Character Meals

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi all,

Have never taken Joshua to one of these before, mainly (as some of you will know) because he is Autistic and can sometimes not like unfamiliar surroundings, mainly due to a lack of patience rather than anything else.

Whilst he cannot talk (well no words anyway), he is extremely mobile , very happy, loves Orlando and can communicate in so many other ways.

So despite going every year we have never sat down at any restaurant at WDW, we always stay in a villa also, so for our August trip we really want to push him a bit more, hence the question - can anyone recommend a buffet style restaurant, preferably at one of the parks or alternatively one of the on-site hotels?
And if so how far in advance do we book...and how do we actually book

I know many of you are very knowledgable on this so any response appreciated.

Realise Verity has just asked a question about character meals too, but didn't want to hijack the thread so to speak.

 

[Claire L]

Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary always seems middle of the road for food and surroundings, although it can get noisey if they are celebrating a birthday etc! Maybe ask to be seated in a 'quieter' corner if there is one.

Claire

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Johnny, (Or was that Steve? )

Does Joshua have a preference for any particular characaters, eg Chip, Dale, Mickey, Minnie, Pooh Bear, Toy Story etc?

And would he cope better in a more quet environment or one where there is lots going on?

Just to try and narrow it down a bit for you

The number to book is 407 WDW DINE and you can book up to 180 days in advance (but won't need to book that far in advance - unless you fancy CRT)

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi all,

Have never taken Joshua to one of these before, mainly (as some of you will know) because he is Autistic and can sometimes not like unfamiliar surroundings, mainly due to a lack of patience rather than anything else.

Whilst he cannot talk (well no words anyway), he is extremely mobile , very happy, loves Orlando and can communicate in so many other ways.

So despite going every year we have never sat down at any restaurant at WDW, we always stay in a villa also, so for our August trip we really want to push him a bit more, hence the question - can anyone recommend a buffet style restaurant, preferably at one of the parks or alternatively one of the on-site hotels?
And if so how far in advance do we book...and how do we actually book

I know many of you are very knowledgable on this so any response appreciated.

Realise Verity has just asked a question about character meals too, but didn't want to hijack the thread so to speak.

does Joshua do well with lots of noise, action and crowds?....i ask, because all of the character breakfasts we've been to, tend to be quite crowded and somewhat noisy and active (lots of hyper kids all excited to be near all those characters - not to mention the pushy hyper parents)...

if he has a problem with this, then maybe a character breakfast might not be the best thing....

we haven't been to Chef Mickey's for dinner in years, but maybe that one is better?....but in that case you have the noise of the monorail and the atrium of the CR to contend with....or maybe noise and distraction is good for Joshua....

to make a dining reservation you have to call WDW Dining reservations...i don't know if you have a special number in the UK, but i always just call directly to WDW.....you have to call the international access number (00?)....then the number for the US (1), then the area code etc.

so i think for you it would be like for me - 00-1-407- 939-3463

i think that central reservations can also help you, but that's the disney dining number...

 

[wilma-bride]

Johnny, I recommended it on Verity's thread also but I really think the 1900 Park Faire breakfast would be ideal for you. It is buffet style and there is plenty of choice. Also, the tables are well spread out so it doesn't seem too crowded/noisy. The characters there are usually Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet (or combination thereof), Mad Hatter, Alice and Mary Poppins. I think, personally, that places like Crystal Palace and Breakfastosaurus may be too noisy for Joshua but the GF would be ideal. Also, it's very close to the MK and easily within walking distance

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Cape May cafe breakfast (at The Beach Club) is lovely. Lots of character interaction (Goofy, Minnie, Chip and Dale) Great buffet and a nice calm atmosphere. No singing and shouting like some of the others. I know Chef Mickeys do a song and Crystal Palace and Ohana both do a parade- might that be too much for a first time experience? Only you know I guess. I would book a later slot at Cape May to avoid the prepark crowds. We have had a late and leisurely breakfast here several times. After you can go to Epcot or MGM as they are close by.

We first took DD here when she was 6 months. The characters were lovely with her. One of the chipmunks pulled up a chair and held DD while I ate. We have booked to go back during our next trip.

All the best,
Mandy

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Karen,
No , he doesn't really understand the characters, not that he obviously would not notice them.

There are 1 or 2 at Universal he can relate to, but it's the rides at FantasyLand and the likes of Goofy's Barnstormer, as well as Pirates Of The Carribean, the railroad and others where he gets his enjoyment.

Magic Kingdom is really the only Disney park, apart from the water parks which he loves, where he really has a great time.
Most of the rides we go on a few times for him, in fact it can be a struggle getting away from Fantasyland.

We have to stay in a villa for the extra room, cooking facilities and he loves water so the private pool is brilliant, and we have about 15 US format Blue's Clues/Sesame Street/Thomas The Tank videos/dvds which he likes to watch when we are relaxing at the villa.

The character meal would be a good way visiting a restaurant, seeing the characters etc , we are going to do Ponderosa/Golden Corral also to try and get him to use eating out.

A quieter environment may be better I think, and judging by Joh and Mandy's response I am leaning towards a hotel rather than somehwere like Crystal Palace.

Beth, as I say in reply to Karen, a quieter environment mays suit us more - guess until we do it we won't really know.
For a first time experience, it could be advisable if we were cautious and go for one of the one's below.

Joh and Mandy, I like your Cape May and Park Faire suggestions also..it could well be we will plump for one of these 2, it may be better for us if we go to one of the hotels I think rather than at the park itself, and it would make a nice change for us.

Thanks for the replies, didn't want to respond direct to 'quotes' as it would have been a rether long post.

It is difficult to do in the UK because there is no way we could do a long-winded formal type of restaurant, and whilst the likes of McDonald's are okay I guess, we are looking for nicer quality food for him.

