Character Meals

[michc]

Hi,

Could anyone tell me if the Character meals ie lunch or dinner are at set times if so what and also are they very crowded ? Also do they take place in a set restaurant?

I presume that all members of the party (we are 3) have to book and eat ie we just can't take ds in to eat ?

I wasn't going to do one of these just book Cafe Mickey but after reading the recent bad reviews I now think this is a must lol

Finally do all the park/village/hotel restaurants get character visits and its just a case of who and when or are there only set ones ?

Sorry to ask such a detailed question .....

Thanks

Michelle

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi,

Not all restaurants in the Parks or the Village have character visits. In fact, I believe its only Cafe Mickey in the Village that does. Plus the character tea party at the Plaza Gardens, princesses meal at the Auberge de Cendrillon, and the buffet at the Lucky Nugget Saloon in the main Park.
As far as I know, there are no character meals at all in the Studios.

The Santa Fe has a couple of characters per night at dinner at their restaurant buffet, so I'd assume the other Disney hotels have something similar.

When we did the character tea party, it was busy, but not full. Lots of character interaction, and every character came round each table so each person there got a chance of an autograph, photo and hug. There were about a dozen characters at the tea party (they came out in 2 sets).

We did dinner at Cafe Mickey last month - it was mobbed. People were being turned away at the door without bookings, and this was early evening. We saw 4 characters in the time we were there (an hour and a half). They also made sure to come round each table, but it was very very noisy in the restaurant, very manic.

At the Santa Fe, in the evening, there were only 2 characters (Pluto and Goofy) but they spent absolutely ages in the restaurant - so everyone got a chance of some fooling around with them.

And we're doing the Lucky Nugget buffet next week - so I'll let you know how that goes!

On the experience I've had so far at these, I think the tea party at the Plaza Gardens is the best value for money. Yes, everyone who goes in has to pay to eat, but there is lots on offer, and I didn't feel rushed to get out at all - in fact, we left before most others, after we had met all the characters at the tea party we hadn't yet managed in the parks.

Elaine

 

[sarahc]

If you do a character meal I would recommend an early reservation. We had lunch at Cafe Mickey and booked for 12pm when it opened. There was hardly anyone there and DD got loads of time with Mickey and Minnie: it was lovely!

 

[Cyrano]

I presume that all members of the party (we are 3) have to book and eat ie we just can't take ds in to eat ?

That's right. Everyone has to book

 

[Milliemouse]

I have booked for my character meals when we go on 21st Nov for 3 nights.
I have booked for thurs 22nd at the Lucky Nugget saloon for 12pm (buffet) and then on the friday 23rd I have booked inventions at DL hotel for 7.45pm after the fantaillusion parade as it will be busy in the village that night and the hotel is right at the gates and when leaving the park we will get away from the crowds for dinner and it is a buffet again there which is good for the children as they will be eating late (4 and 1 year olds) and the food is already waiting which is a huge bonus.

I did consider cafe Mickeys but was put off as to how busy it may be so opted for the others.

Emma

 

[A Small World]

The character tea party at Plaza gardens is the only one at a set time (usually 2 sittings a day) when everyone arrives together. Also the character breakfast at Cafe Mickey- again 2 sittings.

The others are open for people to arrive at what ever time they wish to book.

The Lucky Nugget as it is in the park is only open during park hrs but probably from 12- park closing. This is a buffet so is a set price

Inventions is in Disneyland hotel and I think is open from 6.00 onwards. Again this is a buffet at a set price (more expensive)

Cafe Mickey is open from 12 noon onwards. This has a menu so you can order what you like

Apart from the breakfast the tea party is the only one we have done and we really enjoyed it. There was a good selection of sweet and savoury food and lots of characters. It was really good value for money as well being the cheapest option.

 

[edinburghlass]

Can I ask which "sitting" you had for the tea party at the Plaza Gardens and/or if you think it makes any difference. I want to book a Birthday tea for Christmas Day and wondered if it will be enough to eat to keep us going for lunch if early or tea/dinner if its the later one although I know they are mid afternoon!

 

[DLPdaft]

I'm pretty sure our sitting was 3.30pm til 4.30 (I don't know if there were 2 sittings when we were there, we weren't asked for a preference of sitting).

We actually left after 45 minutes (having seen one complete set of characters come round all the tables and the second set start off) and we ran down the arcade to the bottom of Main Street to catch the main parade as it ended.

