Character meals - to many? Not enough?

[NJlauren]

Bunch of adults (6-10, don’t have a final count yet), 4 kids 7,5,5 and 13 months (all girls). Staying 7 nights

I currently have planned 4 character meals, Tusker house (lunch) , Artist point (dinner), CRT (dinner) and Cape May (breakfast, departure day).

That’s a character meals every other day, but some overlap on characters. To much? Not enough? Should I swap one out?

 

[Shellyb84]

I don't think that's too many for a week. Personally we didn't love the food at CRT but it's worth doing once for the princesses and being inside the castle. We love Cape May breakfast! I think the character interaction there is the best of any character meal we've had. We also enjoyed Tusker House but we had breakfast and not lunch. We have Artist Point dinner booked in April, I'm really looking forward to it. Grumpy is one of my favorite characters.

 

[NJlauren]

I don't think that's too many for a week. Personally we didn't love the food at CRT but it's worth doing once for the princesses and being inside the castle. We love Cape May breakfast! I think the character interaction there is the best of any character meal we've had. We also enjoyed Tusker House but we had breakfast and not lunch. We have Artist Point dinner booked in April, I'm really looking forward to it. Grumpy is one of my favorite characters.

Yeah thinking CRT would be a one a done, but all the kids, not the 13 month old, (all girls just edited my post) are doing BBB before CRT for the first time. So I think it will be really fun.

I’m most excited about Artist point!

Some different character which excites me.

 

[Shellyb84]

If you're ok with missing Mickey, since TH and CM characters overlap I may switch that one out, or consider Chef Mickey's instead (for breakfast, I've heard dinner isn't very good but we liked breakfast). We love the Pooh characters so we usually do Crystal Palace for lunch one day.

 

[Shellyb84]

Yeah thinking CRT would be a one a done, but all the kids, not the 13 month old, (all girls just edited my post) are doing BBB before CRT for the first time. So I think it will be really fun.

I’m most excited about Artist point!

Some different character which excites me.

DD did BBB before CRT also, and was dressed in a Cinderella costume.

 

[KevM]

I don’t think that’s too many at all either. If you wanted to add one or swap one I would also recommend Crystal Palace. It’s always great to see Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, & Eeyore.

 

[Ben E N]

2 things:
1. That amount is fine. They are all unique and fun.
2. If you have not already, look into one member in your party getting an Annual Pass, and then a Tables in Wonderland card. Some of those meals are pricey and the 20% off will help a ton (although I think it is only an AP 10% discount at Artist Point)

 

[NJlauren]

If you're ok with missing Mickey, since TH and CM characters overlap I may switch that one out, or consider Chef Mickey's instead (for breakfast, I've heard dinner isn't very good but we liked breakfast). We love the Pooh characters so we usually do Crystal Palace for lunch one day.

We did Crystal Place in March and enjoyed it, not going to lie was a bit disappointed in the interaction. I also have CRT and Artist point on our MK days so not even sure how I would fit it in.

We liked Chef Mickey when we went to breakfast a few years ago, but we are staying at the Yatch Club so Cape May is so convenient for departure day.

I thought Mickey is at TH and Cape May.... or am I mistaken? I wanted to try and fit in Ohana for breakfast but the menu doesn’t thrill me, the reports of it always running late, and being at the poly wasn’t screaming to me, since we are in the epcot area. We have a morning we could do another breakfast (at a hotel or park, water park day). Maybe Trattoria Forno? I’m obessed with flynn rider, yes me not my kids.

But then I wonder is 5 to many meals? If not maybe Trattoria or 1900 park for breakfast.

I def over analyze this part of planning (but secretly love it!)

 

[NJlauren]

I don’t think that’s too many at all either. If you wanted to add one or swap one I would also recommend Crystal Palace. It’s always great to see Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, & Eeyore.

I just don’t know what I would swap MK days have CRT and Artist point...

2 things:
1. That amount is fine. They are all unique and fun.
2. If you have not already, look into one member in your party getting an Annual Pass, and then a Tables in Wonderland card. Some of those meals are pricey and the 20% off will help a ton (although I think it is only an AP 10% discount at Artist Point)

I do have a spread sheet going to see if this would save us money!

 

[NJlauren]

2 things:
1. That amount is fine. They are all unique and fun.
2. If you have not already, look into one member in your party getting an Annual Pass, and then a Tables in Wonderland card. Some of those meals are pricey and the 20% off will help a ton (although I think it is only an AP 10% discount at Artist Point)

Sorry quoting you twice . Do you know how the tables in wonderland card works with prepaid meals?

 

[Shellyb84]

We did Crystal Place in March and enjoyed it, not going to lie was a bit disappointed in the interaction. I also have CRT and Artist point on our MK days so not even sure how I would fit it in.