 

[disneyholic family]

reading through the other posts there are some good points -
Mandy makes a very good suggestion, if you decide on breakfast, pick a somewhat later time to avoid the morning feverish rush.....

Cape May at the Beach Club is very nice and has a sort of open feeling due to the half walls around the restaurant (so you can see out into the hallway and beyond that the windows to outdoors).....it does have a nice open feel to it...and the breakfast buffet is one of the best....Joshua might enjoy the little Mickey shaped waffles (which are served at all the different buffet breakfasts at WDW).....my kids always liked those (they still do for that matter)....

When my kids were interested in character meals (now they avoid them - we only went this year for their grandma's birthday - she loved it)..
anyway, when we used to go to them, we ususally went to Cape May because it's a bit smaller than the others and has a very good buffet selection...

So I think that would be my suggestion to you.....a late breakfast at Cape May or dinner at Chef Mickeys....

But Chrystal Palace is also very nice.....it's in the MK which i guess would be convenient for you....but there really is no "slow" time at the Chrystal Palace since it's in the park...and it's quite large.....but it is a very pretty place....

by the way, i think that when you check in at the check in desk (you check in and they write you down and then call you when it's your turn), you might want to tell them that Joshua has special needs......perhaps the characters will be especially understanding with him......
also maybe they'll seat you faster?....i don't know how it works (do you use the guest assistance card? maybe that comes into play here as well?)

 

[gilld]

I wonder if Liberty Tree Tavern would be a good choice. It's really rather sedate compared to most of the other Character dining venues.

Whichever you choose, I hope it goes well for you all.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Cape May at the Beach Club is very nice and has a sort of open feeling due to the half walls around the restaurant (so you can see out into the hallway and beyond that the windows to outdoors).....it does have a nice open feel to it...and the breakfast buffet is one of the best....Joshua might enjoy the little Mickey shaped waffles (which are served at all the different buffet breakfasts at WDW).....my kids always liked those (they still do for that matter)....

So I think that would be my suggestion to you.....a late breakfast at Cape May or dinner at Chef Mickeys....

by the way, i think that when you check in at the check in desk (you check in and they write you down and then call you when it's your turn), you might want to tell them that Joshua has special needs......perhaps the characters will be especially understanding with him......
also maybe they'll seat you faster?....i don't know how it works (do you use the guest assistance card? maybe that comes into play here as well?)

Yes we will have a GAC card Beth, I am leaning towards a Cape May type place at the moment. My rather lengthy post just above refers
Thanks again.

I wonder if Liberty Tree Tavern would be a good choice. It's really rather sedate compared to most of the other Character dining venues.

Whichever you choose, I hope it goes well for you all.

Thanks Gill

 

[carolfoy]

I've heard on another thread that if you book ,say, a late breakfast then the restaurant will be quieter and the interaction would be more low key, that way you could probably get Joshua to enjoy it at a slower pace without crowds and crowds trying to get to the food. I'm sure the characters would take more time with him as well if the CM in charge understands he's autistic.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I've heard on another thread that if you book ,say, a late breakfast then the restaurant will be quieter and the interaction would be more low key, that way you could probably get Joshua to enjoy it at a slower pace without crowds and crowds trying to get to the food. I'm sure the characters would take more time with him as well if the CM in charge understands he's autistic.

Thanks Carol, yes I am sure that is true and I will definitely bear that in mind.
(ps your US park maps were posted this morning)

 

[carolfoy]

Thanks Johnny

 

[JohnnySharp2]

So if I wanted to book Cafe May or Chef Mickey's or the Park Faire would I have to call the number Beth stated earlier and shown below- or the individual hotel?

ie - "to make a dining reservation you have to call WDW Dining reservations...i don't know if you have a special number in the UK, but i always just call directly to WDW.....you have to call the international access number (00?)....then the number for the US (1), then the area code etc.

so i think for you it would be like for me - 00-1-407- 939-3463"

 

[carolfoy]

Thats the number I called last year, it took a while to get it done though and the 'needed' my hotel reservation number so I had to call virgin back and get it from them. If you're staying off site though they must be able to do it without 'cos everyone else does! so just make sure you're clear on that when you call.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thats the number I called last year, it took a while to get it done though and the 'needed' my hotel reservation number so I had to call virgin back and get it from them. If you're staying off site though they must be able to do it without 'cos everyone else does! so just make sure you're clear on that when you call.

Thanks Carol

 

[Goofyish]

I had the Libertry Tavern in my mind too (character dinner). The food is fairly plain (turkey, ham, beef, mash potato, green beens, gravy, mac & cheese and salad), served family style on a platter.

The characters (Pluto, Goofy, Minnie and Chip & Dale) seemed to come round often and the place had a nice quiet atmosphere.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I had the Libertry Tavern in my mind too (character dinner). The food is fairly plain (turkey, ham, beef, mash potato, green beens, gravy, mac & cheese and salad), served family style on a platter.

The characters (Pluto, Goofy, Minnie and Chip & Dale) seemed to come round often and the place had a nice quiet atmosphere.

Thanks Tim, I have a few options building up nicely

 

[PigSoldier]

1900 Park Fare has carousel animals dotted about throughout the restaurant, which he might like if he loves Fantasyland I've always found it to be fairly quiet and spacious when I'm there, the morning breakfasts have characters from Alice and Winnie the Pooh, and the dinners have Cinderella characters.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

1900 Park Fare has carousel animals dotted about throughout the restaurant, which he might like if he loves Fantasyland I've always found it to be fairly quiet and spacious when I'm there, the morning breakfasts have characters from Alice and Winnie the Pooh, and the dinners have Cinderella characters.

Thanks Suzi, appreciate that.