunch this week. I don't agree with the bad food reviews of ariel's at all. The crab chowder and bang steak were so good! I forgot autograph books in the stroller and had to go get them. The hostess took the yo Ariel while I went back to our table before the other princessess came out. We met Ariel, aurora, Cinderella, belle, and sleeping beauty. Yes they were a little quick getting from table to table bit very nice. My girls did Bibb before in aurora dresses. She talked with them about how it looked like her fairies helped get them ready. Snow white was teaching them to show of dresses while taking pictures. they were thrilled

At goofy's we met goofy, plooto, chip, Dale, baloo , alice and Jasmine worked out perfect to get a different princess although I think Alice was my favorite so funny and good with the kids. This was more affordable as it's a buffet. Which also worked better for our super picky 4 year old. The characters are less rushed here since they don't deal with set seating and announcement times like the princesses