We liked Chef Mickey when we went to breakfast a few years ago, but we are staying at the Yatch Club so Cape May is so convenient for departure day.

I thought Mickey is at TH and Cape May.... or am I mistaken? I wanted to try and fit in Ohana for breakfast but the menu doesn’t thrill me, the reports of it always running late, and being at the poly wasn’t screaming to me, since we are in the epcot area. We have a morning we could do another breakfast (at a hotel or park, water park day). Maybe Trattoria Forno? I’m obessed with flynn rider, yes me not my kids.

But then I wonder is 5 to many meals? If not maybe Trattoria or 1900 park for breakfast.

I def over analyze this part of planning (but secretly love it!)

I'm almost certain it was Minnie, Donald and Goofy at Cape May. I also looked back through photos and those are the only 3 we have photos with.

Ok, I would keep Cape May then since you're at YC. We usually only do breakfasts when we're not going to a park. Trattoria would be a good choice then since it's convenient. I've been wanting to try it, I've heard the food is really good. We're staying at BWV in June/July and may try it then.

Haha I over analyze everything too!

 

[Ben E N]

Sorry quoting you twice . Do you know how the tables in wonderland card works with prepaid meals?

Ah, you're on the Dining Plan. Then that card would only save you on drinks, not worthwhile. One more suggestion, then. Instead of CRT, check out Akershus in Epcot. Still princesses, but you go from one of the worst values for your credits to one of the best. You do miss out on the castle, though.

 

[NJlauren]

Ah, you're on the Dining Plan. Then that card would only save you on drinks, not worthwhile. One more suggestion, then. Instead of CRT, check out Akershus in Epcot. Still princesses, but you go from one of the worst values for your credits to one of the best. You do miss out on the castle, though.

No not on the dining plan, just thinking about CRT, since you need to prepay for that. How do they give you the TIW discount?

We are doing CRT since we are doing BBB before the meal.

 

[gharter]

For a week and given the ages of the kids, thats probably not too many. It really depends on your priorities. A character meal will take longer than a regular meal, if you want to meet all the characters. If maxing out rides is most important, then you may have too many. If seeing more characters or a blend of characters and rides is most important, then you should be good.

 

[NJlauren]

For a week and given the ages of the kids, thats probably not too many. It really depends on your priorities. A character meal will take longer than a regular meal, if you want to meet all the characters. If maxing out rides is most important, then you may have too many. If seeing more characters or a blend of characters and rides is most important, then you should be good.

Since it’s August looking for a blend and to escape the heat! I also figure I can always cancel ones towards the end of the trip if people don’t want to do them...

 

[Ben E N]

No not on the dining plan, just thinking about CRT, since you need to prepay for that. How do they give you the TIW discount?

We are doing CRT since we are doing BBB before the meal.

Ok then, back to where I started. Sorry I misunderstood what you meant. I forget exactly how it was done, but I remember giving the waitress my card and then she gave me an updated bill. It was something she was familiar with, so it was not a big deal. I think you get a credit back to your card, but it is pretty minimal once tip is added in anyway.

 

[goodeats]

I don't think it's too many, but it will be expensive! After our last trip I determined we are a one character meal a trip family.

You did pick some good ones though!

 

[NJlauren]

Ok then, back to where I started. Sorry I misunderstood what you meant. I forget exactly how it was done, but I remember giving the waitress my card and then she gave me an updated bill. It was something she was familiar with, so it was not a big deal. I think you get a credit back to your card, but it is pretty minimal once tip is added in anyway.

Got it! When I price out CRT they add the tip, so basically I get the tip refunded. Currently I’m losing out with upgrading and getting the TIW card but that’s before any other meals. My husband is going to be dead set against this idea because he knows I will plan another trip to make sure and use my AP!

 

[NJlauren]

I don't think it's too many, but it will be expensive! After our last trip I determined we are a one character meal a trip family.

You did pick some good ones though!

Yeah my wallet is crying already! I just keep saying they won’t want to meet characters forever.

Plus it may be the only trip we take with these cousins so making it special.

All excuses to make my wallet not be as sad!

 

[Ben E N]

Got it! When I price out CRT they add the tip, so basically I get the tip refunded. Currently I’m losing out with upgrading and getting the TIW card but that’s before any other meals. My husband is going to be dead set against this idea because he knows I will plan another trip to make sure and use my AP!

He may have a point. It's a slippery slope towards DVC ownership and then adding on more points...

For that length of stay, though, just one AP in your party gets all of your pictures for free, as well as 20% all merchandise bought with the cardholder present. If you don't get TiW, the Annual Pass discounts are 10% at almost every sit down place, not as hefty as TiW, but it does add up