Elaine

 

[A Small World]

We did the 2nd sitting which I think was about 5.15. Ive just been checking my trip report as I couldnt remember what/where else we ate that day. Ive remembered now (the beauty of doing trippies) we had lunch at Planet Hollywood (sandwich and fries) and then didnt really need anything else. We had a Croque Monsieur later on when we got back to the hotel (about 10.30 ish) I wrote a review of the tea and will try and find where for you but there was loads to eat. Sausages,omlettes,hash browns,bread,croissants,pains au chocolats, loads of diffeerent types of cakes,fruit salad,yoghurts etc etc as well as drinks (hot and cold)

 

[edinburghlass]

Sounds good to me, I'll save you a piece of birthday cake if you can give me a link to your trip report, I see we overlap by a night

 

[A Small World]

Sounds good to me, I'll save you a piece of birthday cake if you can give me a link to your trip report, I see we overlap by a night

Sorry I cant find it. Ive been looking but think I must have tagged it onto someone elses thread rather than start a new one myself. I'll keep looking however there are some good photos on the Plaza Gardens restaurant thread from someone else

 

[Princess Jayne]

We're planning on going to Cafe Mickey (I think someone said 7 is quite a good time - lots of characters but not too packed) and we're thinking about doing plaza gardens too (can you tell i love characters! lol!) x

 

[MsFreud]

On those meals... we are going next wekk (YAY!) and we are doing the princess dinner. I remember y'all talking about good and not so good times to go to this- given the parade schedule times. Any advice as far as what time to book?
This will be our 4th trip- and the first time my daughter will actually get to see the princesses, and I want her to feel she is in a dream... and I want to make sure to get my money's worth out of a $200 meal/experience.

 

[MsFreud]

Also forgot to ask...
My Daughter wants to wear her Cinderella dress for the dinner, and as it is not weather proofed very well, it is going to be the undertaking to run her back to the hotel, change, eat, then back to the hotel again to get back into warmer clothes. Any advice on how to ease this process? I would carry it with me, but as I made it from bridal satin it would rumple in a backpack, and of course it has a hoop under it....
Maybe they would let me store it somewhere in the park?
Thanks!

 

[maleficent_man]

Do they still do a character meal at the Steakhouse - I remember going to one which they run/ran which was only on a Sunday....

 

[julieannbabe]

i can't recommend strongly enough to do cafe mickey - if you love the characters.

ruddy brilliant.

we went sat night just gone at 8pm (reservation)- it wasn't that busy in there actually.

characters that we met were - mickey, goofy, tigger, eeyore, captain hook and gepato (sp)

mr smee and baloo were about but they were downstairs - so we saw them but didn't meet them.

i was very pleased and surprised how many characters were about.

we stayed in there for about an hour and a half.

disneyland hotel - 4pm main lobby great - characters start off at the top of the stairs - come down and do their dance with the kids and grown ups then do photos, etc.

people that are not staying at the disneyland hotel don't know about this - i think that they keep it quiet. anyone can go into the lobby though. i think that the characters change everyday.
we saw on sat - mickey, goofy, tigger, gideon, geppato (sp) and chip and dale.

one of the chipmonks was swinging this 5 year old girl round by her arms - she was loving it.
i didn't think that they were allowed to do that?! maybe thats just in america.

i would reccomend either of these - as then you don't have to worry about the main crush when the characters have meets in the parks without lines when it is a free for all and you can hit the rides.

have fun!

xjx

 

[DLPdaft]

MsFreud there are lockers near the entrance to the main park - you could leave DD's dress there and pick it up when you need it?

Elaine

 

[MsFreud]

MsFreud there are lockers near the entrance to the main park - you could leave DD's dress there and pick it up when you need it?

Elaine

I thought the lockers there were out of service... at least they seemed to be in the spring when we were there. Do you think I could drop it with guest services... as they also might have a place near by to change?

 

[jillrobinson]

That is a very beautiful dress, you are obviously very talented.

 

[Ware Bears]

Do they still do a character meal at the Steakhouse - I remember going to one which they run/ran which was only on a Sunday....

Yes, they do. I missed out this time as we didn't arrive until Sunday evening so am really looking forward to it next summer.

I thought the lockers there were out of service... at least they seemed to be in the spring when we were there. Do you think I could drop it with guest services... as they also might have a place near by to change?

The lockers haven't been in operation for years but Guest Storage is just outside the park (to the right of the tickets booths) and they will store it for you for a cost of €2.50. Don't think there would be anywhere to get changed, the best place will probably be in the disabled closet in the rest rooms in the Discovery Arcade. These rest rooms are rarely crowded and if there is wet weather the floor will be less dirty from wet shoes than other rest rooms with them being inside the arcade.

She looks lovely in her dress, as Jill said you are VERY talented.